Owner & Studio Director

Born and raised in Franklin, TN, Shelby Tull began her dance journey at just 2 years old, developing a lifelong passion for dance and performance. By age 6, she was training and competing nationally with DC Dance Factory, spending over a decade growing her skills, versatility, and gaining invaluable teacher training.

Her dedication to dance extended beyond the competitive world. Shelby earned opportunities in the professional entertainment industry, appearing in music videos, films, and national television projects with major networks such as CBS and Disney. At both 17 and 21, she relocated to Los Angeles to immerse herself in the commercial dance industry—training under some of the industry’s most respected choreographers and educators while also choreographing and teaching on the West Coast.

By 19, Shelby had stepped confidently into teaching and choreography, blending real-world experience with a passion for developing the next generation of dancers. Now as owner and director of The Collective, her focus remains on building strong, well-rounded dancers through correct technique, age-appropriate progressions, and intentional training. Whether a student pursues a commercial career, college dance, or chooses a different path altogether, her goal is for every dancer to leave the studio confident and prepared for whatever lies ahead

Instructor

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Lizzie Clark began dancing at the age of three and never looked back. Her first love was ballet and she had the opportunity to train under some of the best in the south. While training with the Middle Tennessee State dance company, she began to fall in love with contemporary and modern movement. Her love of contemporary and modern ignited the development of her unique choreographic style, which combines the two with her strong technical background. While she has had the opportunity to perform, educate, and choreograph world-wide, she shines when teaching and inspiring the next generation of artists. She is very passionate about encouraging each dancer to create from his/her story and to find a deeper sense of self worth through movement. 

Some of Lizzie’s credits include works airing on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Brett Young, Little Big Town, and performing with CirqueDreams. She also creates and develops dance curricula for middle school public education after-school dance programs under the umbrella of the non-profit Fine Arts Matter. She is currently a faculty member at Millennium Dance Complex Nashville, and enjoys meeting dancers from all across the country. Lizzie feels extremely blessed to be a voice of influence and encouragement as she continues to perform, teach, judge, and choreograph!

Instructor

Malia Gearheart is a dedicated and passionate dance educator from Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. She grew up training at the prestigious DC Dance Factory, where she spent eight years as a company dancer. Her journey led her to the University of Kentucky, where she danced on the UK Dance Team for two years, further developing her technique, performance skills, and love for team culture.

With over a decade of teaching experience beginning at age 16, Malia is a versatile instructor, well-versed in styles including lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and pom. She’s continued her training at renowned studios such as Millennium Dance Complex and others across Nashville and Austin, staying current and inspired in her craft.

Malia has taught in multiple cities—including Lexington, Austin, Nashville, and Birmingham—and served as the choreographer for the Woodland Middle School dance team. She was also a two-year intern assistant on the Adrenaline Revive Dance Convention, gaining valuable insight into the competitive circuit.

Instructor

Sabrina Kelly is a dancer and choreographer from Nashville, TN. She grew up doing competitions and conventions as well as being a part of the USA Dance Team which competed in Poland. She moved to LA at 18 years old to train approximately 30 hours a week under LA’s best choreographers such as Christina Grady, Phil Wright, Krista Miller, Sienna Lyons, Lonni Olsen, Alexis Gilbert, Jessica Richens, Todd Flanagan, and many more at The Space TV’s, Launch Training Program. 

     She has appeared in a variety of videos and performances with artists such as, Akon, Kenny Chesney, Molly Grace, Josh Ross, Niykee Heaton, and RaeLynn, as well as performing in Frankie Moreno’s Vegas Residency. She can also be spotted dancing in the movie, “It’s Christmas Again.” She has choreographed and taught for a variety of studios all over the country and even internationally, winning her multiple choreography awards. 

     She is very passionate about helping dancers grow in their personal journey as well as working to provide a challenging and positive environment! 

Instructor

Morgan Burke was raised in Nashville, Tennessee where he trained primarily at DC Dance Factory and later at Nashville School of the Arts. By the age of twelve he had performed as both a singer and dancer on American Juniors, America’s Most Talented Kids, Showtime at the Apollo, Carnegie Hall, Good Morning America, and City Center Encore’s production of Golden Boy.

After graduating and heading to Los Angeles, Morgan switched his focus to dance solely and working in dance as an assistant. He worked closely with Mia Michaels, Erica Sobol, and Ray Leeper, spending time not only offering help but taking as many notes from these prolific artists as possible. As a dancer, his credits include: Jennifer Lopez, Chaka Khan, Blood Orange, Florence and the Machine, American Idol, Cirque Du Soleil, Dancing With The Stars, Eurovision, Mobbed, as well as behind the scenes work on So You Think You Can Dance.

Now that he is back home in Nashville his focus is on education and choreography, where he hopes to help people showcase their full artistic breadth, imperfections and works in progress included.

Instructor

Melissa brings more than 25 years of professional dance and performance experience to The Collective TN. Fresh out of high school she earned a series-regular role on NBC’s Fame before joining David Bowie’s Glass Spider world tour and Cher’s Love Hurts tour. On Broadway she toured nationally in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and in Los Angeles she danced with the Chamber Ballet. Her film and television credits span dozens of notable projects—including What’s Love Got to Do With It, The Mask, Rent, Third Rock from the Sun, and multiple Academy Awards and Grammy broadcasts—highlighting her versatility on stage and screen.

As a natural extension of her performing career, Melissa has built an acclaimed resume as a choreographer and educator. She most recently created the movement for Reba McEntire’s 2025 tour and has choreographed for film (Shakes the Clown), network television (Last Man Standing, Ruby & the Rockits), and regional theatre. She serves on the faculty of Nashville Ballet, is assistant choreographer for Studio Tenn’s regional productions, and continues to mentor emerging artists. Melissa lives in Nashville with her husband, Patrick Cassidy, and is passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers through both the art and discipline of choreography.

Instructor

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Eric began dancing at just two years old — sparked by a love for rhythm that started with clicking beats in his mom’s high heels. Naturally drawn to tap, he soon expanded into hip hop and acrobatics, developing a diverse foundation that would shape his future in dance.

Eric trained under renowned choreographer Matthew Clark, earning accolades including a Dance Masters National Finalist title and a Spanish World Cup Championship. At just 14, he became one of the youngest male leads in the Matthew Clark Dance Company (MCDC), touring five countries across Europe with the Tap Reloaded cast.

He furthered his training in ballet and contemporary styles at the New York City Ballet Summer School of the Arts, learning under esteemed principal dancers like Daniel Ulbricht and Robert Fairchild.

In 2021, Eric moved to Nashville and quickly made waves in the local dance scene. After joining the faculty at Millennium Dance Complex, he launched a commercial dance career that’s included high-profile performances with Blake Shelton at the 2023 CMAs, CMA Country Christmas with Trisha Yearwood and Amy Grant, and projects with artists like NSYNC, Brooke Eden, Kelleigh Bannen, Blanco Brown, and more.

From international tours to national television appearances, Eric brings world-class experience and contagious energy to every class he teaches.

Owner & Business Director

Davis leads business operations at The Collective. A proud girl dad and former NFL athlete, Davis was a 5th-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints. He’s currently a healthcare cybersecurity sales leader and brings his passion for excellence, team-building, and community to every corner of the studio. While you'll find him mostly behind the scenes, he's deeply committed to creating a space where students feel confident, creative, and part of something special.