Sierra Lekoy-

The Arts Company Director and Owner since 2013.

Sierra graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science and a certificate in Dance Choreography/Education. Sierra has over 30 years of dance experience and believes you should never stop learning and always challenge yourself. During her time at UNC she spent three years on Carolina's Opeyo dance team, and served as lead choreographer and teacher for two years. Sierra's training includes ballet, jazz, pointe, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip hop, tap and gymnastics. At Carolina she studied under The Hopkin's Dance Program and had the honor to study under the teachers and choreographers from the American Dance Festival such as Charles Anderson, Anjali Austin, Glenna Batson, Roger Belman, and Brenda Daniels.  Sierra has attended numerous dance conventions, professional training seminars, and both student and elite professional level competitions throughout her career in which she received numerous awards for both choreography and performance. Sierra along with many teachers from the studio has had the honor to have had many students accepted into college dance programs, pre professional programs and professional programs. We have an array of alumni who have continued in the dance field in various roles from teachers, lead choreographers as well as dancing.  Her passion has always been focused on the arts with an emphasis on dance and fitness. Sierra has continued her dance education through dance master teacher work since 2018 where she has had the oppurtunity to study under professional dance program coordinators from around the world, to bring back ever evolving and updated curriculum and methods to the town of Faison. Sierra strongly believes in honoring the gifts God has given her and finds joy in spreading that gift through teaching and by challenging students in their craft. She considers it an honor and blessing to be working with the incredible students and staff members at the Art's Company. Sierra continues to travel the world with her family but prioritizes the work and sacrifices it takes to give her studio the best that it deserves so that it can continue to strive and flourish. She prides herself in having a team that is educated, trained, experienced and most importantly dedicated to The ARTS Company family 

Mechelle Ward-Barksdale -  Mechelle Ward-Barksdale has been at The ARTS Company as office manager since 2009 under the director Leigh Williams and continued under the director Sierra Lekoy. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Cappella University. She has worked in the Human Service field for over twenty years. Working with developmental disabled children and adults, at-risk youth, homeless families, as an administrative assistant and a daycare teacher which has given her a diverse experience working with individuals and families. Mechelle has also volunteered with a number of organizations focusing on families. For years she was the leader of CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) at her home church and a youth group called “Tru 2 U”; that focused on teenage females being true to who they are as young women and respected, loving, and cherishing that. Mechelle heads up the studio's competition team fundraisers and serves as a link with parents to find ways to provide oppurtunities to all of our students. She was also the leader of the “Spiritual Gathering Circle” which was a group of woman from diverse ages and backgrounds that met and focused on women related issues and the importance of taking care of themselves mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Mechelle will be incoporating those same beliefs as well as physical education and training in her health and fitness class offered at the studio. Each year she looks forward to what is in store for  The Arts Company and all it will bring.