Wanda Plemmons serves as Director and Owner of the Academy of Dance Arts, Inc. where she studied Ballet at an early age. Wanda's training continued at the Universitiy of N.C. School of the Arts where she serves currently on the Board of Associates. She helped found the Alumni Association and served as President of the Alumni at U.N.C.S.A for several years. Wanda also sat on the Chancellor's Search Committee and the Governor's Choice for Teaching Excellence Committee. Wanda was designated "Outstanding Teacher in the Arts" by UNC School of Arts in 2009 and participated in the graduation ceremonies. She performed with the Winston-Salem Civic Ballet Co., Governor's School and University of N.C. School of the Arts productions. Wanda has been a guest teacher for Wake Forest University and the N.C. Governor's School , served as dance consultant for C.M.S. and choreographed numerous pieces for local concerns including R.J.R's The Vantage, the City of Winston-Salem, Hanes Mall and Disney's 'Kid Jam". Wanda serves on the President's Advisory Council for Small Business Leaders of the U. S.
Debbie Sayles received her B.F.A. in dance from the University of N.C. at Greensboro. She received training at East Carolina and performed with the companies at both universities. Debbie joined the faculty at the Academy of Dance Arts , Inc. in 1983 and has trained and inspired thousands of dancers in her 20 years of teaching as well as being instrumental in developing the Tap program. Debbie's versatility in teaching has included the pre-ballet program as well as Jazz. Debbie is Mother to two daughters who also attend the Academy, Megan and Katie.
Karla received her M.A. in Dance from American University where she was honored with the Evelyn Swarthout Hayes award for her outstanding contribution to the arts. At American University, she was awarded a graduate fellowship to teach both modern and jazz dance. Karla's athletic and intelligent choreography has been presented at the North Carolina Dance Festival (Greensboro), the American College Dance Festival as well as throughout the Washington, DC area. Her humorous, satirical, and sometimes serious explorations of modern life can be seen in her Sidelong Dance Company productions, a company she founded when she moved to this area. Visit her web site at http://sidelongdance.org.
Luci Jennings received her training at N.C. Governor's School, U.N.C. School of the Arts and University of N.C. at Greensboro. Luci owned and operated a successful dance studio in Mt. Airy for twelve years. She served on the Board of Directors for the Surry Arts Council and choreographed musical productions at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Luci has been on the faculty for many dance conventions in N.C., S.C. Virginia and Louisiana. She has taught at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center and choreographed musicals for the associated area schools and colleges.
Jami-Ross, a former Academy of Dance, Inc. student, attended the Universitiy ofNorth Carolina School of the Arts, where she was a scholarship student concentrating in ballet. She received her B.S.A. degree in dance and drama from East Carolina University. Jami studied in New York at the Actor's Studio with Greg Zittel. Jami-Ross was the lead dancer on MTV's Boogie at Midnight with Skip Castro. She performed in the Off-Broadway play, Boom Boom Room. Jami-Ross has been seen in dozens of regional shows including Chicago, Jerry's Girls, Pippin', and Cabaret. She teaches jazz, tap and Pilates. Jami-Ross also teaches flexibility and strength training at Salem College. In addition to this busy schedule, Jami-Ross teaches Hip Hop workshops and is a judge for National Competitions.
Kim, a former Academy of Dance, Inc. student, graduataed from ECU with a BFA in dance. After graduation, Kim taught continuing education classes at ECU and also performed in many Dance Theatre productions. She became an insructor at Academy of Dance Arts in Greenville and performed and choreographed in the local production of the Nutcracker. Kim also taught in Athens, Ga. before moving back to Winston-Salem with her family.
Lindsey holds a BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University with a concentration in Jazz. She has performed in the Chicago area under the direction of Nick Pupillo. Lindsey was also a member of the Joel Hall Dancer II Company under the direction of Joel Hall. Before joining the Academy, Lindsey taught and choreographed at the Hanover Showbiz Kids, Dance Unlimited, and Nina's School of Dance.
Jennifer started her training at an early age at the Academy and went on to the University of NC School of the Arts at age 12 for middle school and high school. She then danced with the Colorado Ballet in Denver. Wanting to move back closer to her family, she taught and danced as a principal dancer with the High Point Ballet. She then came home to the Academy of Dance Arts to teach full time while also working at a bank. She took a sabbatical from dance to raise her son, Matthew and take her financial career to the next level and has become a successful Investment Counselor. She is currently married to Richard Hough and has a stepdaughter, Chandler. To take her creativity to another level, she started her own company, Libra Lady’s Creations, where she hand-makes jewelry and gifts She now teaches part-time and enjoys working with the girls to be their best and has found a real interest in choreography.
Debra Berger
Carlie Fink