Originally from Savannah, GA, Lorna has been dancing since the age of 4, and began studying to become a dance teacher at the age of 12. She has trained in multiple disciplines including, but not limited to ballet, pointe, tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and modern. Lorna has been in several productions with Columbia City Ballet, was part of an advertisement flash mob for Lindt Chocolate, and was formerly a member of the tap dance company Noise Complaint. She graduated with an Associates in the Arts. Lorna loves working with kids and sharing her passion for dance!

Alexis Najarro p.k.a LXS was a recording artist for Melting Pop Records, a record label based in Los Angeles, CA. She debuted as a solo R&B artist in July 2019 with an original composition called “Halfway”, which is available on iTunes, Spotify, and most major distribution companies. She was also the lead vocalist of the pop group, StaticeQuo, which debuted in August 2019. She received her AA degree in Musical Theatre from Florida School of the Arts, is currently pursuing her BFA in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking at the University of North Florida, and is certified in Music Production from Point Blank Music School based in the UK. As a singer, her background includes various performances such as being featured with the Charlotte County Symphony, being a featured performer at the Filipino Pride Day Showcase in Jacksonville, as well as a finalist at the International Modeling and Talent Assoc. Showcase in Los Angeles. She has also been in many online projects, which included being a part of Cube Entertainment and Soompi’s Rising Legends: Season 2, which was a talent contest based in South Korea as well as having featured in tracks for ACUK, an anime cover band based in the UK. She was also featured on the track “You & Me” by Spiked Grin, which was released by the Swedish record label, Elixir Records. Currently, she is a verified artist on her very active YouTube channel and was also the lead singer for the British metal band, DAM.G. Her dance background includes training in Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet, and has shared her teaching with various institutions. She was also a dance captain and had choreography featured in a professional tap company, where she performed on a national level. She has also choreographed and performed in many musicals, which include Anything Goes, Suessical, The Wiz, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Godspell and many more, for various theatre companies and schools.

Born and raised in sunny Florida, Destiny brings genuine passion for helping others as the Front Office Manager. Since joining the studio in August of 2023, Destiny has embraced the growth and opportunities it had provided, finding inspiration in the dynamic environment. Music has always been a significant part of Destiny’s life, starting from a young age and blossoming even more as she grew. This passion for music has taught her the importance of collaboration and harmony- skills She seamlessly integrates into their professional life. Destiny is able to listen attentively and work effectively with others, enhancing the ability to manage office operations efficiently. Destiny is eager to take on more challenges and strives to grow and learn more while at the studio. She looks forward to creating memorable experiences for everyone who walks through the studio doors.

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Eri started performing at the age of 8 years old with a county wide dance program . She majored in dance at the Japanese Women’s Junior College of Physical Education followed by several years of  teaching Jazz, Ballet, and Rhythm Gymnastics.

After moving to New York City to train with Dance New Amsterdam, she joined various dance companies and performed for several years.

Eri is a skilled dancer and choreographer with over ten years of experience in various techniques such as Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Rhythm Gymnastics, and Zumba.

She is a certified in Simonson Modern Jazz Dance instruction, Zumba, Zumba kids, Zumba kids Jr, and Zumba gold.

Erin Wilson was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and has trained at Asbury Arts Center since the age of 3. She is technically trained in multiple styles such as ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and acro. Erin has been involved in many community performances, and has had the opportunity to dance in the St. Augustine Ballet nutcracker from roles ranging from Party girl to Arabian lead. After graduating from Asbury Arts Center in 2023, she is now working towards her Bachelor’s of Arts at the University of North Florida with a major in Early Childhood Development and is a member of the college’s dance team. Erin hopes to audition for the Jag’s cheerleaders within the next year, and continue to teach and spread her passion for dance with her students. 

Julie Lacouture has been dancing at Asbury Arts since the age of 11 and has competed with the competition team for the past 4 years. She practices a range of dance styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop, tap, tumbling, and Zumba. Along with dance, Julie has also done gymnastics, cheer and many other sports. She is a well rounded athlete and is always open to trying new things. Julie has been a teaching assistant for the past 3 years alongside many of the studios teachers. She enjoys working with young kids and helping them find the joy in dance. Julie is currently at senior at Clay High School and plans to continue on to community college while pursuing her teaching career at Asbury Arts.

James Heeney is a ballet teacher, who recently moved to the area from Chicago. James made his professional debut in 2013 with the Winston-Salem Festival Ballet, before relocating to New York and performing with The American Swiss Ballet, Ballet Long Island, and Baltimore Ballet. Additionally, James freelanced for several companies in the Washington DC Metro area and the New York Tri-State area. James received his formal training with Ballet Chicago and Ballet Chicago Studio Company under the direction of Dan Duell and Patricia Blair. During his training, James was a recipient of the Philip and Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship. At Ballet Chicago James got the opportunity to perform several Balanchine Ballets. Who Cares, Serenade, Stars and Stripes, and Agon were among the performances he took part in. It was the introduction to this style of ballet where he fell in love with the neo-classical ballets. James brings these Neo-Classical elements into the class to help the next generation of dancers achieve the expectations in today’s auditions and summer intensives

Mary Rose Gibson is an Atlanta, GA native who began her serious dance education at the age of 8 at the Georgia Dance Conservatory, training extensively in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary. She danced pre-professionally with the Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre for nine years before attending Brenau University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Dance and a minor in Small Business Management. Mary Rose has received additional training through summer programs with Ballet Magnificat and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet. She has performed leading roles in both classical and contemporary works and has had the honor of working with notable choreographers such as Anthony Burrell, Arturo Fernandez, Armando Luna, and Kassandra Taylor Newberry. She has also danced professionally with the Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company, City Gate Dance Theater, Watershed Dance Theater, Southern Arc Dance Theater, and the Gwinnett Dance Project. As a teacher and choreographer she is passionate about instilling proper technique combined with personal artistry in her students.

Kaitlin is a child psychology major at the University of North Florida. Kaitlin was born and raised in Middleburg, Florida. She started dancing at the age of 3 through her pre k and fell in love with the art. She has danced and competed at North Florida Dance Center for the past 13 years while also assisting and teaching classes. She has preformed multiple parts in community nutcrackers with both the Florida Ballet and St. Augustine Ballet. She cheered on Clay High School’s cheer team for multiple seasons and enjoys tumbling. Kaitlin was a member of the University of North Florida dance team during their 2023 - 2024 season. Through dance, she has discovered a passion for helping children and is pursuing a career as a pediatric occupational therapist. She is an advocate for adaptivity within dance and hopes to help spread the joy of dance to those of all abilities. Kaitlin strongly believes that with hard work and dedication anything is possible.  

Originally from Dumfries, Virginia, Abby Brown has been dancing for 20 years and has trained in many styles including tap, jazz, modern, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, and musical theater. Alongside studio training and competition, Abby attended Colgan High School for Performing Arts where she trained with choreographers such as Kate Skarpetowska, Billy Smith, and Darrell Grand Moultrie. She gained her Bachelors of Arts in dance through Ohio University where she had the opportunity to work with professional companies and choreographers, and expand training in new styles such as African Dance. Abby Brown worked as a choreography apprentice for Broadway Dreams under the direction of Spencer Liff and Sidney DuPont in Atlanta, GA. Abby is excited to start working with everyone at Asbury Arts!

Danae Carey was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida and started her dance training at the age of 6 at Step by Step Dance Studio. She continued her dance training at The Florida Ballet in 2002 where she performed in many ballets such at; The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Snow White, Don Quixote and many more. She also studied at Dansations Performing Arts Center 2003 and joined Paradigm Flux in 2012. She recieved a Fine Arts scholarship from FSCJ in 2008 and was accepted in the Repertoire program. She joined a Rhythm Nation Dance Company in 2009. She started teaching dance locally from 2007-2015. In 2015 she had her daughter named Lily who loves to dance and take acro class! Ms.Danae loves spending time with Lily, going to Elevate Church and serving in the eKids ministry and sharing her love and passion for dance to all ages!

Breanna (Bre) Cannell is originally from a small town in Exeter, PA.  She has been dancing from the age of 7 and has been teaching since the age of 16 with Connemara School of Irish Dance. She fell in love with Irish dancing after watching Lord of The Dance on Good Morning America (GMA). She has competed and placed top 3 at several Rince Tuatha Nua (RTN) National Championships, and took 14th in the Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa (CRDM) World Irish Dancing Championship. She also has several students who have placed at other championships under her teaching belt. She has a strong passion for Irish dance and loves teaching boys and girls the unique style of dancing. Aside from Irish step dancing, she works as a Veterinary Technician. She attended college at The Vet Tech Institute (VTI) and graduated with a Specialized Technology degree in Veterinary Technology. Bre has also assisted several dance and tumbling classes here at Asbury Arts.

Avery hometown is Jacksonville FL, She started gymnastics at the age of five up until she was eight. She then fell in love with the sport cheerleading, She cheered for LAJH seventh through eighth grade, then cheered in high school at Clay High School home of the Blue Devils! She was on sideline and both JV and Varsity Competition teams. Avery’s senior year she decided to branch out and try a half year All-star team at a gym called First Coast Fusion that used to be in Middleburg FL. After graduating high school Avery then worked at Fusion as a Tumbling coach and Cheer coach. “I love coaching; I not only want the athlete to get the skill but to have that confidence in themselves!! And when I watch them achieve that skill they have been working so hard on I instantly get that gratitude feeling. Watching an athlete smile and light up knowing they landed that skill or they had a huge tryout and made that team puts the biggest smile on my face” Avery is a certified tumbling coach in levels tiny tumbler-level 4.

Originally from Michigan, Deborah has lived in Florida for the past twenty years mostly in St. Augustine. New to the Lake Asbury Area in 2022 and to the Asbury Arts Dance Studio, she has recently began teaching Gentle and Vinyasa Yoga for Adults. She has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years.  Her certifications have ranged from group fitness certifications, Spin, Pilates, personal training, CPR, and a 200 hour Yoga certification. Deb’s passion is to see people incorporate wellness and self-care into the routines of their lives.  Yoga has been a welcome addition to improve her own personal health and sharing this with others is her passion. 

Originally from Richmond, VA, Martin used to listen to his father play the family baby grand piano every night. Learning the building blocks of musical creation, he later played in bands in junior high and high school. At Virginia Commonwealth University, he majored in musical composition. He is proficient on bass guitar, guitar, piano, drums, and computer audio/midi programming. Marty has played with jazz pianist Marian McPartland, Huey Lewis, Dion, Clarence Clemons, Brazilian Voices, Planet Earth Project, jazz performer George Tandy, jazz flutist and Latin Grammy Award Winner, Nestor Torres and VH1 Dia, Tomey Sellars. His programming includes music for “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Lil’ Abner.” He and his family moved to Lake Asbury (with the baby grand) after over 25 years in the Miami music scene. He is most enthusiastic about the beginning student. “The most important thing for first time students is to be excited about the musical experience. I’ve met so many adults that took lessons in grade school only learning to hate it, and quit. What a waste. Appreciation for reading music comes much easier if it is combined with some music theory. It shouldn’t be a chore, but rather a creative experience.”

Born in North Carolina and raised in Jacksonville, Reggie has been playing the guitar for the past 40 years. His musical influences include Robert Conti, Larry Carlton, Russ Freeman, Pat Metheny, George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Pat Martino and Eric Johnson. Reggie studied under Jazz recording artist Robert Conti during the late 1970's and subsequently performed as Lead guitarist for Pegasus during the 80’s as they toured the Southeast. He has gone on to perform with artists from the bands Exile, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Roadmasters and several local headliners. Reggie also has performed past and present for hundreds of solo and duo engagements. He holds both a BA and MBA from the University of North Florida. Reggie enjoys teaching guitar to the students of North Florida.

Trevor Matthias Bercich, Born in Douglasville Georgia started his music journey with his father at the age of 11 studying guitar. Raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He went on his path in music learning piano throughout highschool and continued mastering theory at Florida state college in Jacksonville. Forming a pop/punk/experimental band “ A Written Request” in 2010participating in countless performances both group and solo.His main influences are Johann Bach, George Fredrick Handel, Nirvana, and Anthony Green. He has a love for teaching motivated and eager students on any path musically that they may choose.He is skilled in Piano, Acoustic, Electric and Bass guitar, beginner to advanced theory,composition, performance, and production