• Founder

    Lauren Brotsky founded The Macholah Ballet, Inc. in 2002 with a desire to train dancers in accredited curriculum from a Christ-honoring perspective. Her desire to nurture dancers and encourage them to grow is evident in the way she instructs her students.

    Mrs. Brotsky began her training under Tamara Buel, studying the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus and received Merit on her R.A.D. Intermediate Vocational Examinations. She was also annually adjudicated by the American Academy of Ballet in New York, receiving nine consecutive gold medals with distinction.

    She went on to train and perform with the River City Youth Ballet Ensemble under the direction of Michelle Raider. She performed in notable classical ballets including, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, The Snow Queen and The Nutcracker. Mrs. Brotsky was also on staff with River City Youth Ballet teaching and choreographing in the ballet program.

    Mrs. Brotsky studied at the Royal Academy of Dancing Summer Intensive in Baltimore, Maryland in 2005. She also studied in Jackson, Mississippi at Ballet Magnificat! Summer Dance Intensive during 2006, placing in the highest level of instruction. She continued her summer studies with Ballet Magnificat! from 2007-2018 working under their Dance Teacher Continuing Education program.

    It is her joy to train her students to grow in grace and watch them blossom into who God has called them to be!

    Lauren resides in Barboursville with her husband, Matthew and her kitty, Winston.

  • Laura Lees is a kindergarten teacher at Mountain View Elementary. She has four grown children and one granddaughter. Ms. Laura loves her job teaching the little ones and she also love to sew, read, and dance.

    Ms. Laura started dancing when she was eight years old and continued with lessons until she was eighteen. Tap dancing was and is still her favorite!

    This is Laura’s 5th year teaching with The Macholah Ballet and is excited to be part of our dance family. We are going to have a marvelous year dancing together!

  • Sharnice Taylor is from southern WV and began her dance education at Beckley Dance Theatre School under the direction of Jerry Rose. BDTS is also where she began her teaching career. She spent 3 summers performing with Theater West Virginia, and later had the opportunity to fulfill the role of dance captain for a community show.

    In 2018, Sharnice obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a marketing minor from Marshall University. While attending Marshall, she continued her dance studies through the university's theatre and dance program for multiple semesters. After completing her undergraduate degree, Sharnice spent 6 semesters teaching tap, jazz, and contemporary dance at Marshall University as an adjunct professor. After graduating she has continued to participate numerous professional Master classes. Sharnice had the privilege to both perform and choreograph for Marshall’s spring dance concerts. Additionally, she became an instructor at True Impact Performing Arts in Barboursville, WV from 2018-2023.

    In 2021, Sharnice began teaching for Uptown Musik and Fine Arts serving the tri-state area, and is now the manager of this program. Also in 2021 she acquired a Kindermusik and GroovaRoo (international baby wearing dance program) teaching licenses. Sharnice has had the privilege to gain wisdom from many leaders and serve as a month long sub for Huntington Dance Theater, Ultimate Dance Legacy, and Yvonne DeKay School of Dance. Sharnice currently serves as a board member for nonprofits: True Impact Arts Foundation and Appalachian Children’s Music and Arts Foundation. She has also been given opportunities to use her time to volunteer to choreograph teach or judge for high school dance team and theatre departments as well as organizations such as the United Way of Southern WV, United Way of Central City, Chris Duhon’s Stand Tall Foundation, and various local churches.

    Sharnice first taught at The Macholah Ballet's Dive Deep Intensive in 2020 and joined their team as a full time instructor that fall. This past spring, she enjoyed being able to offer Kindermusik within the studio as well. She loves The Mac and its values, and loves building Christ-centered relationships with the students to foster lasting benefits.

  • Meet our snazziest jazz teacher! Bethany Adkins grew up dancing in the kitchen with her mom and sisters, but is a true adult beginner to the world of dance. The sudden passing of a friend in 2015 motivated her to enroll in adult ballet classes at Macholah as a way to embrace all the joy God provides to us in Him.

    "Miss Bethany" has worked at the Putnam Library for over 15 years creating library magic for countless children. She also serves on the council for the Town of Bancroft, and loves all things vintage and colorful!

    Bethany is excited to begin her third year as an instructor at Mac, teaching the Snazzy Jazzy class for the youngest dancers, where she hopes to share her joyful spirit. She's also looking forward to seeing old and new friends in the adult classes at Mac!

  • Miss Emma has been dancing for 15 years total, with 11 years at the Mac.

    This past summer, Emma had the opportunity to attend Ballet Magnificat’s Summer dance Intensive for two weeks and is excited to bring her knowledge to the classroom!

    Miss Emma is also a member of the Sr. Company. She has danced in the annual Christmas production, The Nativity Ballet, for six years. She has also danced in Pilgrims Progress, The Prodigal, Hinds’ Feet on High Places and was the starring role in The Watchmaker’s Daughter.

    Outside of dance, Emma is currently a Senior and honor student at Herbert Hoover High School. She attends Heritage Baptist and loves helping with VBS and other activities!

  • Meagan Goode joined The Macholah Ballet teaching staff in 2019. Dance has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember; she has competed at regional and national levels competitions in multiple dance genres. She has also choreographed for churches, multiple dance studios, cheerleading squads, talent shows, weddings, and other fun events!

    Miss Meagan loves her home at The Macholah Ballet where she can not only worship Christ in every step she takes, but also share her love of dance at a new level.

    Miss Meagan is an Autism Mentor by day and a dance teacher by night; she’s also on her way to becoming a foster mom!

    Miss Meagan teaches a wide range of genres to our Lower School dance students and is excited to invest in the future generation of dancers!

  • Olivia Spears started dancing at two and started competing at the age of four at WV Studio of Dance. While a member of WV Studio of Dance, Olivia studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. She took a short break to try other activities and returned to dance at Saint Albans Studio of Dance where she continued to participate in ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical.

    While at Saint Albans Studio of Dance she was a part of their competition teams, and in 2014 participated in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Spirit of America Dancers!

    By day, Mrs. Olivia is a speech-language pathologist, providing support to children with diverse needs and a variety of age groups.

    Mrs. Olivia will be teaching Intermediate Jazz and Intermediate Tap this season!

  • Miss Aliah has been part of Macholah for 7 years. This is her second year teaching. She has aided in teaching ballet for 2 years.

    As a former company member, Miss Aliah has danced in the annual Nativity Ballet performance for four years. Her roles included: the lead shepherd, a wiseman, the Star of Bethlehem, and Mary. She also performed in Pilgrims Progress, The Prodigal, and Hinds' Feet on High Places.

    Her choreographic work has included dances such as the Narrow Road, Greed, Sorrow and Suffering, Have Your Way, Mermaids, and Hansel and Gretal.

    Outside of Macholah, she was part of a drama team at her church for 2 years. She was given lead roles in multiple dramas. She has also had a job as a character actor at Gritt's fun farm.

    Miss Aliah plans to expand her knowledge in dance at Marshall University. Dance has been a big part of her life and is looking forward to teaching what she has learned in a Christ-like way.

    Macholah Ballet and am so excited to be part of the dance family. We are going to have a marvelous year dancing together!

  • Sophia Wigal is entering her fourth year teaching with The Macholah Ballet!

    Miss Sophia is also a graduating member of our Senior Company and has been dancing for 10 years, 5 of those with The Macholah Ballet. Sophia has danced many lead parts in our annual Nativity Ballet as well as our other shows.

    Outside of dance, Miss Sophia competes in the world of pageantry and is currently the Queen of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. Miss Sophia is very active in her community volunteering wherever she can, and is a member of the Evans Church of God. She is also the Volunteer Race Director for the annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk held in Ripley, WV.

    This year she will be instructing our Baby Ballet, Intermediate Lyrical, and Ballet 2 classes.

  • Hello my name is Maggie Smith! I love all types of dance, but tap is easily my favorite! I have taught dance for 5 years and love teaching in the community I was raised in. I live here in Hurricane with my husband Josh, my 2 year old daughter and my yorkie Indy Jones. A few years ago I graduated with my undergrad in Elementary Education and I currently teach 3rd grade. When not teaching, you’d find me with coffee or a good book in my hand. I’m looking forward to tapping together and having a great time!