Lori Christensen  Owner  

“Ms. California” has travelled a long way from teaching dance in the den of her California home at age 13 to Woodbury, Tennessee, where she was dubbed “Ms. California” at Woodbury Grammar school in 2006. Prior to relocating to Tennessee, “Ms. California” earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Irvine, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from California State University, Fullerton, and a Special Education credential from MTSU. Her dance training began at the age of 5 and continued through her college and adult years, most notably with Broadway dancer, Jimmie Defore. One of the highlights of her long career was assuming the choreography responsibilities of Celebration, a performing group of special needs adults, who performed at the White House. Throughout the years, Lori has shared her passion for dance in a variety of venues including Theater For Young America and Dance2Go in Kansas City,  and Drama / Dance Department Chair at Fairgrove Academy and McPherson Magnet Schools in Southern California. She contributed her talents to both Cannon and Warren County School Districts as a Theater Arts Teacher and Beta Choreographer while teaching Special Education and ESL classes. Alongside her public teaching career, she developed and maintained her dance studio, Canyon School of the Arts, in Silverado, CA. and started Cannon Arts Dance Studio in 2007 for the purpose of providing quality dance instruction to “build dancers and change lives.” Since the inception of Cannon Arts Dance Studio, “Ms. California” has served the community in a variety of ways including the California Club Ballet Folklorico troupe, Board Member at Edgar Evins State Park, including History Hayride, and a National Park Ranger at Stones River Battlefield including the Hallowed Ground Tour. Her holistic approach to teaching dance focuses on the development of the student dancer through technique, skill building and unique performance opportunities. Currently, Lori holds a position as a board member on The Tennessee Association of Dance, where she advocates for dance arts statewide.

Xan Barrell Tap | Jazz | Ballet | Jr Company | Acro

Xan Barrell comes to us from Showstars Dance Academy in Brighton, Tn, where she has worked since 2019.  Xan’s teaching focuses on developing technique in whatever genre she is teaching, whether it's Tap, Jazz, Ballet or Acro.  After being chosen to attend the prestigious Governor's school in 2020 and 2021, Xan decided to attend MTSU to pursue her dreams in dance and film. Her experience in choreographing group and solo performances makes her the ideal instructor for our Junior Company, as well as for combos 1-4. This season Xan will add Acro dance and Nutcracker co-choreographer to her list of creative responsibilities to the studio. Xan comes highly recommended from Showstars as well as the MTSU Dance Department and we are proud to welcome her to Cannon Arts Dance.

 Ashlyn Lee Hip Hop

Ashlyn is originally from Warren County, TN, where her passion for dance began at a young age. After training for  15 years at Paula’s Dance Academy, she grew into the role of instructor and choreographer, creating numerous recital pieces, competitive routines, and solos.

While in high school, Ashlyn was a member of the nationally ranked Warren County High School Pioneerette Dance Team. During her time on the team, they earned a TSSAA State Runner-Up title and placed Top 15 in the Hip Hop division at UDA Nationals. She was also selected as a UDA All-American Dancer.

Ashlyn continued her dance career at Middle Tennessee State University as a four-year member of the MTSU Dance Team. There, she competed at NDA Nationals where the team ranked 12th in the Hip Hop division and performed at major events including Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators games, as well as NCAA tournaments and college bowl games.

Her choreography and coaching experience spans several programs, including Siegel Middle School Dance Team. She also taught and choreographed at Music City All Stars and served as Coach of the Coffee County Central High School Dance Team from 2020–2024.

Her choreography has received numerous accolades, including 1st place finishes for both team routines and individual solos.

In addition to her dance career, Ashlyn works full time as an Analyst at Nissan North America headquarters in Franklin, TN. She is excited to bring her high-energy, performance-driven style to the studio and share her passion for dance with the next generation of dancers

 Catherine Lescarini Clogging | Tap

Shelby Williams Ballet | Pointe | Lyrical

Shelby has been training in dance ever since she was three years old. Throughout high school she danced with Chattanooga Dance Theater as well as the Center for Creative Arts. As a featured dancer, she was able to perform many soloist roles including Myrtha, Dew Drop Fairy, Arabian, Ballerina Doll, Wendy, and more. Shelby has also attended several summer intensives with Chattanooga Dance Theater, Governor's school for the Arts on a full scholarship, and American Ballet Theatre. Shelby is a recent dance and exercise- science graduate from Middle Tennessee State University, where she was a member of the MTSU Dance Company. Her involvement with MTSU allowed her to travel with select company members to the American College Dance Association conference. Shelby is no stranger to Cannon Arts Dance Studio, where she has brought her teaching experience from Chattanooga Dance Theater and Journeys first as a substitute teacher, and then as an integral part of Senior Dance camp. We first met Shelby when she impressed us with her performance in the Murfreesboro Sinfonietta’s version of the Nutcracker and since then has evolved to head-up Cannon Arts’ Ballet program. In addition, she will integrate her Nutcracker experience into Cannon Arts’ version of this classic in December. Shelby will also put  her exercise-science degree to good use, as she is also teaching yoga. She’s one dynamic instructor!