Morgan Heflin Parsons

Morgan graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia University with a BA in Dance and a minor in Childhood Development and Family Studies. She had the privilege of studying Modern and Choreography with Dr. Yoav Kaddar, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Musical Theater, and Jazz with General MacArthur Hambrick, Modern and Dance Conditioning with Maureen Mansfield Kaddar, and Tap with Matt Saffron. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher who successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Morgan is a professional member of the National Dance Educators Organization and is the current treasurer of the West Virginia Dance Educators Organization. She is also a member of Dance West Virginia, which provides her students access to master classes and dance scholarships for college and summer study. She was the 2003 winner of the West Virginia Dance Festival Jazz Scholarship and finished second in the 2006 National Society of Arts and Letters dance competition. Her summer study includes Point Park University International Summer Dance, Jazz Dance World Congress, and workshop with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Broadway Theater Project, West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, West Virginia Dance Festival, and West Virginia Fine Arts Dance Camp. She is honored to have been on the faculty at Marietta College and dance studios in Parkersburg, Morgantown, Lewisburg, and Charleston and director of the Young Academy at WVU. Morgan has been teaching dance for over 20 years and emphasizes proper technique and safety in all of her classes to promote a lifelong love of dance. 

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Lindsey Florence

Lindsey holds a Degree in Jazz and Ballet from Point Park University and a Master's Degree in Marketing from Pace University in NYC. She is the Head Coach/Program Director of the West Virginia University Dance Team. At PACE, she is the Director of Curriculum, Producer of 6 annual Recitals & a Resident Choreographer.  She is also a Certified Pilates Instructor, a Substitute Teacher at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and a Certified Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Lindsey traveled 3 days a week for four years to Columbus, Ohio, to dance competitively for Northpointe Dance Academy and train additionally with BalletMet. She attended summer intensives in New York at American Ballet Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Radio City Rockettes, Alvin Ailey, New York City Dance Alliance, and winter intensives with Perry Mansfield at The Juilliard School. She was honored to perform in Lake Erie Ballet's Nutcracker and in many works with the Conservatory Dance Company at Point Park University.  She has worked with Fadil Berisha and Lois Greenfield and enjoys photographing dancers! She attends professional performances every chance she gets, seeing over 100 Broadway Shows and almost every Classical Ballet & Dance Company Performance at the Joyce and Lincoln Center. Lindsey is a positive educator and is excited to bring her love of dance and children to PACE.  

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Alison Cressey

Alison is an ABT® Certified Teacher who completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. The AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum is a breakthrough program that combines high-quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. She has attended injury prevention and Pointe readiness courses at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in NYC. Alison began her studies at the age of nine under the direction of Norma and Suzy Gunter. She performed with the company currently known as Mid Ohio Valley Ballet in numerous productions throughout the area and surrounding states. After graduating from Parkersburg High School, she attended The New School, a progressive university in Greenwich Village, New York City, in a dance program affiliated with the Joffrey Ballet School.  Her primary instructors included David Howard, John Magnus, Rebecca Wright, and Francesca Corkle. Ms. Cullen is happy to be on the faculty at PACE and looking forward to providing a solid foundation in ballet technique while building discipline, determination, and confidence in her students, thereby imparting the traditions of those teachers before her.

 

Ashley West

Studio founder Ashley holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology.  She also has a Master's Degree in Education and is teaching fourth grade.  Ashley has over 25 years of experience as an accomplished dancer and a coach.  While in high school, Ashley competed for the Ohio Valley All-Stars as a Senior Elite cheerleading team member. That team became their very first C.O.A. National Champion squad. She went on to Muskingum College, where she was captain of both the cheerleading squad and the dance team. Individually as a dancer, she has performed at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, was named “Miss Senior Dance Caravan” in 2001 after receiving the highest score in the nation in the solo division through Hoctor’s Dance Caravan, and won numerous regional champion awards. Ashley was the 2003 Midwest Open National Solo Champion and the 2003 American Cheer Power Solo Champion, where she was honored to receive a special award for the highest individual score that the company had rendered to date. That same year Ashley was named American Cheer Power’s “Dancer of the Year.” In 2008 & and 2015, her senior jazz group was selected to represent AmeriDance at the USASF Dance World’s performing with groups from over 40 countries.  As an instructor, Ashley has coached dancers to numerous national titles, scholarships, and college programs. 

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Rachel Romage

Rachel Romage is a native of Charleston, WV., and has earned her Master's Degree in Exercise Science. She was recently dance faculty for Marietta College, teaching Tap and Musical Theater.  She has choreographed for their theater department productions and enjoys the collaboration. Rachel began her study of dance under the direction of January Johnson Wolfe at the Academy of Arts at January’s. She has shared her love of dance with children of all ages for over 15 years. One of Rachel’s greatest assets as a teacher is her enthusiasm and creativity. Rachel has studied with such masters as Joe Lanteri and Gus Giordano. She has participated in the 2000 Jazz Dance World Congress and 2002 teacher's seminar "Tap Kids" in Tarrytown, N.Y, studying under tap masters such as Ted Levy, Brenda Buffalino, and Lisa Hopkins. Rachel has had the privilege of being on faculty at the WVSU Charleston Stage Companies Summer Arts Camp (1998 – 2005), University of Charleston’s Camp William (1999 -2002), and JADCO’s Mermaids & Dragons Arts Camp (2005 – 2008). While attending Marshall University and obtaining her master's she also was on staff at the Village Dance Theater and Premier Dance Studio, and taught jazz/tap/hip-hop classes at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Her professional experience includes choreographing for the productions Thistledown Fairies, The Little Match Girl, and Chasing Butterflies. Rachel loves working with children and adults of all ages and is thrilled to be on staff at PACE, teaching in areas of Children’s Ballet/Tap, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, and Hip Hop.

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Michelle Lynch Bowling

Michelle is a Dr. at Bowling Family Dentistry with her husband, also a dentist and they share two beautiful children.  She started dancing at a young age under the instruction of Carolou Russell at West Virginia School of Ballet. She enjoyed participating in the West Virginia Dance Festival and has trained at Boston Ballet and Houston Ballet.  Michelle got married and moved to Parkersburg in 2006 and now has 2 beautiful children.  She is 2013's A Night of Dancing with the Stars Champion, sponsored by the Actors Guild.  Michelle has a passion for ballet and is thrilled to share her joy with our community at PACE.

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Jessica Marlow

Jessica is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She has had the privilege to follow her dream and pass on her love for the art of dance, as a teacher, for over 20 years now. For eleven of those years, she owned her own studio. Jessica worked professionally performing with Paramount King's Island as a main stage dancer in the production of Entertainment Tonight and has been fortunate to have the opportunity to study with such talents as Mia Michaels, Cris Judd, & Tyce Diorio. She has won choreography awards and choreographed for many soloists, small groups, large groups, as well as productions. She shares a passion for dance, and it is her goal to show dancers the joy and happiness dance has given her. She prides herself on running a caring, compassionate classroom, leading by example. Jessica believes in a positive approach and that to be a good teacher, one must be a caring teacher.

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Kaitlyn Moyer 

Kaitlyn directs the Hip Hop company at PACE and brings great experience to the studio, having earned her BA in Dance from West Virginia University. She is a former member of the WVU Dance Team, WVU Hip Hop Team, and Parkersburg South Southern Belles.  Kaitlyn was a choreographer for Dance Now, an assistant for Wild About Dance Convention, and travels to choreograph award-winning groups and solos for many other competitive studios.  She was an award-winning soloist bringing home scholarships at every convention from NYCDA, Break the Floor to Artist Simply Human. She was an all-star cheerleader for Ohio Valley All-Stars and a Starz performer for Ashley's Premier Company for over 10 years.  Kaitlyn is excited to be back and to share the same love of dance she found here at PACE. 

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Callie Yoak

Callie is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and Alixa Flexibility with a focus on correcting alignment issues and gaining maximum body awareness, control & strength to support flexibility. She has taken the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum; she is certified through an accredited stretch and flexibility teacher training program and is actively being certified through additional programs. She has attended the New York City Dance Alliance Summer Intensive and was an Outstanding Dancer at NYCDA, attending Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Callie was President of the National Dance Education Honor Society for PACE and one of our best trained Student Assistants for our younger students. She was a performer for Ashley's Premier Company for many years and currently assists in the program's operations. She danced as a super senior after her senior year was cut short by covid and was accepted as a dance major at Ohio University. Callie loves children, and being in the studio, you may see her mom Lisa greeting you from the front desk when she is there!

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Liz Strong

Liz Strong is the owner of Strength Warehouse and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and youth exercise specialist.  Health and fitness has always been an important part of her life. She has spend the last several years digging deep into muscle development, clean nutrition wants to share her knowledge, experiences and help the lives of others. She works with people of all ages and fitness levels. From Youth, High School Athletes, Fitness competitors to lifestyle clients. If you have a goal of getting stronger, healthier and fitter, her goal is to help get you there. She will offer Strength and Conditioning at PACE.        

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Lori Patton - Advisor

Lori Patton brings 30 years of teaching and choreography experience to PACE.  She has recently moved to Morgantown WV, and will be joining us for master classes & summer camps this year!  She is a Cum Laude graduate of Point Park University, where she earned a B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in Jazz and African movement. While in college, Lori worked with an inner-city arts program and found her love for teaching dance. After college, Lori joined the dance faculty at West Virginia University, where she coordinated the Jazz and Tap programs and served as Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer for the University’s dance company, Mountain Jazz Dance Theatre. Lori implemented a movement program for physically challenged children in Morgantown, WV, and was awarded the Easter Seals Volunteer of the Year in 1990. She has been on the faculty at Momentum Dance Center in Clarksburg, WV, The American Academy of Ballet, Charleston, WV, January’s Dance Academy, Charleston, WV, and The Schrader Youth Ballet, Parkersburg, WV. She has served locally as choreographer/dance faculty to The Smoot Theatre’s Camp Vaudeville (2003-2006), special choreographer to Warren High Schools Marching Band (2006-07 & 2009-10) and has been invited to guest teach and choreograph for public schools, dance studios, camps and companies in WV & OH. Her performing credits include Pittsburgh Playhouse Dance Company, West Virginia Public Theatre, Kitchen Sink Dance Company, Don Brockett Productions, and Donna Beljac, Inc. Lori was on faculty at Marietta College from 2005-2013 teaching Musical Theatre, Jazz/Modern, Tap and African Jazz. She also served as choreographer for the Theatre Departments' productions of Quilters, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, and Arabian Nights. Lori is a founding member of the PACE faculty and is grateful for the opportunity to share her experience and her love for dance with students of all ages. She believes in developing each student in a class to their individual potential in a positive and nurturing environment.

 

Bridget McCreery – Office Manager

Bridget will be the first person to greet you as you come into the studio!  She is a founder of the studio and has been the parent-teacher liaison and front office manager since the beginning.  She is happy to answer any questions you may have, will keep your accounts up to date & works to make communication efficient for you and the faculty.

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Dee Ann Florence - Founder & NDA Honor Society Advisor

Dee Ann brings over 40 years of dance education experience in the dance industry.  She is a professional member of the National Dance Education Organization, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, National Dance Association, United States All-Star Federation & National Dance Coaches Association. Her focus is connecting & educating dancers through opportunities and a quality curriculum.   Her goal is to ensure that every dancer achieves their full potential enabling them to audition or take a class anywhere in their current level with proper technical knowledge & confidence.  DeeAnn annually continues her dance education at every opportunity through the Broadway Dance Center Teacher Workshop, New York City Dance Alliance, USASF,  ABT National Training Curriculum, Dance Teacher's Summit, the Dance Life Teacher Conference & MTJGD Executive & Teacher Training.  She is originally from Texas where she was a member of the Texas State University Strutters, award-winning Dulles Dolls & Halftime USA Staff.  She continues to work as veteran staff for MA Dance where she traveled for a decade teaching a variety of dance styles at conventions/camps across the U.S. for high school & all-star dance teams.  From 1987-present she's had the privilege to judge many studio competitions and continue work for MA Dance as an adjudicator & event staff for regional & national dance competitions throughout the U.S.  She has worked at dance education conventions DTDA, TDEA & MADT.   She has assisted and adjudicated Miss Dance/DrillTeam Ohio, Texas All-State Dance Team, Oregon State Dance Championships, Texas Christian University, North Texas State University, The Ohio State University & West Virginia University Dance Teams. She traveled teaching choreography for the All American Performance Teams halftime performances at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa, and many Citrus/Capital One Bowls in Orlando. For the last 19 years, she has overseen the Executive and day-to-day operations of PACE, its faculty, and very successful competitive directors. Our PACE students have attended prestigious summer intensives, gone on to earn degrees in dance, won the highest solo and group honors at every regional convention and competition, earned top 4 at USASF Dance Worlds, been competitive at NYCDA Nationals, The Dance Awards, and featured in the top 20 of Next Generation So You Think You Can Dance.  She spends the summer in New York seeing the Classical Ballets & Broadway shows each new season brings, but loves coming home during the school year to greet each dancer and work with their parents!  DeeAnn is passionate about bringing a professional and positive environment with better opportunities to the dancers of our community while offering More Than Just Great Dancing for your child.