Erin McKeever – Owner/Director
Born and raised in Humboldt County, Erin has been trained in various dance styles ranging from ballet, tap, and jazz, to modern and Latin dance. In 2006 she founded Dance Class with Erin Fernandez, now Trillium Dance Studios, which has grown to include more than 150 students, 8 teachers, a 3-studio location off the plaza and two performing companies. Over the years, Erin has created and produced more than 35 large-scale studio productions and loved every minute of it. She has taught and performed abroad in Spain with the Estada Internacional de Danza, and has earned Dance Teacher Magazine’s certification for dance educators. Erin has a degree in Elementary Education from HSU and has enjoyed seven years teaching ballet and jazz on faculty with Humboldt State University’s Department of Theater, Film & Dance. She loves nature and chocolate, and when she’s not in rehearsal or hot-glueing headpieces, Erin can be found on adventures with her husband Nate, son Orion, and daughter Sonja.
Chloe Schmidt – Senior Instructor, Studio Manager
As a Humboldt County local, Chloe Schmidt began dancing at a young age in Southern Humboldt, and found her home at Trillium Dance at the age of 12. She has since been trained in ballet, contemporary, and jazz under many great teachers and programs including a Summer Intensive with the Joffrey Ballet Academy. Chloe began teaching at Trillium Dance Studios in 2016 where she found her passion for fostering a love of dance in her students. This led her to continue her education of movement at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she graduated with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Dance Studies in 2022. She has gone on to study under Physical Therapist and Dance Instructor, Lisa Howell, and most recently, obtain her Pilates Teacher Certification. Chloe strives to educate her students in a supportive and engaging environment.
Growing up in Northern California, Haylee began dancing at three years old and trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Latin and Tap. She began her teaching career at Trillium Dance, teaching ballet to all ages and levels. During this time, she choreographed many pieces for Trillium productions, and performed in group and solo pieces. Haylee graduated from San Jose State University with a B.F.A. in Dance, where she received training in a wide array of dance techniques, pedagogy, and choreography. She was part of the dance program’s pre-professional company, University Dance Theatre, and has had the opportunity to work with professionals such as Heather Cooper, Raphael Boumaila, Mike Esperanza, Doug Varone and Dancers, and Camille A. Brown and Dancers. Haylee is so excited to be back with her Trillium family and to share her love for dance technique!Allie Phinney – Senior Instructor
Allie, a San Diego native began dancing at the age of six where she found her love of music,
movement and friendship! Growing up she danced and assisted at Carlsbad Dance Centre and Carlsbad High School; where she studied several forms of dance including ballet, jazz, modern and hiphop. Allie studied Communication and Dance at Humboldt State University where she refined her technique and studied other world dance styles. In March 2015 she was recognized by the Department of Interdisciplinary Dance studies for excellence as a performer and her outstanding contributions to the program. Allie has had the opportunity to learn from artists such as Pilabolous, Mark Morris, Trey McIntire and Lines Ballet, among others. In 2011 she joined the teaching staff at Trillium Dance Studios and the only thing she loves more than dance is our Trillium Family!
Ada Bavin – Senior Instructor
Miah Wagar – Instructor
Miah Wagar has been dancing at Trillium since she was 4 years old, and has been trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz & tap. She began teaching ballet in September of 2023 and is now additionally teaching tap. While at Trillium, she has performed in various studio productions, and had the opportunity to earn a variety a solo roles over the years, including the role of Gingersnap in Twas 2024, and Luna in Spring 2024. Miah plans to continue dance after graduating from Arcata High School is 2025, as it has become a passion and practice she’s been involved in for most of her life.
Malea Melendrez – Instructor
Ahava Lewin – Instructor
Ahava has been dancing since she was three years old. Originally from Oklahoma, she began her training with ballet and at ten years old added several other styles such as lyrical, jazz, contemporary & hip hop. After moving to California in 2020, Ahava joined Trillium Dance Studios! She has loved every minute, and hopes to continue dancing in her future as a teacher and a student.
Charlotte Brands – Instructor
Growing up in Humboldt County, Charlotte has danced with Trillium Dance Studios since she was four. She has trained in several styles of dance including ballet, contemporary & tap, and has been an assistant teacher for various ages of ballet classes. Currently a senior at Arcata High School, she plans to study nursing in college. Charlotte is so happy to be teaching and continue dancing with her Trillium family!