CLASSES TAUGHT: Jazz

Carissa Wong hails from Stockton, California, where she studied under the direction of Elizabeth Acquistapace. Ms. Wong was a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arizona, where she received a BFA in Dance and was awareded Outstanding Senior of the Year. While at the University, Ms. Wong was a featured member of the UA dance ensemble, acted as President of Dancer's Consortium and performed works by Paul Taylor, Amy Ernst, Sam Watson, NIna Janik, Susan Quinn and Michael Williams. She has also been the recipient of various dance scholarships to study with Gus Giordano, Darryl Retter, John Malashock and Jean Isaacs.

Carissa joined Michigan's premiere contemporary dance company, Eisenhower Dance Ensembe the fall of 2002, and traveled to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and throughout the United States during her 5 years with the company. Some performance highlights with EDE include appearing with the Detroit Opera House in Pearl Fishers (2004), Aida (2006), as well as performing alongside the legendary Motown group, The Contours.

Carissa teaches a wide variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and yoga. She has taught master classes in studios and public schools throughout Michigan, as well as at Oakland University (Auburn Hills, MI). She has worked with students of all ages, ice-skaters and a violinist, Sonia Lee, whom made the semi-finals on America's Got Talent. Ms. Wong has also played lead roles in various plays, including the world premiere of Maiden Voyages and Step by Step, a musical that she choreographed and toured in Australia.