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! Miss 

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 when owner Margie Canipe encouraged her to enroll in a ballet class. She continued her dance career at Studio 68, training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop.
After graduation from Wilkes Central High School, Catherine attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with degrees in Biology and Sociology. In 2021, she earned her certification to teach through Dance Masters of America. 

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!