The Team
The Best in the Business
Hilary Peterson
Owner & Director
Hilary Peterson is originally from Jacksonville, IL and received her M.F.A. in Dance from the University of Arizona and her B.A. in Dance from Hope College. She has choreographed original dance works for stage and competition as well as the musicals Seussical the Musical, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and Sweet Charity. Her choreography has been presented at regional conferences, the Kansas City Fringe Festival and in numerous venues in St. Louis. She grew up in a studio like Encore and is excited to bring her passion for dance to her students!
Alyssa Alger
Ballet/Pointe Instructor & Choreographer
Alyssa Alger received her B.A. in dance from Mercyhurst College where she performed extensively including the title roles in many classical ballets and original works. While working to complete her undergraduate degree, she performed professionally with Sacramento Ballet in Ron Cunningham’s The Nutcracker and Carmina Buraña, and Balanchine’s Theme and Variations as well as numerous works with Ballet Concerto in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2013, Alger received her MFA in Dance from The University of Arizona. While at the U of A, Alger enjoyed many performance opportunities including the principal role in Balanchine’s Rubies. Alyssa is excited to bring her expertise to the students at Encore!
Philip Edgecombe
Jazz/Contemporary Instructor & Choreographer
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Philip Edgecombe received his MFA in Choreography from the University of Arizona in May of 2006. His choreography combines a strong physicality with intense theatricality grounded in contemporary technique and has been performed nationally. From 2006-2007, he was a company member of Hedwig Dances, and from 2002-2003, Edgecombe was a company member with Desert Dance Theater in Phoenix, Ariz., He is a trained ballroom instructor and has taught at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in downtown Chicago.
Madison Diehl
Competition Choreographer
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Madison is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a BFA in Dance. She is originally from Lake of the Ozarks, MO and studied ballet, jazz, pointe, and contemporary at her local studio. During her time at Southeast, Madison performed works by both faculty and guest artists including Joshua Blake Carter and Jose Limon. Madison is a versatile dancer, teacher, and choreographer and enjoys working with the students at Encore!
Chelsey Korte
Instructor
Chelsey Korte, originally from Michigan, began dancing as a young kid studying multiple styles of dance with ballet always holding a special place in her heart. She has experience teaching ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, and contemporary techniques. Chelsey dance professional for 2 years as a Detroit Lions Cheerleader, and she is currently a judge for CRU Dance Competition and the United States Tournament of Dance. She is looking forward to continuing her dance journey in Cape Girardeau at Encore!
Corrinda Brooks
Instructor & Choreographer
Corrinda has 21 years of teaching experience at studios across Missouri. She excels in teaching tap as well as jazz, poms, and hip hop. Corrinda is a seasoned choreographer and has won numerous choreography awards at competitions for group and solo tap and group jazz. She is excited to continue her teaching journey at Encore!
Sam Schott
Instructor & Choreographer
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Sam is a senior at Southeast Missouri State University. She has earned her BA in Dance and is completing a degree in Mass Communications: Advertising. Originally from Memphis, Sam is excited to bring her knowledge and love of dance to the students of Encore!
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Noelle Gratzer
Instructor
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Noelle is a junior at Southeast Missouri State University working towards her BA in dance. She is from Saint Louis where she trained and competed in numerous styles of dance. While at Southeast, Noelle has performed in multiple dance concerts dancing in both student and faculty choreography. She also has experience as a member of a dance team. Noelle is excited to work with the students at Encore!
Julianna Pearson
Instructor & Choreographer
Julianna is a senior at Southeast Missouri State University working towards her degrees in Dance and in Public Communication Studies. She is originally from East Prairie, MO, and has studied various styles of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary.While at Southeast, Julianna has performed numerous concert dance works in the main stage dance concerts. She is super excited to pass on her love of dance and to choreograph for the upcoming season!
Morgan Gadberry
Instructor
Morgan is a junior working towards her BA in Dance at Southeast Missouri State University. Her dance training has incorporated the styles of jazz, ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, and ballroom. Morgan has a passion for dance and loves to share that with others. Originally from the Southeast Missouri region, Morgan is excited to bring her talents to the students at Encore!
Iley Wilson
Instructor
Iley is a junior at Cape Central High School and has been training with the instructors of Encore for many years. Iley has studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and has experience performing at dance competitions and in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University. Iley loves the mini age group and is excited to work with them at Encore!