At The Arts Company, we believe great dance education starts with passionate, dedicated instructors who inspire, challenge, and support every student. Our teaching staff brings a wide range of experience, from professional performance and choreography to early childhood education and wellness. Each teacher is committed to creating a positive, encouraging space where dancers of all levels can grow in skill, confidence, and creativity.
We’re more than a team—we’re a family. Get to know the incredible educators who make our studio a place where students feel empowered, valued, and excited to dance!
Sierra Lekoy
Sierra Lekoy – Director & Owner of The Arts Company
Sierra Lekoy is the Director and Owner of The Arts Company, a role she has proudly held since 2013. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science along with a certificate in Dance Choreography and Education.
With over 30 years of dance experience, Sierra brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to her work. She believes in the importance of lifelong learning and consistently challenges both herself and her students to grow in their craft. During her time at UNC, Sierra was a member of Carolina’s Opeyo Dance Team for three years, serving as lead choreographer and teacher for two of those years.
Sierra’s training spans a wide range of disciplines including ballet, jazz, pointe, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and gymnastics. She studied under the esteemed Hopkins Dance Program at UNC and had the privilege of working with teachers and choreographers affiliated with the American Dance Festival, including master instructors from around the world.
Since 2018, Sierra has continued her dance education through her work as a master teacher, training pre-professional and professional dancers and studying under international dance program coordinators. Her commitment to excellence has led her to attend numerous dance conventions, professional training seminars, and competitions—earning multiple awards for both choreography and performance.
In addition to her teaching, Sierra serves as a technique and conditioning coach based in South Carolina and has had the opportunity to work and travel as a master teacher with dancers from across the globe. Under her leadership, several students from The Arts Company have gone on to be accepted into college dance programs, as well as pre-professional and professional training opportunities.
Sierra’s passion has always centered on the arts, with a special emphasis on dance and fitness. She considers it an honor and blessing to share her gifts, which she attributes to God, and takes great joy in nurturing the talents of her students. Her mission remains to bring high-quality dance education to the town of Faison, inspiring the next generation of artists and performers. She is grateful to her husband Tyler Lekoy and her three children who motivates her on a daily.
Cameron Shakur
Meet Cameron who is a working professional dancer and an Arts Co alumni who has worked as an assistant and private teacher with our hip hop, ballet, jazz, and contemporary curriculum over the past 9 years. He joins us as a lead teacher for his second year bringing the expertise of his training in both our curriculum and in numerous styles. Cameron has focused his training in all genres which includes master work with professional connections and master teachers from around the world over the past decade. He has trained with dance masters out of Faison (his home studio) and from across the globe. Cameron has competed locally and nationally receiving the highest rank in scoring, titles, as well as numerous scholarships, top recognitions and has spent years mastering his craft.
Ashley Luckett
Meet our teacher Ashley! Ashley has recently graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice, but her first love will always be dance. She has been dancing for 30 years and teaching for more than 20. Our students are in great hands with Ashley Her dance experiences have included dancing with semi-professional and professional companies in tap, ballet, and modern in 2 states. One of the highlights of Ashley’s career has been dancing on the stage with Gregory Hines and getting to meet him and talk to him backstage. Ashleys experience as a professional dancer and teacher brings an expertise that we are excited to have.
Mechelle Ward
Mechelle Ward has been an essential part of The Arts Company since 2009, originally serving as office manager Over the years, she has become a cornerstone of the studio’s operations, student outreach, and community support.
Mechelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Capella University. With over 25 years of experience in the human services field, she has worked with developmentally disabled children and adults, at-risk youth, homeless families, and in early childhood education. Her diverse background allows her to connect meaningfully with students and families, creating a supportive and nurturing environment at the studio.
In addition to her administrative role, Mechelle leads the studio’s competition team fundraisers and serves as a vital link between parents and staff—helping create opportunities for all of our dancers. She believes deeply in the importance of caring for the whole person: mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Mechelle has trained in The Arts Company’s curriculum with a special emphasis on partnering, technique, Choreography review and strengthening alongside acro. This past season, she brought that training into the classroom, enhancing our program with her unique perspective and energy.
Belinda Ward
