ACCD Dance Instructors 

Lynne has been the Owner and Artistic Director of ACCD for over 30 years. She holds a BA degree in Dance & Theatre from Old Dominion University and was one of the founding members of the Old Dominion University Dance Theatre. She attended intensive studies with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She is the Director of the Fusion Dance Team, which is the competitive team housed at the Academy. Fusion has been recognized as a top dance team in the Hampton Roads area winning many top awards such as Best Technique award, Top Studio, Most Professional and most recently was nominated for an Industry Dance Award in the Musical Theatre category. A mission for Lynne over the years has been to offer students of all levels the very best in dance education in a healthy, structured environment. 

Nikia holds a BA in Dance from Old Dominion University and is a graduate of the Governor's School for the Arts. Niki has been on staff at ACCD for 15 years. She has been a member of Second Wind Dance Ensemble, a guest choreographer at the Governor's School for the Arts and the University Dance Theatre (ODU). Nikia performed as the opening act for the James Brown concert at the Hampton Coliseum and was the choreographer for the Jamz Festival held at the Hampton Coliseum. She is Co- Director of the Fusion Dance Team and has been recognized with numerous awards on both the regional and national level. Some of these awards include Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, and Top Studio of the Day! Her innovative vision has been an integral part in getting Fusion Dance Team on the map as leading dance team in the Hampton Roads area.

Tamika (Niki's twin sister!) holds a BA in Dance from Old Dominion University and is also a graduate of the Governor's School for the Arts. She has been a guest instructor with the Old Dominion University Dance Department and guest choreographer for University Dance Theatre (ODU) and the Governor's School for the Arts. Tamika is a member of the Second Wind Dance Ensemble and a guest choreographer for the Virginia Stage Company. She performed as the opening act for the James Brown concert at the Hampton Coliseum and was the choreographer for the Jamz Festival held at the Hampton Coliseum. Tamika is a lead dance instructor at Booker T. Washington High School's dance academy located in Norfolk, Virginia. She is also a lead choreographer for Fusion Dance Team. Her work has been recognized on both the regional & national level. 

Samuel Holley, native to Virginia Beach, VA has been a dance educator for over 15 years and has trained in all styles, tap being his passion. As a former studio owner, experienced adjudicator, and dance team director, he has been recognized and awarded for outstanding choreography and most entertaining numbers. Throughout his career, he has trained with well renowned instructors and choreographers. He frequently serves as guest choreographer to many awarding winning studios across the country and collegiate dance teams. Samuel began adjudicating 10 years ago to inspire students to strive for excellence and reach their full potential in a fun, positive, and constructive way. Samuel is excited to share his knowledge and experience with all of you.

Jennifer Wheeler was born and raised in the tidewater region of Virginia. She started dancing at the age of 7 in local dance studios. Jennifer graduated with a BA in dance and theatre from Old Dominion University in 2001. During her time there, she was a lady Monarch Dance Team member, as well as a performer and choreographer for the ODU dance concerts. She went on to teach Dance Technique for local studios as well as Tidewater Community College and Salem High Schools Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Jennifer has choreographed many high school productions which include; Hairspray, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Sugar, Guys and Dolls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and Pippin. In 2005, she opened her own studio; Transitions Dance Company; which became a sister studio to the Academy of Classical and Contemporary Dance for six years. Eventually merging the two companies, Jennifer is currently a dance instructor and choreographer for the Fusion Dance Team at ACCD. Other achievements include; Governors Magnet teacher award, as well as writing Dance Education curriculum for the Virginia Beach School Board of Education.

Autumn Laufer has a B.S. Degree in Dance Education from Radford University and a VA state teaching license for K-12 in Dance. While her formal training didn't begin until her freshman year of college, she always knew dance was what she was meant to do. For the past 15 years, she has been teaching and choreographing various styles of dance, beginning with hip hop and then branching into all other styles. Currently she specializes in improvisation, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. While her passion is dance education, she has also worked and performed with various musicians live and in music videos, as well as been a cirque performer. Autumn also has a background in coaching competitive and all star cheer and dance as well as high school dance and step teams. Behind the scenes, she has been a part of the production side, working on the Victoria's Secret Fashion show for 2 years in NYC, and the CFDA awards hosted by Anna Wintour. She currently works as a choreographer for Book a Flash Mob based out of NYC and is an adjudicator with World Class Talent Experience dance competition. In her spare time she collects and sells vintage clothing and loves to spend time with her family and 3 pups.