Our Story
Welcome to UBA, where our lifelong dream came to life in 2020! We believe that dance is for everyone, regardless of race, religion, or financial background. Our mission is to unite through the joy of dance, ensuring every child has the opportunity to gain confidence and express themselves through performance. We focus on small classes to provide personalized attention for each student. Using the Royal Academy of Dance method (RAD) we offer a structured system of levels that support and recognize students' achievement and progress. This clear pathway not only reinforces technical skill, creativity, and musicality, but also motivates dancers through a sense of accomplishment at each stage. By rewarding dedication and development, the RAD helps students grow with confidence and purpose. Together, we celebrate the transformative power of dance and cultivate a love that lasts a lifetime!
Faculty
SUPPORTIVE, INSPIRING, PASSIONATE
Our talented instructors bring extensive experience and passion for ballet. They mentor students of all ages and levels, focusing on technical skills, artistry, and discipline. Their dedication creates a supportive environment where dancers can grow and thrive
Director and Owner
Carrie Wright
Bio
Carrie Wright is a classically trained dancer and seasoned performer whose career has spanned genres, stages, and continents. Originally from England, Carrie trained at some of the most prestigious institutions in the UK, including Bush Davies, Elmhurst Ballet School, and the English National Ballet school. Carrie holds a Diploma in Dance Education from Guildford University, England and is a certified and registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. With over 27 years of teaching experience she brings both technical excellence and deep passion to her students.
Carrie's professional performance career includes standout roles on major stages. She performed in Phantom of the Opera, taking on the role of Meg Giry, and has danced in front of royalty, including a production at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for Princess Diana and memorable performances as Kermit the Frog alongside Natalia Markarova for Princess Margaret. her versatility and artistry span ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, Spanish, and contemporary dance, enriching her teaching with a broad and dynamic perspective.
In 2020, Carrie fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening her own studio - Utah Ballet Academy. She has created a nurturing space where dancers of all ages and skill levels are fulfilled with expert technique and heartfelt mentorship. Outside the studio, Carrie enjoys life with her husband and three children as well as her first grandchild. cherishing all, she continues to inspire through the art of dance
Instructor
Kelli Pinkerton
Bio
Coming soon
Instructor
Shauna Wilson
Bio
Coming soon
Instructor
Janessa Meiners
Bio
Coming soon
Instructor
Allanna Mills
Bio
Allanna Mills has been dancing since she was four years old. Her dance experience started at Jacqueline's School of Ballet where she danced for seven years. During this time, she had numerous performing opportunities including participating in their auditioned Nutcracker performance for five years. Here she learned ballet as well as jazz and beginning point. She also participated in their summer programs which invited teachers from all over the U.S. At the age of 11, she moved studios and danced with the Ballet West Academy for one year before moving to the Academy of Ballet where she met Carrie Wright. She danced there until the studio was sold, at which point she started taking private lessons from Carrie. She did this until graduating high school. During those years she took and passed the Grade 5 Solo Performance Award, Discovering Repertoire, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced 1 Exams. Her dance experience also includes 11 years of Irish dance in which she has achieved the Preliminary championship Level.
Allanna graduated from UVU with her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education in 2023 and has taught summer preschool classes since then. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in University Studies, a personalized degree that allowed her to simultaneously take upper division dance courses. She values the education she acquired there and is excited to apply it as she begins teaching. She helped teach the Summer Princess Camps in 2025 with Carrie and will continue to be mentored by her as she begins teaching ballet. She is excited to teach her favorite age of children and share her love of dance with them
Instructor
Earlet Meiners
Bio
Registered Teacher, Royal Academy of Dance (London, England).
Earlet Meiners has taught dance for over 43 years, training students in ballet, tap, jazz, folk, and other dance forms. A Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, she has entered students in RAD ballet exams for more than 30 years and previously served as a Practical Teaching Supervisor, mentoring other ballet instructors. She performed internationally with the BYU Folk Dance Ensemble (1983–1989) and has taught dance and fitness courses at BYU.
Earlet earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Athletic Training and a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine from Brigham Young University. She owned and directed the School of Ballet Arts for 20 years and is the Founder, Director, and Choreographer of the Utah Valley Civic Ballet Company, established in 1990. In addition to her dance career, Earlet is a licensed elementary school teacher with years of classroom and mentoring experience. She continues to pursue professional development, sharing her passion for teaching and the arts with generations of students.