About

Nancy is the proud Owner and Director of NancyDance Studio. She began her training at the Virginia Dell School of Dance and has been certified by Dance Masters of America in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for more than 40 years. She attended the DMA Teachers Training School at the University of Buffalo and has served as a dance instructor, counselor, and past president of Dance Masters of America’s Florida Chapter.

Nancy’s greatest passion is creativity. She develops the KreativeKids Dance Club curriculum and writes original ballets, children’s productions, and Act 2 Variety shows. She continues to bring new ideas to NancyDance through projects including Franny the Flamingo, updated preschool curriculum, and her youth journaling program, Dancers in Balance.

Outside the studio, Nancy treasures time with her husband, Doug, their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Her favorite place to relax and recharge is anywhere near the beautiful Caribbean waters.

For more than four decades, Nancy’s creativity, vision, and love of children have helped make NancyDance Studio a home for generations of dancers.

Miss Lisa studied dance for 15 years under Virginia Dell and is Dance Masters of America certified in Jazz and Tap. She began teaching in Duval County Schools before joining NancyDance Studio 40 years ago.

Throughout her career, Lisa has trained with nationally recognized instructors including Debi Dee, Henry LeTang, Buster Brown, and Joe Tremaine and attended the DMA Teachers Training School at the University of Buffalo.

Known for her exceptional tap expertise, creativity, and unique style, Miss Lisa also has a special gift for teaching preschool dancers. Outside the studio, her favorite title of all is “G”—proud grandmother to her beloved grandchildren.

A former NancyDance student, Melissa has proudly served as Director for the past 28 years. She continues her training in ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics, studying with nationally and internationally recognized teachers throughout the country.

Melissa attended Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School at Kent State University and has been a DMA member for 37 years. She also owned and operated The Performing Arts Center of Baymeadows for eight years before returning to NancyDance.

Known for her energetic acrobatics instruction and outstanding jazz technique, Melissa has inspired generations of dancers with her knowledge, discipline, and passion. Outside the studio, she enjoys time with her husband, family, and fur babies and especially loves sharing the studio with her daughter, Ashleigh.

Shanna is a proud former NancyDance student who trained at the studio for 15 years before joining the faculty. For the past 19 years, she has inspired students with her energy, enthusiasm, and love of dance.

A graduate of Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School, Shanna’s favorite styles are Tap and Hip Hop, where she combines strong technique with dynamic performance.

Outside NancyDance, Shanna serves as the front desk secretary in charge at Kernan Trail Elementary.

Hailey Flood trained at NancyDance Studio for 12 years, studying a variety of styles and developing a lifelong passion for dance. She was a three-year member of the Fletcher High School Dance Team, serving as Co-Captain her senior year, and later danced for four years on the Georgia Southern University Dance Team.

Hailey graduated from Georgia Southern with a degree in Business Management and officially joined the NancyDance faculty in 2016 after assisting with classes during high school. Her performance credits include dancing in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Spirit of America. She has also been a certified Pure Barre instructor since 2020.

Ballet is Hailey’s favorite style, and she loves helping students develop strong technique, confidence, discipline, and an appreciation for the artistry of dance.

Kherington joins NancyDance from California and brings an impressive career as a professional dancer, actress, and teacher. She is best known for competing on So You Think You Can Dance, Season 4 and has appeared on Dancing With the Stars, Glee, C.S.I., Behind the Candelabra, and No Strings Attached.

Kherington has trained with renowned choreographers including Shannon Mather, Brian Friedman, Marguerite Derricks, Parris Goebel, and Francisco Gella. She has danced for artists including Katy Perry, Pink, Jennifer Lopez, Diddy, and Selena Gomez and appeared in films including Fame, Bravetown, and Born to Dance.

Beyond performing, Kherington loves teaching and inspiring young dancers. She treasures time with her husband, Drew, and their children, Remi and Brooks, and is thrilled to be part of the NancyDance family.

Ashleigh Malsch has 25 years of dance experience and has spent the past six years sharing her love of dance with students at both Village Dance Center and NancyDance Studio. She continues to grow as both a dancer and educator through ongoing training and mentorship.

After teaching 2nd grade at Kernan Trail Elementary, Ashleigh has decided to stay home following the birth of her baby girl, Molly. This exciting new chapter will also allow her to add more classes at NancyDance and continue sharing her love of dance with our students.

Ashleigh has a special passion for Tap and plans to continue expanding her expertise while mentoring under Miss Lisa and becoming more involved in NancyDance’s advanced Tap curriculum. She is excited to continue growing as an instructor while inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Jenni is AFAA Group Fitness certified and began her dance training at the Mildred Fleming School of Dance in Tallahassee. While attending Florida State University, she performed as a member of the Golden Girls Dance Team and with the Florida State Flying High Circus.

Her professional career includes three years as an Orlando Magic Dancer, cheering for the Orlando Predators, and performing in live shows at Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

After moving to Jacksonville, Jenni brought Zumba and Barre on the Beach to NancyDance. She is also trained in Pilates Reformer and brings her extensive performance and fitness background to every class she teaches.

Maggie Toman is a passionate and versatile dance instructor and proud NancyDance alumni. Trained at NancyDance Studio and the CLI Conservatory, Maggie brings experience in contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and tap. She is loved for her energetic hip-hop classes, as well as her unique style and creativity in contemporary, jazz, and musical theater. Maggie focuses on strong technique, musicality, and confidence, while creating a supportive environment where dancers feel encouraged to grow, express themselves, and find their own love for dance.

Kelsey McManus grew up training at NancyDance Studio, where her love for dance and teaching first began. After high school, she continued her dance education at the CLI Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles to further her training and gain experience in the professional dance industry.

While on the West Coast, Kelsey worked with West Coast Dance Explosion as an AIR Team member and assistant teacher, training under and assisting world-renowned educators and choreographers including Scott Myrick, Kim Wolfe, Will Johnston, Tiffany Billings, and Nick Bowman. After a year on the West Coast, Kelsey returned home to NancyDance to pursue her passion for teaching and choreography.

Now back where it all began, Kelsey is a wonderful mentor to the young dancers of today, bringing a fresh, innovative style to her classes and choreography. She loves sharing her knowledge, creativity, and passion with the next generation of dancers, inspiring them to grow in confidence, artistry, and technique.

Nina began dancing at NancyDance Studio in 1998 and continued her training through Dance Masters of America with nationally recognized instructors. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Florida, combining her love of teaching with her lifelong passion for dance.

Nina brings warmth, creativity, and dedication to every class and especially enjoys helping young dancers develop confidence, discipline, and joy through movement.

A proud mom of three, Nina loves that her own children have continued the NancyDance tradition. To her, NancyDance has always been more than a studio—it is family.

Maggie Wohlgemuth trained at NancyDance Studio for 18 years before returning as an instructor in 2023. Ballet has always been her favorite style, and she enjoys sharing its beauty, discipline, and artistry with her students.

Maggie graduated from the University of North Florida in May 2025 with a degree in Communication and a concentration in Advertising. She is also a certified Pilates instructor with A Pilates in Jacksonville Beach, has taught at Board30, and works as a personal trainer.

Maggie loves working with children and strives to help her students grow in both skill and confidence. She is grateful to continue giving back to the studio that played such an important role in her own dance journey.

Is a Jacksonville native and has worked at NancyDance Studio since 1992. Miss Patty loves taking care of our students and parents and making sure they have every question answered in a timely manner. From running the office to keeping up on all the supplies, answering emails, phone calls and registrations, she is always there ready to take care of your needs. In her free time, Patty loves to fish, go to the beach and hang out with her nieces and nephews.

Secretary, a Jacksonville native who moved to the beach 27 years ago, Marcy was a NancyDance mom for 12 years until her daughter Hailey graduated. She has continued to volunteer as a backstage mom at both the baby shows and recitals. She has worked for the Duval County School Board as a teacher and administrator for 29 years. Her family also includes her son Ben, daughter in-law, Kassie and their daughter, Sagan – first grandbaby and future Nancy Dancer.

A Neptune Beach native and Fletcher High School graduate, Tasha began dancing at age three and became part of the NancyDance family in 1986, first as a student and later as a parent. She has taught adult ballet at NancyDance as well as ballet and tap at Beaches Chapel School.

Tasha is AFAA and NASM certified in group fitness, with a focus on fitness and nutrition for aging populations, and is also a certified Zumba instructor. After careers in banking and customer service, she joined the NancyDance office staff, where she enjoys helping both students and parents.

Tasha is married to her high school sweetheart, John, and is the mother of three adult children. She loves scuba diving and traveling with her husband.