Elizabeth Smith (Dance Program Director/Teacher)

Elizabeth is a Junior at the University of Kansas and is majoring in Journalism with a focus in advertising. She is from Naperville IL a suburb outside of Chicago. She has 16 years of dance background, including the styles of hip hop, jazz and pom. She has been on two national champion dance teams, and has also worked with famous hip hop choreographers throughout her years of training. She loves teaching, especially hip hop and can not wait to share her love of dance to her students.

Becca Gordon (Teacher)

Becca is currently a sophomore at the University of Kansas with a major is Journalism and a minor in Communications. She is from Omaha, Neb., and has had 16 years of dance experience- nine of which were spent on a competitive dance team. She was also on her high school varsity dance team. Becca has had four years of experience with teaching dance classes including tap, jazz, hip-hop, and pom. Becca loves to teach dance and is very excited to be a part of LGA!

Kenna Sullivan (Teacher)

Kenna joins us from The University of Kansas where she is studying to be a Dance major. She is trained in various styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop. Kenna aspires to open her own dance center in the future but for now, is enjoying each class that she is sharing with our LGA students.

Amanda Davis (Substitute Teacher)

Amanda Davis joins the staff at LGA this year, bringing fifteen years of dance experience with her. Before taking a brief dance hiatus to complete her degree in English Education at KU, she enjoyed teaching ballet and tap classes at the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she received her own dance training. Amanda is thrilled to call LGA her new dance home!

Maria Thompson (Teacher)

Maria owned & operated 2 dance studios for 10 years.  In prior years, she taught for local studios & studied at renowned dance centers including The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance & Broadway Dance Center in New York City.  She was fortunate to study under the direction of Ruth Andrien (formerly of the Paul Taylor Company), Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance), Eddie Mecca (best known for his role as ‘Carmine’ on “Laverne & Shirley”) & tap legends LaVaughn Robinson & Phil Black.  She is a 1993 graduate of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Education.  An experienced teacher for all levels, Maria is happy to bring her experience & enthusiasm to our dance program.