Our Faculty
AMY YORK |
In Amy's 24 years of working with dance students, she has instructed students at various dance studios in Akron and Canton, OH and she completed student teaching and observations at Firestone Highschool for the Arts (a magnet school for the arts located in Ohio). Ms. York founded and directed Miracles in Motion Dance Academy (2002- 2010) and later founded True Impact Dance (2011), which is still thriving today. Amy is also the founding director of True Impact Arts Foundation, a local non-profit organization that supports continuing education in the arts opportunities for area students. Amy is the daughter of local artists, Robert and Sheila Fulks, and the wife of Olen L. York III, Esq. She has two daughters, Sara Elizabeth and Meredith LeAnne. |
SHARNICE TAYLOR |
Sharnice Taylor grew up in Beckley, WV where began her dance education at Beckley Dance Theatre School under the direction of Jerry Rose. During her studies at Beckley dance theater, Mrs. Taylor discovered her knack for hip hop and tap dancing. Mrs. Taylor particularly enjoyed studying tap under the instruction of Alyssa Young, also of Beckley Dance Theater. She has served as a high school dance coach and choreographer. She's also been involved in creating choreography for public high school musicals and served as dance captain for Theatre WV’s 2015 production of "Pippi Longstocking." Also, she has worked as a coach for Triple Threat Dance and Cheer Camp where she honed her ability to inspire youth to be their best. Mrs. Taylor continued her dance studies through Marshal University's theater program. Mrs. Taylor is currently teaching tap and modern dance at Marshall University and recently choreographed "It Don't Mean a Thing", "Interpretations", and "Rescue" for Marshall Dance Theater's spring concert. Sharnice is an active member of Jefferson Avenue Church of God where serves as a leader in the youth ministry, participates in drama ministry, and assists in organizing outreach events. Sharnice earned her Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (2018) from Marshall University, and is currently working towards earning her Masters in counseling with a clinical mental health emphasis. |
MORGEN STEPP |
Morgan Stepp began her dance training at ten years of age at Arts In Action, Hurricane, WV, where she studied ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, and jazz. Later, Miss Stepp served as a member of the Youth Dance Ensemble at River City Youth Ballet. While at the River City Youth Ballet, she continued her studies under Michelle Raider and Margaret Lieberman. Also, Morgan enjoyed performing in River City Youth Ballet's Nutcracker production as well as their annual winter and spring story ballets. In 2011, Morgan became a Company member at The Macholah Ballet of Scott Dept, WV, where she has performed many lead roles in their annual holiday production, The Nativity. She has participated in the WV Dance Festival 2009 and 2011. Morgan was privileged to attend Ballet Magnificat's Summer Dance Intensive in Jackson, Mississippi. During her summer study with Ballet Magificat, Miss Stepp was trained by Kathy Thibodeaux, Jiri Sebastian Voborsky, and may Ballet Maginifact professional dance company members. In addition to her work at True Impact Performing Arts, Morgan is currently a member of the teaching staff at the Macolah Ballet Company. Miss Stepp will also be creating choreography for True Impact's Youth Dance Company. |
TIFFANY BAKER |
Tiffany Baker is from Beckley, WV where she began her dance training at the age of four at Beckley Dance Theater under the direction of Jerry Rose. While studying at Beckley Dance Theater, Tiffany performed in yearly recitals, fall performances, spring concerts, and WV dance festival performances. Starting at the tender age of eight, Tiffany was cast in various roles for Beckley Dance Theater's yearly Nutcracker Ballet, including snow, flowers, and marzipan. She continued dancing with Beckley Dance Theater until the age of 18 .Tiffany's years spent studying dance at Beckley Dance Theater provided her with a good ballet foundation, a passion for the art form, and a desire to inspire generations to come to work hard in achieving their own goals. Tiffany graduated cum laude from Marshall University with BA in Psychology in 2006. She earned a Master's Degree in Education with a focus on preschool and preschool special needs in 2009 She is certified in a cardio-dance exercise program called Refit. Tiffany has been a member of True Impact's dance teaching staff for 4 years. During this time, Tiffany has successfully lead creative movement for toddlers as well as young children's ballet and tap classes. She has more recently began coaching level 3 and 4 ballet students. While at True Impact, Tiffany grows her own dance education skills through regular practice, studying our curriculum, and annual lesson plan meetings with our director, Amy York. She has a gift for inspiring young people to use their talents for Godly purposes. Mrs. Baker is a proud wife to Branden, mother of two boys, Noah and Luke, and one daughter, Ellie. Tiffany is an active member of River Cities Community Church. |
THERESA KOON |
Theresa Koon has a BA Elementary Education and an MA is Special Education from Marshall University. She is a homeschooling mother of 3 children, Jacob, Laney, and Leah. Mrs. Koon studied dance throughout her childhood at Helen Shaeffer's Studio of Dance, formerly of St. Alban's, under the direction of Rose McDonough. She has been teaching dance, specializing in True Impact's Pre-Dance Division, for five years. Theresa, an expert in early childhood education, understands the needs of our youngest learners.
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Amy (Fulks) York