Artistic Directors
                       

            Jillian Grissinger Everett

Jillian began her training in Lawrenceville, Georgia at the Susan Chambers School of Theatre Dance.  She performed with the Red Hots and the Susan Chambers Dance Company where she won numerous scholarships, including a tap scholarship to Steps in New York City and a jazz scholarship to Studio F in Los Angeles, California.  Jillian turned professional at the age of 14 and performed with several professional dance companies such as Kolours Dance Theater, Phoenix Dance Project and Party Sphere.

Jillian has appeared in music videos, television commercials and shows, including, All My Children, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, The Daily Buzz and Good Morning America, to name a few.  Her print work includes work for Kellogg’s, Tell magazine, Woman’s World and various book covers.

Jillian toured nationally with Sesame Street Live as Elmo with the “Let’s Be Friends” show for two years where she met her husband, Greg.  They moved to Orlando, Florida and she worked as a performer for Walt Disney World.  She performed in many shows such as “Mania,”  “Everyday is a Holiday,” “Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration,” “Fantasmic,” and recently opened “Dream Along with Mickey.”  She is also a member of the Staging Specialists who maintain blocking and choreography for all shows at Walt Disney World.  This summer Jillian revisited the role of Elmo at the Sea World Adventure Park both at “Breakfast with Elmo and Friends” and “Elmo and the Bookaneers.”

Jillian has been teaching and choreographing over the course of the last twelve years.  She has taught and loves all genres of dance and theatre.  She has choreographed for children’s theater, community choral and theater programs, high school dance teams, and has been nationally awarded at various competitions.

Jillian believes she has The Right Combination of training, performing and teaching to educate dancers of all ages to strive for greatness and more importantly have fun!

                  Jessica Grissinger Hester 

Jessica has been dancing for 19 years.  She began her training at Susan Chambers School of Theatre Dance in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  During her years of training, she won many scholarships and awards, such as, an “Over all Senior Talent Award” from Access Broadway, where she was signed by a New York agent.  She comp eted at New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) and received the “Outstanding Dancer Scholarship.”  Jessica has also received scholarships to STEPS in New York, and from LA Underground, PDTA and Joe Tremaine.  While still in high school, Jessica was offered a position with the National Tour of “CATS”, but turned it down to graduate with her class. 

Immediately after graduation, Jessica took a position with the National Tour of Sesame Street Live.  She toured or 2 years with several shows, “Let’s Be Friends,” “1 2 3 Imagine,” and “Everyone Makes Music” performing as small understudy and as Roxy Marie, Elmo, Zoë and Prairie Dawn.

After leaving Sesame Street, Jessica moved to Orlando, Florida where she began working for Walt Disney World. She has worked there for 4 years.  During this time she has performed in various parades and shows including, “Fantasmic,” and “Dream Along with Mickey” and also toured with the “Disney Holiday Market Tour.”   Jessica is also working at Sea World’s Adventure Park in the Entertainment Department, as Elmo at “Breakfast with Elmo and Friends.” 

Jessica’s community involvement includes dancing for pageants in the Orlando area such as “Miss Outstanding Teen America,” and “Miss Orlando City Beautiful.”  Jessica also appeared in a St. Jude’s Hospital commercial with Michelle Kwan.  

Jessica has appeared on the new Hannah Montana show, and music videos for the Disney Channel, as well as a music video for Triple Horse Productions.  She has danced for spots on the Telemundo and Univision Television Stations, and appeared in the Chicago Festival of Lights for 2 years, as well as the Puerto Rican Day Festival in New York City.

Jessica is excited to bring her experience and talent to The Right Combination Dance Studio as an Artistic Director, Instructor and Choreographer.

Instructors