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Our Teachers
Owner/Director, Shelly Stansell, specializes in classical ballet technique, pointe, partnering, jazz,
and modern styles of dance. She began her training in Ormond Beach, Fl under the direction
of Germaine Bledsoe of the Berlin Opera Ballet. She continued her training and professional
career in Knoxville, Tn under the direction of Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney, Owner/Director of
Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts and dance faculty at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Mrs. Stansell also holds a BSN from Auburn University, which she utilizes in the classroom for teaching the dancers anatomy and physiology related to dance, as well as injury prevention and care. Mrs. Stansell
teaches a variety of levels and styles of dance, as well as directing and choreographing for Auburn Pointe's "Allegro Dance Company".
When not teaching, Mrs. Stansell enjoys creating costumes for her students, and posting
pictures of her cats Pickles and Penelope "helping" her. She is married to her college boyfriend,
Reese, and has three wonderful children, all of whom can be found dancing at the studio.
Carol Smith
Shelly Stansell
Carol Smith began her classical ballet training at the Royal Academy of Dance in Surrey,
England. In 1971 she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and continued her training at the Stone
Camryn School and the Page Foundation under the direction of Larry Long and Delores
Lipinsky.
While in Chicago, Ms. Smith performed in numerous classical ballets including "Sleeping
Beauty", "Swan Lake", "Les Sylphides", and "Coppelia". She began her 36 year teaching
career as an assistant to former Bolshoi dancer Inesse Alexandrovich.
Ms. Smith works with our advanced level dancers, and can be seen substituting for teachers in
various classes throughout the week. Ms. Smith is a very encouraging and kind teacher with a
tremendous expertise in teaching classical ballet. We are very proud to have her in our program.
Ellie Coop
Ellie Coop comes to Auburn Pointe from Alpheretta, Ga where she trained for 9 years in ballet, modern, and jazz at the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre under the direction of Maniya Barredo. She has also trained at several summer intensives, including Joffrey Midwest, Magnus Midwest, and Orlando Ballet where she was awarded many scholarships for her exceptional talent, including a majority scholarship to the Orlando Ballet, and a full scholarship from the Southeast Regional Ballet Association. Miss Coop has performed many lead roles in ballets including Coppelia, Giselle, and The Nutcraker, as well as performing lead roles in numerous original works within the Southeast Regional Ballet Association. We are thrilled to have her on staff to share with our students from her extensive training and performance experience, and look forward to seeing all the wonderful talent she will produce through our school.
Abby Stansell began her ballet training at age 3 in Ormond Beach, Fl and has continued her training in Knoxville, Tn and Birmingham, AL. She has trained extensively in Ballet, Pointe, and Modern under the direction of Juliard alumnae Martha Faesi and Terri Weksler at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Abby has also participated in summer intensives with the Montgomery Ballet and Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, MS. She has performed lead roles from such notable ballets as The Nutcracker and Coppelia, and has performed numerous solos from original works within her training establishments. Abby has been teaching ballet and modern for several years, and has recently begun working with our pointe 1 students. She is a gifted dancer and teacher, and brings much enthusiasm and expertise to the students.
Abby Stansell
Contact
1100 South College Street, Suite 202, Auburn, Al 36832
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