About the Faculty

       Dance Upstairs Academy Instructors for 2009-2010

Mrs. Nanette Falls Shover- Nanette is nationally certified member of Dance Master's of America, has been a national examiner for DMA, and served on the Board of Directors for Carolina Dance Masters.  Nanette studied at Pegge Lee School of Dance in Concord, NC with the beloved Peggy Lee Haywood and at North Carolina School of the Arts.  She has performed, choreographed, and directed high school, community, regional, and professional theater productions, performed on the USO Tour.  Nanette is the Theater Arts and Journalism Teacher at Starmount High School, where she is also working with the Global Education Program.  Many of her former students are now performing on Broadway in New York, in Las Vegas, on Cruise Ships, and are members of Dance and Touring Companies all over the world, can be seen on Soap Operas, in TV Shows, Movies, and Directing College Dance Programs, and several have gone on to open their studios across the nation.  Nanette is married and is proud mother of three grown boys. She is thrilled to be back teaching at Dance Upstairs this year.  Nanette will be teaching our Pointe Class, Senior Ballet Class and doing some of our performance choreography. When not teaching school or dancing, Nanette enjoys cooking, traveling, and working on renovation projects.

Mr. Will Shover- Will is a nationally certified member of America's Dance Council of which he is on the National Board of Directors, Dance Master's of America, and is listed in the Who's Who in Dance by the International Dance Council. He studied at Dance Upstairs for 12 years while at the academy he was Junior Mister Dance of NC 1993,Teen Mister Dance of NC 1995, Mister Dance of North Carolina 1997, and Mister Dance of the USA 1997.  He then went on to study at Broadway Dance Center, Spindle City Ballet, and Rhode Island State Ballet.  He was The Director of The Children's Division, as well as a professional division Ballet, Jazz, & Modern Instructor at Spindle City Ballet in Fall River, MA.  Will has worked with Broadway Dance Center, Groundwerx Dance Theatre, Festival Ballet, Showtime, and Six Flags Theme Parks. Will received his college education from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI and completed Dance Masters of America Teacher's Training School at The University at Buffalo in New York. He has former students dancing at several colleges and universities, working for the Walt Disney Company, Spindle City Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, currently playing on and off Broadway roles in touring companies, and in various dance companies across the country.  In 2006 and again this year in 2009, Will was named USDP National Teacher of The Year and his students have won numerous national championship and choreography awards. His students have been featured in national dance publications including: "Dance Spirit", "Dance Teacher" , "American Dancer" and most recently he and some of his students were in "Dance Studio Life" Magazine.  Will lives in Jonesville, NC and when not at dance Will enjoys camping, riding roller coasters, and spending time with his Miniature Pincher Ricci.

Mrs. Michelle Newman Upchurch- Michelle is nationally certified member of America's Dance Council for which she has served on the national board of directors.  Michelle is a graduate of Appalachian State University.  Michelle had formal dance training, went on to dance in college, and attended numerous conventions and workshops to keep her training at a top level so she can provide her students with he best dance education.  Michelle has been teaching at Dance Upstairs for six years. Michelle was  recognized in 2006 as America's Children's Dance Educator of The Year by America's Dance Council. After winning this award she was asked to teach Pre-School Dance Workshops around the country.  She judges competitions throughout the Southeast and has served as the Director of the America's Mister & Miss Dance National Scholarship Program.  She is very active in her church, teaches adult and children's fitness classes at the Yadkin YMCA, and is an Interior Designer. Michelle lives in Yadkinville, NC with her husband and three sons.

Miss Casey Billings (Associate Instructor) has studied at Dance Upstairs for thirteen years and is a Senior at Surry Central High School.   Casey has been an assistant teacher for three years.  Casey has been a member of The Dance Upstairs Diamond Company for four years and as a soloist has won multiple Platinum and High Score Awards.  Casey was a Top Ten Finalist for Miss Dance USA 2008 and was a preliminary solo routine winner and 4th Runner-up to Miss Dance of Appalachian 2009 .  Casey has proven to be an excellent teacher and we are excited for her to be teaching this year as a member of our faculty.  Casey will begin work this year on her DMA and ADC national teaching certification.  Casey was named the USDP 2009-2010 Role Model of the Year for her excellent work with younger dancers at Dance Upstairs and at many conventions/competitions.  We are so proud of Casey for being recognized for the outstanding young lady we know she is and are very lucky to have her as part of our faculty.  

Miss Kristy Woodruff (Associate Instructor) has studied at Dance Upstairs for fourteen years and is a Junior at Elkin High School.  Kristy has been an assistant teacher for two years.  Kristy has been a member of The Dance Upstairs Diamond Company for five years and as a soloist has won countless Platinum and High score awards.  Kristy was a semi-finalist and preliminary winner at America's Teen Miss Dance 2009 representing the Appalachian Dance Council as Teen Miss Dance of Appalachian.  Kristy was crowned Senior Miss USDP 2009-2010 this past summer and will spend her year traveling with USDP.  Kristy is wonderful with younger children and works in a daycare part time in addition to her classes and teaching at Dance Upstairs.  Kristy will start preparation this year for her ADC and DMA national teaching certification exams. We are very excited about having Kristy on our teaching faculty this year.

Mrs Belinda Sparks Collins (Classroom Assistant) will be our classroom assistant in some of our Discovery, Mini, and Petite Classes.  She is married and the mother of three children age 10, 19, and 32.  She is a graduate of Surry Community College and Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and a State Teaching License in Birth-Kindergarten.  She has been teaching preschool for 12 years and is employed by Yadkin County Schools and is also a coach for her daughter's cheerleading squad.  She is a member of Swan Creek Baptist Church where she is the Superindent of the nursery.  She enjoys watching football, basketball and anything that involves her family, especially camping at Stone Mountain.

Student Assistants:  Isabeau Clark, Rebecca Ray, Emilie Raleigh, Hannah Thomas