Spotlight Dance & Acrobatics
1104 Kanawha Terrace St Albans
3906 MacCorkle Ave SE Charleston
304-590-1791
Highly Trained and Qualified Instructors.
We take pride in offering highly trained and qualified instructors to ensure our students are being properly instructed. Did you know that anyone can open a dance studio? Do your research and read the qualifications before choosing a studio. Our instructors are highly trained, hold BA in Dance, continue studying by traveling and taking classes to stay up to date on new dance trends.
Lori McNabb, Owner
Lori spent 16 years dancing under the direction of Ellie Grimmett at Ellie Grimmett's School of Creative Dance and spent 3 years as one of the instructors. She then went on to college to pursue a Masters Degree in Counseling and another in Administration. During her time in college she danced in the musical, Carnival, and participated in volunteer work acting and dancing skits for elementary students to provide awareness in issues of bullying. After receiving her degrees and starting a family, she went on to become the dance coach for Hayes Middle School where she coached for 12 years. Before opening her studio, she spent 2 years teaching Hip Hop classes at a local community Center. In 2012, Lori choreographed dances for the Alban Theater's musical, Wizard of Oz. In 2018 she choreographed for a 2nd Musical for the Alban. Lori is one of the choreographers for the Spotlight Dance Company and has created several award winning dances and Choreography and Entertaining Awards.
Morgan McNabb, Co-Owner, Artistic Director, Instructor
Morgan began dancing at the age of 3. She danced at several different studios until landing her final destination once her mother opened her own studio, In the Spotlight Creative Dance. She spent 9 years dancing competitively and 2 years competing in Acrobatics. Morgan also danced for Capital High School Dance Company and served as President of the Company her Senior year. She went on to continue her Dance Education at WVU where she obtained her BA in Dance. Morgan is also a WVU Dance Team Alumni where she danced at the University football and basketball games and competed in their Nationals. During her College Dance Team Intensive in Maryland, Morgan was selected and invited to become part of the NDA staff. Morgan traveled during her summers to teach at NDA camps around the United States and even spent a year judging for them. Morgan also received an audition Scholarship to attend Summer Dance classes in Chicago at Gus Giordano Dance School. Morgan's choreography in high school was selected to perform in Arts Alive, her Choreography in College was selected to be a part of Dance Now, and to be performed in North Carolina and was the WVU selection to perform at the Cultural Center. Her Choreography has won Best in Choreography at several competitions. Morgan is also certified in Acrobatics. We are happy to have her back with us at In the Spotlight as our Artistic Director and Instructor.
Mekenzi Brooks, Co-Owner, Ballet Director, Instructor
Mekenzi began dancing at the age of 2. She danced competitively starting at the age of 5 until she graduated high school as a Spotlight Competitive Dancer. During her high school years she danced on the Capital High School Dance Team where she performed at ballgames and was the Captain during her Junior and Senior years. Mekenzi also danced all 4 years on the Capital High School Dance Company where they performed multiple of shows each year. She served as President of the Capital High Dance Company her Junior and Senior Years. Mekenzi also spent her childhood years dancing in Musicals which lead her to dancing and even acting in her High School Musicals. Mekenzi had many acting roles in the Spotlight Christmas Plays such as: Gingerbread, Barbie and other characters. Mekenzi has taken classes from renowned choreographers from Disney, Nuvou and through WVU and has danced at Disney and Kings Island. Mekenzi went on to dance with scholarship in the WVU Dance Program. Mekenzi has taken all genres of dance during her 4 years at WVU, with Ballet and advanced ballet all 4 years. Mekenzi graduated WVU with a Dance and Finance Degree. We are excited to have her back at the studio as an Instructor.
Brooke Casdorph, Tap Director, Instructor
Brooke started dancing at the age of 3. She danced at a couple different studios until finding her home at In the Spotlight. We were so happy to have her join us as she is such a beautiful dancer and performer. Brooke spent 11 years dancing competitively always placing 1st and 2nd in all of her solos and even earning a few scholarships. Brooke began student teaching during her Junior year in High School and is now one of our instructors for Competition Company. Brooke was always a stand out tap dancer which is why she is now our Spotlight Tap instructor. She was a member of her High School Dance Team and received ed many compliments by viewers as her high energy dancing captured the audience. Brooke also participated in acting in our Spotlight Christmas Play. She has taken dance classes from renowned choreographers at Disney and through Nuvou and performed at places such as Disney and Kings Island. Brooke is known for her flawless musicality when choreographing and has an ear for mixing music. She has received multiple Best in Choreography and Entertainment Awards. In addition to her beautiful choreography, Brooke graduated from Carver Cosmetology School and is talented in making our dancers makeup and hair look good.
Olivia McCoy, Musical Theatre Choreographer
Olivia began dancing at the age of 2 and began competing at age 4. She danced competitvely at In the Spotlight until he graduated high school. Olivia also participated in theatre from ages 7-18. During her years at Capital High School, she could always be found on the stage performing with the dance company or the theatre group. She has won multiple awards for her dance solo and an extra special "Competition Kindness" award for being kind to her fellow dancers During the summer, Olivia can be found at WV Summer Arts Camp where she is a camp counselor and teaches dance and acting classes. She will graduate from Marshall University in May 2023 with a degree in Biological Sciences and has been accepted into medical school and will start in August 2023. Olivia choreographed Musical Theatre for Spotlight Dance Company this year and brought home 1st place overall along with an Entertainment Award. We are thankful to have Olivia as part of our team.
Heather McCoy, Behind the Scenes Assistant
Heather has been a part of the studio since the doors opened in 2009. She grew up dancing at Ellie Grimmett's School of Creative Dance and danced there from age 4-18. She spent her Junior and Senior year of high school also working as an Assistant Instructor. Heather attended Marshall University where she earned a degree in Criminal Justice. Heather works for WV DHHR and also works as a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central. Heather was an Assistant and then coach for Hayes Middle School Dance Team for 7 years. She worked as an Instructor at Spotlight until 2019 when she decided to step away from teaching and focus on helping behind the scenes assistance and studio business. During her time teaching, she choreographed award wining dances, including choreography awards. We are thankful to have Heather helping us behind the scenes and still being a part of our team.
