Our staff

Leigh Johnson Roush is the artistic director and owner of the studio and  teaches all ages & ability levels. Leigh began studying dance at a  very young age and has trained under renowned instructors such as Edward  Villela, Marcus Alford, Kathryn Horne, Melissa Hayden, and Duncan  Noble. She has studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Wake  Forest University, and Eckerd College and was a principal with the  contemporary ballet company 'Dance Innovations' in St. Petersburg, FL.  Leigh is certified with high honors in classical ballet and modern dance  by Dance Educators of America and a certified instructor of Progressing  Ballet Technique. Leigh has been the director of AAD since 1990 and the  artistic director of the City Youth Ballet since 1998. Her students  have been accepted to study with the School of American Ballet, Boston  Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Washington Ballet,  Atlanta Ballet, and numerous others. Other students have continued their  dance training on the college level at schools such as New York  University, UNCSA, Pace University, East Carolina University, The School  in London, Virginia Commonwealth, University of Cincinnati, and Yale  University. Her students are performing professionally throughout the  U.S., on Broadway, on cruise ships, and teaching internationally. Leigh  has been honored with numerous awards for her choreography, staging, and  technical training. She has judged and taught master classes for  several dance competitions and companies throughout the United States.  Leigh has two grown sons, Jonas (actor), and Gabriel (ballet dancer),  and enjoys traveling and watching her (dance) kids perform.

Mr. Edmund teaches theatre and voice classes at AAD. Edmund began his performing career at age twelve, participating in the Lost Colony outdoor drama. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre, along with a minor in dance, from East Carolina University. Edmund has performed extensively along the East Coast, serving as a principal dancer with the Columbia City Ballet. He was also a principal performer in 'Horn in the West' and has contributed to performances and education at the Charlotte Children's Theatre. Edmund is a member of the stagehands union and has worked as a technician for various traveling Broadway productions. He is married to Leigh Roush, and they have two sons, Jonas and Gabriel.

A teacher at heart, Laura is always excited  to share her love of dance with students of all ages. She is certified  in Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, East Coast Swing, International Latin dances  including Jive, and Gymnastics Safety and Tumbling. Laura has also  trained extensively in Jazz, Tap and Musical Theater. She is the  production manager and choreographer for The Talent Company in  Albemarle. Laura has also been involved with Stanly County Dancing with  the Stars since 2012 as a producer and/or choreographer. 

Ms.  Julie is an instructor for AAD's young ballet, tap, tumbling and hip  hop classes.  Julie began her dance training at age three at Murphy  School of Dance, in Western North Carolina where she  continued her training for fifteen years. After completing teacher  training and an internship, she went on to teach all ages in a variety  of dance styles before moving to Stanly county.  Julie loves the feeling  of individuality, freedom, and confidence that dance gives and loves  watching her students discover the joy of dance.  In addition to dance,  Julie studied criminal justice and as an emergency medical technician.  Ms. Julie loves spending time with her daughter, Arabella, as well as  gardening and fishing.  

Caleb first started tap in 2017 at 12 years old at TDA in Scottsbluff, NE. He trained under Kyle Van Newkirk with TDA for a year before moving to Philadelphia where he trained under the Rock School for Dance Education for another three years. Under the Rock, he took both ballet and tap while also taking tap classes with the Koresh Dance Company. Caleb’s love of ballet and tap extended into his next Traineeship with Balletmet in Columbus, OH, where he was a trainee under the company’s ballet program and taught a beginners tap class for the academy. Up to present, Caleb is a Trainee with Charlotte Ballet, and hopes to continue his commitment and love for dance.  

Emma is a 17-year-old senior at West Stanly High School with extensive experience in dance and a dedication to the performing arts. Since the age of three, she has trained in various dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and pointe, at Albemarle Academy of Dance. She has been a member of the Showoffs competition team since 2015 and has performed in City Youth Ballet's production of The Nutcracker since 2014, taking on notable roles such as Clara and the Chocolate Lead.

In addition to her performance experience, she has attended summer intensives at prestigious institutions, including the University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Richmond Ballet. She has contributed to the choreography of many West Stanly Players’ productions.

Her career aspirations include becoming a professional dancer and ultimately teaching dance to inspire and mentor others.