Heather started dancing at the age of two with her mom at Mary Lu Smith Dance Academy. In high school, she earned a full scholarship to Mallory Graham School of Arts in North Carolina. She attended George Mason University in their dance program.  She has more than 25 years of teaching and choreographic experience. Heather traveled with Hoctor's Dance Caravan throughout the U.S. and Canada for six years and worked with such greats as Tommy Tune, Danny Hoctor, Barry Lather, and Henry LaTang. She has appeared in an instructional dance video and she has worked as a choreographer for many local pageants and musicals.  Heather has owned and operated Performing Arts 2000 for eighteen years, and has trained a multitude of dancers who have entered the dance profession. She has directed and choreographed many award-winning numbers, receiving national recognition and national teacher of the year award. Heather is very excited to be entering her 18th season this year.

Heather resides in Mineral with her husband, Tim Nelson, their three sons, Jared, Dillon, Ethan and their two dogs an adopted chocolate lab and a yorkie poo.