We pride ourselves in our talented, educated, and understanding teachers.
ANDREA CORNPROBST
Hip-Hop/Dance Director
A’ndrea spent the majority of her childhood in Michigan where she was actively involved in cheer, hip hop and ballroom dancing throughout middle school and highschool. She studied hip hop under Kenyetta Whipper (now known as Kenyetta Jeffries), previously a dancer and choreographer in L.A. for some pioneers of hip hop. Her dance team traveled around the state to perform and minister to communities and highschool students. After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart and took a break from dancing while becoming a Young Life leader and starting a family. In 2007, the military relocated her husband, A’ndrea and daughter to Colorado. In 2009, the Army brought them to North Carolina. Here, she began dancing again, reigniting her love of dance! She also reunited with her love of cheer and became a cheer coach. She is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Cycle Instructor and previously certified Zumba Instructor. Her heart for teenagers extends beyond the dance studio to her students at Grace Church where she serves as a leader. When she isn’t dancing or with students, you can find her wrangling one of her 4 children or coaching a fitness class. She loves to foster the use of dance as a creative outlet for students and to see them grow in their confidence and character through dance!
RACHELLE HARTIGAN
Ballet/Tap/Lyrical/Combo Classes
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.
JOSIE LANKFORD
Combo Classes/Tiny Tots
Born and raised in North Carolina, Josie Lankford has been studying all styles of dance for over 16 years at various studios over NC. Starting with a simple combo class at the age of 3, Josie has now been attending advanced dance classes, pointe dance, and is on her college dance team. Having studied various styles of dance in New York City, Josie is thrilled to be teaching. While having studied her dance education at the Encore Center, she has performed in many dance productions such as Lion King as Zazu, Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter, and most recently, Frozen as Anna. Josie is currently attending Montreat College to get her Bachelors in Christian Ministry with a minor in Psychology, while being on the dance team full time. Josie is excited to bring her passion of dance here at Encore Performing Arts Studio!
Angela Vecchione
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Ballet/Jazz/Combo Classes
Angela Vecchione is the Founder and Director of avec Productions, Inc., a nonprofit organization with the mission to support and advance the careers of performing artists through community events and educational opportunities for growth and discovery. Angela has worked in Special Events and Donor Relations for esteemed institutions including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and American Ballet Theatre. Her performance and choreographic career in Jazz and Contemporary Ballet has given her the opportunity to collaborate with artists across the country, and she has had the distinct privilege to produce and participate in arts festivals and residencies in New York City, North Carolina, Salt Lake City, UT, Chicago, IL, and Alaska. As an instructor, Angela encourages students to be imaginative, fearlessly think outside-the-box and celebrate creative growth and personal discovery through the medium of dance.
LYDIA MCGRATH
Ballet and Combo Classes
Lydia McGrath is originally from upstate New York and moved to North Carolina in 2011. She has been dancing since she was three years old and has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and contemporary. After high school, she spent a year dancing at Elon University and returned to Moore County to pursue nursing at Sandhills Community College. Over the years, she has been involved in several productions, taken countless classes to round out her dance education, and gained experience teaching various ages and styles. Teaching dance, she aims to provide an encouraging environment for students to explore movement and grow their technical skills. Lydia is so excited to be sharing her passion with Encore students!
ANALIESE ANDERSON
Ballet/ Conditioning
Analiese (Umana) Anderson graduated with her BFA from the Purchase College Dance Conservatory in 2012. She has studied with American Ballet Theater’s Intensive Training Program, New York State Summer School of the Arts, and Ballet Hispanico. She has extensively trained with American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet and Martha Graham former dancers and faculty members throughout her career. From 2012-2014 she danced for Baltimore Ballet rising to a soloist. While dancing in Baltimore, Analiese was also on the faculty of Towson University’s Children’s Division. Analiese has served as faculty, adjudicator and Executive Coordinator for the American Academy of Ballet’s National and International program; teaching in Israel, Mexico, Portugal and more. From 2017-2020 she taught as an Adjunct for Purchase College Dance Conservatory and Marist College. Analiese is currently a visiting instructor at New York Academy of Ballet. She is thrilled to be joining Encore Performing Arts Studio this season!
BETHANY STONE
Hip-Hop
Bio Coming Soon
KAYLA BURTON
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