Core Members

Shannon Pedigo Efteland

Shannon received her early dance training at the Irma Witt O’Fallon School for the Dancer and continued her studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While earning a B.S. in Agriculture and an M.S. in Microbiology, she remained deeply engaged in dance, participating in master classes with MOMIX, Ailey II, and the American Repertory Ballet.

She has performed with the Appalachian Ballet Jr. Company and the UT Dance Company, and holds both performance and choreography credits with Circle Modern Dance and Momentum Dance Lab. Shannon has taught dance and movement classes throughout East Tennessee for over twenty years. A founding member of Momentum Dance Lab, she currently serves on the Board of Directors and continues to teach, perform, and choreograph for the company.

annie holmes

Annie began her dance training at Dancer’s Studio in Knoxville, where she was exposed to a wide range of styles including modern, ballet, and jazz. She was a member of the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE), performing internationally until her high school graduation.

In adulthood, Annie began teaching multiple forms of dance at Riversong Dance Studio. She is a certified personal trainer and currently works at Frankie’s Body Shop: The Gym and Personal Training. After taking time away from the studio as a new mother to her daughter, Annie has returned to both the stage and the classroom.

Kate Jolly

Kate began dancing at the age of five at Dancer’s Studio in Knoxville, where she focused primarily on modern and ballet techniques. At nine, she joined the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE) under the direction of Irena Linn and Amy Wilson. During her time with TCDE, Kate was exposed to a wide range of techniques, ultimately discovering a deep passion for modern dance.

In 2019, she joined Momentum Dance Lab, where she continues to pursue her lifelong dedication to dance. Kate is currently working toward a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Tennessee.

Valerie Kelly

Valerie is a founding member of Momentum Dance Lab and rejoined the company in May 2019. She is thrilled to be performing again, as dance has been a central part of her life since the age of ten. During high school, Valerie participated in both color guard and winter guard in addition to her formal dance training.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Dance Performance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2007. From 2011 to 2019, Valerie shared her passion for dance as an instructor at Riversong Dance Studio in South Knoxville. She currently works as a personal trainer at Frankie’s Body Shop: The Gym and Personal Training.

Gururas Khalsa

Gururas “G” was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she began dancing at the age of four at Dancer’s Studio. After high school, she spent a year in Boston training and performing with Green Street Studios under the direction of Marcus Schulkind. She earned a degree in Architecture from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, along with a minor in Dance Performance, and was a member of the UT Dance Company.

During her collegiate career, Gururas performed works by acclaimed choreographers including Nathan Trice, as well as four original pieces by Martha Graham, and choreographed several original works of her own. She has been teaching and choreographing since the age of eighteen and joined Momentum Dance Lab in 2014, where she continues these pursuits as a member of the Core Company.

Outside the studio and stage, Gururas co-owns a real estate investment company with her husband, following her transition out of architecture in 2018.

Hannah Peterson

Hannah began dancing as a child, training primarily with Ballet Tennessee under the direction of Barry and Anna VanCura. She continued her dance education at Belmont University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minor in Dance in 2018. During her time at Belmont, she was a member of the Belmont University Dance Company for three years under the direction of Debbie Belue.

After graduating, Hannah relocated to Knoxville and has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing with Momentum Dance Lab since 2019. She currently serves on MDL’s Board of Directors and values the opportunity to explore new movement alongside fellow dancers. Outside the studio, Hannah works as a chemist and enjoys spending time outdoors.

HENLEY PROCHASKA

Henley began dancing at the age of four at Dancer’s Studio. As she grew older, she joined and later graduated from the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE). She continued her education at the University of Tennessee, where she earned a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Public Health.

While at UT, Henley danced with the BOSS Dance Company and is currently choreographing for the company. She enjoys teaching and choreographing at Dancer’s Studio and is grateful to have found Momentum Dance Lab, where she continues to perform, grow, and learn alongside dedicated and talented dancers.

Company Members

ellyott colon

Ellyott joined Momentum Dance Lab in 2024 and is honored to be part of a community that uplifts the arts through movement and collaboration. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ellyott began dancing at the age of seven and went on to become the first male member of the nationally ranked Florida State University dance team.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Family & Child Sciences from Florida State University in 2013. Now based in Knoxville, Ellyott is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Tennessee. He is passionate about integrating his backgrounds in dance and psychology and is pursuing his degree with the goal of supporting the mental health and performance needs of artists and entertainers.

When he’s not dancing or studying, Ellyott enjoys thrifting, hiking, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with his two dogs, Kitsune and Koopa.

lindsay dixon

Photo and Bio coming soon!

Kelli Hudson

Kelli began her dance journey at the age of four at Dancer’s Studio in Knoxville, Tennessee. While she has always favored modern technique, she performed annually with the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association throughout much of her youth. At twelve, Kelli joined the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE) under the direction of Irena Linn and Amy Wilson, expanding her training in modern, ballet, jazz, and tap.

While pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Tennessee, Kelli was also a member of the BOSS Dance Company. She currently serves as a Program Director at one of Knoxville’s leading summer camps for children and is excited to continue dancing with Momentum Dance Lab.

GWYTHIAN RAMSAY

Gwythian began dancing at the age of six at Dancer’s Studio in Knoxville, where she trained in modern dance alongside ballet, jazz, and tap. At twelve, she joined the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE), where she continued her development as a performer through her high school graduation in 2021. That same year, she joined Momentum Dance Lab and has since continued to grow as within the company.

Gwythian is currently pursuing a degree in Animal Science on the pre-veterinary track at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to performing with Momentum, she teaches at Dancer’s Studio and assists with rehearsals for Ignite Dance Company. She values the opportunity to balance her academic pursuits with her continued dedication to dance and movement.

emma roberts

Photo coming soon!

Emma, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, began her dance journey at the age of four. She trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and modern with Of Moving Colors Productions under the direction of Garland Wilson, as well as guest artist John Allen. Throughout her training, Emma performed with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and appeared in multiple productions of the Baton Rouge Nutcracker.

In addition to performing, Emma has taught and choreographed at Powell Moïse School of Dance, sharing her artistry and technique with emerging dancers. Passionate about self-expression through movement, she continues to perform while also working in the Office of Advancement at the University of Tennessee, where she supports student scholarships and educational excellence.

kATIE WATSON

Katie began dancing in Ohio at the age of three, training in ballet, jazz, and modern, with additional experience in Irish dance. At fourteen, she joined the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE), where she discovered a deep love for performance and an appreciation for dance as a powerful artistic medium.

Following her high school graduation, Katie joined Momentum Dance Lab to continue pursuing her passion for dance and performance. She later earned a degree in Nursing from Pellissippi State Community College and currently works as an ICU nurse. Katie values the balance between her demanding healthcare career and her continued commitment to dance as a form of expression and connection.

Associate artists

SHELBY collins

Shelby began dancing at Dancer’s Studio at the age of four under the direction of Irena Linn and Amy Wilson. Her early training focused primarily on modern technique, later expanding to include jazz and ballet. At thirteen, Shelby joined the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE), where she performed for five years before graduating.

After high school, Shelby stepped away from dance for two years before returning to the studio and joining Momentum Dance Lab in the summer of 2021. She currently works at Elder’s Ace Hardware and is exploring educational pathways in business. Shelby is grateful to have rediscovered dance as a meaningful part of her life and creative growth.

Emily Kersey

Emily has been exploring a wide range of dance styles since the age of six, developing a deep appreciation for multiple genres over the years. At nine, she began training with Valerie Kelly at Riversong Dance Studio, where she continued her studies through her graduation in 2019. During her time at Riversong, Emily discovered a strong passion for hip-hop and modern dance.

While at Riversong, Emily was given the opportunity to teach hip-hop classes and choreograph contemporary works for herself and other dancers. She now continues her training and teaching as a member of Momentum Dance Lab. Outside the studio, Emily is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Leadership at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and works as the student manager for UTK’s Grow Lab. She is excited to continue growing as an artist with Momentum Dance Lab.

Sarah sutton

Sarah began dancing at the age of eight at Dancer’s Studio, where she trained in modern, ballet, and jazz. By thirteen, she recognized dance as her true passion and committed herself more fully by joining the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE). During her time with TCDE, Sarah discovered a love for teaching and choreography, finding fulfillment in storytelling through movement.

Professionally, Sarah works as an Accounting Analyst at the Tennessee Valley Authority, while dance and choreography remain central to her identity. She currently serves as a choreographer for the University of Tennessee’s BOSS Dance Company and as Treasurer, Board Member, and choreographer for Momentum Dance Lab. Sarah is excited to continue performing with Momentum and looks forward to the growth, collaboration, and connection the experience provides.