Company Director, Acro Instructor, Academy Jazz & Lyrical Instructor, Company Choreographer, Soloist Choreographer

​Kaitlyn (Katie) Shuman has been dancing her entire life. Growing up a competitive dancer in South Florida since the age of 5- earning numerous scholarships and titles from many different competitions and conventions- she has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern. Her love for teaching took over when she graduated high school to attend the University of Central Florida to minor in Dance, making it her main focus for the last 9 years. Acrobatics has been her biggest love as she works towards an Acrobatic Arts certification this year. She and her husband are active partners of One Hope Church along with their one year old daughter Charlotte. She is committed to growing her students in their faith and dance training!

Academy Ballet Instructor, Soloist Choreographer

Hannah Stanford is a former pre-professional ballerina, current science teacher, and passionate educator sharing her love of dance with the next generation. Hannah trained under Peter Stark at Orlando Ballet School and later became a New Artist at Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL, where she performed principal roles in Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and more. As a two-time YAGP Silver Medalist and YAGP NYC finalist, Hannah received a full-merit scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London, England where she trained during her first year under Anita Young until injuries caused an early retirement from dancing. Additionally, Hannah received three full-merit scholarships to the School of American Ballet’s summer intensive program, where she trained under former NYCB ballerinas Suki Schorer, Susan Pilarre, and Katrina Killian. During her twelve years of pre-professional training, Hannah trained in the Balanchine, Cuban, Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal, and Bournonville ballet styles, Russian and Polish character dancing, as well as contemporary and modern. As a ballet teacher with over six years of ballet teaching experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Hannah incorporates scientific thinking including anatomy, physics, and mathematical concepts to strengthen students’ critical thinking and to bring awareness to their bodies and position in space. Ultimately, Hannah hopes that every one of her students gains skills that extend beyond the dance world and into their everyday lives, and that she inspires a lifelong love for dancing.

Primary & Pre-Academy Instructor, Academy Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical Instructor, Soloist Choreographer

Caroline Schlenker fell in love with dancing at the age of three. She grew up in Ocala, Florida where she spent almost all of her time at her beloved dance studio. She is now a sophomore in College at the University of Central Florida with a major in Visual Arts Management and a minor in Dance. While growing up, she was classically trained in ballet and pointe and performed in many productions such as the Nutcracker, Giselle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and more. She also received training in modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. As she got older, she began helping out with the younger dancers’ rehearsals, which eventually led her to discover a love for teaching. She got her first job in high school as a dance teacher at a local summer camp and adored it.

Caroline would love to spread the joy she gets from dancing and help make SDA a second home for its students, like her studio was for her. She is excited to learn more about competitive dance and can not wait to hear that Nutcracker music again!

Tap Instructor, Academy Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical Instructor, Musical Theatre Instructor, Group & Soloist Choreographer

Samantha Elliott is from Miami Florida. She has been dancing since the age of 4 years old and has trained at Miami City Ballet as well as local dance studios, where she studied all forms of dance. She continued her dance studies and graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She has been performing at sea for the last 10 years, and just completed her final contract at sea on Ovation of the Seas as Dance Captain for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She will continue to educate young dancers while teaching various styles of dance and leading the Dance Program this year at a local Charter School!

Some of her credits include

“Vegas the Show” onboard the Pride of America

Dance Captain/ Showgirl at Sandcastle Guam

Broadway Christmas Wonderland in Tokyo, Japan

Dance Captain for “Sequins & Feathers” and “Sonic Odyssey” on board Quantum of the Seas.

Dance Captain for “Live, Love, Legs!” and “ The Beautiful Dream” onboard Ovation of the Seas.

Dance Adjudicator for Leap! And Imagine National Dance Challenge.

Hip Hop Teacher, Soloist & Group Choreographer

Originally from Miami, FL, Percy Nelson started out as a street dancer. Upon moving to Orlando, FL in 2007, he guided his eventual pursuits into the dance industry. Spending a plethora of time training and teaching in Orlando at local studios as well as dance workshops, Percy quickly became highly sought after. Percy began to work with international artists such as Blanca and Tedashii. Percy has also worked as a dancer with some of the industry's top choreographers such as Sean Bankhead, Hollywood, Charm Ladonna, Matt Steffanina Draico Johnson, Fullout Cortland, Amari Marshall and more. Percy has appeared on BET's 106 and Park, Telemundo and MTV. His success has also lead him to work with the world renown companies, Old Navy, Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando. In addition, Percy has choreographed and danced at various showcases and competitions around the country. He has formerly been a choreographer for the breakthrough Megacrew known as "theSQUAD" out of Orlando, FL. They have competed and placed 1st at World of Dance twice, four times at Prelude South Dance Competition and Hip Hop International in the USA Finals, four times. Percy is currently represented by Level Talent Group for commercial work. His most recent accomplishments consist of performing at Super Bowl LV with the world-renown artist, The Weeknd and also being the choreographer for the quickly up and coming boy band "No Lonely Hearts (NLH)" from Orlando, FL. Allowing for his passion to influence creativity, Percy continues to develop a unique platform for dance within the industry today performing in and on multiple music videos and stages across the country.

Academy Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical Instructor, Group & Soloist Choreographer

Lauren Neiner grew up in St Louis, MO where she began dancing at the age of three at a local studio. She joined the competition team where she trained in jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and musical theater. She had the opportunity to attend conventions and take master classes from professional choreographers and industry artists. After high school, she attended Lindenwood University where she graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science and minored in Dance. While at school, she had the opportunity to take class and perform pieces from various professionals. She started her teaching and choreography journey at the age of 16. Since then, she has taught at various studios around the St Louis and Orlando areas. She has choreographed multiple award winning dances for various competitive studios and dance teams in St Louis, MO. She continues to train and take classes to educate herself on current dance trends, anatomy, and various training techniques. She is a certified yoga teacher where she loves to collaborate her passion for dance and music in her sequences. She currently travels with Imagine Dance Challenge as a merchandise associate, emcee, and backstage manager along with teaching master classes while on tour. Lauren strives to create a safe, fun environment where dancers can feel challenged and empowered to celebrate where they are but aspire to achieve more. She encourages students to take risks and be vulnerable to explore who they are as artists and humans.

Academy Ballet, Jazz, & Lyrical Instructor, Tap Instructor

Emily Eddington began dancing at age 8 with Pacific Dance Conservatory, where she developed a strong technical foundation and a love for performance. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance with an emphasis in Pedagogy from Brigham Young University–Idaho. Emily has explored and continued her technique in ballet, jazz, pointe, modern/contemporary, tap. 

During her time at BYU–Idaho, Emily performed with the university’s collegiate dance team for two years and had the opportunity to appear in SALT Contemporary Dance Company’s 2022 production of Peter Pan. Emily hopes that students will be able to grow in their confidence and find joy in dance.

Acro Instructor, Primary, Petite, and Pre-Academy Instructor, Soloist & Group Choreographer

Shea discovered her passion for dance at a young age, self-teaching until she joined a studio at 13, sparking a lifelong love for the art. Throughout high school, she excelled in the FDEO dance program, earning numerous awards and titles in competitions.

From age 15, Shea began choreographing and teaching, receiving accolades for her innovative work. Specializing in jazz and lyrical dance, she is trained in various styles, blending technical precision with emotive storytelling.

Currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, Shea plans to pursue a Master's in Sports Medicine, aiming to integrate her dance expertise with human movement science. Her journey is driven by a deep passion for dance as both an art form and a vehicle for expression.

Ballet Instructor

Shelby Sweet is a seasoned ballet and aerial instructor with a distinguished performance background and a deep passion for teaching. With over 15 years of experience guiding dancers from early childhood through professional careers, Shelby brings an extraordinary blend of classical rigor, theatrical artistry, and compassionate mentorship to every class she teaches.

As a performer, Shelby danced as a Soloist with Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba and held a principal equity role as “Maji” in Disney’s Festival of the Lion King. Her career also includes company contracts with Marshal Ellis Dance Company, Columbia Classical Ballet, and Orlando Ballet, where she performed principal and soloist roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadère, as well as contemporary works by renowned choreographers including Fernando Bujones and George Balanchine. Shelby is a multiple-time Youth America Grand Prix finalist, ABC Gold Medalist, and recipient of a scholarship to La Scala Ballet School.

Shelby’s professional training began at Orlando Ballet School, where she trained under the mentorship of Peter Stark, Yan Chen, Fernando Bujones, and other world-class instructors. She further honed her skills through elite summer intensives at School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, ABT NYC, and North Carolina School of the Arts.

Her teaching career is just as distinguished. Shelby has served as a master ballet and aerial arts instructor for top Florida studios including Skyra Studios, InMotion, Rolann’s Dance, 3D Dance Academy, Emerging Artists, and many more. She has taught creative movement, ballet technique, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, and aerial silks for dancers as young as two through pre-professional teens and adult students. Shelby also taught in preschools through creative movement outreach programs, helping young children develop coordination, musicality, and confidence.

Shelby is not only an inspiring and technically focused instructor—she’s also a dedicated mentor. Her students have gone on to perform professionally with national ballet companies, major theme parks, professional sports teams, and cruise lines around the world. Whether in the studio or on the stage, Shelby’s students are known for their poise, power, and passion.

In aerial arts, Shelby specializes in aerial silks, emphasizing safety, fluidity, strength, and grace. She offers detailed knowledge of rigging and safe studio setups, and is able to help schools explore adding aerial classes even if they are just beginning the process. Her aerial programs are known for building confidence, body awareness, and expressive performance in students of all ages.

Above all, Shelby believes in nurturing a dancer’s spirit as much as their technique. She creates a classroom environment that is encouraging, structured, joyful, and deeply respectful of each dancer’s journey. Her mission is to help every student—whether they dream of the stage or simply love to move—discover their inner strength and shine with confidence.

Layla is a dedicated and dynamic dancer with over 15 years of experience in performance, competition, and training across multiple dance styles.

Beginning at the age of 2, she's cultivated a deep passion for dance through years of rigorous practice, stage performances, and competitive achievements. Known for her high energy presence, strong stage charisma, and collaborative sprits, she brings both technical skill and expressive artistry to every performance. She also has emerging experience in choreography and mentoring young dancers, and is eager to continue growing as a performing and a creative contributor in the dance community.

Front Desk Manager

Elizabeth McClure, a lifelong Florida native, born and raised in Central Florida, was introduced to dance at 8 years old. She loved how welcoming her studio was and how it encouraged all to embrace the beauty of the art. She took this with her through her 10 years of customer service, which led her to becoming an Assistant Manager at Gordon Food Service and fell in love with their servant leadership. Shortly after she took a step back to focus on her family. She continued to find different ways to challenge herself and came across dog training. Through this endeavor she learned how to handle stressful situations calmly and how to help others build their relationships with their dogs. While bringing her previous skills with her, she looks forward to the new opportunities and the chance to grow that will come with joining Stone Dance Academy.