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Lana Toon became the owner and director of The Dancers Academy in 1981. She earned her Certification to teach Ballet, Tap, Tumble, Jazz, and Ballroom through Chicago National Association of Dance Masters in 1978. She received her CDE in 1980 and earned her Masters in Dance Education in 1986. Lana has trained with such professionals as Fred Kelly (brother of Gene Kelly), Gus Giordano (teachers' teacher of seminars in the United States and in Europe). Tommy Sutton, Tom Ralabate, Terrell Paulk (with the Atlanta Ballet), Elizabeth Carroll (former first soloist with American Ballet Theatre) and Tom Alexander who has worked with Debbie Reynolds, Dolly Pardon, Marie Osmond and Bob Hope. Lana continues to attend conventions along with training schools with Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Southern Association of Dance Masters where her daughter currently serves as a board member. Lana has many years of experience as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the entertainment, modeling, pageant, and dance industry. She has choreographed and judged numerous events such as Miss Nashville Pageant, Miss Sumner County Fairest of the Fair, along with School and Church events in Nashville and surrounding areas. Many of her students are second and third generation students, which are active in their school show choir, cheer, and dance teams. Some of Lana's students have further pursued dancing careers as instructors, dance studio owners, modeling, acting, within ballet companies, and studying with The Joffrey Ballet as well as The Radio City Rockettes in NYC.
M’Call Marcum developed the love for dance beginning at the age of 2 years old. Growing from a toddler to a teen, her dance education continued at The Dancer's Academy. Mrs. M’Call began her student teaching under Lana Toon in 2005 working with students in ballet, pointe, tap, tumble, and hip hop. Once she graduated high school she then attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where Mrs. M’Call began her education in Health and Nutrition, while studying Advanced Ballet and Jazz Technique at the University. Once she completed her Bachelor in Science degree from the University of Tennessee in 2011, she then returned home to her true passion, dance instruction. She became a licensed Zumba insructor in 2013. Mrs. M’Call has since furthered her training in dance by attending classes at Broadway Dance Center and The Pulse in New York City. She also attends Chicago National Association of Dance Masters Training School under the instruction of master teachers such as Melissa Anderson, Richard Ashworth, Michael Foley, Tom Alexander, and Tom Ralabate. On July 14, 2014 she excelled in great measure the examinations to be certified by the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Instruction and Technique. M'Call Marcum is a certified member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Southern Association of Dance Masters where she is currently serving a third term as a board member of SADM. Mrs. M’Call’s heart is full, all because of her students; she adores and revels in the confidence, discipline, and life lessons that dance provides for herself, her students, and her studio family.
Amanda Snyder began her dance studies in her hometown of Anderson, IN under Ann Harmeson Hardacre at the Ann Harmeson School of Dance, where she also began her teaching career. in 1993. Amanda earned her degree in dance performance at Ball State University, performing as a member of Ball State Dance Theater. By the time she graduated, she had studied with many master teachers and guests, including Lou Ann Young, Sarah Mangelsdorf, Lyn Elam of Dance Kaleidoscope, and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Bill Evans. A college highlight was having Louis Falco protege Alan Sener create a role for Amanda in the original commissioned piece "Ancora Insieme". Her senior thesis piece, a modern duet, "Mary and Charlie, 1945" was selected for the 1997 semester concert, "Dance! Dance! Dance!"
Amanda has enjoyed teaching both recreational and competition level dancers in Indiana and Louisiana for over 25 years! As a competition instructor and choreographer she has staged shortened versions of "The Nutcracker", utilizing all genres of dance, Her dances and students have won awards music for choice, prop work, choreography, costuming, and staging at both the regional and national levels, including 3rd place overall champion and Best Choreography at Dance Olympus Nationals for her ballet production, "Roses from the South". A proud degreed member of Dance Masters of America, chapter 37, Dixie, Amanda has had the honor of teaching ballet at Dixie's regional spring workshop. Mrs. Amanda passed her exams with Southern Association of Dance Masters (100% oral and 98% written) in June 2023 and is now a certified member. She loves to see all her students find the joy in dance, first and foremost and is so happy to be a valued member of The Dancer's Academy family!
Amanda has enjoyed teaching both recreational and competition level dancers in Indiana and Louisiana for over 25 years! As a competition instructor and choreographer she has staged shortened versions of "The Nutcracker", utilizing all genres of dance, Her dances and students have won awards music for choice, prop work, choreography, costuming, and staging at both the regional and national levels, including 3rd place overall champion and Best Choreography at Dance Olympus Nationals for her ballet production, "Roses from the South". A proud degreed member of Dance Masters of America, chapter 37, Dixie, Amanda has had the honor of teaching ballet at Dixie's regional spring workshop. Mrs. Amanda passed her exams with Southern Association of Dance Masters (100% oral and 98% written) in June 2023 and is now a certified member. She loves to see all her students find the joy in dance, first and foremost and is so happy to be a valued member of The Dancer's Academy family!
Riley Armstrong, began dancing at the age of 4. She has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater and hip hop with lyrical being her favorite subject. At the age of 8 The Dancers Academy became her new dance home. Growing up in a dance family with both her mother and sister as dancers makes the love of dance even more special. Throughout Ms. Riley’s dancing years, she has been a competitive dancer for 6 years, received dance workshop scholarships, various awards, and participated in Southern Association of Dance Masters dance training school as well as conventions. Ms. Riley auditioned, accepted and attended The Joffery Ballet School Summer Intensive of 2018. At the age of 14 she began teaching at The Dancers Academy and have enjoyed watching students grow in the love of dance. Ms. Riley’s passion is dance and is a certified member of Southern Association Dance Masters. Ms. Riley’s life goal is to be able to share this passion and talent God has given her. TDA is so thankful to have Ms. Riley as a member of our dance family. She is an excellent role model and a blessing to all her students.
Bridget Bireley is a math major at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. Bridget grew up dancing on her studio's
competition team and performing with Rhythmic Soles Tap Company. Currently, she serves as a choreographer and
President of UTK's Vols En Pointe. This is her fourth year with BOSS Dance Company at University of Tennessee
Knoxville and third year choreographing. TDA is blessed to have Ms. Bridget as a member of our dance family and faculty.
Ms. Bridget is an exceptionally talented dance teacher/choreographer and brilliant young woman.
competition team and performing with Rhythmic Soles Tap Company. Currently, she serves as a choreographer and
President of UTK's Vols En Pointe. This is her fourth year with BOSS Dance Company at University of Tennessee
Knoxville and third year choreographing. TDA is blessed to have Ms. Bridget as a member of our dance family and faculty.
Ms. Bridget is an exceptionally talented dance teacher/choreographer and brilliant young woman.
Beth Littlejohn began dance at age 5. She joined the The Dancer's Academy family in 2012. She is trained in Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Tap, and Jazz. Mrs. Littlejohn was a competitive dancer for 6 years and loved every second on the stage. Mrs. Beth loves children of all ages and they love her right back. If not at our studio she is at church camps or working with little ones and youth daily. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Beth in our dance family and the positive role model she exemplifies.
She is an extraordinary teacher!
She is an extraordinary teacher!
Laura Ashley Pyatt began her training with Lana Toon at The Dancer's Academy. She continued her training at the school of Nashville Ballet where she performed in The Nutcracker as well as with the Nashville Ballet Youth Ensemble. She then
attended Butler University where she earned a B.S. in Arts Administration with a concentration in dance. While at Butler she performed with the Butler Ballet where she danced in Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, a soloist in The Nutcracker and
many other ballets. Upon graduation she began her professional career with The Georgia Ballet where she was also a teacher andrehearsal mistress. She danced many ballets with The Georgia Ballet, her favorites being Giselle, Denver, All Aboard,
Vettriano's Beach, and of course The Nutcracker. While in Georgia she also performed with Physix Urban Dance Theater.
Upon returning to Nashville she taught at The Dance Studio in Pleasant View where she helped choreograqph Peter Pan,
Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and of course The Nutcracker.
Laura is excited to return to where it all be began at The Dancer's Academy.
attended Butler University where she earned a B.S. in Arts Administration with a concentration in dance. While at Butler she performed with the Butler Ballet where she danced in Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, a soloist in The Nutcracker and
many other ballets. Upon graduation she began her professional career with The Georgia Ballet where she was also a teacher andrehearsal mistress. She danced many ballets with The Georgia Ballet, her favorites being Giselle, Denver, All Aboard,
Vettriano's Beach, and of course The Nutcracker. While in Georgia she also performed with Physix Urban Dance Theater.
Upon returning to Nashville she taught at The Dance Studio in Pleasant View where she helped choreograqph Peter Pan,
Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and of course The Nutcracker.
Laura is excited to return to where it all be began at The Dancer's Academy.
Nia Hale, began at The Dancer's Academy as a very young dancer and entered as a third generation student. In previous years Ms. Nia's aunts and even her talented grandmother have danced as students on our studio floors. She is a graduate from Goodpasture Christian School and currently studies Communications at University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Ms. Nia brings energy and fun to every dance class. She auditioned and studied with the Radio City Rockettes in New York City in 2014 and received an invitation to return for the following year as will as perform at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.
Kara Montgomery has over 11 years of dance experience with numerous performances. Just to name a few are Middle Tennessee Youth Ballet's Miniature Ballets (Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Tribute to Serenade, George Balanchine's Who Cares?),
Moscow Ballet Dance With Me (The Russian Nutcracker 2014, 2015, 2017), Jazz on Tap,
Walt Disney World Performing Arts (2013, 2015, 2017), Multiple appearances in concept videos, and Dance Competitions.
Ms. Kara has trained with Nashville Ballet, Dance South Performing Arts Conservatory, Middle Tennessee Youth Ballet,
Millennium Dance Complex Company, and continues with Dance Conventions. She is well trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical / Contemporary. Ms. Kara was accepted into the following Summer Intensive Programs: Nashville Ballet (2014, 2017,2018), American Ballet Theatre (2015), Orlando Ballet (2015, 2018), Atlanta Ballet (2015), and Joffrey Ballet (2015). Ms.Kara feels excellent academics is very important as she models this trait for her students to follow.. She is highly skilled and loves dancing, singing, along with acting. TDA is blessed to have this talented blue eyed beauty as a part of our dance family.
Moscow Ballet Dance With Me (The Russian Nutcracker 2014, 2015, 2017), Jazz on Tap,
Walt Disney World Performing Arts (2013, 2015, 2017), Multiple appearances in concept videos, and Dance Competitions.
Ms. Kara has trained with Nashville Ballet, Dance South Performing Arts Conservatory, Middle Tennessee Youth Ballet,
Millennium Dance Complex Company, and continues with Dance Conventions. She is well trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical / Contemporary. Ms. Kara was accepted into the following Summer Intensive Programs: Nashville Ballet (2014, 2017,2018), American Ballet Theatre (2015), Orlando Ballet (2015, 2018), Atlanta Ballet (2015), and Joffrey Ballet (2015). Ms.Kara feels excellent academics is very important as she models this trait for her students to follow.. She is highly skilled and loves dancing, singing, along with acting. TDA is blessed to have this talented blue eyed beauty as a part of our dance family.
Sandra Lion, member of National Teachers Association since 1993. She has been on staff at The Dancer's Academy since 2005, instructing classes in Ballroom, Clogging, Western, Line Dance, and Mixers. Ms. Sandra served as dance instructor and choreographer at Davidson County Adult Education and Opryland Convention Center Entertainment and Group Activities. For many years Ms. Sandra hosted the television show "The Christian View" Ministry filmed weekly at The Dancer's Academy. She also volunteers at Senior Citizen Centers and Nursing Home Centers using dance as entertainment and activities. She has such tremendous faith and love for the Lord, she brings that love, energy, and positive attitude to every class.
Jean Doyle, yoga instructor
Macy Box, at the young age of two and a half years old began taking the stage. She started out with ballet and tap, and eventually grew to love the art of dance and mastered all genres. Her passion for and her love of dance and students has been an asset to
The Dancer's Academy. While working on her degree at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN she advanced her dance studies with a social dance which qualifies her to teach adults as well as children. Mrs. Macy became a licensed Zumba instructor in 2013, which allowed her even more to expand her dancing dynamic.
Holly Estes began taking dance classes when she was 4 years old at The Dancer's Academy; she continued her dancing career there to her 18th birthday. She also danced with the White House High School Dynasty Girls Dance Team and participated on the competition team. When she began her college career at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, TN, she was accepted into the College’s Cheerleading and Dance Team Organization, which provided her wonderful learning experiences. After taking a break from dancing for a few years to have two wonderful children, she began taking ballet classes again at The Dancer's Academy and was offered a job to teach. Since 2011, she has been teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and tumble. In 2014, Ms. Holly traveled to Chicago to participate in the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters Summer Teacher's Training School. She completed the appropriate examinations to become certified to teach ballet, tap, and jazz technique. Ms. Holly’s true passion is dancing and there is nothing better to her than passing that down and sharing it with children and adults from ages 3-93! The day she wore her first pair of pointe shoes, ballet became her truest dance form passion. She hopes to always dance and be able to share her knowledge and experience with children in the studio.
Jennifer Eklond’s dance studies have included dance classes from age 3 years old to 21 years old, at various dance schools in middle Tennessee including The Dancers Academy. At the age of 15, she began dance student teaching courses and received her teaching certification from Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Southern Association of Dance Masters. Ms. Jennifer has been teaching dance for 25 years. She is a graduate of Belmont University and received a Masters in Teaching from Trevecca University. Ms. Jennifer spends her days teaching 2nd grade and has two terrific children – Jonathan and Jenna Kathryn.
Important Dates to Remember ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 21, 2024- Registration Day for 2024 fall session (2:00 pm until 4:00 pm)
August 12, 2024- Fall Semester begins
September 2, 2024 - Labor Day Studio Closed
September 16-21, 2024- BRING A FRIEND TO DANCE WEEK
October 7-11, 2024 Fall Break
October 24-30 2024- Halloween (wear your Halloween costume over your leotard)
November 1, 2024- ALL RECITAL COSTUME FEES and RECITAL FEE DUE (in order to participate)
November 25-29, 2024- Thanksgiving Break: Studio Closed
December 6, 2024- Annual Christmas Party 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
December 23 - January 5, 2025- Closed for Holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
January 6, 2025- Studio Opens (Return from Holiday Vacation)
January 13-17, 2025- PJ Week (Wear your favorite pajamas over your leotard)
February 10-14, 2025- Week of Love (Dress in Red and Pink colors)
March 10- 14, 2025- Spring Break
March 17, 2025- Lucky Day (Dress in Green colors)
April 7-11, 2025 Showbiz Throwback (wear any costume or former recital costume!)
May (date to be announced) Annual Showcase Revue
*Please note: The Dancers Academy is normally closed due to inclement weather when Davidson County Schools
are dismissed early or closed for that day. There are times when the road conditions improve throughout the day.
Always check The Dancers Academy website or facebook for final decision regarding class cancellation.