“I was born and raised in Smithfield, Virginia where I began my dance training with Leslie McGinn who was a protégée and member of the original Eglevsky Ballet Company. Under Ms. McGinn’s guidance I had my first taste of teaching and knew instantly what my own career choice would be. I attended Radford University and majored in dance. From day one of my college experience I became immersed in the world of classical ballet. I studied under Yugoslavian born Franco Jelencic, renowned as a strict disciplinarian and one of the most esteemed ballet masters in the professional ballet world. Throughout my undergraduate studies I performed many lead roles and was coached by Jelencic’s wife, prima ballerina Dagmar Kessler.

Naturally my love for the Outer Banks brought me to perform in The Lost Colony, America’s oldest and longest running outdoor drama. After working with the Lost Colony for two seasons, I was promoted to dance captain for my third and final season. I began my teaching career contributing to the ballet and jazz program at Golden Slippers, a large studio in the Virginia Beach area. In 2005 I began teaching at Atlantic Dance where I am now owner and director. My two greatest pleasures in life are sharing my passion for dance along with the joy of being a wife and mother.” Ms. Mila