Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in Missoula, Montana, Alissa is a Montana girl at heart. She started taking ballet classes at age six when her parents got a coupon for a free month of dance. She was hooked instantly. She knew she was born to dance. Alissa continued to train in all styles of dance and eventually expanded her training to include singing and acting. At thirteen she was cast in her first musical at the local (and world renowned) Missoula Children's Theater, performing in a cast comprised of all adults. There her love for theatre was born and she continued to perform in many MCT shows until graduating high school and moving to NYC a week later for the Broadway Dance Center Internship. From there, Alissa started working professionally as a dancer, doing mostly regional theatre though she also did one contract dancing on Norwegian Cruise Line, performed in NYC Couture Fashion Week and in the Off Broadway burlesque show, Coco & The Vanity Vixens. Favorite shows include West Side Story (Graziella), Cats (Silabub), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), South Pacific and 42nd Street. Alissa spent two semesters teaching Jazz for the Ballet Department at The University of Utah and has taught and choreographed at studios all over the country as a master teacher for TAMJAMS!. Most recently, Alissa had the opportunity to work with a lifelong idol, Dolly Parton, in the upcoming Netflix movie musical Christmas on the Square. Alissa has always had a passion for heath and wellness. A NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist and 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Alissa currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband Brad and their kitty, Simon and is an AKT Master Trainer.