Nikki has been involved in dance for 30 years and teaching for the past 18 years. She studied ballet and modern in college as well as tap from Bubba Grose and Kathy Lamb, and modeling from Dana Stephenson, former Miss North Carolina. Nikki is a graduate of the "Tross Rolaine" School of Modeling in Charlotte. She has also taken classes with Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Liz Imperio, Greg Russell and Dee Caspary to name a few.
Nikki opened Lake Norman Dance Gallery in the summer of 1999 and enjoys directing and choreographing for her award winning competition teams. Her competition groups and soloists have won at the regional, state, and national levels. She has received numerous "Top Teacher" "Highest Technique Score" and "Choreography" awards at regional and national competitions. Many of her dancers have received Gold, High Gold, Platinum and Top Overall Standings. Nikki's students have also performed on cruise ships, at the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade", and have been chosen to perform at the "Hula Bowl". In 2004 the competition gallery performed at "Disney World" and also competed at Starpower Nationals in Florida. Two of her teams won the honor of competing in the "Battle of the Stars" finals. They placed 4th and 5th out of the 15 top scoring groups in the entire competition. In 2006 her tumble groups all made finals at Nexstar Nationals and Tumble Premier placed 1st Overall Junior Large Group! In 2010, 5 groups and in 2011, 6 groups made Finals at Showstopper Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC. Most recently her tumble premier team received 1st place Overall Teen Large Group at the 2011 Showstopper Nationals.
Nikki is proud to be a Mooresville native and resides here with her daughter Izabella Pilar.
Instructor
Ashley Ritchie
Ashley is currently studying to obtain a degree in early childhood development. She has been dancing for 21 years and competed for 19 years. Miss Ashley spent a week in New York studying with Frank Hatchett and other well known instructors at Steps on Broadway, and performing in the "Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade", and on "Good Morning America." She has also performed on cruise ships, at Port Lucia, The Bahamas, Carowinds, Disney World, and her team was chosen to perform at half time at "The Hula Bowl." Ashley has studied with many top dancers /choreographers as she has traveled around to various competitions and exhibitions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, New York, and many others. During her competition years, her teams have won many platinum and overall awards at regional and national levels. Ashley is very much at home in the classroom, where teaching children to dance is an extension of her talents. This will be Ashley's 13th year as a valued instructor at LakeNorman Dance Gallery. Ashley is an accomplished Hip Hop choreographer and her young hip hop troupe received 1st place in the "Big Show" at the Nexstar Nationals in CharlestonSC.
Instructor
Misty Thompson - Parker
Misty has been a wonderful asset to our competition program. She is the choreographer of our Jazz, Lyrical and Modern companies as well as our Ballet company.
Misty studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and pointe for 25 years. She has also choreographed for Cunard, Crown, and American-Hawaii cruise lines. Misty was an assistant choreographer for the production of "Beehive" in Blowing Rock, NC. She also choreographed pieces for a special performance at the Carolina Theater in Charlotte, NC. Misty has entered her choreography at the American College Dance Festival. While at Catawba College, she was president of the Catawba College Dance Ensemble, choreographed for theater productions, and organized/choreographed for a "Works in Progress" performance. Misty has also choreographed productions for local pageants and festivals. She was a performer in the production of "Sophisticated Ladies" in Fayetteville, NC. Misty has judged local auditions for competition companies. She attended NC Governor's School for Dance. Misty was a semi-finalist to be a dancer in "Black Knight" starring Martin Lawrence. Misty's works have been awarded numerous choreography, entertainment, technique, and costume awards at regional and national competitions. Most recently her Production routine "Nemesis" received 1st place Overall at Productionmania at the Showstopper National Finals in Myrtle Beach, SC. In 2010 she had 3 groups and 2011 had 2 groups in the Showstopper National Finals.
She currently resides in Huntersville with her husband Steven Parker and their brand new baby Noah Andrew. She is employed at Lowe's as an accountant.
Instructor
Barrett Anderson
Bio Coming Soon!
Instructor
Megan Mayhew
Bio Coming Soon!
Instructor
Karen Fitzgerald
Karen received her education from Pat Mosher School of dance in Poughkeepsie, New York; Ballet Repertory, New York City (Thalia Mara, Arthur Mahoney & Hilda Butsova)
She has taken a tremendous amounts of training classes in New York is Ballet, Jazz & Tap. Instructors are too numerous to list.
Karen was a Mast Teacher for 36 years in the following types of dance: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Acting & Musical Theater. She owned her own studio from 1968-1988 in Port Jefferson, New York. After that she was a Master Teacher at State University of New York, Stoneybook, New York - Harid Conservatory, Boca Raton, Florida - Conyers School of Ballet, Atlanta, Ga - Bettina Carol Newman School of Dance, Atlanta, Ga. - Atlanta Ballet School, Atlanta, Ga - Susan Chambers School of Theater Dance, Atlanta, Ga.
She has been a Guest Teacher for Vic D'Amore School of Dance in New York. Palm Beach Ballet Academy, Georgia Ballet and many others.
She has been a professionl choreographer for New York Professional Theater; Florida Theater; New York Regional & Community Theater; Georgia Events.
She has also had numerous award winning Platinum, High Score and Highest Score awards throughout her career.
Little Flippers Tumbling & Gymnastics Coordinator/ Instructor
Missy Hartsell
Missy has over 14 years of teaching tumbling and gymnastics with children of all ages. She was the Gymnastics Coordinator for the Joliet Park District in Joliet, IL and the Director of a My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Solon, OH. Upon her return to IL, she was the Aquatics and Tumbling & Gymnastics Director for the Lockport Township Park District in Lockport, IL. After having her first child, she decided to create and implement the Little Flippers Tumbling & Gymnastics program for the Lockport Township Park District. Although they have recently changed the name, the program content and its structure is still in use today!
Missy was also the Assistant Cheerleading Coach for the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL for over 4 years (and has over 18 years of cheerleading experience), before her recent move to Mooresville, NC, where she plans to reside with her husband and raise their 2 children.
Missy is excited to bring her program and join the team at the Lake Norman Dance Gallery!
Owner/ Artistic Director
Instructor
Instructor