Studio Faculty


Meredith Parks, Director

Acrobatic Arts Certified, Progressing Ballet Technique Certified, American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Certified PrePrimary - Level 3 Certified, Mental Wellness Certified Dance Educator

Meredith Parks was born and raised in Smithfield, Virginia and began her dance training at the age of 3 at Southside Ballet Studio under the direction of Leslie McGinn. While dancing at Southside Ballet Meredith performed at many community events, annual recitals, local competitions and in “The Nutcracker.” Upon graduation from Isle of Wight Academy Meredith performed as a dancer in The Lost Colony, America’s longest running outdoor drama, for two seasons. Meredith earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in dance at Radford University where she performed many lead roles in “The Nutcracker,” “Giselle,” "Graduation Ball," and “Swan Lake.” Meredith graduated with honors from Radford University and moved to Charleston, South Carolina where she performed with The Charleston Ballet Theatre during their 2001 and 2002 seasons. Meredith attended the Graduate School at the College of Charleston and graduated in 2005 with a Master’s of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education. She taught third grade for two years and was excited to find an available position teaching dance in the public school system in Dorchester District 2. Meredith served as a dance educator at Oakbrook Middle School for five years. She was awarded two $18,000 Arts Innovation Grants for arts related projects and has written several curriculum guides on both the local and state levels. Meredith received the honor of being named the Oakbrook Middle School “Teacher of the Year” in 2012. Meredith has continued her training and has earned certifications in Acrobatic Arts, Progressing Ballet Technique, and the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (PrePrimary - Level 3). Meredith is overjoyed to be back in the studio where her love for dance began and blossomed.

Leslie McGinn

Progressing Ballet Technique Certified

Trained in New York under Andre Eglevsky and was a member of the Eglevsky Ballet Company at the age of 16. Danced as a child in The Usdan Performing Arts Camp in New York. Performed with Fernando Bujones and George De La Pena in Coppelia, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and many more. Also studied at American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet in N.Y.C. Studied Jazz & Tap at Steps on Broadway. Attended Adelphi University majoring in dance, becoming the first freshman to perform in their dance company. Member of Chamber Ballet of Williamsburg and Young Audiences of Virginia. Director of Southside Ballet Studio since 1981. Leslie has choreographed and judged for many plays & beauty pageants. For the Smithfield Little Theater this fall Leslie will be choreographing "Peter Pan", other plays include, "Annie", "Dark Of The Moon and " Steppin' Out ". Won numerous awards for choreography at dance competitions and was awarded "Educator Of The Year" in Richmond through a nomination from The Governors School For The Arts.

Amanda Spivey Rogers

Amanda Rogers began dancing at the age of three at Southside Ballet Studio under the direction of Leslie McGinn. She was a member of the student dance company until graduating from high school. She received her BS in Psychology with a minor in dance and family studies from James Madison University in 2002 and her MA in Community Counseling from Regent University in 2008. Amanda began student teaching at Southside Ballet Studio as a teenager and has been teaching the senior company members consistently since 2002. She has a passion for dance education and assisting her students to reach their full potential.

Danielle Ann Glaser

Progressing Ballet Technique Certified and Acrobatic Arts certified

Danielle Glaser was born and raised in Long Island, NY. She began dance at the age of 3. After dancing for 9 years Danielle focused on competitive cheer and gymnastics which she excelled in and won multiple awards with her team at many local competitions along with competing at Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1999 Danielle and her husband Tommy moved to Smithfield, VA. In 2005 and 2009 they gave birth to their beautiful children Zoe and Ian. In 2009 Danielle enrolled her daughter Zoe in dance at Southside Ballet Studio and at the same time was able to fulfill her love for dance once again and became a Ballet/Tap Instructor. She has mentored competitive and recreational dancers at various competitions along with attending the DEA Teacher workshop in Richmond, VA where she worked with certified dance instructors who are very well known throughout the country. She implements both the pre-ballet and gymnastics syllabus into weekly lessons. Danielle brings a vast array of expertise. It is her high energy, sharp teaching skills and charismatic approach to her craft that makes Danielle’s class so captivating. She strives to help each student reach his or her potential.

Zoe Glaser

Zoe Glaser is a proud alumni of Southside Ballet Studio. She is currently attending Tidewater Community College, and intends on pursuing a career in Kinesiology and Health Sciences to become a physical therapist. Zoe grew up with the Southside Ballet family! She started dancing at Southside Ballet when she was three, continued through high school, and has transitioned into a teacher. Zoe attended the Governor's School for the Arts from 2019-2023 as a ballet major, and was a member of the Southside Ballet Student Company. She has earned many inspiring awards, special awards hand chosen by judges, the Nicole Ferguson Whaley Excellence in dance scholarship 2022, two regional competition titles, improv winner, and an array of placements in top overalls. In 2023 Zoe was given the amazing opportunity to dance as Sugar Plum in Southside Ballet and Footnotes School of Dance first annual production of The Nutcracker. I aspire to teach children the curriculum that was instilled into my training, which includes technique, creativity, and passion with the guidance of Southside Ballet Studio and the teachers that molded me into the dancer I am proud to say I am today. I am excited for this new journey with my Southside family and I anticipate to encourage and motivate the next generation of Southside dancers to be the best possible versions of themselves.

Riley Gallahorn

Riley Gallahorn started dancing at the age of six at various studios and eventually she found her home at Southside Ballet Studio in 2017. She was a member of the Southside Ballet Student Company until her high school graduation in 2022 and a dance captain her senior year. At the age of sixteen, she began student teaching in various classes and gained a passion for teaching dance to younger generations. Riley has performed many roles in our annual production of "The Nutcracker" and this year she will be entering her first dance in the Musical Theatre division of two regional competitions. Riley enjoys passing on her love of dance to others and making learning fun and inviting to all students. She believes in encouraging them to succeed in and outside of the studio.

Bekah Elmore

Bekah Elmore was born and raised in Mathews, Virginia, where she began dancing at the age of 11 years old at Diggs School of Dance. She soon became a member of the Bayside Youth Ballet Company, where she performed in many recitals, community performances and dance productions. After graduation Bekah earned her Bachelor’s degree in English at Christopher Newport University, where she continued to performe all four years on the Bluewave Dance team. Bekah is a former Preschool Teacher and current Pre-K Instructional Assistant at Hardy Elementary School. She is excited to share her love of dance and creativity with young children.