About Us

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OUR PURPOSE

Barre None Dance Company is a modern, yet family-friendly dance institution dedicated to quality dance education with a healthy balance of rigor and enjoyment in our curriculum. We evaluate all classes offered to promote consistency in dance training throughout the company for controlled student growth and progression. At BNDC, we welcome dancers of all ages no matter where they are in their dance journey. Diversity is important to us! Dancers are encouraged to celebrate everything that makes them unique. As a black owned, woman owned business, we strive to encompass the TRUE meaning of diversity and inclusion in our studio.

No matter the student, we are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and safe environment for beautiful, young dancers to grow and develop artistically.

Let us take you there!

Our Staff

 

Keisha Stewart

OWNER/DIRECTOR

Technique, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro/Tumbling, Preschool Dance

Keisha Stewart has been a professional dance instructor for 25 years trained in a variety of styles. She received pre-professional dance training at James Hubert Blake High School for Fine Arts majoring in Dance with a concentration in choreography. She began working as a student choreographer under the mentorship of the Dance Director, Donna Reese, developing her unique sense of style based on her Afro-Indian and Caribbean heritage. At Blake HS, Keisha was a member of her Poms Squad, Step Dance Team, and Modeling Club. Keisha professionally trained with the Dance Theater of Harlem’s DC Residency program for 2 years in Ballet and Pointe, and studied dance through various dance teacher training programs and conferences over the years. She was also a coach and choreographer for a Maryland All-Star Cheer & Dance Team.

Keisha graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Alternative Medicine from Everglades University concentrating in Anatomy and Manual Therapies. Her training and years of work as a Physical Therapy Assistant has allowed her to safely teach young dancers with an understanding of anatomy, physiology, and how growth and development affect dancers. Keisha is also trained and is a certified Instructor in Acrobatic Arts.

Keisha is the Creative director for our award-winning competition dance team, Merge Dance Collective. With her innovative choreographic style, Keisha’s work has been recognized for numerous judge’s awards, choreography awards, and Top Studio Recognition awards. Keisha specializes in creating works catered to the strength of her dancers regardless of their competitive level. Her ability to make dancers shine in their strengths is what attracts students to her. Keisha is a strong advocate for diversity in dance and in the competition world. In her studios, she has promoted self-love, body positivity, and cultural diversity in music and dance.

Keisha also owns and operates our sister studio, Prodigy Performing Arts Company in Toano, VA. In addition to her dance experience, Keisha is a licensed Cosmetologist in the State of Maryland, has done professional runway modeling, and beauty pageants. Keisha is now a mother of two baby girls and can’t wait for them to join the dance world!

Nikki Laguesse

SOCIAL MEDIA/INSTRUCTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Tap, Jazz, Acro/Tumbling, Preschool Dance

Nikki began her dance journey at the young age of 2. Throughout her entire childhood and teen years, she danced a variety of jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and kickline. She also explored floor tumbling for 3 years recreationally & cheer club at her high school.

While continuing the dance instruction at her local studio, she was also a devoted member of her high school Dance Team for 3+ years. She performed at school football & basketball games and various other events. Performing was her passion, and dance quickly became a 7 day-a-week priority! The team primarily focused on the jazz, kickline & hip hop styles of dance. Her team attended competitions & workshops all around the New England area and NYC as well. She even got to meet some Radio City Rockettes. 

This is Nikki's fourth year teaching at Prodigy Performing Arts Company/Barre None Dance Company. Prior to teaching at the studio, she attended adult classes and even performed in the Spring Concerts!

You can find Nikki in the studio teaching a variety of classes, working with our Elite Team, and giving private lessons. She travels with our Elite Team to competitions around Virginia and surrounding states. In addition to this, she is a part of our marketing and administrative team... she is also the studio 'picture taker'!

Nikki strives to provide the best dance education she can give. She is always brushing up on the newest dance skills, techniques, and more. Nikki has studied with Acrobatic Arts in many workshops such has handsprings, aerials, and more! She has studied with them for multiple certification courses, as well. She is Level I & II certified in Acro/Tumbling!

Allison Miller

INSTRUCTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Tap, Jazz, Contemporary

Allison began dancing around the time she could walk which led her mother to put her in combination tap/ballet classes when she was 5. After her first recital she was hooked and continued dancing in her hometown of Forest, Virginia. At age 10 she joined her studio’s competition team which further cultivated her love of dance and performing. Attending conventions and learning from master teachers always left her inspired and grateful to be able to grow in the art of dance. She has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, clogging, hip hop, street jazz, heels, and musical theatre. 

Allison is currently a member of the RVA tap troupe, a group of adult tap dancers dedicated to the continuation of tap dance based out of Richmond Virginia. 

She is also a current student at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing a degree in public relations. 

In her free time she loves to travel, write, and take hip hop classes. Allison is so excited for her first year teaching at Barre None Dance. She loves to share the art of dance and the spirit of performing with dancers of every age. She feels very fortunate to have teachers that shared the love of dance as well as their technical knowledge and aims to do the same for her students.