Meet Our Instructors & Staff
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.
MIKAYLA MIDDLETON
Instructor
Performance Company Liaison
Mikayla is a graduate from Liberty University with a BS Education is currently employed by Ohana Virtual Therapy. She serves as the Lynchburg Elite Dance Performance Company liaison and enjoys teaching a variety of classes at the studio from tap, clogging, 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!”
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.
ALISON DRUMHELLER
Instructor
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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.
Joanna Jobe “Ann-Claire”
Office Staff
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.
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.