Courtney and Tessa first met at Strictly Rhythm Dance Center when they were sixteen and danced together until they graduated high school and each went on to dance at their perspective colleges. Remaining close friends, Courtney and Tessa came back together after graduating and now both work for the Department of Defense. Both girls have spent the past couple of years exploring new forms of fitness, as well as continuing to dance. Passionate about both, the idea of danceFIT came to life. Read more about each instructor below.

Courtney began dancing at the age of 3. At age 5, she was selected to join the competition team at her dance studio and continued to dance competitively for the next sixteen years. Courtney quickly grew to love dancing and performing on stage. She spent several hours each day studying various forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, Broadway, hip hop, and pointe. She loved attending dance competitions and earned numerous awards for the group numbers she performed in, as well as her solo routines.

Courtney has performed at Disney World, at the Kennedy Center with Debbie Allen's Little Dance Theater of Harlem, and during half time home games at FedEx Field as a Jr. Redskinette.

During high school, Courtney worked as an assistant dance teacher and private instructor at her dance studio. Following high school, she attended the University of Kentucky where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. She danced on the varsity dance team all 4 years and was Captain of the team her senior year.

Courtney had amazing experiences dancing in college. She performed on the sidelines and at half time during UK football and basketball games, danced at multiple Bowl games and SEC tournaments, and competed and placed in the top 5 at National Collegiate Dance Competitions. Courtney's favorite dance experience was being a featured extra in the popular dance movie "Step Up 2".

Courtney has always had a passion for fitness and tries to stay active by taking yoga, barre or spin classes, or going for a run. She recently ran a half marathon, and her next goal is to attempt a sprint triathlon.

Tessa’s career in dance and gymnastics began at age 3, while living at Ft. Belvoir and taking classes at Dancensations Dance Center in Alexandria. Moving to North Carolina (Dad was in the Army) when she was 4 years old, she focused on gymnastics and competed in USGF for a couple of years. When Dad was reassigned back to Virginia, Tessa switched gears and focused on dance. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and was selected for the competition team at Dancensations Dance Center.

Once she felt the thrill of competing and performing on stage, Tessa’s life quickly revolved around the world of dance. Weekdays were spent training at the studio after school. Weekends and summers were spent at competitions, conventions, and camps. One of her most valued experiences was the summer she spent training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC.

When high school came around, Tessa decided she wanted to get involved at school, as well as at the studio. She tried out for the dance team and was ecstatic to make varsity as a freshman! She was on the Hayfield Varsity Dance Team for 4 years and served as Captain her junior and senior years. These fun-filled years were busy with camps, football and basketball games, and competitions. One of the most thrilling experiences was the opportunity to travel to London, England to dance in a New Year’s Day parade after being selected as a UDA All Star during a competition at Disney World.

Forever a HOKIE, Tessa was a member of the Virginia Tech Dance Team, the HighTechs, for all 4 years. Her experiences as a HighTech made her college career more exciting and memorable than she could ever have imagined; dancing on the sidelines at football games, competing at Nationals each year in Daytona, FL and representing Virginia Tech at numerous appearances and events. Her favorite memory is dancing at the Orange Bowl in Jacksonville, FL and cheering on the Hokies!

Tessa now enjoys staying active and exploring new types of fitness, as well as continuing to dance. She is an avid snow and wakeboarder and takes classes in barre, yoga, pilates, and solid core. She recently ran a half marathon and has her sights set on a tough mudder in the future.