instructors

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Co-owner Natalie Dobbins-Denny started dancing when she was four years old. After graduation from Wilkes Central High School, she attended NC School of the Arts as a dance major. 

Miss Natalie began teaching at Canipe School of Dance in Wilkesboro in 1989, and has been teaching ever since! In 1996 she earned her certification to teach from Dance Masters of America.

Co-owner Stephanie Mayberry also began dancing at the age of four at Canipe School of Dance. She began teaching unexpectedly at age 16 when Miss Natalie's son was born a few weeks early! 

She took her DMA exams in 2009, and is proud to be a certified member of this organization. Miss Stephanie was elected to the Carolina Dance Masters board in 2017.  She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Acrobatic Arts. Miss Stephanie graduated from Meredith College with a B.A. in English and a minor in Professional Communications.

Instructor Amanda Staley began dancing at the age of three at Canipe School of Dance, and continued her dance training at Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she graduated with a degree in dance. Miss Amanda and husband Michael live in Cornelius, NC. 

Amanda earned her certification through Dance Masters of America in 2009. In 2017, Miss Amanda assumed the role of head coach of the West Wilkes Struttin' Hawks. 

Instructor Rachel Minick has always been involved in the local dance community. She grew up dancing at Canipe School of Dance and went on to continue her dance training while at Appalachian State University. 

Rachel spent several summers as a cast member at Horn in the West, an outdoor drama presented in Boone, NC. For several years, she was the director of DanCIS, a non-profit dance program offered through Communities in Schools. Rachel became a certified member of Dance Masters of America in 2017. 

 Instructor Catherine Brame began dancing at Canipe School of Dance at the age of three and continued her dance career at Studio 68. She is a 2019 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where she received a B.A. in Biology and Sociology.

In 2021, Miss Catherine earned her certification to teach through Dance Masters of America. She is also a certified Power Pilates Instructor and is trained in mUvmethod, a premier conditioning and flexibility program for dancers. She loves combining her science and dance backgrounds to safely and effectively train young dancers. 

Instructor Rachel Sutphin grew up in Wilkesboro dancing at Canipe School of Dance and Studio 68. She attended Appalachian State where she received a BA in Dance Studies. After college, Rachel moved to NYC where she danced and choreographed for several Contemporary dance companies. She also assisted with classes at Broadway Dance Center and taught with their Children and Teen program.

Upon returning to NC, Rachel has been on staff and offered master classes for studios across NC and SC. She serves on the Board of Directors for Carolina Dance Masters Chapter 15. In addition, she is working towards her degree in Nursing. Miss Rachel is thrilled to be back home!

We are thrilled to welcome Madison Elliott to our staff full time! 

Madison is a familiar face to many of you. She’s a 2018 alumnae, who completed 15 years of dance at Canipe and Studio 68. She was a super successful Company Star and recipient of both the Miss Margie Award and the School Cup. Madison was also a 4-year member of the West Wilkes High School Struttin Hawks dance team, where she served as captain.  

Most recently, Madison graduated with honors from UNC-Greensboro with a major in Dance and a K-12 licensure. While at UNC-G, she performed with the Spartan Gs dance team and in several performances within the dance department. She recently completed her student teaching at Southern Alamance High School.

We are so proud and excited to bring Madison’s calm, fun demeanor and exciting choreography to Studio 68 dancers. Welcome home, Miss Madison!