Gina Tincher
Founder
Gina opened Capital City Dance Studio in 1969 to bring the love of dance to the children of our community. She was a professional dancer in London, England before moving to Kentucky. Gina is a member of Dance Masters of America and a charter member of the Bluegrass Chapter of DMA. Her love of dance has inspired youngsters throughout the years to experience the grace, beauty and energy of her art.
Laurie Meyer
Owner & Director
Laurie has been dancing since age 5, when her mother, Gina Tincher, opened CCDS in 1969. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School and the University of Kentucky. Laurie is a member of Dance Masters of America (DMA) and a charter member of the Bluegrass Chapter of DMA. She is currently the owner/director of CCDS. "It is a privilege to watch the children and grandchildren of our former students as current students!"
Ryan Allison
Mondays, West Studio A & B; Wednesdays West Studio A
Ryan has danced for 15 years at Capital City Dance Studio. She is a graduate of The Frankfort Christian Academy and is currently attending Georgetown College, where she is a member of the Georgetown College Dance Team. During a dance intensive held at CCDS, Ryan was selected to attend Phoenix Fire Elites 2019 Dance Intensive in New York City. She was recently invited back to be an apprentice this summer. In her spare time, Ryan enjoys reading, watching movies and Broadway shows. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with others and is excited to continue dancing with her Capital City Dance Studio family.
Christopher Atwood
Wednesdays, West Studio A
Chris began dancing at Capital City Dance Studio at the age of 9 and danced for 10 years. During this time, he was a Teachers’ Assistant with many of our staff members. He became an instructor after high school graduation and continued for seven years. After a brief absence to pursue his career with Panera Bread Company, we are thrilled to have him return! Currently Chris manages his own café in Louisville as an Operating Partner and Training GM. Chris is very exited to be returning to CCDS and is ready for the many new faces he will see!
Sarah Bishop
Wednesdays, West Studio B
Sarah has been dancing since age three, when she began classes at CCDS. She is a graduate of Western Hills High School and the University of Kentucky, where she minored in dance and was a member of the UK Dance Ensemble. She has been an instructor at CCDS for many years, and currently teaches pointe, pre-pointe, and lyrical. She loves watching her students grow and develop as dancers each year. She and her husband have three children, including twin girls who have been her students at CCDS.
Caroline Carter
Tuesdays, West Studio A
Thursdays, West Studio B
Caroline is a graduate of Franklin County High School and Western Kentucky University. She was a student at Capital City Dance Studios for many years and also served as a teaching assistant. Caroline was a member of the Franklin County High School dance team and later became the Head Coach. She continued her dance education by enrolling in dance courses at WKU. Caroline has been teaching at CCDS since 2013. CCDS has been a second home to Caroline and each year, she is excited to instruct a new group of students in what has been a lifelong passion of her own.
Jaime Carter
Mondays & Wednesdays, West Studio A
Jaime has danced at CCDS since she was six, and has taught for the last 23 years. She graduated from Anderson County High School in 2001 and from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Interpersonal Communication in 2005. Jaime is a member of Dance Masters of the Bluegrass and certified by DMA in ballet and jazz. She and her husband, Doug, have been married 19 years and they have four children: A.J., Danica, Joel, and Keren. Jaime’s favorite part of teaching is challenging her students with something new and having them come back the next week having improved or mastered it.
Paige Catron
Wednesdays, West Studio B
Paige began dancing at CCDS at the age of 3. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School, where she was a member of the Flyer Dance Team and served as co-captain her senior year. Paige is currently attending Transylvania University and is a member of the Transylvania Dance Team. In April of 2022, she was able to compete in National Dance Alliance Collegiate Nationals, where her team placed 4th. Paige loves getting to share her love of dance with the students at Capital City!
Artie Eastman
Thursdays, East Studio
Artie was a student of CCDS for twelve years and became an instructor after graduating Franklin County High School in 2003. She is a graduate of Georgetown College, and has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Artie loves watching the confidence that students gain through dance. She and her husband have one child, who is also a student at CCDS.
Kayla Fallis
Wednesdays, East Studio
Kayla began dancing at CCDS at the age of three. She danced for fifteen years and was a teaching assistant for seven years. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School where she was a 4-year member of the FCHS Dance Team. She is also a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she received her certification in Elementary Education. Kayla coached the FCHS Dance Team for four years after graduating college. She has been an instructor at CCDS for 13 years and has worked with students ranging from ages 4-18. She loves watching her students grow as dancers and gain the confidence and passion for something that has meant so much to her throughout her life.
Emily Goodwin
Tuesdays and Thursdays, West Studio B
Emily has been an instructor at CCDS since 2012 working with students age 2-14. Her favorite dance styles are jazz and tap. She has been a dance coach in local schools for many years and has held the head coach, and now the assistant coach position, for the Flyer Dance Team. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School and Eastern Kentucky University for both her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders and Masters of Public Health. “I love watching my students grow and passing along that passion and love for dance in the studio where I grew up. I love being a part of the CCDS family!”
Taylor Hackett
Wednesdays, West Studio A
Taylor began dancing at Capital City Dance Studio at the age of 7. Involved in several classes, he quickly figured out that tap, jazz, and lyrical were his forte! Throughout Taylor's high school years, he was involved in several duets and group routines that won awards at the state level. Several years after student teaching both through and after high school, Taylor developed CCDS's first all boy's hip-hop and tap class. Taylor's passion is just simply to teach his students about the love of dance and to pass along what he has learned over his many years being involved with Capital City Dance Studio. Currently living in Louisville, Taylor commutes to the studio to teach and help other teachers. "This dance floor and this studio is my home."
Isabella Hardison
Wednesdays, East Studio
Izzy has been dancing with Capital City since she was four years old and has been a Teachers’ Assistant for seven years. In her time assisting, she assisted every age group and style of dance offered. She recently graduated from Franklin County High School. She was a four year member of the FCHS dance team and a senior leader her final year. Izzy will be furthering her education at Eastern Kentucky University. While at EKU she will be majoring in pre-occupational science to later obtain her Doctorate in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Izzy is excitedly anticipating the start of the dance year and cannot wait to share her knowledge and her passion for the sport with all of her students!
Brooklyn Lee
Wednesdays, East Studio
Saturdays, West Studio A
Brooklyn began dancing at Capital City Dance Studio when she was 4 years old and continued to love the art for 14 years. She’s always had a love for dance of all styles and has a passion for children. She’s volunteered at several daycares and truly enjoys molding little ones into the best versions of themselves. Brooklyn graduated from Franklin County High School and will attend Kentucky State University pursuing a career in Business Administration in hopes of leading people into a healthy relationship with working out. Brooklyn has always treasured CCDS as an outlet to express herself with dance and cannot wait to pass on her knowledge onto others.
Lauren Rose
Mondays, East Studio
Lauren Rose began dancing at CCDS at the age of 4 and has been teaching at the studio for the past 21 years. She is a graduate from Franklin County High School and the University of Kentucky. Lauren was a four-year member of the University of Kentucky Varsity Dance Team. She was also an NFL cheerleader with the Cincinnati Bengals. Lauren has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and is passionate about teaching children as her profession as well as sharing her love of dance with the students of Capital City Dance Studio.
Abigail Sexton
Mondays, East Studio
Abigail joined our teaching staff in 2019. She began dancing at Capital City Dance Studio at the age of 3 and continued for the next 14 years. She is a graduate of Franklin County High School and Georgetown College. Abigail was a 3-year member of the FCHS Dance Team and a 4-year member of the GC Tiger Dance Team, serving as captain her senior year. She graduated from Georgetown in 2018 with a BA in Communication and Media Studies. Abigail is currently the head dance coach at Elkhorn Middle School. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my love of dance with my students at a studio that has been such a huge part of my life!
Kristie Wooldridge
Mondays, West Studio B
Kristie started dancing at CCDS at age 3. She is a graduate of Western Hills High School and Eastern Kentucky University, and was a four-year member of the WHHS Dance Team and the EKU Dance Team. As a CCDS student Kristie helped as a teaching assistant, and as a teacher, she has taught ages 3 through 14. Kristie and her husband, Andrew, have two daughters, Nora and Natalie. “My favorite way to express myself is through dance, and I feel honored to be able to share that passion with our students.”
Stephanie Wooldridge
Wednesdays West Studio A
Thursdays, West Studio A
Stephanie has been with the studio for nearly 45 years as a student, assistant and teacher, having received additional training with the Lexington Ballet Company. She is a graduate of Western Hills and Georgetown College, having earned her National Board Certification for Teachers in 2006. Stephanie is presently a teacher with the Franklin County Schools’ Virtual Academy. She is a past coach of the WHHS Wolverine Dance Team. She and her husband, Steve, have two children, Shelby and Nicholas.
Tara York
Thursdays, West Studio A
Tara began dancing at the age of 3 at CCDS. She is a 2014 graduate of Franklin County High School holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. She currently teaches music to kindergartners at the Early Learning Village. She enjoys sharing her love and passion for music and dance and watching her students grow and find confidence. “CCDS holds a special place in my heart. Not only has it grown my love for dance over the years, but it is in this studio where I found my love for teaching when I was a dance assistant as a teenager.” She and her husband, Sam, have one son, Henry.