We pride ourselves in our talented, educated, and understanding teachers.
Dr. Sarah Cerami
Dance Director
Dr. Sarah Cerami, PT, DPT began working Encore in 2019 as a dance instructor. After a brief time away due to travel as a military spouse, she happily rejoined Encore in fall of 2025, once again as Dance Director. Sarah is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT, DPT) focused on orthopedics, pediatrics, and dance rehab. Sarah also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance Performance/Choreography from Temple University with 14+ years of experience as a professional dancer, dance instructor, group fitness instructor, and dance studio administrator. Sarah has a passion for education and movement that fuels all aspects of her work. She loves supporting Encore dancers and staff in their artistic development!
RACHELLE HARTIGAN
Company Ballet Instructor
A native of the Southern Pines area and having returned after a decade in the Pacific North West, dance has always been a vital element of Rachelle’s life. Classically trained in ballet since the age of 2, her repertoire varies - extending into other elements of the performing arts as well. She has studied within the programs of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Tacoma Ballet, and The Portland Ballet - transversing the country by way of a military lifestyle. Now settled with her blended family, Rachelle takes pride in bringing her love of movement to the next generation. Additionally, as a certified yoga instructor, Rachelle values safe and intentional expression in dance with a mindful approach that emphasizes connection with body confidence.
Taryn Golightly
Ballet/Tap/Contemporary
Taryn Golightly received her Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from Sam Houston State University. As she grew up dancing, she has had the experience of attending Geoffrey’s Modern and Contemporary Intensive in New York as well as taking many classes at Margo Dean School of Ballet in Fort Worth, TX. In college she studied abroad in Luca Italy where she learned from many international choreographers with Dance Italia summer intensive. Taryn has worked and performed with other various choreographers including, Enzo Celli, international choreographer for Celli Contemporary Ballet, and NobleMotion Dance Company located in downtown Houson. Her dance training includes Ballet, Modern, Aerial, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop and Tap technique.
Melissa Pierce
Ballet/Jazz/Contemporary
Melissa is originally from Cape Coral, Florida. Beginning at the age of 3, she received her pre-professional training at the Maranatha School of Dance and Arts. She started her foundation in Ballet and over the years has also enjoyed training in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom, and Contemporary. She has had the opportunity to perform with Ingredients Dance Company and Training Program based out of Dallas, Texas. This was the foundation for the formation of her home studio’s dance company “Momentum,” which she personally choreographed for in 2016. In 2017, she trained with Broadway Dance Centers faculty and completed a summer program with mock auditions and production pieces choreographed by Jim Cooney, Emily Greenwell, and Matt Wiercinski.
Melissa believes it’s more than a dance class; it’s a safe space for children to grow in self confidence and create structure in an enjoyable environment while building lifelong friendships. Now, a military wife with 3 kids, she looks forward to providing her students with an inspiring, educational, and positive dance experience.
Rachel Barrick
Ballet/Hip-Hop/Acro/Musical Theatre/Voice
Rachel Barrick is on her third year at Encore. She graduated in the fall of 2022 with her BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in dance and music. Her collegiate dance training includes rhythmic tap, ABT ballet, and Laban technique. She has worked as a dance instructor for Shawnee State University Performing Arts Academy, teaching a myriad of classes including tap, ballet, jazz, modern, acro, and theatre. She has been clogging and tapping since a young age, and performed competitively throughout high school in musical theatre dance competitions. She has worked with the West Union Performing Arts Department since 2016 as a theatre instructor, and choreographer. Rachel's theatrical performances include Fritzie in Cabaret, Shirley in Disaster! and Judy in 9 to 5 The Musical during her college career. As well as Scraps in Talking With at the Boneyfiddle Fringe Festival, and as Mary-Lou in Cowgirls. She has also been seen as Jerilyn in the world premiere of Split Hickory, and spent a month in Minneapolis during the summer of 2022 continuing workshops for the show alongside the creator. Rachel also plays the saxophone, is a classically trained vocalist, and has a passion for teaching the performing arts.
Morgan Luchansky
Tap
Morgan Luchansky graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019 with a degree in Management Information Systems. During her four years at UNCC, she was a member of the dance team and chosen to represent the team in Daytona, FL at the NDA College Nationals. Raised in NC, Morgan trained at Burlington Academy of Dance and Arts (BADA) for 14 years where she was part of the performing company, KARIZMA, for 5 years! After college, she had the pleasure of returning to BADA as a tap and jazz teacher. Throughout her years of dancing, she has had many amazing performance opportunities such as dancing in the 2012 Orange Bowl Halftime Show and the 2015 NYC St. Patricks Day Parade. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing with her husband and spending time outdoors with their sweet puppy, Wilbur. Morgan is so excited to be a part of the Encore family!
Dayton McWhirteryoung
Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Contemporary/Acro
Hello! My name is Miss Dayton! Originally from the Midwest, I found my way to North Carolina through the military life! I have loved dancing since the age of six and have trained extensively in a variety of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. My passion for dance led me to open and operate my own dance company at just 17 years old, where I further discovered my love for teaching and inspiring young dancers. In addition to my dance background, I hold an active practical nursing license, bringing patience, compassion, and a nurturing approach to every class. I am very passionate about creating a positive, and safe environment where dancers feel supported, encouraged, and confident as they grow both on and off the dance floor.
Victoria Hamlin
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Irish Dance
Victoria grew up Irish Dancing in New Jersey where she competed for over 10 years, performed in many local shows, and was selected for performances with the Chieftains and Carnegie Halls' annual “A Great Night for the Irish” production. She is fully trained and certified Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha (TCRG - teacher) with the An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), the leading authority of Irish Dance focused on preservation and promotion of Irish dancing and language. She has trained dancers across all ages and levels in both competitive and show style dancing. Her students have competed in local feiseanna (competitions) to world championships in both solo and team categories in addition to participating in numerous shows throughout the local community and traveling companies. She thoroughly enjoys sharing the art of Irish Dance and is excited to open the doors to the strong and exciting community of Irish Dance already established in NC!
Rachel Barrick
Ballet
Rachel Barrick recently moved to Southern Pines from Ripley Ohio in order to nanny her three month old nephew for her sister. She graduated in the fall of 2022 with her BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in dance and music. Her collegiate dance training includes rhythmic tap, ABT ballet, and Laban technique. She has worked as a dance instructor for Shawnee State University Performing Arts Academy, teaching a myriad of classes including tap, ballet, jazz, modern, acro, and theatre. She has been clogging and tapping since a young age, and performed competitively throughout high school in musical theatre dance competitions. She has worked with the West Union Performing Arts Department since 2016 as a theatre instructor, and choreographer. Rachel's theatrical performances include Fritzie in Cabaret, Shirley in Disaster! and Judy in 9 to 5 The Musical during her college career. As well as Scraps in Talking With at the Boneyfiddle Fringe Festival, and as Mary-Lou in Cowgirls. She has also been seen as Jerilyn in the world premiere of Split Hickory, and spent a month in Minneapolis during the summer of 2022 continuing workshops for the show alongside the creator. Rachel also plays the saxophone, is a classically trained vocalist, and has a passion for teaching the performing arts.