Erin Hutchings Malan fell in love with ballet when her mom took her to her first performance at the age of 5. She received her early training at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet in American Fork, Utah and became a member of Utah Regional Ballet’s second company at the age of 14, going on to dance for the professional company (now Utah Metropolitan Ballet) at age 18.

During her time with the company, Erin performed corps de ballet and solo roles in numerous full-length classical productions, including: Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Legend of Timpanogos, La Coquette, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Hansel and Gretel, as well as more contemporary ballets like George Balanchine’s Serenade and several works by Alan Hineline, Jackie Colledge, and Heather Gray. She also toured internationally, and performed at Regional Dance America Festivals throughout the United States, where she received the distinction of Honors Class student.

Erin was exposed to many pedagogical styles during her formative years, and studied with numerous wonderful and renowned teachers, including: Darla Hoover, Alan Hineline, Jackie Colledge, Alonzo King, Yi-Qi Cheng, Laura Alonzo, David Howard, and Alaine Haubert.

In 2006, Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with a ballet emphasis, from Brigham Young University. While at BYU, she received several talent scholarships and performed and toured with the top company–Theatre Ballet–where she was featured in principal roles, including Raymonda and Snow Queen. She went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts in Ballet Teaching and Choreography from the University of Utah in 2008, focusing on contemporary ballet choreography and learning from excellent teaching mentors like Barbara Hamblin, Attila Ficzere, and Sharee Lane.

Erin’s teaching resume is vast and includes studios in Utah (most notably Jacqueline’s School of Ballet, The Pointe Academy), the Midwest (most notably The Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago and Southold Dance Theatre), and the Atlanta area (most notably Studio Atlanta and Studio Dionne). She has taught pre-ballet all the way up through advanced technique classes for professional level dancers. Erin is an award-winning choreographer (1st place Choreography Design Project, Utah Metropolitan Ballet), and has created works performed at Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, and several recitals.

Most recently, Erin served as an adjunct professor of ballet at Brigham Young University. While at BYU, she taught beginning through advanced levels of ballet technique, pointe and variations, pilates for dancers, helped direct the Showcase Ballet Company, and conducted Theatre Ballet Company rehearsals. She has also served on faculty at Emory University and Utah Valley University.

Erin continues to prioritize her own learning about best practices in regards to teaching ballet and embodied movement. She has completed two Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher Trainings–with Marcia Dale Weary and Darla Hoover; is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique; has completed several Stott Pilates Trainings, and is a certified yoga teacher.

She is excited to use her knowledge, experience, and love for dance and education, to build her own ballet program here in Heber Valley.

We are excited to add Elayna Smith to our faculty for the 2024-2025 Season! Elayna grew up in Woods Cross, Utah and received her early dance training at the Bountiful School of Ballet. During her youth she had opportunities to perform with Ballet West and Mountain West Ballet. After graduating from high school, she continued her training at Brigham Young University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, with an emphasis in Ballet. While at BYU, Elayna was a member of both Theatre Ballet and Ballet Showcase Companies and studied under wonderful faculty members, including Shayla Bott and Ashley Parov. She had the opportunity to travel to Italy to study at La Scala Ballet School in Milan and to Chicago to perform in the Arpino Centennial Celebration.

Elayna has performed roles in several ballets, including: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, George Balanchine’s “Walpurgisnacht” and Gerald Arpino's “Birthday Variations” and “Viva Vivaldi”.

Elayna’s teaching experience includes the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, as well as Bountiful School of Ballet. Elayna has found such joy in dancing and is grateful to continue to share that passion with others through teaching!