• 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 continued to train and perform with the River City Youth Ballet Ensemble. 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.

    As a choreographer, Mrs. Lauren brought The Nativity Ballet to life, an annual Christmas ballet, that is celebrating 12 years ministering to the community. She has also choreographed many other original ballets including Pilgrims Progress, The Prodigal, No Other Name, True Love, The Hymn Project, The New Jerusalem, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, and more.

    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 5th 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 is a recent graduate from our Senior Company at the Macholah Ballet, and has been dancing for 15 years total, with 11 years at the Mac.

    She has performed in many of the company’s shows, and has had lead roles in both the annual productions of the Nativity and spring recitals!

    Outside of the studio, she is currently attending Marshall University, and is majoring in Exercise Science!

    Miss Emma is excited to begin her third year teaching at The Mac! This year she will be instructing Company Pointe, Ballet 7, and Junior Lyrical!

  • Meagan Goode-Lane 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!

    Mrs. 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.

    Mrs. Meagan is an Autism Mentor by day and a dance teacher by night!

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

  • My name is Olivia Spears, and this will be my third season teaching tap and jazz here at the MAC. I grew up dancing at WV Dance where I experienced all different styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop at both the recreational and competitive levels. In my teenage years I danced at St. Albans Studio of dance where I continued my dance training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop again in both a recreational and competitive environment. While at St. Albans Studio of dance I had the opportunity to dance in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Spirit of America dance group.

    In conjunction with dance, I grew up participating in local theatre and acting classes both at The Alban and Children's Theatre of Charleston. Throughout college I continued to take dance classes for both tap and jazz.

    In addition to my years of dance training I also hold a M.S. in Communication Science and Disorders from Marshall University and am currently a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist. 

  • Elise Ambler danced with the Macholah Ballet for 10 years, 3 of those as a Company dancer. Although scheduling difficulties prevented her from continuing as a student, Elise loved Ballet and the welcoming, Christ-centered community offered by the Mac too much to stay away. Backed by 3 years as a Dance Teacher Assistant, she is beyond excited for her first year as a Staff Teacher at the Mac!

    Outside of dance, Elise is a homeschooled Junior in high school. She attends Risen King Church, where her dad is the Pastor, and which is within walking distance from her house! The oldest of 6 siblings, Elise loves kids and is passionate about teaching. She is working towards becoming a certified tutor in Barton, a program for dyslexic students. Additionally, Elise will have the opportunity this Spring to staff with TeenPact Leadership Schools, a Christian organization that teaches teens about the political process and Christian leadership. 

    She loves reading, creating artwork out of Bible verses, and having deep discussions with anyone under the sun.

    Elise will be teaching our Ballet 2 students and cannot wait to show the joy of dancing and the love of Christ to these girls!

  • 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.

  • Mrs. Carly Garrett brings over 20 years of dance experience to the studio. Her training began at Dancing Unlimited in Hurricane, West Virginia, where she developed a foundation in a variety of styles and techniques. She continued her performance journey on Hurricane Middle School’s dance team and as a member of the Hurricane Red Hot and Heat Wave Show Choirs in high school.

    Mrs. Carly went on to pursue Elementary Education with a minor in Musical Theatre at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she performed with the dance team and held a lead role in Godspell: The Musical. After transferring to Marshall University, she began teaching at True Impact Dance Studio for a short period. She was later introduced to The Macholah Ballet Company’s adult program, where her passion for dance continued to grow. 

    Outside of dance, Mrs. Carly is a first-grade teacher at Dunbar Primary School in Dunbar, West Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Processes and Strategies. She also serves in her church as a vocal worship leader and enjoys spending time with her family.

    This year, Mrs. Carly will be teaching Adult Jazz and Beginning Jazz. She looks forward to helping dancers grow not only in their technical abilities, but also in their personal journeys with the Lord. 

  • Kinsey has been dancing for 14 years in total, 11 of them have been with the Mac. She was a teachers assistant for 3 years before teaching her first class in the 2024-2025 season. Kinsey has had the privilege to go to Ballet Magnificat! the past two summers to participate in their annual SDI. She has also had the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with the Charleston Ballet and a guest soloist at the art showcase at George Washington High School! Kinsey is also a senior company member with Macholah and has been in many ballets such as The Nativity Ballet, The Watchmakers Daughter, Prodigal Son, and many more!

    Outside of dancing, Kinsey loves to read, bake, and spend time with her friends. She attends George Washington High School and has the honor of being in National Honor Society and Beta Club at her school. She loves to serve her community and help out anytime she can. Kinsey also loves to go to the beach and all things summer related!

    Kinsey is so excited to share both her passion for Christ and her passion for dance to all her students and the community at Macholah!