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Meet Our Instructors & Staff

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TERRI WALSH LAYNE

Co-Founder

Director of Lynchburg Elite Dance

One of Lynchburg Elite Dance founders, Ms. Terri is a graduate of Radford University, BA currently employed by Centra Hospice as business development manager.  Ms. Terri loves teaching the youngest of our dancers through adults.  Ms. Terri leads with encouragement regardless of the age of the dancer.  Her classes are always creative and often uses props or “think of it like this” examples.  In Ms. Terri’s classes, expect to accomplish something you thought you couldn’t, all the while smiling along the way.   

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MIKAYLA MIDDLETON

Instructor

Performance Company Liaison

Mikayla is a graduate from Liberty University with a BS Education is currently employed by iLEAD Schools.  She serves as the Lynchburg Elite Dance Performance Company liaison and enjoys teaching a variety of classes at the studio from tap, clogging, boy’s class for musical theatre, and hip hop.  Mikayla lives ‘all in’ and her classes are no different, be ready to be big, get loud and have fun in her classes.  If you ask her how long she’s been dancing don’t be surprised if she says, “ all my life, Ms. Terri’s my mom, and she taught and performed the entire time!”

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CAROL WALSH

(MORMOR)

Office Manager

Office Manager and Ms. Terri’s mom- Mor Mor is Finnish for grandmother, meaning literally ‘mother’s mother’.  Carol has been in dance since 1970 when she was the one carrying a student to class, then sitting waiting for her 2 year old to come out of class. Over the years, she has sewn pointe shoes, costumes, driven countless miles supporting her dancer in countless ways.  From the beginning she has been the office manager of Lynchburg Elite Dance and we are thrilled she still supports all of us.

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Madeline Smyczek

Instructor

Mrs. Madeline Smyczek was trained at the Harbourtown Dance Studio by Mrs. Brittany Drost in Vermilion, Ohio, where she became ballet, tap, and contemporary instructor for students of all ages.  She has choreographed 3 different musicals, and loves sharing her love of dance!  When she isn’t dancing, Ms. Madeline teaches Elementary School, and loves spending time with her puppy, and her husband. Madeline has her B.S. in Family and Child Development from Liberty University, and is currently finishing up her Master of Arts in Teaching.  

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SAMANTHA ANGUS TURNER

Co-Founder

Instructor

One of Lynchburg Elite Dance founders, Ms. Sam is a graduate of Sweet Briar College, BA and Sam Houston University, MA.  She is currently fulltime wife to Matt and momma to Xander and Emma Pearl.  Ms. Samantha has a gentle spirit that radiates in her classes.  Proficient in many genres, you will likely find Ms. Sam teaching contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet or tap.  Ms. Samantha’s vision for arts accessibility is not limited to her classes but a part of the overall energy of the studio.

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ALISON DRUMHELLER

Instructor

Alison is currently a student at University of Lynchburg, and shares her love for clogging, contemporary and children’s classes with us.  Ms. Alison was a student and teacher’s assistant at Lynchburg Elite Dance, performing and competing with the Lynchburg Elite Dance Performance Company.  With her attention to detail and impeccable ear, her classes are high energy and fun!

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Joanna Jobe “Ann-Claire”

Office Staff 

Ann-Claire began dancing when she was 2.  She danced with her own goals identified, never in anyone’s shadow.  With a love for children and a hard work ethic you will often see her at the front desk, but don’t be surprised if you find her painting and loading props or jumping in to get a class started.

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Kelly Delorey

Office Staff 

Kelly is one of our amazing office assistants. You will often find her smiling as you enter and check in. Kelly is a trained gymnast and acrobatics dancer. She brings her skills as a teacher's assistant to our Acro program. 

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