Instructors

Kailen began her serious training at the Academy of Dance Arts studying with Barbara Banasikowski Smith.  At the age of twelve she was accepted in the pre-professional division at the Academy studying ballet, Pointe and variations, modern and character dance and advanced to the senior company.  Kailen has performed in several of GLBC’s productions including Les Sylphides, La Bayadere, Robyn Hood, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Dracula, Shadow’s of the God’s, Earth’s Lament, GLBC’s 15th Anniversary Concert, Warsaw Uprising, (RDA Mid-States Gala Concert), Multi-Cultural Seasonal Dances, A Celebration of Diversity, lead roles in Peter and the Wolf, Garment Factory, Warsaw Uprising (original choreography by Barbara Banasikowski Smith), and has performed with GLBC in many Regional Dance America Mid-States festivals and three RDA National Festivals, GLBC’s 10th Anniversary concert and GLBC’s concert with the Vaganova Ballet Academy.  She performed the lead in Dorothy Overbey’s choreography at RDA Mid-States festival in Anderson, Indiana and the lead in Butterfly’s Lament by Chelsey Dahm, she also performs with the GLBC at many community events including Jazzfest, Bluesfest, Dance Lansing and most recently Dancing with the Local Stars. Kailen has twice been a recipient of scholarships to Canton Ballet in Ohio.  At fifteen, Kailen was given the opportunity to teach Pre ballet and Beginning ballet at the Academy of Dance Arts, under Barbara Smith, and has been teaching ballet ever since. She attended Hope College and Western Michigan University as a Dance Major. Under the auspices of GLBC and Academy of Dance Arts Kailen has had the opportunity to study with Dmitri Roudnev, director of Ballet Intensive of Moscow, Madame Gribanova, Dean of the Vaganova Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, Russia, Elizabeta Petrova, prima ballerina of Bulgaria, as well as, Caroline Rocher and Kip Sturm, Dance Theatre of Harlem principal dancers. Kailen is co- director of the Greater Lansing Academy of Dance and enjoys teaching her passion for ballet to students of all ages.

Lauren was born and raised in Lansing, MI, has been dancing for over 25 years, and teaching over 17. She is not only a professional dancer and educator, but also a freelance graphic designer. She has been a dance instructor and choreographer for various studios, companies, colleges, dance festivals, and theatre programs all over Mid Michigan, including Regionally and Nationally. Lauren is an adjunct Instructor at Lansing Community College, was a Professional dancer for Velocity/ Educational Exchange Program for four seasons, was Associate Director for Impulse Dance Company and Assistant Director of DANCE Lansing for five seasons, and is currently a Guest Dancer and Instructor for Greater Lansing Ballet Company. She graduated from Lansing Community College with an Associates In Applied Arts and Eastern Michigan University with her Bachelors in Science: Dance Performance and Teaching. Lauren’s choreographed works have been presented at Regional Dance America, Michigan Youth Arts, Kristi Faulkner’s Woman’s Work, Dancerwerks of Chicago, and RADFEST to name a few. At The 2017 RDA Nationals Lauren expanded her education and is now certified in Progressing Ballet technique and as of January 2019 is SafeSportCertified under the USAG.

Lauren has spent a good deal of time in the Big Apple working with actors and dancers such as Brandon Beiber (Something RottenBroadway dancer and FX’sFosse), Ernesto Rosas (X- Men), and Joseph Melendez (Ozark), Producer Peter Sklar, and Jeanne Lehman (Broadway’sBeauty ad the Beast). Last summer, she finished performing for the third time off- Broadway in New York City and had privilege of studying In London, England working with BCC casting directors and accomplished actors from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company (RSC) and the acclaimed TV Show, “Doctor Who”. Lauren is very excited to be apart of the GLAD/GLBC family. For more info visit: http://laurenmudry.weebly.com

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Jim began his dance training at Lansing Community College and at the Academy of Dance Arts, Inc. He received scholarships to Interlochen Arts Academy and Ballet Nouveau Colorado, and had the privilege to study at length with Kip Sturm, former principle with Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Madame Gribanova, dean of the Vaganova Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg.  As a GLBC performer, Jim danced many leading roles in Cinderella, Firebird, Coppelia, Dracula, Peter and the Wolf, Nutcracker, and in many contemporary works.  He also performed with Lansing Community College, Lansing Chamber Dance, and the Indian Cultural Society.  As a choreographer, Jim has been awarded scholarships several times to attend Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Intensive, and has had multiple works, danced by GLBC, selected for performance at RDA MidStates Festivals. His growing list of full length ballets include "Hedy, the Hedgehog", “Robyn Hood”, “La Bayadere”, and “An American Nutcracker”. He has also set works for local dance groups, including Lansing Community College, Waverly High School Theatre, DANCE Lansing, and Happendance.  Knowledgeable in several ballet methodologies, Jim draws primarily from the Vaganova and Bournonville syllabi, and is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique.

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Babe began her dance career at the age of three in Eaton Rapids, MI. Under the instruction of Marceil Warren and Brenda Hampton, Babe studied ballet, tap, and jazz through her senior year of high school and later added lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Additionally, she trained in gymnastics until the age of 12 at Michigan State University’s youth gymnastics program. As a student, she competed in regional competitions, had the opportunity to showcase her talents in many local performances, and was a dance assistant at her studio in her teen years.

Upon graduating high school, Babe chose to further her dance education at Lansing Community College. While at LCC she trained in ballet, tap, Jazz, and modern while supplementing her technique classes with courses in anatomy and dance history. Babe also attended numerous dance conventions and took master classes with many instructors.

After a brief period away from the dance world, Babe returned to classes in 2001 and has been a dance instructor since 2006. Though she has taught at several studios in the area, Babe is thrilled to be teaching at her home studio, Fusion Dance Center! She has a way with instilling the love of dance in our young dancers, which is so vitally important! When she’s not dancing, Babe enjoys watching sports, auto racing, traveling, and spending time with her husband Brent and their children – Skyler, Brody, and Breann.