Rachael Smith Allison
Owner and Artistic Director, Rachael Smith Allison, began her dance training at age three with the Montgomery Civic Ballet. Rachael attended Agnes Scott College where she auditioned and was accepted into the Studio Dance Theatre, ASC's Semi-Professional Dance Company. This Company performed acclaimed Martha Graham choreographic masterpieces such as, "The Life of the Bee" and "Valse Caprice". Rachael has studied under Master Teachers such as Pilobolus Company, Meli Kaye (Doris Humphrey Company Member), Semi and David Roche (Pearl Lang and Principle Male Dancer respectively of the Martha Graham Company). Rachael has served on Dance Masters of America Chapter 33 Board as Solo Chairman, and currently serves as the Director of Education. Rachael is also a Certified National Tap Examiner through DMA.
Rachael also serves in the capacity of Artistic Director of WMS Company, and her dancers have placed in Regional and National Dance Competitions. Past seasons include WMS Company scoring technically over-all for several pieces and winning the most recent 1st Place in the Petite Solo Division. West Main Studios offers a wide variety of genres that center around technique and the development of a strong, well rounded dancer. West Main Studios offers Master Classes periodically through the season, but is also extremely proud of the faculty - Megan Cleland, Gene Flemming, Brantley Wilson, Tyler Warren, to name a few - Each has studied extensively in their chosen field of dance by way of impressive schools, performance experience, and Master teachers. WMS welcomes their expertise and their passion for the arts and strives to provide the best dance education in the area. Scarlett Smith
For over the past 25 years, Mrs. Scarlett Smith has been as valuable part of the WMS dance program. Miss Scarlett is the wife of Chase, Miss Rachael's brother. Her instruction includes choreography, workshops, and Master teaching classes, proving that her skills are immeasurable. Miss Scarlett's past choreographic pieces have won numerous technical and choreography awards, including 1st Place, Overall Solo and Titled petite pieces. Miss Scarlett's previous endeavors include leading roles with North Alabama Dance Center's Company, including" Panoply of the Arts, Noah's Ark, and many guest appearances throughout North Alabama. Ms. Scarlett is also certified via test to teach, through Dance Educators of America. Thank you Ms. Scarlett for your devotion and creative expertise. Chloe Hardy
Chloe Hardy started her dance career at the young age of three and has been training her whole life since. She grew up training at Heidi Knight School of Dance in Huntsville, AL. Chloe has been a recipient to many high scoring awards, scholarships and choreography awards while traveling the country attending conventions. She is also part of “ImmaBeast”- a dance company based out of LA. She has trained with some of the best choreographers in the nation such as Will and Janelle Adams, Phil Wright, and more. Chloe is so excited to share her knowledge and love for dance with your children
Stefanie Smith
Ms. Stefanie grew up in the North Alabama dance community. A gifted teacher, her abilities include our beginner to advanced acrobatic classes. Locally trained at Ann's School of Dance, Ms. Stefanie excels in all disciplines, but in particular loves acro. As well, Ms. Stefanie holds a master's degree is cyber security from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Over the years, she has taught exclusively with us, taking off time to be with her 3 beautiful children. We gratefully welcome Ms. Stefanie back to West Main Studios and appreciate her talents and gifts!
Olivia Buchanan
Ms. Olivia was born and raised on the gulf coast of Alabama, spending her time at Bay Pointe Dance Academy from elementary school until her high graduation. At her beloved dance studio she was trained in ballet and ballet en pointe, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop, and was also a member of the competition company. After high school she went on to earn her bachelor's degree in environmental science with a minor in Spanish at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she was served as a member and captain of the UAH Dance Team. Dance always has and always will be a crucial component to Olivia's life, and she looks forward to new avenues of immersing herself in this passion. Ms. Olivia is a welcome addition, as she is inspiring and always ready to serve in classes where she is needed.
WMS Staff
Amanda HomelvigDirector of Marketing
Ms. Amanda Homelvig is founder and owner of Bluegill Marketing. Her company is a small firm with big-time experience comprised of fifteen years with Target, Polaris, Seventh Generation and more. She has provided valuable insights to grow our business and also assists in directing for our Shows.
Manager and Financial Director
Beverly Smith
Beginning this journey in 1996- as a mother daughter team, our journey has included studios in the Madison & Cullman Areas. Madison, now being our sole focus - allows us to look forward to another 25 years of Dance Education. Graduating in 1978 from Auburn University with a degree in Secondary Education has allowed Beverly to continue in a teaching capacity by fostering many as Co-Director with her daughter Rachael. Fondly known as Miss Bev, she can be found at WMS just about any of the time and is the heart and soul of WMS. Ms Beverly handles everything you can think of, so if you have any questions, she's the one you need to contact! Email Ms. Bev with your questions: westmainstudio@gmail.com
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Megan Cleland
Megan has been dancing and teaching in Ohio for 25 years. She has received many scholarships and awards to travel and further her dance education through Dance Masters of America, Teachers Training School and National Conventions. Megan studied Cecchetti ballet through Grade VI and examined through Grade V. She is certified through CCA as Cecchetti Ballet teacher and member of Ohio Dance Masters. Megan is the choreographer for Easy Street Productions in Youngstown, Ohio, working on shows such as Annie, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, Hello Dolly!, Grease, High School Musical and more. Along with Ms. Rachael and Ms. Scarlett, she Co-Directs our Competitive Dance Program and is Assistant Director of our Annual Shows. Megan also is Principle Choreographer & Director of the Prestigious "Miracle of Easy Street" Production in Youngstown, Ohio. Megan is very happy to be a part of West Main Studios. With Megan's expertise in Choreography, Technique & Production skills - we are very happy to have her as well!
Eugene Flemming
A graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts, the Elaine Aiken Actors Conservatory Inc. and the Actors Studio, Mr. Fleming’s professional career began at the age of 18 in the Broadway and touring companies of A Chorus Line. He then worked with legendary artists such as Harold Nicholas, of the acclaimed Nicholas Brothers, and Gregory Hines in Sophisticated Ladies. He later replaced three-time Tony Award winner, Hinton Battle, in The Tap Dance Kid to rave reviews. His next project was Song and Dance, with Melissa Manchester.
His Broadway career spans three decades and includes shows such as the Tony Award- winning productions of Black & Blue, with Ruth Brown and Savion Glover and Bob Fosse’s Fosse. He was a featured performer in High Rollers, Swinging on a Star, Street Corner Symphony, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Kiss Me, Kate, One Mo’ Time, The Look of Love, Never Gonna Dance, and The Wiz with Stephanie Mills. This summer he starred as Big Otis in Big Otis’ Jump Up Blues Revue at the Red Rooster in Harlem, owned by acclaimed international chef and winner of Top Chef Masters, Marcus Samuelson. He was most recently seen as Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy. He received a Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance in Ain't Misbehavin’ at the Marriott Lincolnshire in Chicago, IL and a Barrymore Award for his portrayal of James Thunder Early in Dreamgirls at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia, PA. His production of Ain’t Misbehavin for Independent Musical Productions took home four Wings Awards, including “Best Musical of the Year” in Huntsville, AL. He has been featured in countless commercials and films, including Catch Me If You Can, Hope and Faith, and The Blues Brothers. An acclaimed teacher with Manhattan Theatre Group and Dance Masters of America, he has taught classes in dance and musical theatre around the globe. His mastery of tap, along with the styles of such greats as Bob Fosse and his unique teaching approach, make him an ideal clinician for studio classes, masterclasses, show choirs, and musical theatre settings alike. We at WMS, find ourselves most fortunate to have Mr. Gene join our Staff. Introducing....
Caitlyn Elledge
Caitlin Elledge grew up in Southern Mississippi, where she began dancing at the age of 3. She trained under the direction of Henry Danton (Royal Ballet, Sadlers Wells), and Yvonne Bergeron (New Orleans Ballet) in the Vaganova Technique. During her early and teenage years, she performed roles such as "Swanilda" from Coppelia, "Spanish Soloist” from The Nutcracker, and "Pas de Trois" from Swan Lake. At the age of 16, Caitlin moved to Nashville to further her career in classical ballet. Caitlin then danced for 3 years at Nashville Ballet, performing roles such as "Peasant Pas" from Giselle, "Pas de Trois" from La Bayadere. and "Waltz of the Flowers" in Paul Vasterling's "Nashville's Nutcracker". During her time with Nashville Ballet, Caitlin had the opportunity to work with Chris Stuart (Nashville Ballet), Paul Vasterling, and Victoria Simon (Balanchine Trust). Caitlin has also received multiple scholarships from schools such as Nashville Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre, as well as a second company offer with CIncinnati Ballet. Later in her time at Nashville Ballet, Caitlin decided it was time to steer away from the ballet world to focus on modern and contemporary, while still freelancing and guest performing soloist and principal roles for ballet schools. Caitlin has had the joy of choreographing for VUPointe Ballet Company at Vanderbilt University, and also danced with Blue Moves Modern Dance for their 2018-2019 season. These opportunities inspired her to create her own company, X-Contemporary Dance, which is a company that aims to reform the social stigmas and negativity in the dance world- encouraging artistry through positivity and support, creating a safe space for all dancers regardless of body type, race, or gender identity. XCD has recently received a Metro Arts THRIVE Grant for their project, “Connection Through Isolation”, and has also had multiple partnership offers within the first 6 months since opening. These partnerships include Osher Lifelong Learning at Vanderbilt University, future collaborations with the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, and Your Heart on Art. Caitlin hopes that her work and passion will help and inspire others to spread a good message to the world, transforming the world of dance to create a more inclusive and positive industry. Introducing....
Emma Grantham
Emma grew up in Athens alabama and graduated from East Limestone High School in 2016. All the while, she pursued her love of Dance for 14 years with The Dance Company and as well teaching and assisting with classes. Emma went on to attend Troy university where she majored in exercise science with a minored in dance. She recently graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham with my masters of science in occupational therapy and has been working at Crestwood Medical center as an occupational therapist since March.
Being able to come back to dance through teaching has been a wonderful experience. Emma is looking forward to joining our Pre-school, Creative Movement, Stage Arts and Level I program. We are so excited to have her be a part of our family of dance her at West Main Studios and as Emma prepares to share her love of dance with her future students. |
