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MEET OUR TEAM
OWNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Alli’s dance journey began at age two and she quickly evolved into a competitive dancer by age eight. She has had extensive training in all styles of dance, but takes a special interest in jazz & contemporary styles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of Alabama, where she was honored to be accepted into the prestigious Alabama Repertory Dance Theater.
Choreography has always been Alli’s passion. She has been asked to choreograph multiple dances for the University of Alabama's Dance Alabama & Dance Collection shows. She has earned her over 25 choreography awards at some of the most prestigious competitions/conventions in the nation, including having won the top choreography award at a National Level, where her choreography competed against hundreds of others.
Her innovative & cutting edge choreography have consistently propelled dancers to receive top honors and grand champion titles. Her expert level of training has resulted in dancers she's trained winning National Dancers of the Year as well as multiple National Dancer of the Year Nominees.
After seven years as an artistic director at a local dance studio, Alli ventured out to pursue her life-long dream of owning & operating her own studio. Her vision extends beyond technical skill, focusing on the holistic development of dancers and nurturing their growth both on and off the stage. Alli brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to helping the next generation discover the artist within themselves!
Outside of her duties at Young Artist Space, Alli also is a judge and convention teacher for DTI Dance Competitions. She is also a highly sought after outside choreographer for other dance studios in the area. Alli is currently pursuing her PBT & CBT Certification to be able to offer an even more comprehensive & elite level training experience for the students she teaches.
OWNER/COMPANY DIRECTOR
Shena is a Co-Owner and Company Director at Young Artist Space. She holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Language Arts from UAB and has four years of experience teaching middle school students, where she also coached the cheerleading and dance team.
Shena’s background includes owning and operating Gameday Girl Stuff and Shena B Clothing, which has given her valuable insight into costume design, creative processes, and business operations. Her lifelong passion for dance led her from being a dedicated Dance Mom to partnering with Alli and Liz to create & establish their own, distinctive dance studio.
Shena is committed to making the dance world a better & happier place & very much enjoys creating meaningful and lasting relationships with our dancers and their families. She also makes sure that our students feel welcome, loved, and appreciated. She enjoys creating time for the girls to hang out together and strengthen the relationships they have amongst themselves, as well.
INSTRUCTOR - BALLET
Allana has a lifelong love of dance that began when she was three years old. She has studied multiple styles of dance, however, her primary focus and passion is ballet. Allana attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where she trained under Sonia Arova, Therese Laeger, and Thor Sutowski. This afforded her the opportunity to perform and tour with the Alabama Ballet. Later, she had the privilege of studying under Mrs. Barbara Baker, a founder of the Briarwood Ballet.
Allana continued her dance education at The University of Southern Mississippi and Florida International University in Miami while on scholarship. There she studied ballet, modern, and jazz. While at Southern Miss, she was a Co-Captain of the Dixie Darlings and also a member of the Southern Misses dance team. Through the years, Allana has coached four high school dance teams and was a member of the Universal Cheerleading Association Staff. She also studied the Revolutionary Principles of Movement in order to expand her teaching knowledge of ballet. Allana has extensive teaching experience and enjoyed teaching at Briarwood Ballet for over a decade, as well as several other studios throughout her career.
INSTRUCTOR - MUSICAL THEATER
Alexa-Grace's desire to study dance has been a life-long journey. Her mom, who is also a dance instructor, instilled a love for dance in her from a very young age & encouraged her to pursue her dreams to perform. She has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, theatre jazz, & contemporary, including dancing for 11 years with the Briarwood Ballet. Alexa has a rich background in musical theatre, having performed in over 12 productions & having choreographed 7.
Alexa was Co-Captain of the Lionettes Dance Team at Briarwood Christian High School, & Dance Captain of the show choir, where she showcased her leadership & performance abilities. She later began teaching dance team prep classes & ballet classes. Alexa teaches dancers to hone their skills while also instilling positivity & fostering a love of dance. While working for Summer Show Offs, she had the opportunity to cultivate kindness within the classroom & encourage campers to have confidence on stage.
While currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Alabama, Alexa-Grace studies various forms of dance, acting, & singing techniques. This summer, she will have the opportunity to perform in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with the Virginia Samford Theatre, she will intern with The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, & attend the Gus Giordano Jazz Intensive in Chicago.
INSTRUCTOR - ALL STYLES
Hannah's lifelong love of dance has shaped her into a versatile performer who brings a wealth of knowledge to our studio. She has trained in ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, clogging, tap, & acrobatics. Her passion for dance has not only earned her numerous awards in competitions throughout her career, but also inspired her to teach and mentor young dancers since the age of 15. Venturing into choreography, she has crafted both group & solo performances that have received many awards. Hannah's unwavering dedication & commitment make her a cherished figure at our studio. She enriches our dance community with her talent & enthusiasm, & we are blessed to have her as a member of our staff.
