Meet the Team

Lexi Jones Preston

Owner + Director

Miss Lexi is the Owner and Director of Innovate Performing Arts Center. With over a decade of teaching and choreography experience, she is passionate about combining strong technical training with the joy and creativity that makes dance so meaningful. Lexi believes dancers grow best in an environment where excellence is encouraged, confidence is nurtured, and every student feels inspired to love the process of learning.

Lexi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Education, along with a dual major in Communication from the University of Washington. Growing up in the greater Seattle area, she trained under some of the region’s most respected dance and theatre professionals, shaping both her versatile teaching style and her passion for performance.

As an award-winning choreographer, her work has been recognized at both regional and national levels for choreography, technique, and entertainment. 

Lexi’s greatest joy comes from helping dancers feel confident, capable, and genuinely excited to step into the studio each week. Lexi is deeply committed to building a welcoming and positive environment where students can grow as humans both on and off the stage.

Emily Mickelson

Recreational and Company Instructor

Miss Emily is a seasoned and versatile instructor and choreographer, known for her vibrant energy and engaging teaching style. Her classes strike the perfect balance between focused technique and upbeat fun, creating an inspiring environment for dancers of all levels. With experience teaching across the Pacific Northwest and choreographing internationally, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to every class.

Emily grew up training under some of the region’s most respected choreographers and educators. While her current focus is on Hip Hop and Jazz Funk, her diverse training background spans multiple styles—giving her students a rich, well-rounded dance education.

This season, you’ll find her leading our Int/Adv Hip Hop and choreographing for our Company —we can't wait for you to dance with her!

Josephine (Jo) Yoches

Recreational, Company, Fitness Instructor & Office Staff

Miss Jo is a dedicated dancer and educator with extensive training and performance experience throughout the PNW and beyond. She brings a strong foundation in both competitive and recreational dance, along with a passion for mentoring young performers in a positive, encouraging environment. Jo is a certified NASM Personal Trainer, leading our fitness and dance classes with support for wellness and strength in mind. 

Jo has trained in a wide range of styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical/contemporary, musical theatre, tap, acro, ballroom, heels, and pom. She has had the privilege to train in incredible programs such as MSA “The Camp,” the Boston Conservatory summer intensive, and Seattle Dance Advance under renowned choreographers and instructors.  As a Celebrity Dance Convention Senior Crew Member, Josephine has assisted master teachers at national conventions. 

This season, Jo will be teaching a variety of classes where she is sure to bring energy, versatility, and a genuine love of dance and fitness to every class. 

Kailyn Edwards

Recreational Instructor 

Miss Kailyn is a passionate and versatile dance educator whose classes combine strong technical training with creativity, artistry, and a love of movement. She strives to create a supportive and engaging environment where dancers can build confidence, develop their technique, and grow as performers.

Kailyn began dancing at age eight, training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre. She later transitioned into a pre-professional ballet program, where she performed in multiple full-length productions each season, including Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Dracula. Her training and performance experience have taken her across the Pacific Northwest and internationally, including competitions such as YAGP and Tanzolymp and participation in the Dance Open Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Kailyn has also trained at internationally renowned institutions including Boston Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet NYC, and The Rock School for Dance Education. Her diverse background allows her to bring both technical excellence and artistic versatility to every class. We are so excited for Miss Kailyn to share her knowledge and experience with our dancers!

Kaitlyn Scully

Recreational and Company Instructor

Miss Kaitlyn is an award-winning choreographer and dedicated dance educator with nearly a decade of teaching experience. She has a passion for helping students grow both on and off the dance floor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language, Literacy, and Cultural Studies with an Elementary Education Endorsement from Western Washington University. 

With a background in competitive dance, Kaitlyn has trained in a wide variety of styles—including contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and ballet—but her greatest love has always been tap dance. She has studied under some of the top tap instructors in the Pacific Northwest, making her both a skilled performer and a knowledgeable teacher. 

We are thrilled to have Miss Kaitlyn leading our Tap program and inspiring dancers of all ages to discover the rhythm, joy, and artistry of tap!

Quinn Mitchel

Acting/Singing Instructor + Office Staff

Miss Quinn is an experienced performer who has trained and performed throughout the Pacific Northwest under some of the region’s top instructors and directors. With a strong background in drama, vocal training, choir, musical theatre, and improv comedy, Quinn brings a broad, well-rounded approach to her classes—helping students build confidence, creativity, and performance skills.

You may have seen Quinn on stage at Village Theatre or with the Red Curtain Foundation. Some of her favorite musical credits include Footloose, Cinderella, Willy Wonka, and 9 to 5: The Musical.

This season, you will see Miss Quinn leading the way in our Acting, Singing, and Music classes for ALL ages, while managing much of the behind the scenes work that keeps Innovate running. 

Sadie Dutson

Recreational and Company Instructor & Office Staff

Miss Sadie is a proud Season 1 Innovate Dance Company alum and leads many of our youth dance programs, along with our Petite Hip Hop Company. With her well-rounded and versatile dance background, she brings a strong foundation to every class she teaches—nurturing both the skill and confidence of her students.

Known for her positivity and encouraging presence, Miss Sadie creates a welcoming, supportive environment where young dancers can thrive. Her commitment to fostering growth in a safe, knowledgeable space makes her an incredible leader for our students.

Since the day Innovate PAC opened its doors, Miss Sadie has been an integral part of our dance family. You’ll find her sharing her passion and joy for dance with our preschool and elementary-aged students across a variety of classes, in both our recreational and competitive programs.

Isabelle Adams

Student Instructor

We are excited to have Miss Izzie joining us as a Student Instructor this season after spending multiple seasons in our Teacher’s Assistant Program! Izzie has been part of the Innovate Family since we opened our doors in 2023 and has been dancing since she was just 3 years old. Izzie has consistently been a role model, leader, and mentor to all the younger students here at Innovate. 

Having trained in a variety of dance styles, Izzie brings her students a well-rounded background, valuable knowledge, and a genuine love for dance. As a member of our Pre-Pro Company, she continues to further her training and performance experience bringing that knowledge and inspiration back into the classroom

Sophie Clough

Student Instructor

We are thrilled to have Miss Sophie joining us as a Student Instructor this season! Sophie joined our Innovate Family last season and quickly became a prominent role model and leader. Having been a Teacher’s Assistant for multiple classes, she received a well-rounded foundation for instructing here at Innovate. 

Sophie’s love of dance, excitement to learn, and breadth of knowledge makes her an inspiring dance instructor. As a member of our Pre-Pro Company, she continues to further her training and performance experience bringing that knowledge and inspiration back into the classroom.