Our 2021-2022 Teachers

LeEllen Claud - LeEllen began dancing at 13 years old. She was the only older teen in her class after 2 years so she, basically, was given "private lessons" for several years. Kathy Carmon taught her everything about stage presence, proper technique, but mostly, being a good teacher. She started student teaching at 14 and caught the bug. She's loved showing others how to dance at "performance level" for 30+ years. She was a member of the first dance team at Gallatin High School in 1976. Over the years she's choreographed a variety of routines for various cheerleading squads and dance teams. In the late 1990's she was choreographer for the Beech High School show choir for two years. She's seen many students come from other studios. Her biggest gripe is seeing poor technique. She strives to explain thoroughly all terminology and explain why we do steps the way we do. She wants her students to dance anywhere and hold their own in any class.

Grace Coles - Grace has been taking dance for 16 years - taking it all: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. After student teaching a couple years, she co-taught and has now been teaching at Jump for Joy for 3 years. A 2019 Gallatin High School graduate, Grace is now attending Cumberland University.

Christina Lee - Christina has been dancing for 9 years. Her daughter actually got her involved in dance. Her first dance class was the mother/daughter combo class offered here at Jump For Joy. After that class, she was hooked! Since that first year, she has continued taking mother/daughter, but also dances in the adult tap, ballet, and jazz classes. This is her 4th year teaching, but she student taught for 2 years prior. She is very excited to be a part of the teaching staff again this year!

Luisa Ludwig - Luisa has been dancing for 8 years and quickly fell in love with the art. She has taken all subjects: tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and pointe. She student taught a couple years and has now taught classes at Jump for Joy for 2 years.

Joy Mehorczyk - Joy was born with tap shoes on her feet! Starting her dancing career at the age of 3, Joy danced at Dance Plus Studio in Gallatin just over 15 years. During her time there, she competed at numerous dance competitions. She also taught combo classes 2 years before taking a break to focus on her schooling and family. She is glad to be back doing what she loves!

Amanda Olin - Amanda started dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Kirkland, WA and has now been dancing for 27 years. She took tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and pointe. She was on her studio's competition team for 9 years and her high school dance and cheer team. After high school, she continued taking dance classes in college. After college, she taught tap at her old dance studio. When that studio closed, she taught tap at another nearby studio. Tap is her favorite, but she truly loves all forms of dance! She loves to teach and loves to dance! She is so happy to call Jump for Joy her new dance home! In addition to teaching dance, she also teaches workout classes for moms and their babies (FIT4MOM). Amanda has been married for 8 years to her husband, Ben. She is a full time mom to 3 boys - Cooper (9), Maddox (7), and Beckham (1). They also have a French Bulldog named Rudy! Amanda can't wait to meet your kids and/or see them again! It's going to be a great year!

Reign Parker - Reign has been dancing for 10 years. She has taken all subjects: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. After student teaching a couple of years, she has now taught 2 years at Jump for Joy!

Ligon Troutt - At the age of 5, Ligon's love for dancing began at Dance Plus Studio is Gallatin. Over the next 13 years, she enjoyed learning the art of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Pointe as well as teaching dance to students ages 3 to adult. She participated in multiple local dance competitions and earned a talent for dancing. Also during this time, Ligon participated on the Wavettes Dance Team at Gallatin High School for four years. Performing at Fall and Spring athletic events as well as competing nationally in Jazz and Pom, Ligon's love for dance only grew. Upon graduating from high school, Ligon traveled east to attend The University of Tennessee Knoxville, receiving both her undergraduate and master's degree in Elementary Education. During her undergraduate time, Ligon attended university level dance classes each semester and performed with the UT Dance Company her junior and senior years. Ligon returned to Gallatin after college to marry her high school sweetheart, Wilson, and immediately began teaching First grade at Station Camp Elementary. She continued her dance experience at Jump for Joy and had the pleasure of receiving a 25 Year Dance Recital Recognition at her recital in 2018. Wilson and Ligon have a daughter, Ansley Allen (7), a son, Wils (4), and are expecting another baby boy in November.

Jamie Westerhoff - Jamie has been dancing for 35+ years and is in her 15th year of teaching children. She studied choreography and dance at Middle Tennessee State University where she majored in music. She previously taught ballet, tap, jazz and theatre dance at St. Edward's School in Nashville and is so excited to be teaching at Jump for Joy!

Sylvie Wingert - Sylvie has been dancing for over 25 years, and has been teaching over 15 years. She is certified through Southern Association of Dance Masters, and has trained under numerous dance professionals. She uses a variety of teaching styles in her classes. She likes to keep her classes fun, energetic and upbeat. While she believes basic dance technique is a staple for all styles of dance, she wants to make sure all of her students have fun. "Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn." -Sweetpea Tyler