OUR TEAM
CHARLY WILLES
Dance Director, Studio Tailor
Charly started dancing when she was two years old. She danced competitively on teams and as a soloist in many styles. These styles included jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, tap, and modern dance. She was a member of her high school dance company, cheer team, and did one year of drill. Starting at the age of 16, Charly has been teaching dance for almost 10 years now. She taught at Move Dance Studio until her family moved down to Payson, where she is excited to be part of the Stand Out family. She has two beautiful daughters who love the studio and dance as much as she does. She loves to watch the growth of her students as they develop new skills and new relationships with those in their classes. Dance is and always been one of her greatest joys in life and she loves to share that with her students, and now with her children.
Ellie Williams
Tumbling/Acro Director
Ellie started dancing when she was three years old. Her love for dancing led her to start competing in gymnastics competitions when she turned five. Ellie cheered competitively for 10 years and was a cheer captain on her high school cheer team. Ellie was also a member of the 4A academic Allstate team during her senior year. During high school she helped coach tumbling to many of her peers. After high school, she attended UVU and received her bachelors in Elementary Education. During college, she found her love for coaching. After graduation, she taught first grade for 3 years before deciding to stay hom with her kids. Ellie is also the head cheer coach at Payson high school. She is excited to coach our tumbling programs and cheer camps. In her free time she likes to run, camp, and spend time with her family.
GAYLENE MERCHANT
Dance teacher (2-year olds), Sing and Shout Teacher,
Costume designer
Gaylene Merchant is the founder of Sunshine Singers, the inspiration that sparked Stand Out Singers. Gaylene has blessed children, families, and audiences everywhere- infusing them with the confidence to believe in themselves and each other. She is the mother of seven children, and the founder of the Rain Dancing Swan Scholarship (a scholarship offered to help children with financial need to develop their talents at Stand Out Studios). Gaylene has professionally managed the country band Firefly for 13 years, handling bookings, communications, social media, and directing recordings and music videos. We are grateful to have Gaylene as a dance teacher, costume designer, and sponsor at Stand Out Studios.
MELANIE CLARK
Sing and Shout owner,
Stand Out Studios Director/Owner, Sing
and Shout Director
Melanie Clark is the founder of Stand Out Studios. She has a degree from Brigham Young University in Elementary Education with an emphasis in music and dance. She started Sing and Shout in 2015, following in the footsteps of her mother who owns Sunshine Singers. She performs in the country band Firefly as a lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She finds great joy in raising her 4 children in Santaquin, Utah, and loves to help her students develop confidence and self esteem through the arts.
MAISY CROOKSTON
Stand Out Studios Assistant Director,
Singer & Shout Co-director, Ambassadors Vocal Tech Instructor, Private Lessons
Vocal Coach
Maisy has been studying and performing music for her whole life. She is currently studying Music Education at Brigham Young University with an emphasis in voice. She has had the opportunity to study, classical, theatrical, and pop contemporary voice styles throughout her life. She has done countless performances alongside her family. She loves working with the Sing and Shout performers!
MADELYN THURMAN
Sing and Shout Stage Manager,
Private lessons Vocal Coach, Website
Designer
Madelyn has a degree in music from Utah Valley University. She has performed throughout her life in a country trio called Firefly with her sisters, as well as participated in orchestras, choirs, and solo performances. She teaches cello and vocal lessons remotely, as she currently resides in the Pittsburgh area while her husband attends medical school. She has been the Assistant Director and stage manager for Sing and Shout teams for 5 years. She and absolutely adores the sing and shout students!
Jaynee Wohlforth
Dance Teacher
Jaynee grew up on a small farm in Vernon, Utah. She is newly married and comes from a big family with five siblings. She has been competitively dancing for eight years and specializes in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, production, and acro. At the age of 16, she traveled to Estonia as a dance ambassador representing the USA. This is her second year teaching and she is passionate about helping dancers grow in confidence, technique, and performance. Outside of dance, she enjoys spending time with her new husband, their two dogs, a Mini Dachshund and a labrador, and her niece and nephew who are her pride and joy.
Blake Eldredge
Dance Teacher
Blake started dancing when she was two years old. She danced competitively until high school, where she was a part of her high school drill team. After high school she served a mission for her church and came back to earn her elementary education degree. During college she taught dance and is excited to continue teaching here at Stand Out Studios. As well as teaching dance, she will be teaching kindergarten here in Payson. She excels at classroom management, and is excited to share her love of dance with her students!
CLAIRE CLARK
Dance Teacher, Ambassador Dance Tech Instructor
Claire has danced since she was 3 years old and started competing at the age of 6. This last year, her solo dance performance took many awards in competitions all over the west coast. In addition to this, she participated in our Sing and Shout show choir for over 10 years and is so excited to be back to teach! Claire is on her high school cheer team. She is a hard worker, a kind teacher, and an incredible choreographer.
Kaiya Walker
Dance Teacher
A little bit about Kaiya is she loves summer, pepsi, and dancing! Kaiya started dancing when she was two years old and hasn't stopped since. Some of her favorite memories have been with her team at competitions throughout her dancing career. In 2024, she broke her back, and while she had to quit her competitive dance team, she is grateful for the opportunities she has been given to teach dance and to be on Payson High School's student council. She is excited to be the class of '27's senior class president and to continue teaching dance classes this year!
Maren Wood
Ballet Director
Maren got her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in ballet from Utah Valley University. She has taught ballet for United Dance, Charisma, Moga Dance conservatory, The Dance Club, and other studios in Utah as a sub or guest instructor. She has choreographed works for studio and pre-professional companies. Maren has also interned with Joffrey Ballet school in Georgie and colorado and has worked extensively with bally faculty from all over the country through that affiliation. She currently dances professionally with Aspen Ballet company and is very excited for the opportunity to teach at Stand Out!
Jessica Bird
Dance Teacher
With 28 years of dance experience, I am passionate about creating classes that inspire confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance. I believe every student deserves to feel encouraged, supported, and celebrated, whether they are stepping into the studio for the first time or continuing years of training. My classes focus on building strong technique while fostering a positive and welcoming environment where dancers can grow at their own pace. I strive to help each student develop not only as a dancer, but as a person. Teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and self-confidence along the way. Known for my enthusiasm and genuine care for my students, I love watching dancers discover what they're capable of and celebrating every milestone with them. My goal is for every dancer to leave class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to come bacl and learn more.