Our 2019-2020 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 - Bio coming soon!

Celia Hosse - Ms. Celia has had over 25 years of dance altogether, beginning with Miss Betsy Boyers. She has been teaching for about 20 of those years. She started teaching an aerobics class, and then was asked to teach a combination class. She started teaching a Mother/Daughter class when her girls were small to be able to dance with them. Ms. Celia loves dance, but feels her gift is teaching the little ones and giving them a good foundation in dance. She also loves seeing others enjoy dance!

Christina Lee - Christina has been dancing for 7 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 second 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 - Bio coming soon!

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!

Kendahl Oakley - Kendahl has been dancing for 19 years. She has performed and choreographed in many local musical performances at Gallatin High School, as well as Volunteer State community College where she studied Vocal Performance. She has taught with us for 7 years and is one of our lyrical and hip hop instructors.

Amanda Olin - Bio coming soon!

Holly Parker - Bio coming soon!

Reign Parker - Bio coming soon!

Susan Penfield - Susan started her dance career at the age of 3 and has now been dancing for over 45 years. She started her teaching career in Birmingham, Alabama; then taught for Fort Worth, Texas Park & Recreation and also owned her own dance studio in Frederick, Oklahoma. Throughout the years, she has choreographed several community theater shows and many church productions for children, youth and adults; and won some talent awards. She has taught in Gallatin for over 15 years now. Dancing is her passion and she loves passing that on to her students.

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 20 Year Dance Recital Recognition at her recital in 2013. Wilson and Ligon welcomed their first child, Ansley Allen in February 2014 and second child, Wils in February 2017.

Jamie Westerhoff - Jamie has been dancing for 35 years and is in her 13th 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!