Melissa Loyd

Melissa Loyd is originally from Staunton, Illinois. She graduated from SIUE in 2006, with a bachelors in Kinesiology and one in Theatre and Dance. She studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, movement fundamentals, dance pedagogy, theater, dance improvisations, history of dance, and lighting and sound. She has been a choreographer and dance instructor for 20 years. Melissa has performed in Summer Show Biz at SIUE with the credits of Dance in Concert and Bring Your Own Dance for a few years; as well as Oklahoma and A Chorus Line. She has also performed with top STL dance companies such as SIUE UDO, aTrek Dance Collective, and the Slaughter Project. Melissa currently owns Alton Academy of Dance in Godfrey, Illinois, and has been the owner since 2013. She began her teaching at Jam Dance Academy in 2003 and stayed there for six years, when she moved to AADS. In 2015, she created the AADS Competition Team. Since then, Melissa has continued to grow the team and has taken them to competitions like Stage One, Talent on Parade, Positive Vibes, and more. The AADS Competition Team has placed in the top ten at regionals and nationals, and have won many awards throughout the years. Melissa is dedicated and cherishes each and every dancer that comes through AADS

Gordon Cragg

Gordon Cragg began dance and gymnastics classes at the age of six with the Emma Ogle Studio of Dance. By the age of nine, he was a member of the Junior Olympics in Tumbling. Cragg continued dancing with the St. Louis Muny Opera, Six Flags and Opryland U.S.A. In addition, he worked on the Caribbean Cruise Lines as a dance educator. He appeared in Can't Stop the Music with the Village People and then traveled with the first National Tour Production of CATS. He has studied dance abroad and observed many outstanding teachers. He considers one of his greatest accomplishments the opportunity to share his love of dance with his students.

Meghan McAfoos

Enthusiastic, strong, and energy packed, Meghan has been involved in dance for over 20 years. Meghan began her dance education at the age of 5 at the Alton YWCA. She became a student teacher at the age of 13 and began teaching at the Florissant Missouri Community Center at the age of 16. Meghan has won numerous 1st place and high point awards. She has studied tap under Robert Reed III, founder of the St. Louis Tap Festival and Lane Alexander, founder of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP). She has performed in shows with several famous tap stars such as Van Porter, Diane Walker, Jimmy Slide, Donald O’Connor, and Savion Glover. She has performed with the St. Louis Hoofers Club at the Fox Theater, participated in the Detroit Tap Festival, Chicago Human Rhythm Project and Collins Production of “Tapping in the Twin Cities”. Meghan has grown solid dance roots in the Alton community and has plans to continue teaching for many years to come.

Shani Ray

Marcus Brown

Jessica Steward

Jessica is a 4th grade teacher by day. She is married with 3 daughters and lives in Alton. She was a competitive dancer for 10 years, a high school cheerleader and received a full scholarship for cheerleading from Lindenwood College. Since her competitive career, she has coached recreational gymnastics and assisted with their competitive team's dance program.

Rachel Lawler

Rachel Lawler is a graduate from SIUE (2020) where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre with a minor in Theatre and Dance. She trained in Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre/Broadway Styles, Tap, Improv, Acting, Voice, and Musical Theatre History. While at SIUE she was a member of University Dance Company, and performed in several shows including: Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Chicago (Hunyak), Mamma Mia (featured dancer/dance captain/assistant choreographer); Drowsy Chaperone (featured dancer); and Dance in Concert 2016-2019 in which she got to work with guest choreographers such as Nick Baylock, Joy Davis, and other guest artists. Since graduating she has performed in A Chorus Line (Judy Turner) and Spring Awakening (Wendla Bergman). In 2020, she began training in Ballroom, American Rhythm, Swing, and Club styles of dance. She is excited to share her love and passion for dance and Musical Theatre with her students.