Founder
Michelle Leininger
Michelle Leininger toured with Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Dancing U.S.A., and Canadian Dance Express among other companies. Michelle’s dance performance experience spans the stages of Montreal, Tokyo, and Haiti to American made TV and film productions. Michelle studied at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance, the Broadway Dance Center, and the University of South Florida where she was a dance major. She has trained with many outstanding artists including Fred Benjamin, Miguel Godreau, Celia Franca, and Jurgen Schneider. Michelle’s teaching experience of more than twenty years includes directorships of dance schools in both Canada and the Caribbean. A graduate of West Chester University and Cabrini College where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees respectively in Education, Michelle also holds the Pennsylvania State Certification in Dance and is a member of the National Dance Association. Over the past twenty years, Michelle has taught at several dance schools in the Chester County area and also headed the dance program at Great Valley High School in Malvern, PA for ten years.
Co-Director – Jazz, Modern / Lyrical
Nia Michele Andrews
Nia Michele Andrews is a rising entrepreneur, freelance choreographer, and a Registered Nurse. Recognized as a Golden Ram and a Board of Governor’s Scholar, Nia Andrews is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and minor in Dance. While completing her undergraduate degree, Nia was honored to be Miss West Chester University 2015, thus sparking her interests to pursue pageantry. In the year 2016, Nia was the First African American to win Miss Bucks County and in 2017, Nia served as Miss Philadelphia under the Miss America system. Nia Michele has studied dance at some of the finest schools and companies in the Tri-state area, such as but not limited to, Dance Institute of Philadelphia, Canaan Institute of the Arts, The Pointe Dance School, Eleone DanceTheatre, and Philadanco D3. She has been a part of the West Chester University’s Nationally renowned UDA Dance Team, West Chester University’s Dance Company and nationally recognized as a choreographer through the American College Dance Festival Association two years in a row. Nia was a principal dancer with Balance Dance Company, and was selected to tour with the elite Western Wolfs International Dance Team based out of New York City and Shanghai. Nia had the distinguished opportunity to perform as a soloist with the renowned Philly Pops Orchestra in Lenny’s Revolution at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Rho Theta Omega Chapter, where she remains dedicated to uplifting and serving the Greater Philadelphia community. A graduate of Central High School, Class of 271, Nia continues to advance her career with a strong commitment to excellence, leadership, and the transformative power of the arts.
Co-Director – Jazz, Modern / Lyrical & Tap
Collette Fratangelo
Collette Fratangelo is a dedicated dance educator with a strong foundation in both movement science and the performing arts. She graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Exercise Science, a focus in Pre-Physical Therapy, and a minor in Dance. While at West Chester, she was a valued member of the University Dance Company, serving as both a performer and choreographer. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Collette received her early training at Dance Expressions by Erica. Collette has trained with various respected choreographers, including Mandy Moore, Ray Leeper, Travis Wall, and Anthony Morigerato, expanding her knowledge across multiple dance styles and techniques. Collette has continued her professional journey as a member of Balance Dance Company, Catalyst Dance Company, the Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, and Prov Dance Ministry. She is also the founder of Collaborative Motion, a dance collective rooted in creativity and community. Collette is deeply passionate about teaching confidence and self-love through dance. She is committed to equipping her students with a strong technical foundation, artistic expression, and professionalism, empowering them to continue evolving as both dancers and individuals.
Ballet Instructor
Jeffrey Hankinson
South Carolina native and graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Jeffrey also trained at the School of American Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Kiln Dance Academy in Germany, and with esteemed teachers Maggie Black, David Howard, Robert Denvers, Melissa Hayden, and Robert Blankshine. Jefferey was a principal dancer with the Des Moines Ballet and soloist with Ballet D’Angelo directed by Joffrey Ballet’s principal ballerina Ann Marie D’Angelo. He later joined the Alvin Ailey II (Repertory Ensemble) directed by Sylvia Waters. Jeffrey has danced with the Elisa Monte Dance Company, the Joyce Trisler Dance Company, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, and has toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Jeffrey has performed in several Broadway shows and has been a guest teacher at many dance companies, studios, and schools, around the country and abroad. Before relocating to Wilmington, Delaware, Jeffrey taught company classes for Philadanco and the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and Rock West in West Chester. Jeffery uses dance to build confidence and self-acceptance in his students. He is excited to share his experience, knowledge, and passion for dance with the students of Balance Dance Center.
Hip Hop Instructor, 1 Luv Dance Crew Director
Michael Nguyen
Michael Nguyen is a current graduate student studying for his MFA in Choreography and Performance at Temple University. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a focus on Health Science and Dance, he began teaching and working on his career as an artist and dancer. He has danced for Rev9, The Academy of Phresh I Am Phresh, MM2 Modern Dance Company, Roger Lee Dance Company, Contempra Dance Theatre, and the Balance Dance Project. Michael is a true student of dance who believes that dancers should learn as many styles of dance as possible to add depth to their vocabulary and choreography. Michael had the opportunity to intern at the Broadway Dance Center in the summer for 2010, where he trained with working artists such as Derek Mitchell, Luam Keflezgy, Future, Sheila Barker, Chio Yamada, Sheryl Murakami, Ejoe Wilson, Dana Foglia, Ginger Cox, and many more. Michael is an advocate for spreading love and happiness through dance when he is performing or teaching and respects all dance artists for their work and inspiration to audiences.
Pre-Dance Instructor
Kaleigh Burke
Kayleigh Burke began her dance training at The Dance Center in West Chester and then studied at Balance Dance Center for eight years where she continued to grow in artistry and technique. Kayleigh performed with the BDC Junior Company for several seasons and rose in the company as a leader and valuable team member. In addition to her passion for dance, Kayleigh is a natural teacher and seized the opportunity to train at BDC as an assistant instructor for the Pre-Dance program. Kayleigh’s love for children and her ability to connect with them make her ideally suited to inspire our youngest dancers. In addition to teaching the Pre-Dance class, Kayleigh tutors elementary students and is currently pursuing a degree in education. Kayleigh is thrilled to join the BDC faculty, and she looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the next generation of BDC dancers.
Ballet Instructor
Audrey Hammit
Audrey began her ballet studies at the age of 3, and has been dancing ever since. In addition to ballet, she studied modern, jazz, and hip-hop at the West End Academy of Dance, in Richmond, VA, where she also began to teach and choreograph. Audrey spent her summers at ballet intensives with Richmond Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Indiana University. Audrey received her BFA in Dance from Belhaven University, and has attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet summer intensive while working as a resident advisor. Audrey is currently first soloist with Glorify Dance Theatre and seeks to share her love of performing and community in the studios of West Chester Dance Works as well. When she teaches, Audrey strives to cultivate an enjoyment of dance while pursuing excellence in an atmosphere of encouragement, positivity, and passion.
Ballet and Jazz Instructor
Elexus Freeman-Filmore
For over 18 years Elexus Freeman- Filmore was a classically trained dancer and performer dedicating her time to perfecting her skills. She started her career at Philadanco and moved on to Philadelphia Dance Theater, where she decided to take her dancing more seriously. Being with PDT granted her amazing opportunities such as summer programs with Alvin Ailey, Vineland Regional Dance Co. and The Rock School of Dance. She was even involved with Regional Dance America, which took the performance company as far as Montreal, Canada. Once graduated from high school and looking forward to college, Elexus joined Hampton University’s band dance team where she was able to perform during football and basketball seasons. She danced all 4 years at HU never missing a game or chance to perform. Post graduation Elexus joined the AFL Soulmates here in Philadelphia, where she was challenged with pom style dancing, and leading the little soulmates through their performances. Today, Elexus shares her talents with students across the Philadelphia region and surrounding suburbs providing ballet technique classes, choreography and private lessons.
Adult Jazz Instructor
Janis Bady
Janis L. Bady is a lifelong dancer who believes everyone should get to experience the joy and freedom of movement. She’s trained in West African, Afro-Caribbean, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical styles with inspiring instructors including Michelle Leininger, Danny Hinds, Julie Warder, and Patricia Brown. From the Midwest to the East Coast, Janis has taught dancers of all ages—sharing not just steps, but confidence and creativity along the way. A proud member of the BDC family since its opening, Janis still lights up every time she steps into the studio and loves helping dancers of all levels feel at home in their bodies and bold in their expression.