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DANCE STUDIO

Welcome to our dance studio, where we are committed to fostering a love for dance and a sense of artistic expression! Our studio offers ballet, jazz, acro, tap, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, & Irish dancing, led by talented instructors who are dedicated to guiding you on your dance journey. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, our welcoming and supportive atmosphere will encourage you to explore your creativity, build confidence, and embrace the joy of dance. Join us as we dance our way to a world of grace, energy, and pure delight!

PRICING

Current Dance Class Fees:

Summer Classes - $87.50 

Fall/Spring Classes - $58/month

Each additional class - $29/month

90-minute classes - $70/month

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Other Fees:

Registration fee is $32 for new or inactive student (non-refundable).

Students that take during summer will have priority fall registration and a waived fall registration fee.

Costume fees will be determined once the new catalog is released.

This fee will also include required tights.

Dance Instructors

Gabriella Taylor
Combo Classes/Ballet/Acro

Gabriella Taylor was raised in North Carolina and trained in ballet throughout her time here. She found an interest in dance at the young age of five, when she first began ballet classes. As years passed, Gabriella's passion for dance developed and her interest in teaching grew. Eventually, pursuing her B.A. in Dance and Minor in business at Eastern University, located in PA, where she gained many different teaching experiences. Though her love for movement first started with ballet, Gabriella also has experience in cheerleading, as well as, years of training in jazz, contemporary, modern, and lyrical dance. Throughout her time at Eastern, Gabriella took part in many of the University's dance concerts, also performing with the Eastern University dance ministry and leading it for her last two years there. Gabriella loved having the chance to explore worship through dance and to also experience dance in a way that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. Gabriella is not only passionate about teaching dance, but using it to benefit others. 

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Rachelle Hartigan
Ballet/Tap/Lyrical/Combo Classes

A native of the Southern Pines area and having returned after a decade in the Pacific North West, dance has always been a vital element of Rachelle’s life. Classically trained in ballet since the age of 2, her repertoire varies - extending into other elements of the performing arts as well. She has studied within the programs of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Tacoma Ballet, and The Portland Ballet - transversing the country by way of a military lifestyle. Now settled with her blended family, Rachelle takes pride in bringing her love of movement to the next generation. Additionally, as a certified yoga instructor, Rachelle values safe and intentional expression in dance with a mindful approach that emphasizes connection with body confidence.

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Sarah McWilliams
Ballet/Contemporary

Sarah McWilliams is a Pennsylvania native, now North Carolina resident, who grew up dancing competitively and then continued her studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. While earning her BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography, Sarah worked with faculty members Jillian Harris, Laura Katz Rizzo, and Kavin Grant. She also danced for Guest Artists Larry Keigwin and Kyle Abraham. Upon graduating Sarah traveled to Israel to study with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company. Her performance career continued in PA and NYC with Project Moshen Dance Company, ContempraDance Theater, Putty Dance Project, and kaycruddenco. Most recently, Sarah worked at KICKS Academy of Dance, taught for the Dance Me A Story program, and became a certified Bar Method instructor. She is so excited to bring her passion for dance and teaching to NC!

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Camille Sandstrom
Combo Classes/Contemporary

Camille grew up in Southern California. She wanted to be a dancer since toddlerhood. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and musical theater dance. She trained with Orange County Song and Dance Company, including their performance and tour company, which traveled the United States. Camille has a BA in Dance from Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYUI) with an emphasis in Choreography and Performance. She joined their performance teams and tour company, Dance Alliance, which traveled both nationally and internationally. BYUI is where Camille developed a passion for modern dance and injury prevention. Camille loves the power and ease modern dance provides, and how the technique is transferable to many other dance styles she continues to love.  Camille has been a dance instructor for Orange County Song and Dance Company, a stage performer and parade dancer at Knott’s Berry Farm, instructed modern dance at Brigham Young University-Idaho, and been a private choreographer. She is excited to share her love of dance here in NC!

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Josie Lankford
Combo Classes

Born and raised in North Carolina, Josie Lankford has been studying all styles of dance for over 14 years at various studios over NC. Starting with a simple combo class at the age of 3, Josie has now been doing advanced dance classes and pointe dance. Having studied ballet, tap, and contemporary in New York City over the summer, Josie is thrilled to be teaching. While studying and improving her dance education at the Encore Center, she has performed in many dance productions such as Lion King as Zazu, Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter, and most recently, Willy Wonka as The Candy Man. Josie will be graduating high school this May with her Associates in Arts and will be attending Sandhills Community College this fall for Business Administration. Josie is excited to bring her passion of dance here at Encore Performing Arts Studio!

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Tara Peters
Ballet Company

Mrs. Tara was raised in Georgia and California and trained in classical ballet for over 25 years. She found an interest in ballet at the young age of four and has never looked back. Her passion for ballet has given her the opportunities to dance with the Atlanta Ballet, Georgia Academy of Dance, San Diego Ballet, and San Diego Academy of Ballet. Mrs. Tara was privilege to be taught by some of the best ballet instructors in the world to include: Dame Sonia Arova, Prima Ballerina Jillana, Prima Ballerina Maria Tallchief, and Maxim (Bolshoi ballet) and Syliva Tchernychev. She has performed as a soloist in many classical ballets to include: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Le Sylphides, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty and Concerto Barocco. Mrs. Tara has been trained in the Vaganova, Balanchine, and Cecchetti methods of classical ballet. She also attended the Joffrey, ABT, and Jillana School summer intensives. She was blessed to have had the opportunity to teach at San Diego Academy of Ballet prior to moving to North Carolina to be at Encore Performing Arts.

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Terrell Bethea
Combo Classes/Ballet/Acro

Bio Coming Soon!

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Geneasa Varner
Ballet/Tap/Lyrical/Combo Classes

Bio Coming Soon!

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Kayla Burton
Ballet/Contemporary

Kayla Burton has been dancing since she was
10 years old. As a child, she trained under the direction of Broadway performers Scott Wise and Elizabeth Parkinson by way of the “Fine Line Theatre Arts” in New Milford, Connecticut. Later in life, she traveled with a pre-professional company named “Artist in Motion”. Her areas of practice include classical ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and acro. Her favorite memories in dance are teaching the next generation of dancers and when she had the opportunity to perform “The Nutcracker” and many other dance performances in New Milford, Connecticut. She is so happy to be here teaching and dancing with you all!

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Dress Code

NOTE: For all dance classes, please ensure that students have their hair secured away from their face. Loose hair is a distraction and it significantly reduces technical ability.

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Tiny Tots Ballet 

  • Solid color with attached skirt or separate ballet skirt

  • Pink tights (footed or transition)

  • Pink ballet shoes with laces tucked or no laces (canvas or leather, no satin slippers)

  • MALES: Fitted white or black t-shirt; black dance pants; black ballet shoes (canvas or leather)

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Ballet/Tap Combo Classes 

  • Black, pink, or light blue leotard with optional attached skirt or separate ballet skirt

  • Pink tights (footed or transition)

  • Pink ballet shoes with laces tucked or no laces (canvas or leather, no satin slippers)

  • MALES: Fitted white or black t-shirt; black dance pants; black ballet shoes (canvas or leather)

  • Black Tap shoes

 

Ballet/Jazz Combo Classes 

  • Black, pink, or light blue leotard with optional attached skirt or separate ballet skirt

  • Pink ballet shoes with laces tucked or no laces (canvas or leather, no satin slippers)

  • Pink tights (footed or transition)

  • Black, slip-on, split-sole jazz shoes recommend. Dancers are encouraged to have both ballet and jazz shoes, but only ballet shoes are required.

  • MALES: Fitted white or black t-shirt; black dance pants; black ballet shoes (canvas or leather)

  • Hair must be secured away from the face and neck, no ponytails, Buns recommended

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Ballet (non-combo classes) 

  • Black leotard

  • Pink ballet shoes with laces tucked or no laces (canvas or leather, no satin slippers)

  • Non-shimmer pink tights (footed or transition)

  • Hair must be secured away from the face in bun (if hair is long enough)

  • MALES: Fitted white or black t-shirt; black dance pants; black ballet shoes (canvas or leather)

  • No tutus or recital costumes permitted

  • Solid color skirts or form fitting shorts may be worn over leotard but not necessary

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 Tap (non-combo classes)

  • Moveable, modest, and comfortable attire. No jeans

  • Proper fitting tap shoes (shoes should only be worn in the studio)

  • Hair secured away from face 

 

Jazz (non-combo classes)

  • Option 1: Black or solid color dance leotard, black fitted shorts, and black/tan tights

  • Option 2: Fitted tank top with black leggings (no bare midriffs)

  • Black slip-on, split-sole jazz shoes  

  • Hair must be secured away from face and neck, bun recommended

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Contemporary

  • Any color/style dance leotard, fitted tank, or dance top (no sports bras or bare midriff tops)

  • Any color/style dance pants or dance shorts

  • Barefoot 

  • Hair must be secured away from face and neck, bun recommended

 

Irish Dancing

  • Any color/style leotard, fitted tank, or dance top (no sports bras or bare midriff tops)

  • Any color/style dance pants or dance shorts

  • Black, slip-on jazz shoes or black ballet slippers

  • Hair must be secured away from face and neck, no ponytails

  • Advanced Irish will wear gillies or hard shoes (speak to teacher concerning your le

 

Acro

  • Leotard, biketard, or unitard of any color

  • Form fitting shorts required if not a 'bike' or unitard

  • Form tanks and biker shorts or leggings allowed if tank is long enough to cover stomach (no midriffs or uncovered sports bras allowed)

  • Hair secured away from face, low ponytail preferred

  • Bare feet 

 

Hip-Hop

  • Any moveable, modest, and comfortable attire. No jeans or bare midriffs. (Attire worn for other dance classes, such as ballet or jazz, is not recommended. Relaxed attire promotes the necessary relaxed approach to hip hop technique.)

  • Supportive athletic shoes (not worn outside the studio)

  • Hair secured away from face 

 

Musical Theater

  • Any moveable, modest, and comfortable attire. No jeans or bare midriffs. 

  • Jazz shoes or barefoot is acceptable for class

  • Hair secured away from face 

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*Dance shoes should not be worn outside the Studio.

*Street shoes should not be worn inside the Studio.

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