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Meet the Staff

Owner/Teacher

Miss Emma Mead

I am originally from England and have danced for as long as I can remember! At the age of 11, I attained my first classical ballet scholarship and at 13, I left home to train at one of the most renowned ballet schools in the country- Elmhurst Ballet School in London. I trained for 3 years in traditional ballet as well as many other genres of dance. I studied under some of the most knowledgeable teachers in the world, while at the same time continuing my academic studies. For the next 3 years I furthered my education at a dance college in the North of England, and this is where my passion for teaching dance started to develop. I completed all my vocational exams and teaching qualifications with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD), before venturing off to start teaching around the world! 

My love of teaching has evolved immensely throughout the years; so many different aspects of my career have molded me into the teacher I am today. Mentors, colleagues, teachers, friends, students, family, languages and cultures – everything has played a role. 

Over 25 years ago I met and married my husband while living in Germany. Together we have spent many years travelling the world as he served in the US Air Force. In 2007 we were blessed with amazing twin girls and now we are settling here in beautiful Virginia. 

As I continue to grow and learn from all the wonderful people around me, I also enjoy every moment in the dance studio teaching the dancers of today. I have a passion for teaching: it is in my blood. I have a love for dance: it is in my bones. I am so happy I have the opportunity to do both every day. 

I have always dreamed of having my own dance studio, and now that dream is a reality. 

Please come and join me in my adventure DANCE WORKS and share my love of dance. 

Core Teaching Staff

Miss Emma and her excellent Dance Works team are always welcoming and friendly.  They are committed to high standards, working hard, and providing you with the best possible dance classes for you or your dancer.  We are proud to not only teach dancers how to dance but, also model the behavior and set an example of being good citizens and help prepare young people for a successful future.  Whether you are new to dance, new to the studio, or pass through our doors multiple times a week, our welcoming environment is just the start.  We are here for you, to help you every step of the way.

Hannah Mead

Hannah has lived in Newport News VA for 16 years now. Hannah started dancing at 3 years old and has been a part of Dance Works since 2013. Her additional love for teaching dance started when she qualified for the Dance Works Assistant Teacher Program at the age of 10. Hannah has trained with many different teachers throughout the years at Dance Works as well as attending Dance Conventions. She has also performed at many local events as well as in regional dance competitions. She also performed at Bush Gardens, Williamsburg as a costume character in the summer of 2023. Hannah was heavily involved with the theater department at her school (HRA). She has been in many musicals, plays, and sang in her A Cappella group. She is attending her second year at CNU in hope of continuing her education. Hannah worked her way up through the DW AT program from Jr AT and is now part of the Teaching Staff. She has taught at the YMCA, and continues to teach dance classes at the Riverview Gymnastics Center and choreograph for HRA. She loves performing and sharing the love of dance with her students.

Sarah Mead

Sarah was born in Italy and lived there for 3 years then moved to Virginia. She began her dance journey at age 3, and started dancing at Dance Works in 2013.  Sarah has been in the DW AT program from age 10 and has progressed through to Head AT, to Intern, and has been on the Teaching Staff for 3 years. Sarah has always loved performing and being on stage, she spent years on a Competition Team and has done many local performances as well as being a part of her high school productions and A Capella group over the years. Sarah has always loved teaching and has really found a passion for sharing the love of dance. Sarah worked as a performer for Busch Gardens, throughout the summer of 2023. Sarah has also worked as a Dance Teacher at the YMCA, has volunteered over 50 hours and now works at Restored Life Wellness Center, in Yorktown. She is now working as a Dance Teacher RGC; As well as choreographing for HRA’s A Capella group, and musicals. Sarah is currently in her sophomore year of College at CNU. Sarah owns her own non-profit organization called The Chance To Dance Program, giving students of all abilities the chance to dance. As the year progresses she hopes to continue to share her love of dance to all of the students here at Dance Works.

Emma Bryant

Emma Bryant has been dancing for over 20 years. She began dancing at the age of two and has loved dancing ever since! Her favorite style has always been jazz and lyrical. Emma came to Dance Works when she was in middle school and loved taking her regular dance classes as well as being a part of the assistant teacher program. After high school, Emma attended Longwood University where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2023. During this time, Emma returned to Newport News during summer breaks and holidays and was a substitute teacher at Dance Works! In college, Emma continued to teach dance at a local studio in her college town, as well as danced and served as captain for Longwood University’s Dance Team. Following graduation, Emma continued at Longwood University where she received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2025. Emma returned to Newport News in 2024 to finish her degree where she also returned as a season teacher at the Studio. Emma is now a pediatric Speech-Language pathologist in an outpatient setting as well as a staff member at Dance Works!

Shayley Hedrick

Shayley (Skinner) Hedrick was born and raised in Newport News and Yorktown, Virginia. She has been passionate about dance for over 20 years, beginning her training at City Arts Dance Academy at the age of five. One of her earliest instructors, Miss Emma Mead, would later open Dance Works—where Shayley eagerly joined the Dance Works family. Shayley auditioned for and participated in the Dance Works Dance Company for two years. In addition to taking classes, she was given the opportunity by Miss Emma to serve as an Assistant Teacher. This role provided Shayley with valuable knowledge and hands-on experience, which paved the way for her transition into a full teaching position at Dance Works—a role she enthusiastically accepted. She also expanded her teaching experience by sharing her love of dance at the local Victory YMCA.

While attending Tabb High School, Shayley studied dance for four years at the School of Arts. After graduating, she attended Utah Valley University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Family Science. Although her degree was not in dance, she filled her elective credits with a variety of dance courses, exploring styles such as African, Polynesian, Ballroom, Hip Hop, and more.

Following graduation, Shayley returned home to begin her career and rejoin the Dance Works team. She is currently in her fourth year teaching with Newport News Public Schools as a Newcomers ESL teacher, while continuing to share her passion for dance and teaching at Dance Works. As well, Shayley has recently gotten married. She looks forward to many more years of inspiring and guiding dancers within the Dance Works family. 

Annie Mitchell

Annie grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she trained at Seven Hills Dance Studio for 12 years. During her time there she studied a variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and modern. Annie began competing with Seven Hill at age 11 and continued competing for four years. Annie currently lives in Newport News while attending Christopher Newport University, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue her education through the Masters of Arts in Teaching program with a focus on elementary education. At CNU, Annie is actively involved in the CNU Dance Company, where she serves on the executive board as Events Coordinator. She also teaches classes, choreographs for the semesterly showcase, and performs alongside her fellow dancers. Annie is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance and teaching with the Dance Works community!

Guest Teachers

Danielle Merian

Danielle grew up in the Fredericksburg, Va area where she began dancing at the age of 3 years old. She has a background in ballet, tap, modern, pointe, jazz, and hip hop, and competed heavily. As she grew older, her love for dance grew as well, and she branched out into Musical Theater scoring an adult role in the Music Man while she was in the sixth grade. She coached and choreographed for her high school dance team and joined the Silver Storm dance team at Christopher Newport University. She graduated from CNU with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and also joined the sorority Gamma Phi Beta. Ms. Danielle was welcomed into the Dance Works family over 10 years ago and has loved absolutely every single memory that has been made with everyone at the studio. She continues to teach whenever possible with her main priority being to raise her beautiful family!

Madison Clement

Madison grew up in Massachusetts where she began her dance journey at the age of 3. She is trained in many areas including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, musical theater, lyrical, and competition dance. Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Dean College where she was in the National Honors Society for Dance Arts, and also has her Masters in Business Administration. She was named a principal dancer with the contemporary dance company Ash & Elm based in Northern Virginia. Madison worked at Dance Works for multiple years, both Teaching many classes and working behind the scenes. She sometimes travels back to help out during our busy recital time. Since relocating to Florida, she became teacher certified in the Lehrer Technique, and founded her own adult performance dance company, Encore Dance Collective, with the passion to continue contributing to the art of dance!

Alumni Teachers

Emily Staul

Emily has lived in Yorktown, Virginia for her entire life and has been dancing for 17 years. She began her training at Dance Works in 2013 and has studied a wide range of genres, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap, along with experience in musical theater, hip hop, and acro. Emily has been a proud member of the Dance Works company and has grown through the assistant teacher program, progressing from Junior AT to Head AT. She has also contributed to the Dance Works Performance Program and Main Character productions. In 2021, Emily was honored with the title of Dancer of the Year. Emily is a recent graduate and is furthering her education in both biology and dance at JMU. Emily also attended the School of the Arts, where she has choreographed for multiple dance concerts and the spring musical Hadestown (2025) and West Side Story (2026). She is thrilled to keep coming back to the teaching staff at the studio she has called home for so many years and looks forward to creating more wonderful memories with her Dance Works family. 

Lainey Griffin

Lainey was born in Newport News, VA where she began dancing at the age of 2. Lainey has trained in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, tap, commercial, pointe, and musical theater. Although originally from Yorktown, VA, she attended Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, a Master of Science in Athletic Training as well as a certificate in Performing Arts Medicine. Lainey performed two full seasons touring with the ARTEINMOVIMENTO dance company founded by Shenandoah Alumna Eve Stanley. Lainey spent her summers through college teaching at Dance Works in Virginia and has guest taught intensives and workshops at various studios in Virginia and Florida. Lainey currently resides in Bradenton, FL where she works as an athletic trainer for IMG Academy. She is also now teaching part time at a local studio and choreographing some competition pieces.

Teacher Training Programs:

Dance Works is a studio that not only trains dancers to be the best they can be, but also helps mold our young people of today for a successful future. Our unique programs allow dancers to grow throughout the program, as they grow up and develop these valuable skills.

Intern and Apprenticeship Programs gives high school age dancer’s an insight into the “behind the scenes” works of the studio, more experience as a solo teacher in the studio, opportunity for choreographing, giving them many more additional skills before college or possibly becoming a full-time dance teacher.
 
Assistant Teaching Program gives young dancers an opportunity to assist the Teachers, in the dance classes, to gain teaching experience and in turn solidify their knowledge of dance in addition to many other important assets.

Within the AT Program dancers with more experience can level up to be a Head Assistant Teacher giving them more of a leadership role within the program.
 
Jr. Assistant Teaching Program, this gives even younger dancers or first time AT’s, a chance to help and learn how to become an Assistant Teacher.
 

Our new Assistant Teacher “Prep” Program, gives even younger dancers a stepping stone into the Assistant Teacher Program.

All dancers in our Assistant Teaching program must have been dancing at Dance Works for at least one year and go through training before to be accepted into the season program, they must keep up their academic grades throughout the year as well as dedication in their regular dance classes to continue in the program.

2025-2026 Season Awards:

  • SHINING STAR AWARD – Dayna Cutright

  • MINI SHINING STAR AWARD – Tessa Merian

  • TRIPLE THREAT AWARD – Rebecca Du

  • MINI TRIPLE THREAT AWARD – Charlotte Skarvan

  • TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE – Bridgette Peters

  • MINI TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE – Charlotte Loebs

  • VERSATILE DANCER – Harper Waddell

  • MINI VERSATILE DANCER – Catherine Puaca

  • CHOREOGRAPHY – Alexia Nicole Rodriguez & Amaya Faulk

  • MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER AWARD – Heidi Pavusa-Lopez, Stella O’Sullivan, Theodore Scudder

  • LEADERSHIP AWARD – Harley Leavelle & Ava Mastros

  • RAY OF SUNSHINE AWARD – Hattie Lewis

  • RAY OF SUNSHINE (MINI) AWARD – Leona Mae Gold

  • PERFORMANCE PROGRAM – Adeline Bickings & Meredith Jackson

SHOUT OUT AWARDS!

  • Rebekah Vergara – Ballet
  • Evelyn Loebs – Ballet
  • Ira Bakhtiani – Tap
  • Aela Jones – Tap
  • Wyatt Scudder – Jazz
  • Charlotte Wiltshire – Jazz
  • Peyton Adams – Lyrical
  • Haven Dwight – Lyrical

ASSISTANT TEACHER AWARDS!

  • AT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE – Page Gold
  • AT AWARD FUTURE IN TEACHING – Mikayla Cartwright

DANCE WORKS 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Cristina Birdsong, Abby Donavant, Emily Staul, Ashley Taylor

2024-2025 Season Awards:

  • SHINING STAR AWARD: Kendall Puckett          

  • MINI SHINING STAR AWARD: Jacquelyn Paluszkiewicz                  

  • TRIPLE THREAT AWARD: Alexia Nicole Rodriguez           

  • MINI TRIPLE THREAT AWARD: Page Gold                        

  • MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER AWARD: Alivia Barna-Miller                    

  • MINI MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER AWARD: Carolyna Seelbach

  • LEADERSHIP AWARD:Harper Waddell

  • LEADERSHIP AWARD: Dayna Cutright

  • RAY OF SUNSHINE AWARD: Charlotte Skarvan                 

  • RAY OF SUNSHINE AWARD: Eleanor Jensen                      

  • DANCE WORKS AT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: Kaitlyn Paluszkiewicz                 

  • DANCE WORKS AT AWARD FUTURE IN TEACHING: Addison Root                       

  • DANCE WORKS GIVING BACK AWARD: Aven McCabe                

  • DANCE WORKS MAIN CHARACTER STAR AWARD: Tessa Merian, Kynslie Jones, Caleb Merian

2023-2024 Season Awards:

  • Season Shining Star Award (Level Classes) – Amaya Faulk
  • Season Shining Star Jr Award (Jr & Foundation Level) – Nathan Jack Traster
  • Triple Threat Dancer Award (Level Classes) – Kaitlyn Paluszkiewicz
  • Triple Threat Jr Award (Jr & Foundation Level) – Victoria Nobles
  • Most Promising Newcomer Award (Level Classes) – Mikayla Cartwright
  • Most Promising Newcomer Jr Award (Jr & Foundation Level) – Lainy McDaniel
  • Dance Works Ray of Sunshine Award (Levels) – Elenor Peters
  • Dance Works Ray of Sunshine Jr Award (Jr & Foundation) – Emma Cowling
  • AT Future Teacher Award – Alexia Nicole Rodriguez
  • AT Give Back Award (YMCA) – Addison Root

Dancer of the Year

Erin Maguder 2022-2023

Abigail Gorski 2021-2022

Emily Staul 2020-2021    

Rachel Cobb 2018-2019

Lainey Griffin 2017-2018

Emma Bryant 2016-2017

Caila Carlstrom 2015-2016

Gracie Fotis 2014-2015

Shayley Skinner 2013-2014