Larissa has been taking dance since the age of 3 and won her first National Dance Title at age 8 in Walt Disney World. She is a graduate of East Carolina University, with a BFA in Dance Performance with a concentration in jazz and choreography.  She was a member of the ECU Tap Ensemble and ECU Jazz Ensemble.  While at ECU, Larissa trained under Tommi Galaska, Galina Panova , Patti Weeks, John Dixon, and Teal Darkenwald.  Larissa has also trained with many professional dancers such as Jennifer Archibald, David Dorfman, Doug Varone, Mark Heim and Joe Joe "Grooves" Smith. She was an Assistant Dance Instructor for 4 years, before deciding to pursue a degree in dance. Larissa was Miss Kinston-Lenoir County in 2009 and participated in the Miss North Carolina Scholarship pageant that June where she received a Non-Finalist Talent Award. 

Larissa has owed her studio since 2013 and her dancers have received many overall high scores, choreography awards and top honors at competitions, plus some continuing their dance passion and becoming Professional dancers and University dance team coaches. She has served as a regional and national judge for multiple dance competitions as well as being a registration manager for a large competition for many years. You can find some of Larissa's former students and assistant teachers on ECU and Campbell Dance Team. Larissa was an NFL Cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers 2018-2019 season. She is also a top 20 under 40 class for 2018 for The Free Press and a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor.

Larissa has also had the opportunity to perform with award winning country artist, Luke Combs as well and Nelly in stadium performances in front of over 70,000 plus attendees!

Larissa continues to pursue her love of dance outside the studio and has choreographed for Duke University, Wake Forest University, East Carolina University and NC State University Dance Teams. She also works with high school dance and cheer teams.

Larissa is the current dance Coach for the Duke University Dancing Devils!

To book for choreography or master classes, please email Larissa at dnzteacher88@yahoo.com or call at 252-286-5178. She looks forward to working with you and your team soon!