Natasha Ackerman Hester ~ Artistic & Teaching Director
- Certified to teach by Dance Educators of America
- Member, DEA and Professional Dance Teachers Association
- Director of TDA Childrens Theatre and TDA Modeling Program
- Graduate with honors from the Greenwood Girl Modeling & Charm School
- Dancer/Singer with King’s Dominion
- Shenandoah Conservatory
- Old Dominion University
- Dancer / Singer with Kings Dominion
- Point Park College
- Faculty, VSU 1988
- National Seminar, TumbleBear Gym Program
- Extensive training in New York City with Charles Kelly, Ronn Forella, Phil Black, Luigi, Frank
Hatchett, Steps and The American Dance Machine. - Coach/Choreographer TDA Regional and National Dance Champions and the TDA All Stars Dance Teams
- National “Best Choreography” Award

Mary Ellen Hurt ~ Associate Teacher
- Mary Ellen began dancing at Traylor Dance Academy when she was 2 yrs old.
- Student assistant for 3 years, Assistant Instructor for 3 years, primary teacher at satellite studio
for 4 years and an associate teacher for 13 years - Award winning regional & national champion of Dance Educators of America, Dance Caravan,
Dance Troupe, Inc. and Dance Makers, Inc. - Trained in all types of dance and gymnastics.
- Liz Marks Casting, Movie “Asunder” extra in 5 scenes and stand in for lead actress.

Natalia Hester ~ Teacher/Choreographer
- Performed in more than 25 musical theatre productions in the Tri-Cities area and Richmond,
including Lee Playhouse, Theatre IV and Dogwood Dell - Kennedy documentary, Nippon Television, (Kathleen Kennedy)
- American Musical & Dramatic Arts Academy in NYC.
- Dance training from TDA locally; Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center, NYC.
- Vocal training from Shirley Townsend and Paul Bartsch locally and Heather Pertruzelli, NYC
- Former Jr. and Sr. Miss I Love Dance
- National photogenic winner, Starquest
- Richmond Raiders Pro Football Cheer and Dance Team
