About Excell Dance

Who we are...

We are avid lovers of both dance and children...

Directors

• Stephanie Layton
• Kim Bridges

Instructors

• Claire Rosenberger  - Claire began dancing at the age of 9, at the Falls Church School of Ballet under Elisabeth Graetzer, former prima ballerina with the Innsbruck Opera Ballet, and dancer with the Vienna State Opera Ballet. During the following decade, Mrs. Rosenberger studied classical ballet, Viennese Waltz and Hungarian Character, and performed with the school. Ms. Rosenberger also performed a Viennese Waltz at the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Ball in Washington DC. She taught classes starting at age 16, from beginners to adults. During this time, she also studied with Carolou Fiery Russell in Arlington. While attending Virginia Commonwealth University, Ms. Rosenberger studied ballet, modern, and jazz (with Tanya Dennis), performing with the University Dance Ensemble. Not only that, but Claire is a fabulous person to know and associate with. We are so privileged to have her as a ballet instructor for us at Excell Dance!

• Laura Crowne  - Laura Crowne opened Warrenton’s first dance studio, In Motion, in 1979 and ran it successfully until 2001, when she sold it to pursue other interests. During that time, she founded the Blue Ridge Dance Theatre. Ms. Crowne performed professionally in New York with both Molissa Fenley and Edith Stephen Dance Companies. She minored in dance at the University of Maryland, and danced with Maryland Dance Theatre. She has a Masters Degree in Performing Arts: Dance, from American University. She has choreographed and directed musicals for several years at Fauquier High School, Fauquier Community Theatre, and the Riverside Dinner Theatre.
  
  Ms. Crowne was the first to bring professional dance education to Warrenton. She was also instrumental in bringing nationally renowned dance companies to the area, including the Alvin Ailey Repertory Company and Joffrey Ballet. Her passion for the performing arts has been instilled in hundreds, if not thousands of students over three decades, and we are very excited that she has joined us to teach modern and lyrical classes.

• Julie Taylor  - When Julie began dancing at the age of seven, she quickly discovered that it was her favorite activity. It wasn't until she started teaching dance in 2008 that she realized it was her passion. Julie was instructed at one of Northern Virginia's largest dance studios, Spotlight Dance Company. She studied ballet, broadway tap, jazz, and went on pointe around the age of 13. After almost a decade of learning she took time off to go to college, and realized how badly she needed dance back in her life. After teaching in Fairfax for a couple of years, she decided to instruct closer to home. Now she is with Excell Dance, and loves every second of it!

• Rachel Sippert  - Rachel grew up in Utah and began dancing at the age of 7. In high school, she auditioned for and became a member of the color guard lead by Nancy Cannon, and ballroom dance team coached by Shawn Mortensen. She learned flag work combined with Jazz and Modern dance moves on the color guard team, and competed in a number of events throughout Utah and Las Vegas, including taking part in the street entertainment for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Her color guard team ranked 1st in the state of Utah for one of the four years she competed with them. On the ballroom team, she studied all major forms of ballroom dance and competed at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University invitationals, among other performances in the area. She later attended Utah Valley University where she continued to study and practice Ballroom Dance. Rachel lives in Warrenton with her husband, Steven, and son, Blake, and is excited to be a new instructor with us this year!

Where to find us...

How to contact us...

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