The Dance Factory

Sasha Bennett, Gymnastics Coordinator and Instructor

Sasha trained in ballet at The Dance Factory and was a member of the Augusta Youth Ballet. She has been an instructor in gymnastics the last three years at the studio. Sasha was a Level 7 competitive gymnast at the WV Training Center in Morgantown, WV and specialized in floor exhibition and balance beam.

Linda Creehan, Instructor of Creative Dance, Jazz and Tap

Linda has recently moved to Buckhannon from Ontario, Canada. She was formerly a resident of Pittsburgh, PA where she studied and taught dance for over 30 years. She has successfully owned 5 dance studios throughout the U.S. While in Pittsburgh, Linda studied dance at Point Park College and Pittsburgh Ballet Company. She also studied throughout New York, Canada, and Europe. Her professional dance career includes credits with the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and the Broadway hit, Sweet Charity in New York City. Linda has choreographed many award winning dance and twirling routines and has choreographed a number of musicals for many theatre groups. Her competitive twirling groups competed in the National Baton Twirling Association Competition where they were named National Champions. She has also taught Social Dance and Rhythm Analysis in the Physical Education Department at South Dakota University.

Kelly Miller, Instructor of Ballet and Gymnastics

Kelly is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada. She moved to WV in 2005, and joined the Dance Factory staff in 2006. In Las Vegas, she trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance at the Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, and then under Stephanie Myers, Joanna Kneeland, and Garold Gardner at Ls Vegas Dance Theatre Studio, and other various studios. She also trained at the summer dance program of Southern Nevada Summer Music School for ten years. In her early twenties, Kelly started training in country western swing and two-step, and began competing in various local competitions. Kelly teaches pre-dance classes and level 1 dance classes at The Dance Factory.

Lance Russell received his degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in May, 2010 with a B.A. in Musical Theater and a Minor in Dance. Lance is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has danced, acted and performed for many years. He trained at several well-known studios and dance academies in the Pittsburgh area. Lance has taught in the greater Pittsburgh area at various studios for summer dance camps and local dance conventions and festivals. He was ranked as the #1 triple threat performer two years in a row by the US Performing Arts Camp musical theatre program in 2003 and 2004. He has performed in multiple shows as a back- up dancer for Chubby Checker, The Village People, Jordin Sparks and many other artists. He also has performed with the West Virginia Symphony and Charleston Ballet Company in West Side Story and chorus member in Verdi Requiem with the symphony. While at West Virginia Wesleyan College Lance has performed several musicals including 1940’s Radio Hour as Johnny Cantone, The Apple Tree as Captain Sanja, Proof as Richard and in the annual Danceworks productions. Lance has toured with Act One, a drama youth class at West Virginia Wesleyan that created a children’s show and toured to multiple WV schools. Lance has also performed several years at the WV State Dance Festival. While in Buckhannon, Lance has played active role in the community performing with the Augusta Youth Ballet Company (AYBC) and teaching at The Dance Factory. Lance teaches many styles of dance and is currently teaching a Theatre Arts class, Hip Hop and coaches partnering classes at The Dance Factory.

Donna is a native of Bluefield, WV and a 1973 graduate of BUHS. She has been active in early BCT productions and also church choir. Donna was a Music Education Major at WVU. Donna has had the opportunity to be the office manager at The Dance Factory for the last nine years. Having a background in music, arts, and crafts, she wears many different hats at the studio. However, even with all she has to do, you can always find a smile upon her face.

Matthew is a Graduate student from West Virginia Wesleyan College majoring in Computer Science and Business Administration. Matt is in charge of our website and marketing & research, and any other technology aspects for The Dance Factory.