MEET THE R.A.D. FACULTY

Tricia Thomas

Owner and Artistic director

Tricia Thomas resides in Elk Ridge, Utah with her four children, husband and dog Posy. The Ridge Academy of Dance is in the heart of Payson, Ut. Our facility provides our R.A.D. dancers with classes and that will aid in gaining experiences and opportunity. Tricia LOVES and is grateful for her students who have touched her life and heart thus far, and look forward to nurturing the natural gifts of her dancers for many years to come.

Tricia spend many years as a stay at home mom and part time politician (8 years on city council) she now only has 3 kids at home and another about to leave. Looking for more kids to love, her dance students become like her own. She graduated from college in 2002 in Family Consumer Sciences from the University of Utah. She then spent years following her husband around the country as he attended dental school and an orthodontic residency. She grew up dancing and doing cheer and now finds immense joy in the lasting friendships and community that are so unique to the dance world!

Brooke Johnson

Competition Director/ Jazz/ Hip Hop/ Tap/ Tumbling

Brooke Badger was born and raised in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. She has been dancing for 18 years. She began dancing at The Winner School at the age of 2 and has loved it ever since. Since then she has been trained in all different styles. These include, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, ballroom, modern, pointe and pom. Brooke has won two scholarships from JUMP dance convention and PULSE dance convention and numerous other awards while dancing with studios. Brooke has also danced in Odyssey Dance Theaters, “Thriller!”. Brooke was a member of the Brighton High School Accadian Drill Team. She was a captain every year she was on the team and was head captain her senior year. Brooke loved choreographing and working with the girls on her team. During her time on drill Brooke was a two time BDT Top Corp winner. After high school Brooke danced on the nationally ranked Utah Valley University dance team and competed at NDA nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida. She now enjoys choreographing routines for different high schools and girls, working at Basic Dance Training and teaching at different studios. The thing Brooke loves most about teaching is inspiring young girls to be the best that they can be. Brooke is thankful for all the rewards and lessons that dance has taught her and can’t wait to see what her future has in store. 

Jacqui Pyne

Competition Instructor/ jazz/ technique/ children's combo

Jacqui Pyne was born and raised in Orem Utah. She began her love of dance when she was 4 years old. She trained with Colleen Collins Smith School of Dance, Dance Showcase Company and Studio 1 Dance Center where she was trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip-Hop. She studied Modern dance at Utah Valley University where she was on scholarship with Synergy Dance Company. While she studied at UVU for a degree in Dance she performed and competed with the Nationally Ranked UVU Dance Team for 2 years before meeting her sweetheart and getting married. Jacqui is now a wife to Clint Pyne and a mother to her beautiful kids Oakley and Hank. She and her husband live in Santaquin City, Utah

Trevan Stevenson

Tumbling instructor

Trevan Stevenson was born and raised in Payson, Utah. He started doing gymnastics at the age of 6 at Airtime Training Center in Springville, Utah. While competing there Trevan won many awards such as level 5 state champion, multiple event titles, and top  ten in the region. Trevan practiced 20+ hours a week and continued until the age of 13, when he was a level 8. Trevan later began dancing at Charisma Dance Studio in Springville, Utah and danced there for four years being trained in styles such as: Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Ballet. While in high school Trevan was a member of the Payson High School dance company for three years, and served as the president of the company his senior year. He was also selected as the Payson High School dance Sterling scholar. In addition to that, Trevan joined the high school cheer team his senior year, and is now currently competing with The Hive Allstar Cheer in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Oakley Palreyman

Ballet Instructor

Oakley Palfreyman began her dance training when she was four years old at Miss. Melanie’s and quickly fell in love with dance. Continuing her training through multiple dance studios she created a diverse repertoire and trained in many genres. At Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy she performed many lead roles including the Lilac Fairy, Soldier Doll, and Shepherdess solos. During high school she was awarded Salem’s Dance Sterling Scholar Award and was President of the Salem Hills Dance Company. She is currently majoring in Dance Education at Southern Utah University and is a presidency member of SUU’s dance company Orchesis. As a Freshman she was nominated for SUU’s Performer of the Year and was selected to perform in multiple works for the college and local Cedar City productions. Currently working as a teacher and choreographer while working towards her degree Oakley continues to share her passion for creation and dance with others.

Rachael Badger

Competition Instructor/ Children’s Combo/ Tumbling

Bio coming soon...

Mckenzie Diamond

hip hop/ jazz/ boys crew

Mckenzie grew up dancing, and began dancing with The Ridge in 2015. And she has been a valuable addition ever since. Kenzie loves everything to do with the art of dance and also has a passion for creating in general. Wether that be a memorizing video, or a beautiful dance. Kenzie is attending UVU this fall and is studying to become a high school photo/video teacher. Most importantly, Kenzie loves her job here at The Ridge. She loves seeing her dancers improve and become more more talented each and every day. Dance is such a great way for dancers to express themselves and Kenzie loves sharing the gift of dance with others.

Dorothy Thomas

cheer instructor

Dorothy has been dancing for 12 years and joined The Ride in 2015. She did the first solo and duet for the ridge and was on their top competition team. She is now on the SHHS Cheer Team and attends Salem Hills High School. Her whole life has always involved music and dance. She enjoys teaching children, helping them develop correct techniques in tumbling and cheer so they can be the best they can be and rise to their full potential.