Staff
Erica Chipp-Adams
Owner / Director / Teacher
Though originally from Gardnerville, Erica left at the age of 14 to attend the prestigious ballet school,The Harid Conservatory, where she received her formal Vaganova training. In 2004 she began her professional career with Festival Ballet Providence, where some of the notable roles she danced were in Cinderella, Rodeo, Scheherazade, Carmen, Don Quixote and various Anthony Tudor and George Balanchine ballets. In 2010 she moved to San Francisco to join Smuin Contemporary Ballet where she has been featured in works by Jiri Kylian, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Trey McIntyre, Helen Pickett, Amy Seiwert and many ballets by Micheal Smuin. Throughout her professional career, Erica has worked with world-renowned choreographers, toured to various countries and performed at The Joyce Theater in NYC. As a guest artist, Erica has danced the principal roles in Giselle, Coppélia, Romeo & Juliet, and Cinderella with Sierra Nevada Ballet. She has also performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Nevada Dance Company's, The Nutcracker, recently seen performing with her husband, Oliver-Paul Adams. Erica's vast career has also led her to be a part of an Audi campaign and a featured performer and Emmy winner on NBC’s BaseBallet, Into the Game. In 2021, Erica and her husband Oliver were appointed as Artistic Directors of the Nevada Dance Company.
Oliver-Paul Adams
Owner / Director / Teacher
Originally from Stoke-On-Trent, England, Oliver trained at the Birmingham Royal Ballet School. During this time Oliver performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, English National Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet at venues including the Royal Opera House, The London Coliseum and the Royal Albert Hall. During his graduation year Oliver danced in Japan and the USA as well as dancing for the Royal Family. At age 17, Oliver started his professional career with the Birmingham Royal Ballet where he danced in many of the major classical ballets. Adams joined the Slovak National Ballet in 2007 as a Soloist before going on to perform leading roles with the Sacramento Ballet, Diablo Ballet and Smuin Ballet, San Francisco, dancing principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and works by JiÅ™í Kylián and George Balanchine to name just a few. Oliver has performed at the World Ballet All Stars Gala in both Prague and Bratislava. He has also danced in contemporary works from some of the most important choreographers from around the world. Adams has choreographed for Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Dance Company, Sierra Nevada Ballet, Smuin Ballet and San Francisco Symphony. Oliver continues to perform as a guest artist alongside training the next generation of performers. In 2021 Oliver became Artistic Director of Nevada Dance Company alongside his wife, Erica.
Larae Lamb
Teacher Jazz / Tap / Commercial
Larae’s love for dance began at the age of 4 in Orange County, CA. Her appreciation and dedication for classical and theatrical training for all genres of dance, gave her many opportunities to perform in many parts the U.S. and in Europe. Her training began at the Colony of Performing Arts. She toured Europe with “On the Move” as a principal dancer and singer. At the age of 12, Larae began working as a professional dancer with Bobby Ball Talent Agency and L.A. Talent. Her professional resume includes television for Disney Productions, The Hunchback of Notre Dame Movie Premier, Disney Afternoon Easter Special, For Our Children Aids Benefit Concert as well as some commercial and television programs. Larae was a “Pixie” for Xuxa’s American production of Xuxa’s Brazilian Television show. Larae attended and graduated from Orange County High School of the Performing Arts. After high school, she continued her studies in dance at Orange Coast College, training with Monie Adamson, performing with Dance ‘N Etc. and continued to work as a professional dancer for several years. In 2006, Larae moved to Carson Valley to settle down and have a family.
Carli Gumm
Teacher / Acro / Stretch & Strengthen / Jazz / Lyrical
Carli Gumm was born and raised in Northern Nevada, and has been dancing since the age of two. She trained with All About Dance for 15 years, and was a member of the Forever Dance Competition Team for 10 years. She has been trained in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. After graduating high school, Carli attended Westminster College in Salt Lake City on a dance and academic scholarship. There, she was extensively trained in ballet and modern, and was also a member of Westminster Dance’s select modern company. After 2 years, Carli transferred to Dixie State University in St. George and is studying to receive her B.S. in Mathematics Education. Carli started teaching at the Dance Workshop in 2024.
Misty Magee
Teacher / Hip Hop
Misty originally started her dance education at the Dance Workshop at 15 years old. Misty went on to teach national champions for Step One Dance and Fitness and Dance Elite All Stars. Misty was a part of the Sacramento Hip Hop Crew for 6 years and performed at the NBA All-Star Jams. She performed as a dancer in the show Lets Go and A Dream Goes On as well as many more. Magee has been teaching competition Hip Hop for over 20 years.
Lynne Barth
Teacher / Musical Theater
Lynne Barth has been involved in the dance industry her entire life. After auditioning in New York City, she left her home at age 21 for the “C’est Magnifique” show at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, and continued a career for many years, including Miller-Reich Productions and Greg Thompson Productions, of which she eventually became their Company-Production Manager for both Harrahs’ Reno and Tahoe. Her travels took her internationally where she worked in various shows including “Call Me Madam” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with Joanne Worley, and the world famous “ La Cage Aux Folle” on La Cienega Boulevard. Lynne was also part of the original Star Search Television Show, with the dance group “ Fuzione.” Eventually, Lynne took a Dance Captain/ Manager job at Harveys in Lake Tahoe with “Champagne". An easy transition into production, Lynne had a professional entertainment company for many years, choreographing, directing and providing talent for numerous Northern Nevada venues. Lynne recently started her own event planning company, called eNVy Event Management.
Alexander Biber
Teacher / Lyrical / Partnering
Originally from Carson City, Alexander performed internationally for the Tasmanian Classical Ballet and later joined the Sacramento Ballet where he was featured in many of the company’s most iconic repertoire, including The Nutcracker, Carmina Burana, Romeo & Juliet, Dracula, The Great Gatsby, Twyla Tharp’s, Nine Sinatra Songs, Trey McIntyre’s, Second Before The Ground, Lila York’s Celts and George Balanchine’s, Theme and Variations, Serenade, Western Symphony and Who Cares.
During his tenure with the Sacramento Ballet, Alexander performed with Sierra Nevada Ballet, performing lead roles in many classic ballets such as Swan Lake and Midsummer Nights Dream. A talented choreographer, Biber has choreographed numerous works for Sierra Nevada Ballet, the Capital Dance Project, and Sacramento Ballet. He joined the Sierra Nevada Ballet staff as Ballet Master and teacher in 2020 and continues to teach and choreograph as well as act as the SNB Company photographer. We are excited to have Alex Biber at the Dance Workshop!
Bailey Gumm
Teacher / Baby Tunes / Tiny Tunes / Combo
Coming Soon
Alex Kaskie
Teacher / Boys Hip Hop / Breakdancing
Alex Kaskie was always active as a child participating in extreme sports and high school sports, however his dance career started at 20 years old taking classes at his moms studio in Carson City, NV. Within a few years he was training in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Sacramento and various places on the west coast as well as country shows in the Midwest. Alex was trained in various styles but has dedicated most of his years to the many facets of Hip Hop. He has trained and worked with some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and is excited to be back in his hometown to share his knowledge and experiences.
Alexandra Stern
Teacher / Baby Tunes / Tiny Tunes / Combo
Alexandra Stern is a native of the Gardnerville/Minden area. She grew up dancing locally where she studied Ballet and Contemporary dance and taught all ages for 10 years. Alexandra danced and choreographed for the Sierra Nevada Ballet and has featured in performances with the Sacramento Ballet, San Francisco Ballet as well as receiving an apprenticeship for the LA Ballet Company. Alexandra enjoys spending time with her husband, 4 boys and family. She is excited to join the Dance Workshop family and cannot wait to share her love and experience for dance with her students.