Studio Faculty - Dance classes in Elite Dance Academy of Phenix City, Alabama - Ballet - Tap - Jazz - Hip Hop - Lyrical

Our Elite Faculty. Please contact the Director to apply.

Our adult instructors are college-trained and collectively have over 60 years of experience in the dance field. Our instructors have also trained with the best instructors the dance industry has to offer at studios such as Broadway Dance Center in New York City and collegiate dance programs.

JOANNE DAVIDSON - President/Artistic Director, Instructor/Choreographer

Joanne Davidson opened Elite Dance Academy, Inc. in August 2002 where she teaches Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Leaps/Turns, Tumbling, and more. Joanne has 33 years of training, to include studio training, numerous conventions, Huntingdon College, Broadway Dance Center, Radio City Rockettes, and DanceSport in NY. Joanne found her passion in dance as a child, winning numerous regional and national awards and college scholarships in dance. As a teenager, she was awarded as an American All Star, Universal Dance Star, International All Star, and NCA Collegiate Dance All Star. She was also chosen to perform for Superbowl XXVI in Minnesota, for the government in Nassua, Bahamas, and the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Joanne performed as a member of ‘Georgia’s Dancin’ Machine’,

the Springer Ballet Company (now known as Columbus Ballet) under prima ballerina, Sonia Manzi,DancEffects, the Huntingdon Dancers, the Golden Girls dancers of Golden Park, and more. Joanne has been a winner of many pageants including Jr. Teen Miss Lee County, Teen Miss Lee County, and Miss Phenix City, where she won the talent awards in dance. At Miss Alabama, she was awarded several scholarships including the Directors Award. She has also performed roles in the productions of “A Chorus Line”, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, “A Christmas Carol - the Ballet”, “Swan Lake”, and “The Nutcracker”, to name a few. She served as Dance Captain and also earned top roles in several. After studying dance and theater at Huntingdon College, on dance scholarship, she became a dance instructor for Universal Dance Association, BJ’s Dance Factory, Columbus Ballet, Columbus State University’s continuing ed dept., and of course, Elite Dance Academy, Inc. as President and Director. She was chosen as a finalist for the Radio City Rockettes in NYC in 2002 but, declined due to the opening of her studio. Joanne was hired as the choreographer for the All American Football League cheerleaders.

She has coached the Dazzlin’ Dolls to over a thousand trophies, awards, and scholarships over the last 30 years. Her choreography has been sought after by dance teams, show choirs, pageant contestants, and stage productions across the SouthEast. She holds a certification in Acrobatic Arts up to pre-professional levels. In 2008-2009, she coached and managed the Columbus Lady Lions, professional dance team. She also established an arts after school program for Brookstone School, in which she taught dance & musical theater for six years and hosted the first ever Cougar Company audition clinic. She developed a pageant training program for those pursuing pageant and talent competitions. Joanne stays busy with seizing every opportunity to share dance with the community. She plays an active role in National Dance Week, is member of the National Dance Association, AAHPERD, former sponsor for Scott’s Miracle Riders (Children’s Miracle Network), and a frequent participant of Relay for Life, served as choreographer for Night of Lights, and Thunder on the Hooch. More recently, she has volunteered her time for Children's Miracle Network's charity event, Breakfast With Santa, as well as Easter Seals' Princess Day charity event. She has been a member of the Better Business Bureau. Joanne served as choreographer and instructor for the Central High School Dazzlin’ Devils Dance Team for seven years, taking them to 1st place wins at competition. She now serves as choreographer for the Smiths Station High Varsity Pantherettes. She is a former dance instructor and cheer coach for Wynnbrook Christian School. Her choreography has won numerous top awards including national titles and most recently the highest scoring dance of an entire competition, earning the only ‘Diamond’. For many years, Joanne's teams have held a place in the top 5 at National dance competitions.

For 8 years, Joanne was in the field of Information Technology, and worked as both an IT Manager and Computer Programmer/Developer. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Writing, Marketing, and all things business. Joanne has two children, Keely Davidson, also an accomplished dancer and choreographer, and a son, Cameron, age 5. Joanne begins her 32nd year teaching dance this season and 24th year as the main instructor and artistic director of Elite!! Of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of the success of her students, the passion she has instilled, and the lifetime of memories with her many students over the years. Many of her former students are actively dancing professionally, teaching dance, judging competitions, and the like. As each student graduates and moves on to a new chapter, she feels pride in having seen them grow as dancers and young people. Values and good character are important to her, as her Elite mission includes Excellence, Leadership, Integrity, Teamwork, and Enthusiasm. Faith is important to Joanne, as well. Joanne is a member of Smiths Station Baptist Church, where she continues to grow and learn in her Christian faith.

LYDIA DURASO - Instructor

Elite welcomes lead instructor, Lydia Duraso!! Lydia began her dance

journey at just two years old in herhometown of Leesburg, GA. She

trained and assisted classes at Murphy Dance Studio and Dothan School

of Dance, and performed with ballet companies including Ballet Theatre

South and the South East Alabama Dance Company.

Lydia continued her dance education at Troy University, earning a Bachelor
of Fine Arts in 2022. During her time there, Lydia studied a diverse range of
styles and disciplines including lighting, sound, pedagogy, acting, hip hop,
pointe, Horton, Graham, and contemporary ballet. In her final two years, she
discovered a passion for stage management, expanding her love for the
performing arts.

After graduation, Lydia settled in Phenix City, AL with her husband and their
three dogs, focusing on building a future together. Now back in the studio,
she's thrilled to return to the work she loves most-sharing her passion for
dance and guiding the next generation of dancers on their artistic
journeys. Elite Dance Academy welcomes Ms. Lydia to our wonderful staff!

MAKENZIE BROWN - Instructor/Pre-dance Program Lead

Elite welcomes Miss Makenzie!! Makenzie Brown began dancing at the

age of 4. She entered the competition world of dance beginning at the

age of 12, continuing through high school graduation.

Makenzie has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and
Contemporary, to name a few. She recently graduated from the University
of West Georgia with a B.S. in Education.

Makenzie came highly recommended from her home studio, Southern
Dance Precision in Georgia, where she was assistant instructor

before taking on her own classes. She has completed her 3rd year

teaching dance and is excited to begin another season of teaching

at Elite Dance Academy.

Makenzie has a special place in her heart for the youngest dancers, and

loves to help mold them and introduce them to their passion for dance

and creative movement. Makenzie looks forward to the coming

season of inspiring Elite dancers to learn and grow.

LYNDI BUCKHOLZ - Instructor

Lyndi Buckholz is originally from New Jersey and received her BFA in Dance
Performance and Choreography from George Mason University in 2022. While in
college she had the opportunity to work with Hope Boykin on a piece called
Running to and Toward Time that premiered online at the end of 2020. Throughout
college she also had the chance to create several choreographic works that were
performed in person, as well as online.

After college, she relocated to St. Louis, Missouri where she joined St. Louis Dance
Theatre as a Trainee. While in St. Louis she was able to work with people such as
Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Lindsay Hawkins, Robert Poe, Sara Brendel, Tasha Hinex,
Natalie Williams, Jacob Henss, and Joshua Peugh. Lyndi then relocated to
Columbus, Ohio to work with Joshua Manculich and join Whirlwind Dance.

While in Ohio she also joined Columbus Modern Dance Company under the direction of
Laura Puscas. Ohio gave Lyndi the opportunity to choreograph, teach, and
perform in many different capacities, one of her favorites was choreographing
and performing in the MLS All-star pre-show performance! She is excited, having joined
the Elite Dance Academy staff, and share her love of dance and choreographing
with the Elite students!

KAYLE LOVE - Instructor

Kayle Love is a 21-year-old university student who is pursuing her studies at The University of Alabama. She attended Elite Dance Academy in 2007-2008 and 2017-2022. She has trained in many forms of dance including hip-hop, contemporary, modern, jazz, and acro. While attending Central High School she was a student dance choreographer for her school’s Musical theater Program “Encore Productions” and a student dance assistant at Elite Dance Academy. In 2022 Kayle was given $10k worth of scholarships for dance and won Elite Top First at KAR with her first self-choreographed solo routine.

Starting in her fall semester of college Kayle joined the dance group HallyUA who specialize in spreading Asian cultures through dance. She has performed for the Greater Giving Charity by APO and Kpop Mini-Con. She has performed with many Vietnamese artists and Celo Green in 2022. While being a full-time student she toured dancing in many states in the South hoping to spread these cultures to all. She performed at the opening of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Association and the Asian Cultures Club. She has performed for the Resonance Choir and Riptide Dance crew.

Most recently she has returned home to continue her study of dance from her beloved teachers. She is excited to begin teaching another season at Elite, while striving to become a professional dancer and continue pursuit of her ambitions. Welcome back, Miss Kayle!!

MELISSA HARRIS - Office Lead

Melissa Harris leads our office staff, as she brings a knowledge from both sides

of the desk. Having been a 'dance mom' for many years, Melissa knows her

way around the studio, and is familiar with all aspects from classes to competition.

As she prepares for another season in the office, Melissa will be a smiling face

for new customers and returning, assisting with billing, enrollment, dancewear

needs, and all things related to customer care. If you need help, come see

Melissa or our other office staff!

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