School of Dance & Performing Arts
About Us
Adagio School of Dance and Performing Arts was founded in 2010. Located in Lake Wylie, SC, we are proud to provide the highest standard of customer trust, respect and loyalty. Our main focus is to remain current in the most up-to-date teaching methods. We will continuously update our curriculum while maintaining proper technique. Our teaching methods will be exemplified in the instruction our students receive and will be most evident in our dancers' performances.
Creative Director & Choreographer
Julia Hoak
My name is Julia Hoak. I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Lake Wylie, South Carolina in 2006.
I have been a dance instructor and have choreographed dance routines for fourteen years. I am extensively trained in multiple dance styles including tap, ballet (lyrical and pointe), jazz, hip-hop, and cheer. I am a certified ZUMBA instructor as well.
I attended Langham’s Dance Academy in Phoenix, Arizona for over 12 years. Here I was a member of the elite dance team, "Dance Vibrations", where I toured various cities all over the country competing in various genres of dance. This impressive dance team won multiple awards for dance competitions in Disney Land, California, Las Vegas, Arizona and New Mexico.
I also attended several of the Roland Dupree Dance Academy/Convention/Competitions. I performed in Hollywood and Los Angeles, California. Out of more than 500 candidates, I was chosen and awarded a dance scholarship for tap and ballet by Roland Dupree himself.
I also have extensive experience in cheerleading and was dance and cheer team choreographer at the Mountain Ridge High School in Phoenix, Arizona. I was also given the opportunity to choreograph televised cheer routines as well as to compete in the National Cheerleading Association. Along the way, I instructed several cheer camps for children from elementary school up to high school. In 2000-2002, I participated in the Arizona State University Dance program in Tempe, Arizona.
I currently teach at the YMCA and am a ZUMBA instructor to children and adults of all ages. As well as teaching, I am continuously attending conventions and courses to obtain the most up-to-date styles and techniques in dance. It is incredible to inspire and teach all of the most current dance moves to my students.
I have finally fufilled my life long dream of opening a dance studio. I am ecstatic and believe that this studio will be a pillar in the Lake Wylie community!
I have been a dance instructor and have choreographed dance routines for fourteen years. I am extensively trained in multiple dance styles including tap, ballet (lyrical and pointe), jazz, hip-hop, and cheer. I am a certified ZUMBA instructor as well.
I attended Langham’s Dance Academy in Phoenix, Arizona for over 12 years. Here I was a member of the elite dance team, "Dance Vibrations", where I toured various cities all over the country competing in various genres of dance. This impressive dance team won multiple awards for dance competitions in Disney Land, California, Las Vegas, Arizona and New Mexico.
I also attended several of the Roland Dupree Dance Academy/Convention/Competitions. I performed in Hollywood and Los Angeles, California. Out of more than 500 candidates, I was chosen and awarded a dance scholarship for tap and ballet by Roland Dupree himself.
I also have extensive experience in cheerleading and was dance and cheer team choreographer at the Mountain Ridge High School in Phoenix, Arizona. I was also given the opportunity to choreograph televised cheer routines as well as to compete in the National Cheerleading Association. Along the way, I instructed several cheer camps for children from elementary school up to high school. In 2000-2002, I participated in the Arizona State University Dance program in Tempe, Arizona.
I currently teach at the YMCA and am a ZUMBA instructor to children and adults of all ages. As well as teaching, I am continuously attending conventions and courses to obtain the most up-to-date styles and techniques in dance. It is incredible to inspire and teach all of the most current dance moves to my students.
I have finally fufilled my life long dream of opening a dance studio. I am ecstatic and believe that this studio will be a pillar in the Lake Wylie community!
Kelly Bartlett
Instructor
My name is Kelly Bartlett. I grew up in Marion, S.C. and recently moved to Lake Wylie in the summer of 2010. I began my training at the Emmalyn Davis School of Dance in Marion, S.C. when I was three years old. I was exposed to many performance opportunities during this time including a performance in Columbia City Ballet’s “Cinderella”. I have been trained in a variety of dance styles such as ballet, lyrical, tap, hip hop, jazz, and modern/contemporary. I began teaching dance lessons at EDSD when I was 14 and also taught at the Marion County School of Music.
I continued my training as a dance education major at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. where I graduated magna cum laude in May 2009. While working on my degree, I participated in many Winthrop dance productions as both a dancer and choreographer and appeared in the Charlotte Dance Festival in 2007. I danced with multiple dance companies in the area such as Martha Connerton’s Kinetic Works, Wanda Ebright’s The Wanda Project, and Kyle Shawell’s On the Verge.
I was previously the dance educator at Oakridge Middle School in Clover, S.C. where I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade creative movement. I was also the sponsor for the Oakridge Middle School Dance Company and worked with the OMS Drama Club. I am so excited to be a part of the continuous growth of the dance community in Lake Wylie at the Adagio studio! We are going to have another fantastic dance season!
I continued my training as a dance education major at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. where I graduated magna cum laude in May 2009. While working on my degree, I participated in many Winthrop dance productions as both a dancer and choreographer and appeared in the Charlotte Dance Festival in 2007. I danced with multiple dance companies in the area such as Martha Connerton’s Kinetic Works, Wanda Ebright’s The Wanda Project, and Kyle Shawell’s On the Verge.
I was previously the dance educator at Oakridge Middle School in Clover, S.C. where I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade creative movement. I was also the sponsor for the Oakridge Middle School Dance Company and worked with the OMS Drama Club. I am so excited to be a part of the continuous growth of the dance community in Lake Wylie at the Adagio studio! We are going to have another fantastic dance season!
Hannah Potter
Instructor
My name is Hannah Potter. I grew up in Irmo, South Carolina. I began my dance training at The Dance Dept. in Irmo at the age of 12. In 2008, I joined the competition team and was able to travel around the Southeast competing and performing and doing what I loved. During my time on this team, I had the opportunity to perform at Disney World and The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I have experience in a wide range of dance styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, creative music, modern, tap, hip hop, and pointe. I began teaching and assisting at The Dance Dept. when I was 15 years old. In 2010, I was awarded the “Dancer of The Year” full scholarship award for the following season.
In 2013, I moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina to continue my dance education at Winthrop University. During my time at Winthrop, I have had multiple opportunities and have been fortunate enough to choreograph and perform in a whole new environment. I have performed in the Winthrop Dance Theatre, Junior and Senior Choreography Showcases, Winthrop Dance Repertory Theatre, the Garnet Girls Dance Team and more. I graduated from Winthrop University in December of 2016 with a B.A. in Dance Performance and a minor in Technical Theatre Studies.
I began teaching at Adagio in August 2015 and have since fallen in love with the faculty, students, and positive atmosphere this studio has. I am very happy to be a part of this studio and look forward to the future!
I have experience in a wide range of dance styles including jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, creative music, modern, tap, hip hop, and pointe. I began teaching and assisting at The Dance Dept. when I was 15 years old. In 2010, I was awarded the “Dancer of The Year” full scholarship award for the following season.
In 2013, I moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina to continue my dance education at Winthrop University. During my time at Winthrop, I have had multiple opportunities and have been fortunate enough to choreograph and perform in a whole new environment. I have performed in the Winthrop Dance Theatre, Junior and Senior Choreography Showcases, Winthrop Dance Repertory Theatre, the Garnet Girls Dance Team and more. I graduated from Winthrop University in December of 2016 with a B.A. in Dance Performance and a minor in Technical Theatre Studies.
I began teaching at Adagio in August 2015 and have since fallen in love with the faculty, students, and positive atmosphere this studio has. I am very happy to be a part of this studio and look forward to the future!
Sydney Carr
Instructor
Hello, my name is Sydney Carr. I was borni and raised in Rock Hill, SC. My dance career began early at the age of three. I was first exposed to gymnastics and Irish step dancing. Though I enjoyed doing both, neither gave me that thrill that i have come to know and love today. It was when I started dancing at Just Dancin' Studios that I found my passion for dance! I took Hip-Hop, Lyrical and Jazz to start off with and flourished from there. After entering middle school I found another form of dance that captivated me through winterguard. Once I made it through auditions, this sport carried me through both middle and high school, earning myself a spot as captain for my last two years in high school.
I continued my training at Winthrop University, where my passion for dance was solidified in a degree. During my time at Winthrop I was exposed to Classical Ballet and Modern, two forms that I now hold dear to my heart. I have had the pleasure of performing on many stages thanks to the faculty at Winthrop. Some stages I have had the pleasure of dancing on include the Greensboro Fringe Festival, The American College Dance Association, and The North Carolina Triad Converence. Upon graduating Winthrop with my Bachelors of Arts with a focus on dance, I then began my journey as a professional dancer.
My professiona dance carreer started off as a dancer for Mufuka Works, an Afro Russe Company based in Charlotte. I finally ended up here at Adagio where I discovered another aspect of dance that I loved; teaching your children! I love seeing our wonderful students come in and do their very best. The feeling of teaching a skill to these young performers and seeing them have a sense of pride in what they learn is irreplaceable! Adagio offers a welcoming, supportic and creative atmosphere for both teacher and dancers alike! I can't wait to see what the future holds for me here at Adagio!
Assistant Instructors
Addy
My name is Addy Hoak and I have been dancing for twelve years. I have been assisting classes at Adagio for two years as well as teaching my own classes. This year I was crowned Teen Miss Dance USA 2019 at Boogie Fever national dance competition in June. I have also recieved many scholarships such as Coastal Dance Intensive, Dance Dreams in New York City, Dance to Inspire, and NYCDA. I have also auditioned and performed with the Charlotte Youth Ballet in their performance of the Nutcracker in 2017. Through all of my experiences with dance one of my favorites is teaching and working with kids. I cannot wait for the new season to start!
Rylee
My name is Rylee McGirr. I am fifteen years old and I have been dancing for twelve years. I have been assisting classes at Adagio for the last two years as well as teaching my own classes throughout our last season. I love working with kids and inspiring them to become better dancers. I have taken first place over all at many regional and national dance competitions with my team. I was awarded the Dance Dreams scholarship to travel to New York City to dance and work with many Broadway professionals. I am not sure what the future holds for me but I do know that dance has prepared me for it and will always be a part of my life.
Anna
My name is Anna Van Wie and I am going into my thirteenth yearof dancing. Throughout my dancing experience, I have recieved many scholorships and have gotten numerous diamond first places at our national dance competitions. I enjoy working with children and aspire to make these young dancers' experiences at Adagio as enjoyable as mine has been.
Ashley
My name is Ashley Borgman and I am going into my ninth year of dancing and my seventh year on the competition team. This year I was crowned Junior Miss Dance USA 2019 at Boogie Fever national dance competition. I have been awarded numerous scholarships such as Dance to Inspire, Dance Dreams in New York City, Gear Up Convention, Dream Dance convention, and a Discovery Spotlight scholarship award. I have also previously won the Showdown dancer award in both 2014 and 2016. This past Christmas season I was also able to audition and perform in the Charlotte Youth Ballet's version of the Nutcracker. Through all of my experiences in dance, I most love the ability to help younger dancers learn, and hope to make them love dancing at Adagio as much as I do.
Amanda
My name is Amanda Brashears, I am fifteen years old, and after dancing for many years, I have found that dance brings many joys to my life. I love helping younger dancers find the joys in dancing as well. On top of many other accomplishments, I have earned diamond and first overall with my duo, as well as diamond first place with my team at Boogie Fever Nationals 2018. Dance has given me many life lessons that will prepare me for my journey ahead and will always be an important part of who I am.
Pearl
My name is Pearl and this will be my very first year assisting dance classes at Adagio. I am very excited to not only help these dancers, but learn and grow alongside them!