Carissa’s love for dance started in San Diego at the age of 3. She continued studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical and won numerous awards on the national level. Carissa then attended Sonoma State University on a dance scholarship. Carissa trained with Dance Masters such as Alvin Ailey, and Alonzo King Lines, and performed in the ACDA Collegiate Gala. She also had the opportunity to tap with professional Greg Russel at a Dancers against Cancer benefit show.

She studied Theatre Arts with a concentration in Modern dance and participated in workshops, Master Classes and all performance opportunities at the University. Carissa also competed all 4 years on the Sonoma State Dance team and grew a tap program at a local studio in Northern California. After intense studies at Sonoma State University, Carissa returned home to continue her love of dance. She is the former director of Rêve Dance Conservatory in Orange County and finds her passion in teaching.

Carissa taught as a teacher/choreographer in San Diego teaching for the Element Dance Center, and Edge Dance Academy, but has since relocated to Boise and is excited to continue her dance journey here. She loves living in Boise so much that she became a Realtor for Amherst Madison Real Estate Advisors. She loves that she gets to be around people and serve her community with her love for dance and instilling that passion into all of her students.