Our History
DanceWorks was founded in July of 1989. The original studio was in Wake Forest on the corner of South White Street and Roosevelt. With the expansion of our business to include gymnastics we moved to 1921 South Main Street near Ligon Mill Road. When the building was torn down in 1998 to make room for a business park, we moved to our current location in Youngsville. In 2007 DanceWorks Studio and Tri County Gymnastics expanded its Location to a 10,000 square foot facility off of highway 96. They are currently the largest Gymnastics Facility in Franklin County.
***An Introduction to our Dance Staff***
Shelley Leone -
Owner and Founder DanceWorks Studio
Ballet Director, Adult Tap and Pilates Instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience and over 40 years of dance experience.
Courtney Leone
Partner/Owner DanceWorks Studio
Competition Director Tap, Lyrical, Jazz and Team Gymnastics Coach
Courtney has been a dancer/gymnast most of her life. She has been both a dancer and gymnast competitively in high school
and into college. She holds a Bachleor of Arts and Science Degree from UNC Chapel Hill. Over the past four years, Courtney has had the oppotunity to take master classes from such great minds as Shane Sparks, Donvoan Helma, Natalie Fotopolous, Emily Shock, Sonya Tayeh, and Caroline Lewis. She is also USAG Professional Member.
Wendy Denny
Alumni, DanceWorks Studio
Competition Director/ Partner Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop Instructor, Choreographer
Wendy has danced competitively throughout high school and professionally in New York City. While in NYC wendy was an assstant teacher at the Broadway Dance Center and has had the pleasure to take from some of the professional teachers/choreographers in the world. She re-joined the DWS Staff in the Fall of 2007 and has been instrumental in creating the competitive company/programs that you see today. In 2007 Wendy Married her High School Sweetheart Dean Denney and they expecting her first child in January of 2010!!!!
Kelly Houghland
DanceWorks Studio -Class Instructor and Dance Company Assistant
Kelly began enjoying and excelling in the adult classes in 2004. Her smile and overall enthusiasm for our dance program and her patience with children made her the ideal choice for our training program in 2006. Graduating with honors Mrs. Kelly began taking on her own classes in 2007. Her creative style and fantastic energy are sure to make her students shine. This will be Mrs. Kelly's third year as a full time instructor, will be taking her first Company Class this year as the primary instructor for our Company E Tap program.
Ashley Mitchell
Beginner Hip Hop and Company C Lyrical
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A Graduate of NC State University in Raleigh NC Ashley has been dancing since the age of five. Her training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theatre allowed her to enjoy a succesful competitive career through out highschool. Taking a break from dance while attending college, Ashley was able to complete her degree at an accelerated pace and graduate over a year early. While away from the dance scene ashley realized how much she missed the DanceWorks and rejoined us in 2006 in our adult classes. Upon returning Ashley showed even more interest in being involved with DWS and been teaching in 2007. This year will mark Ashley's Third year with DWS.
Kristen Mazuk
Ballet/Pointe/Modern
Kristen is new to our Staff in 2009, she joins DWS from Western Kentucky where she recieved a
BFA in Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance at
Elissa Edwards Babb:
(Guest Choreographer/Master Teacher Contemporary)
Elissa attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pa. and received a full dance scholarship to Point Park Conservatory. She has won scholarships to the EDGE in Los Angeles and has been invited to perform for Stiletto Entertainment and Anheiser Busch theme parks. Elissa judges for several national competitions and teaches master classes throughout the country. Elissa's unique and innovative choreography has won her many choreography and top teacher awards. Elissa has a fresh and innovative approach to dance which enables her to instill in her students a special passion for the art. Elissa will be choreographing a Small group for our Company Dancers this year, so you will see her in the studio throughout the year. She will also be hosting EVOLVE on September 12th and 13th with some of the most diverse Staff of Choreographers in the Country. Elissa is also known for her Work with her very own pre-professional Company FactorE Based out of Wilmintgon NC. Her soloist and group numbers can bee seen on The Hall of Fame, Jump, and NYCDA websites.
Kentrell Newton
(Guest Choreographer/Master Teacher Hip Hop)
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Kentrell has been dancing and competing for many years. He is a member of the renowned Bloc Talent Agency of Atlanta, GA, and has performed his unique hip hop styles from here to China. Kentrell has been heavily involved with activities for the 102 JAMZ dancers, where he played a major role in the vision and establishment of their dance group in 2003. He has been involved with Couture Productions and appeared as a dancer for the Greensboro Super Jam concert on numerous occasions. Kentrell has coordinated numerous major dance events for North Carolina A&T State University, including homecoming and Aggie Fest. He has been invited to travel with numerous dance organizations and competitions, including Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, and has performed as a dancer for numerous R&B and rap artists. His unique approach to hip hop technique and foundations, as well as his exciting teaching style make him a studio favorite for students of all ages and levels! Kentrell will be choreographing for our Intermediate Hip Hop Company and coming in for master classes for all levels throughout the year.
Donovan Helma
(Guest Choreographer/Master Teacher Tap)
Since the age of three, Donovan Helma has been dancing under the direction of his mother's dance studio in Denver, CO. Before the age of 17, Donovan had studied with many tap legends including Savion Glover, Robert Reed, and Henry Le Tang, just to name a few. He currently continues his education in New York City. When he is not taking class or performing, Donovan teaches for numerous studios and national conventions all across the United States. Some recent works include General Motors and Charles Schwab industrials along with a Monday Night Football halftime show with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. He has recently performed for Montreal’s Danse Encore International Festival in a production by Tap’d Out. In 2004 and 2006 Donovan toured and performed with the national cast of Tap Dogs. Donovan looks forward to continuing his performing career and inspiring students nationwide.Donvan Choreographs for our Advanced Tap Company and we are so happy to have him back this year.
GUEST ARTISTS
Ballet: Valerie Lantratov, Charliegh Funderburke, Brian Youngkin
Jazz : Sonya Tayeh, Natalie Fotopolous, Angela Brickhouse, Debra Baile
Tap: Emily Shoemaker, Shelley Oliver, Gene Medler, Beth Peele
Modern: Emily Shock, Ashley Lindsey, Tokyo (Kevin Inoyue). Zanda Thomas
Ballroom: Chrstina Penatello
Kathy Fairchild Office Manager
Bobbi Kilmer Office Assistant
Both Kathy and Bobbi are our office wonder workers… everything from your account or schedule to phones to band aids to shoe fitting. Just ask!
An Introduction to our Gymnastics
Staff
**All staff members are USAG Safety
Certified**
Gene Leone
Director of Recreational Gymnastics & Competitive Team Coach
Gene is the co-owner and founder of WFG TriCounty
Gymnastics and has over 20 years of coaching experience
Jessica Thigpen
Team and Pre-Team Coach
Jessica has over Twenty years of experience in the sport of Gymnastics and brings her wealth of knowledge as a USAG Certified Level 1-10 Judge. Growing up in a gymnastics family herself Jessica understands understands perfectly the family oriented philosophy we have here at WFG. This will be Mrs. Jessica's 3rd year here at Tri County.
BERTINA HARRIS
Pre-Team Coach and Class Instructor
Ms. Bertina is entering her 3rd year with us. Bertina holds a BS in Exercise Science from Eastern Carolina University and her love and dedication to educating young children have made her a welcome member to our staff. As of The Fall 2008 Bertina is now a certified Levels 1-6 USAG Gymnastics Judge.
Kathi DeYoung
Class Instructor and Boys Team Coach
With 4 children of her own that are students and members of our teams, it was only natural that Kathi join our staff. She was instrumental in kicking off our boys team four years ago and will be assisting with the boys team again this year. She will also be coaching pre-k through intermediate girls classes and assisting with our level 3 team program. This will be Kathi’s 5th year coaching with us. Kathi is also a certified USAG Mens Gymnastics Judge.