Sharissa began her ballet training with Linda Fenton where she danced the principal roles in The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Cinderella with the Utah Junior Ballet.  She was awarded the Elizabeth R. Hayes full tuition, four year scholarship in Modern Dance at the University of Utah.  While at the U, she studied under Attila Ficzere, Conrad Ludlow, Maureen Laird, Sharee Lane and Bene Arnold. She also studied at the Ballet West Conservatory with Willam Christensen during this time. Sharissa graduated with a BFA in Ballet after dancing 3 years with Utah Ballet under the direction of Attila Ficzere.  While with Utah Ballet she danced the principal roles in Schumann Piano Pieces by Attila Ficzere, Da‘Irah  by Elizabeth Nesi, and Bravura by Willam Christensen along with various other soloist and corps de ballet roles. Sharissa also had the opportunity to work with world renowned choreographers Violette Verdy, Victoria Morgan, Derryl Yeager, and Jackie Bell.  Sharissa taught at Linda Fenton Dance Studio for 20 years and loves sharing her passion for ballet with her students.