

Danielle Sorum
Owner, instructor, & competition director
Ms. Danielle has been a teacher of dance for thirty years. She has been teaching all dance styles to students aging from 2 to 42. Ms. Danielle received her Bachelors of Fine Arts (Dance) from Western Michigan University and her Masters of Fine Arts (Dance) from the University of Michigan where she also taught for two years. Ms. Danielle served as the University of Michigan-Flint’s Dance Director for 4 years where she was awarded The Michigan Compact Campus Award for her commitment to the community and her students. Her choreography has been regionally recognized and viewed locally on several musical theatre main stages. Ms. Danielle has studied choreography with Cliff Kueter, Jan Ekert, Peter Sparling, Joel Hall and Frank Hatchett.


Ashlynn Feige
Instructor
Ms. Ashlynn is a graduate of the University of Michigan Flint, where she received her Bachelor's degree as their first graduating Dance major in 2017. Before that, she began her dance education at age 3 at the Flint School of Performing Arts. She has been involved in musical theatre through the years and most recently portrayed Mary Poppins in the musical Mary Poppins. Ms. Ashlynn loves to share her music, and dance knowledge with her students.


Kylee Flaherty
Assistant Competition Director
Ms. Kylee danced for 6 years at Linden Dance Academy and lead the competition company her senior year. She has earned multiple scholarships and special awards including 1st place for her solo at Star Systems National Dance Competition in 2021. She has assistant taught for 4 years and is on her second year of teaching. She is continuing her study of dance at University of Michigan-Flint.


Abbey Tischbein
Instructor
I am Abbey Tischbein, I will be a senior at linden high school. I’m doing cosmetology at GCI and plan to graduate with my license. I am currently working at a daycare. I’ve been working there for over two years. I have danced for about 7 years, and assisted for 6 years. This will be my first year teaching as a teacher at Linden Dance Academy and I am so excited!


Bethany Lenhart
Distinguished Instructor F.C.C.A.
Bethany Lenhart is currently on the National Board of Directors for the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA), holding the Advanced Certification (FCCA) as a Fellow member. Her earlier service to CCA, has expanded in such roles as President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Liaison Coordinator, and General Board Chairman. She received the Sylvia Hamer/Margaret Marsh Scholarship and attended the Cecchetti Teacher’s Course in England. She has choreographed for several regional dance companies in the USA, Canada and was associated with the former Flint Ballet Theatre for 28 years. Lenhart has achieved numerous International accolades as well as has received the Children’s champion Award and is listed in the International Who’s Who of Professionals.


Ella Dennis
Instructor
I am Ms. Ella and I specialize in hip hop choreography. I have been dancing for the majority of my life but was a competitive dancer during high school. During this time, I won multiple high point awards as well as made Rainbow National finals in the advanced senior solo division. I have always been in love with hip hop and now focus my studies on it while I pursue dance and business at the University of Michigan Flint and Ann Arbor. I am the current baton twirler for The University of Michigan Marching Band and love to represent Michigan at baton competitions.


Emma Riley
Instructor
Hi! My name is Emma Riley! I am a dual enrolled senior at both Linden High School and Mott Community College working towards my masters degree in Elementary Education, that I will complete through Grand Valley State University. I have been dancing since I was 2 and moving into my 6th year of competitive dance. I have studied Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, African dance, Contemporary, and Lyrical. On top of that, I am also a nationally placed soloist. I am so excited to help share my love of dance and grow the amazing young minds we have here at LDA!


Gracie Cartwright
Instructor
Gracie Cartwright continues to teach on our staff for her third year! She is our experienced tap instructor that focuses on choreography and entertainment. Ms. Gracie grew-up in the dance studio studying contemporary, lyrical, tap, jazz, ballet and improvisation. She has served on the LDA competition team for many years and earned several regional & national awards for team, as well as various solo and duet recognition. Ms. Cartwright is a student at Saginaw Valley State University.


Lacia Franklin
Guest Instructor
Ms. Lacia has been dancing since she was six years old. She graduated Cum Laude from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in dance. She joined the Linden Dance Academy family in 2015 where she has taught various dance styles including: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern/Contemporary, and Lyrical. Ms. Lacia also assists with the Linden Dance Academy Competition Team. In 2022 Ms. Lacia joined a professional dance company, Dance Uprising, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In this company she works collaboratively with the other company members as a dance performer and choreographer.


Shannon Tischbein
Beloved Teacher Forever Remembered, Never Forgotten
Ms. Shannon had partnered with her Tischbein crew to bring us amazing stage sets and props to our studio. She instructed our youngest dancers through combination levels of Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. Her choreography was hailed to be entertaining and innovative. She will be always remembered by the LDA family.