Meet the Staff
Our professional team is unified by our common goal of giving your artists a quality education in a compassionate environment. Feel free to get to know them and ask questions about your class!

STUDIO OWNER & DANCE INSTRUCTOR, STUDIO ADMIN
LORNA EDWARDS
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!

STUDIO OWNER, DANCE & MUSIC INSTRUCTOR, MARKETING & COMPANY DIRECTOR
ALEXIS "LXS" NAJARRO-BOOTH
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.

STUDIO OFFICE
DESTINY MOSLEY
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.

DANCE, ZUMBA, & RIBBON INSTRUCTOR
ERI MCWILLIAMS
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.

DANCE & ACRO INSTRUCTOR
ERIN WILSON
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.

DANCE & ACRO INSTRUCTOR
JULIE LACOUTURE
Julie Lacouture has been dancing since the age of 11 and has been part of a competition team throughout Middle and High School. She practices a range of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop, tap, tumbling, and acro. 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 teaching for 2 years, as well as assisting classes for many years prior to that. She enjoys working with kids and helping them find happiness in dance. Julie is currently attending Nail School to become a Nail Tech, while also pursuing her teaching career.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
JAMES HEENEY
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

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
MARY ROSE GIBSON
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.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
KAITLIN POTTER
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.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
ABBY BROWN
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!

DANCE INSTRUCTOR
DANAE CAREY
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!

YOGA INSTRUCTOR
DEBORAH MIHALICH
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.

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
MARTIN "MARTY" FARMER
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.”

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
CHARLES "REGGIE" POWERS
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.

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
ROY KIGHT
Roy Kight was born and raised in North Florida. Since a young age, he took an intense interest in music. He started learning guitar at age six and picked up piano at age eight. He played the Southeast Nightclub Circuit for many years as well as participated in recording studio sessions in Nashville Tennessee. He has worked with artists such as Charlie Daniel’s, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Chesney, and several local celebrities. Music continues to be his passion and always will be. In his spare time, he enjoys going to concerts, dining out and just about anything having to do with the Outdoors.

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
ADRIENNE DEGUZMAN
Adrienne is a passionate and dedicated piano enthusiast, eager to share the beauty of music with others. With years of personal experience playing the piano, Adrienne has developed a deep understanding of music and expression. She is committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for all of her students. With a patient approachable style, Adrienne focuses on creating customized lessons that cater to each students unique goals and musical interests. She will help you explore the joy of playing the piano, building both confidence and musical ability along the way.