instructors and Office Staff

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. She was honored as a 25 year member in Dallas, TX in 2021.

Miss Natalie is mom to Zach and Jordan and has two adorable grands, Zayden and Bryson.

Co-owner Stephanie Mayberry 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 Dance Masters of America exams in 2009, and is proud to be a certified member of this organization. Miss Stephanie was elected to the Carolina Dance Masters Board of Directors in 2017 and assumed the role of 2nd Vice President in 2021.  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.

Miss Stephanie is wife to Mac and mom to Trey, MargieLynn and Emma Claire.

Instructor Amanda Staley began dancing at the age of three at Canipe School of Dance. She continued her dance training at Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she graduated with a BA in dance. 

Miss Amanda and husband Michael have recently relocated back to Wilkesboro, where they live with their cats, Allie and Arbor Ann. 

Miss Amanda earned her certification through Dance Masters of America in 2009. In 2017-2019, Miss Amanda served as head coach of the West Wilkes Struttin' Hawks dance team. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Carolina Dance Masters as Director of their Performing Arts Scholarship Competition.

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. 

Miss 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. Miss Rachel became a certified member of Dance Masters of America in 2017 and in August 2023  attended DMA's Teacher Training School in Buffalo NY. 

Miss Rachel is wife of Ryan, mom to Amelia and Matthew, and serves as the proud School Counselor at Wilkesboro Elementary School.

 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 Madison Elliott is a 2018 alumnae who completed 15 years of dance at Studio 68. She was a 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.  

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  completed her student teaching at Southern Alamance High School.

In 2022, Miss Madison became a member of Dance Masters of America.

 Ms Kimberly joined us in March and hit the ground running! Born and raised right here in Wilkes, she was once a Canipe student as a child; she’s now our Hospitality and Office Manager, welcoming students each week and keeping everything behind the scenes running smoothly. 

Outside the studio, Kimberly fosters kittens for Critter Ridge Rescue  and runs her own wedding and event planning business right here in the community. We’re so lucky to have her energy, heart, and hustle on our team!

 A proud Wilkes County native, Ms. Mich brings warmth, laughter, and a big smile to the studio every week! After many years of dedicated service at Wilkes Regional Medical Center, she’s now enjoying retirement—but we’re lucky she’s spending part of it with us!

You’ll find her at the front desk welcoming students, sharing kind words, and brightening everyone’s day. We’re so grateful for the joy she brings to our dance family!