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April Barnes

Owner/Instructor

April is the owner and founder of April’s School of Dance. She began dancing at the age of three and has spent her life training, performing, teaching, and sharing her love of dance with others. Through April’s School of Dance, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, work hard, and believe in themselves.

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Education & Training

  • Opened April’s School of Dance in 2005

  • BS in Business Administration, UNC Charlotte, 2001

  • BA in Dance, Appalachian State University, 2009 making the Dean’s List three out of four semesters, and the Chancellor’s List two out of four semesters

  • 3 years of training at Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School 

  • SHIFT adjudication training completion 

  • Soul Dancer Conference

  • Artistic Dance Exchange teacher workshop

  • Dance Realm Summer Teachers Conference

  • Master classes and intensives with professional dancers from the Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and other respected artists from SYTYCD

  • Won numerous choreography, technique and studio awards 

  • Trained in classical ballet under former professional dancer Diane Smole 

  • The Diamond Method certification- understanding the neurology of how students learn​

  • Applied Dance Anatomy, Movement, and Screening: Injury-Informed Training certification

April was born and raised right here in West Jefferson and she graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1997.  Growing up she loved dancing, cheerleading and being in pageants. While in college, she coached cheerleading, worked as a Tweetsie Can-Can dancer, and traveled throughout North and South Carolina performing with an Elvis impersonator. 

April is currently happily married with one beautiful child.  

April’s mission is to inspire students to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and give 100 percent in everything they do, both inside and outside the studio.

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More About April

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