About Us

Who We Are

Our excellent faculty has backgrounds in a variety of Ballet methods – Vaganova (Russian), Cecchetti (Italian), RAD (Royal Academy of Dance), and Balanchine/SAB styles. We believe that diversity in training also exposes our dancers to the international world of dance and helps the student to be well versed and adaptable. Through many years of experience we have developed a curriculum-based program that follows a structured monthly class plan. WCFA offers fun and creative classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and acro/tumbling for ages 18 months – 7 years that is designed to nurture the young child’s natural desire for movement. For ages 8 and older, we offer classical ballet, pre-pointe/ pointe, variations/repetoire and conditioning with added opportunities to learn other dance forms, such as modern, jazz, improvisation, tap, hip hop, Pilates, Yoga, theatre/acting, ballroom, and acro/tumbling where we implement traditional technique basics in a friendly, encouraging environment.

Who We Are

Our excellent faculty has backgrounds in a variety of Ballet methods – Vaganova (Russian), Cecchetti (Italian), RAD (Royal Academy of Dance), and Balanchine/SAB styles. We believe that diversity in training also exposes our dancers to the international world of dance and helps the student to be well versed and adaptable. Through many years of experience we have developed a curriculum-based program that follows a structured monthly class plan. WCFA offers fun and creative classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and acro/tumbling for ages 18 months – 7 years that is designed to nurture the young child’s natural desire for movement. For ages 8 and older, we offer classical ballet, pre-pointe/ pointe, variations/repetoire and conditioning with added opportunities to learn other dance forms, such as modern, jazz, improvisation, tap, hip hop, Pilates, Yoga, theatre/acting, ballroom, and acro/tumbling where we implement traditional technique basics in a friendly, encouraging environment.

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Our Faculty

We believe that every child is creative and it is our wish to grow and inspire them through the arts. Statistics show that children that participate in the arts excel in creativity, communication, confidence, problem-solving, academic performance, and many more. With over 150 years of combined experience, our talented WCFA instructors are here to support your child while learn, grow, and explore.

Cory Smith

Cory Smith - Founder & Director

Cory Phipps Smith was born in Wilmington, grew up in Southport and later moved to Raleigh/Durham to further her dance training with prestigious schools and instructors. Classically trained, Cory performed in numerous ballet and musical theatre productions, won national titles in dance competitions, had dance roles in movies, and was invited to join North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA), the Carolina Ballet and several university dance programs. Cory trained and performed with Ballet Magnificat! under Kathy Thibodeaux and was tutored by Sue Tolle of Butler University in teacher training and syllabus.
After moving back to her hometown of Wilmington, Cory instructed dance classes for local studios and furthered her dance education and experience. She became a member of Dance Masters of America with certification in ballet, won choreography awards at regional and national levels, and attended teacher trainings, including an intensive program under ballet master David Howard through the International Ballet Competition.
Cory has trained generations of dancers and her choreography has been performed in festivals in New York City, Washington DC, Orlando, and throughout North Carolina in community events. Many of Cory's students have received scholarships, attended prestigious dance education programs and 2been recognized for their training and talent through the years.
Since founding Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts and the nonprofit Turning Pointe Dance Company in 2007, Cory has created, produced, and directed many shows such as “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Masterworks”, “Hope Has Come”, and “Come Alive”. An important part of the studio dynamic is Cory's family support - husband Chris, their daughters, Bronwyn and Carrington, and her mother, Ms Jane, all help bring the heart of family into the studio.

Founder & Director - BIO

Jane Phipps

Jane Phipps - Office Administration

Bio coming soon!

Office Administration - BIO

Molly Hamilton

Molly Hamilton - Young Division, Ballet, PBT, and Marketing

Molly began dancing at a young age in the ILM area and trained as a student with the Wilmington Conservatory under Cory Smith for over ten seasons. After graduating from Cape Fear Community College and the hit of COVID-19 in 2020, Molly found a love for teaching and inspiring young dancers. She returned as an instructor to pass on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of artists and performers. Molly became certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique as of 2023. She is the lead Young Division Instructor at WCFA, as well as the Media, Marketing, and Administrative assistant.

 

Molly danced with the nonprofit Wilmington Dance Theater for ten seasons and performed in local outreach events, as well as Project Dance Time Square, Walt Disney World, UNCSA Winter Dance Festival, and more. Also enjoying choreographing for outreach and performances in the area. Molly has performed locally in over 30 productions here in Wilmington including, The White Witch in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sleeping Beauty, The Blue Fairy in Pinocchio, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, Once On This Island, and Cucalorus. Molly was accepted into programs such as Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, Charlotte Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, Kirov Ballet, and American Ballet Theater. Attending Ballet Magnificat summer program in 2017 and Boston Ballet in 2019, along with competing in Youth America Grand Prix for two seasons. 

Young Division, Ballet, PBT, & Marketing - BIO

Katie Deese

Katie Deese - Theatre, Piano, & Voice Instructor

Katie received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. After 12 years as a music and theatre arts educator, she decided to pursue a Master of Science in Instructional Technology degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Over the course of her teaching career Katie has taught in public, private, and charter schools in North Carolina and Georgia, and has had the pleasure of working with students from early childhood through adults. While living in Atlanta Katie had the honor of singing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, under the direction of the legendary Robert Shaw, and was a vocalist on the 1998 Grammy Award-winning Classical Album of the Year.

Katie enjoys working with music and theatre students in groups as well as one on one - the focus of her teaching is often helping students make connections and build on their own experiences to enhance their art. She strives to make learning fun and to help each student find their strengths.

Katie lives in Wilmington with her family - her husband Mark is a middle school teacher and they are the proud parents of two terrific daughters.

Theatre, Piano, & Voice Instructor - BIO

Sarah DiLauri

Sarah DiLauri - Young Division Instructor

Sarah DiLauri has been teaching children's dance classes for almost 25 years. Her family recently moved to Wilmington from San Diego where she owned Sarah's Lil Dancers. Sarah taught babies through 7 years music and movement, tap, jazz, ballet and creative movement classes. She also taught in many preschools as a tumbling and dance teacher. Sarah is thrilled to get the opportunity to teach dance at WCFA! Her hope is to instill a lifetime of love for dance and music by teaching with love and a happy heart.

Young Division Instructor​ - BIO

Mary Beth Henderson

Mary Beth Henderson - Tap and JazzInstructor

Mary Beth has been teaching for 35 years and owned her own dance school for
10 years. She earned her BFA in Drama and Dance from ECU with a
concentration in teaching. She was honored by the YWCA Women of
Achievement and was awarded for excellence in “The Arts”, for the Cape Fear
Area. Mary Beth is also certified to teach through the teacher training
organization, Dance Masters of America and served on the board for 9 years.
She has received numerous choreography awards in the dance competition
arena and honored by the Wilmington Theatre Awards for choreography. Mary
Beth has been blessed to watch former students receive additional educational
dance scholarships to NYU, Elon, Juilliard, Mary Mount, Point Park and UNCSA
as well as professional careers in dance.
As a professional Mary Beth was a principal dancer/performer for: Disney, Kings
Productions, Royal Cruise Lines, and many other “Off Broadway” ventures and
touring Cos. She has also enjoyed working in Commercial, Television and Film.
Mary Beth has continued to practice her craft in the Wilmington Theatre
community as an actress, choreographer, and teacher. She loves working in the
community and supporting the Arts. She has placed choreography on youth in
the area for Thalian Hall’s Nutcracker for Young Audiences for 23 years. She has
worked extensively for Opera House Theater Co., Thalian Assoc., TACT, Upper
Room Theatre, Best Foot Forward, Theater and Choral programs at New
Hanover, Laney and Coastal Christian High School.
In the community, Mary Beth has worked as a volunteer for the NC Azalea
Festival Children’s Area and Children’s stage for over 20 years. She has also
enjoyed teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school for various churches
in the area as well as volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Lower Cape Fear
Volunteer Center, Good Shepherd, Sunshine Helpers, Samaritan's Purse and
Convoy of Hope.
Mary Beth considers her greatest blessings, her marriage to husband Steve of 32
years, and their 4 loving children, Hunter, Head of Basketball operations at
UNCW, Alexandra a 4th grade teacher at Mary C. WIlliams, Walker a student at
CFCC, and Stevie a dance teacher and cosmetology major at CFCC.

Tap & Jazz Instructor​ - BIO

Madeleine Pautier

Madeleine Pautier - Modern/Contemporary Instructor

Madeleine Pautier of Lancaster, Pennsylvania began her ballet training under Viktor Yeliohin and Adrienne Thornton Dellas. At fifteen, she continued her education at Ellison Ballet. Madeleine attended summer programs at the Princess Grace Academy, ABT NY and BalletMet. To continue with her Vaganova training, Madeleine trained with Marianna Lobanova at the Kirov Academy of Ballet. Madeleine’s first choreographic work Eleutheromania, created for the Kirov Collaborative, caught the attention of dance critic George Jackson who wrote, “Pautier warrants watching as a choreographer.” Her choreography was also showcased at BalletMet where she completed her preprofessional education as a Trainee. Madeleine began her professional career with Ballet Theatre of Maryland where she was promoted to Demi-Soloist and danced for four seasons. In September of 2022, Madeleine joined US International Ballet. That season she performed soloist roles including the Dew Drop and Lilac Fairy. Madeleine’s most recent choreographic work, “Catharsis” was performed in the Wilmington Dance Festival in 2023. Madeleine is now a guest artist, choreographer, and NASM-certified personal trainer. She looks forward to more teaching, choreographic, and performance opportunities and encourages her students to prioritize wellness and the joy of dancing! 

Modern/Contemporary Instructor​ - BIO

Amanda Legbeti

Amanda Legbeti- Instructor

Amanda Nora Legbeti holds a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and an M.F.A.in Dance Performance and Choreography from University of California, Irvine, where she also presented and published her research on North American multiculturalism and fusion forms in dance. Her choreography, influenced by Latin and West African social dance and martial art forms, as well as contemporary release technique and western classical forms, has been presented throughout the US and abroad in Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad, and Tobago, including the 1996 World Olympics and Disneyland, Anaheim California. Professionally mentored by Donald McKayle, Onye Ozuzu, Nancy Cranbourne, Mark Haines, Wade Madsen, Robin Haige, and Israel Gabriel, Amanda has been a guest choreographer/instructor of dance at UCI, UCSD, Iowa State University, Riverside College, Cypress College, Calvin College, The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago, Coronado School of the Arts, Pacific Arts Workshop, Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop/Interweave Dance Theatre, El Centro Cultural, San Jose Costa Rica, and Dance Masters of Michigan. She is also a full-time mom of 3 amazing kiddos and a Registered Yoga Teacher.

Instructor​ - BIO

Anne McCombie

Anne McCombie - Art Instructor

Anne McCombie is a passionate ceramics artist and dedicated instructor hailing from Wilmington, NC. With a creative spirit that knows no bounds, Anne's work extends far beyond her studio walls. Through her outreach art programs in the community, she engages with children, fostering their artistic talents and encouraging self-expression through art.

At the Cameron Art Museum, Anne's teaching expertise shines as she imparts her knowledge to both kids and adults alike. Her vibrant personality and nurturing approach make her classes enjoyable and empowering for her students. Anne takes immense joy in witnessing individuals unlock their creative minds and discover their artistic potential.

The world of art holds no limitations for Anne as she delves into various mediums with equal enthusiasm. Her versatility shines through her creations, whether it be mesmerizing drawings, captivating paintings, expressive collages, thought-provoking sculptures, or intricate ceramics. Each piece carries her unique touch and love for art, reflecting her ever-evolving artistic journey.

Beyond the realm of art, Anne finds tranquility in her garden, where she nurtures her green thumb and draws inspiration from nature's beauty. This connection with the natural world often finds its way into her artistic endeavors, infusing her work with a profound sense of harmony and balance.

Anne's creativity knows no boundaries, and she extends her passion for art into the culinary world as well. As the proud owner of "Art Centered: Food & Art," a company that both caters and provides pop-up art parties, she combines her love for art with her flair for cooking, creating unique and engaging dining or art experiences that delight the senses and nourish the soul.

Driven by her belief that art can transform lives and bring communities together, Anne McCombie continues to leave a positive impact on the world through her art and teaching. Her dedication to art education and her commitment to inspiring others make her an invaluable asset to the Wilmington, NC community and beyond.

Visit www.ArtCentered.Squarespace.com to learn more!
Art Instructor​ - BIO

Mirielle Azzopardi

Mirielle Azzopardi - Jazz & Young Division Instructor

Mirielle was born in New York City, New York and grew up surrounded by the arts. Her mother started a professional Modern Dance company in New York (KDNY) where she grew to love  dance and performing arts. She moved to North Carolina and began to take my dance more seriously, with aims to join the Charlotte Ballet Academy. While dancing with Charlotte Ballet, she began as a substitute dance teacher, and eventually began taking over for some of the children's classes. While at Charlotte ballet, she attended numerous summer intensive and ballet study courses around the country including the Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and the Colorado ballet. Mirielle specializes in ballet, however also has a high level of training in Modern, Contemporary, Contemporary Ballet, and Jazz. In 2019, she began to dance for the Charlotte Ballet Pre-Professional division as a Trainee and  was pulled up to dance with the Professionals when a last-minute injury occurred. 

In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, she decided to attend college in Wilmington for Nursing. Still performing locally in the dance community here. She enjoys sharing her love for dance with others through teaching. 

Jazz & Young Division Instructor​ - BIO

Harley Jacobs

Harley Jacobs - Hip Hop & AcroInstructor

Harley started dancing when she was 2 years old. She participated in the recreational dance program at South East Dance Academy for a couple years and started the competition team there around age 6-7. She then started dancing At Evolution Dance Complex and loved dancing and working over the last 9 years! She also took class and worked alongside Mary Beth Henderson. During her time dancing at EDC she has received several scholarships, national scholarships and scholarship to Pace University through dance conventions! Her biggest goal with dance would be being a part of the DanceMakers Collective. DanceMakers is a convention/competition that focuses on the love of dance and making everyone feel at home and safe! Harley traveled with this company for 2 years all over assisting and working. She worked alongside a lot of professional dancers such as Kathyrn Mccormic, Robert Roldan, and Ricky Ubea. She has also performed in 2 musicals for the Opera House at Thalian Hall. Priscilla Queen of the Desert and South Pacific.

Hip Hop & Acro Instructor​ - BIO

Guest Faculty

Rachel Taylor

Rachel Taylor - Ballet, PBT, & Conditioning Instructor

Rachel Taylor began her love of ballet at Wake Forest University’s Community Ballet program with Brantly Shapiro. Later she also trained at Ohio Dance Theatre in their pre-professional program for 3 years under the direction of Denise Gula. 

In 2016, Rachel graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in dance performance and focus on Ballet Pedagogy. While in Charlotte she also became a certified barre instructor. She taught for several years at Xtend barre Charlotte and at Core Integrity Pilates in Greensboro NC.

In the fall of 2016, Rachel joined Gary Taylor’s Winston Salem Festival Ballet where she performed professionally and trained for a year. Rachel also taught for Gary Taylor's three schools, Taylor Dance, High Point Ballet, and Winston Salem Festival Ballet. 

In the summer of 2017, Rachel joined the US. International Ballet in Wilmington NC. 

Under the artistic direction of Walter Angelini, Ines Albertini, and Mrs. Debra Burger 

Rachel had the opportunity to perform in many full-length ballets including The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night Dream, Giselle, The Little Mermaid, and The Nutcracker.

Rachel not only pursues her own progress with the art form of ballet but also has the heart to teach and share this passion with others. She has been teaching ballet and fitness classes for several years and she looks forward to continuing to pass this knowledge and passion onto her students. 

Ballet, PBT, & Conditioning Instructor - BIO

Alexi Broman

Alexi Broman - Contemporary, Modern, Acro, & Hip Hop Instructor

Lexi was born in Petoskey, Michigan, but lived most of her life in Wilmington, North Carolina. She began taking ballet and tap classes at the age of four and was competing in all styles by age twelve.

She started training at Denise Walls Dance Energy (DWDE). There, she was taught by many important people in her life such as Denise Wall, Travis Wall, Cami Walton, Anthony Morigerato, Danny Tidwell, and many more! She has danced in many pieces composed by these cherished individuals and has even performed two solos composed by Travis Wall.

She danced competitively at DWDE until she graduated high school and decided to further her dance training at the University of North Carolina School Of the Arts (UNCSA). She graduated from UNCSA in 2021 and is excited to see where her dance career takes her.

Contemporary, Modern, Acro, & Hip Hop Instructor - BIO

Kevin Lee-Y Green

Kevin Lee-Y Green Instructor - Bio

Kevin Green is a director, choreographer, and community arts educator. Green is a native of Bolivia, North Carolina (population 143) and a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied contemporary dance and ballet.

Over a 15-year career, he has worked with acclaimed dance artists including: Rosie Herrera, Sidra Bell, Camille A. Brown, David Parsons, Clay Taliafero, Sean Sullivan (Limon), Dianne Markham (Louis & Nikolai), and Brenda Daniels (Cunningham). He was mentored by theater director Gerald Freedman while a member of the touring All School Production at UNCSA. In 2008, he founded Techmoja Dance and Theater Company as an inclusive and diverse dance and theatre company. Kevin has recently done residency work with youth in nine coastal Carolina counties in response to the impact of Hurricane Florence.

His work has been supported by New England Foundation for the Arts, Alternate ROOTS, Arts Council of Wilmington, International Association of Blacks in Dance.

Instructor - BIO
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Beyond the Conservatory

At WCFA, we recognize each student’s creative talents and incorporate them into the disciplined arts that are classical ballet. Our goal is to encourage each dancer to take great pride in their accomplishments and to enhance their eagerness to learn. Whether a student is working toward a career in dance or enjoys dancing as a rewarding extra-curricular activity, the dancer’s changing body is a most fragile and important instrument which deserves only the finest and most proper instruction.

Our students have been accepted into many prestigious schools such as American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Boston Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kirov Academy-Washington, DC, North Carolina Dance Theatre, North Carolina School of the Arts, Storling Dance Company, Ad Deum Dance Company, School of American Ballet, and Belhaven University. They have danced on Broadway, on cruise ships, and many professional shows as well.

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