About Us

My name is Cortney and I have been the studio manager at Tilley’s Dance Academy since 2013. After graduating high school in 2007, I attended Mitchell Community College taking accounting courses. I also taught a few dance classes here at the studio, but soon realized as much as I love dancing, teaching wasn’t as much of a passion for me. So, when presented with the opportunity to become studio manager, I quickly accepted. I grew up in the studio, with my mom teaching when I was younger, so I absolutely love being here! I love seeing the kids each week, and at the end of the year recital getting to see all they have accomplished and see everything we have worked for all year come together is amazing!! I also love that I get to work with such an amazing group of women! There is truly nowhere else I’d rather be.

I’m Lauren Dixon and this is my 6th year as a dance instructor for Tilley’s Dance Academy. I graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in Dance with a concentration in performance, choreography, and theory. I studied with the Martha Graham Dance company and performed at The Joyce Theatre in NYC and the Knight Theatre in Charlotte performing a restaged work of the Martha Graham Dance Company. I was also a performer in the Tony Award winner George Faison’s Suite Otis and a dancer in the rapper Remi’s music video for his single “Smile”. I was a founder and President of the dance organization Range of Motion at UNCC and held multiple leadership positions. I am so passionate about dance and even more passionate about seeing your amazing children grow their love of dance in my class and on the stage. I am home grown and grew up dancing at Tilley’s since I was 3 years old. That makes it even more special to be apart of this amazing faculty. I look forward to continuing to help teach and mold these amazing young dancers!

Hello my name is Tori Tavares. I have been a dancer at Tilley’s for 16 years, starting at the age of 2! I have just graduated recently from North Iredell High School and am attending Mitchell Community College to get my business degree. I have traveled to several competitions out of state and in state with my studio, and have had the most amazing times doing so. While lyrical and contemporary are my favorite genre of dance, teaching kids of any age is something I’ve loved doing for a very long time! I love building relationships with students, inspiring others, and to make dancers flourish! I hope to continue to inspire others and to teach students for as long as possible!! I cant wait for this opportunity to grow as a person and as a dance teacher!!