Shannon Thomas is a distinguished dance educator and choreographer, deeply committed to fostering excellence both on and off the dance floor. With over two decades of teaching experience, Shannon’s pedagogical approach is rooted in the principles of discipline, integrity, and professionalism, ensuring the highest standards in technique and performance. Her choreography seamlessly blends contemporary innovation with age-appropriate artistry, allowing students to express their individuality while mastering technical precision.

Trained under esteemed instructors at Oklahoma City University, Shannon’s expertise extends to dance pedagogy and choreography principles, positioning her as a technical master instructor across a range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. As the award-winning director of The Legacy Stars Competition Team, her choreography has garnered widespread acclaim at prestigious competitions throughout Florida. Shannon’s students consistently excel in various facets of the entertainment industry, reflecting the depth and impact of her comprehensive instruction.

Madelynn Colburn, originally from Port Orange, Florida, has been dancing since she was three years old. Madelynn was taught by Shannon Thomas since she was eight years old, Madelynn knew then that she wanted to pursue a career in dance because of the positive impact Shannon had on her.

Madelynn graduated in May of 2019 from Florida Southern College, Lakeland with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Business Administration. During her time at FSC, she danced in works by Jen Guy Metcalf, Kim Karpanty, Sharon Wong, Carol Erkes, Erin LaSala, Leah Pinder, Gerald Opdenaker, and Sarah Walston.

Madelynn is a recipient of the “Most Improved Dancer Award” and the “Rising Choreographer Award. Madelynn also co-directed the senior BFA dance concert in the spring of 2019.

Madelynn has taught ages three to eighteen in all genres of dance at The Legacy Dance Studio since graduating with her BFA. Madelynn has choreographed for Volusia County Schools Show Choirs and Dance Teams. Madelynn is also a professional photographer that specializes in Dance Portraits.

Madelynn is beyond grateful to continue her journey teaching at The Legacy Dance Studio and to be working with The Legacy Stars Competition Team this season.

Ava Chappell grew up training and competing with The Legacy Dance Studio in Port Orange, Florida. She dedicated herself to weekly classes in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Tap. Passionate about her growth, she also took extra classes at studios like Orlando Ballet, Underground Movement, and Motiv, as well as attending the Art of Movement Intensive in between seasons. With advancing years, she began teaching and choreographing at Legacy and at other local studios. It was around this time she began to discover the power of movement as a tool of expression. During her senior year of high school, she was presented with the opportunity to choreograph her first group dance. “Goodbye” was recognized for its heartfelt yet innovative choreography and was awarded countlessly throughout the season. She knew immediately that choreography true vocation. After graduating high school, she continued to gain experience teaching and choreographing locally while also upping her exposure to professional level training. Her competition numbers continued to take home awards and overalls such as Mark of Excellence “Group Excellence Award” or Heat’s “Choreography Award”.

In September of 2022, Ava spent 10 days in Southern France, training under the guidance of one of the UK’s most influential commercial contemporary choreographers, Lukas McFarlane. Her performance and choreography can be seen in Lukas’s “A Love Story” which was filmed and produced in the very heart of Toulouse. She also joined Embody Dance Conference as an assistant in 2022, a non-profit competition and convention with a mission to create a safer, more inclusive dance community. It was here that she grasped the significance of fostering a secure and empowering atmosphere in her classes. This year, Ava has trained and performed with Rudy Abrue as a part of New Era Dance Company in Hit The Floor’s All Star Showcase in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Most recently, she was a performer in Jacksonville’s Women’s Art Exchange.

Now, Ava’s style of movement is derived predominantly from improvisation and inner exploration. Ava believes that movement is a reflection of an individual’s deepest life experiences. She is blessed to continue her journey as a teacher, choreographer, and artist.

Chloe started her dance career in Ohio, where she was born & raised. Chloe has taught a big variety of classes for all different ages, but her favorite is hip hop, & contemporary. She has been dancing since age 4. Chloe’s choreography has won many awards at competitions, including the “Golden Ticket” to Worlds. Chloe started as a dance teacher in Ohio for 7 years, and is now going into her 2nd year of teaching in Port Orange at Legacy.

When Chloe isn’t at the dance studio, she works at Advent Health full time as a consumer access specialist for phlebotomy. She also enjoys fishing, cooking, & adventuring with her fiancé.

Chloe is so excited for the new season. She has loved every second of working with the Legacy students and can’t wait for another amazing year!