Caroline Keener
Founder, Artistic Director
Teacher, Choreographer
Caroline’s first ambition in life was to open a dance school (and a unicorn farm) and has been building her business over several years (the dance school not the unicorn farm). Caroline has worked as an actress, dancer and singer on the professional stage globally. Since moving to the DC area in 2009 she has been worked professionally as a Choreographer, Medical Dance Therapist, Dance Instructor and Performer. She is passionate about providing a reputable performing arts education available to everyone despite physical or economical limitations while also being prestigious enough to contribute to student preparation for professional dance and theatre. Her focus is not on profit, trophies or “fluff “ but artistry, encouragement and unadulterated performing arts education. She aims to provide curriculum that is physically, mentally and emotionally appropriate for each individual student and laden with imagination, awareness and injury prevention.
Training & Education
Texas Christian University
BFA Performance, emphasis: Musical Theatre, Pre-medical Sciences
Fort Worth, TX
George Mason University
Dance, Human Biology
Fairfax, Virginia
The Gaiety School of Acting
Movement, Voice, Acting, Devising
Dublin, Ireland
University of California, Irvine
Drama,Dance
Irvine, CA
The San Diego Ballet Company
High Desert Dance Studio
High Steppers Dance Studio
Joffrey Ballet
Joan Golden Dance Studio
Shenanigans Youth Theatre
Maple School of Irish Dance
Culkin School of Irish Dance
The End Film Productions
Nicole Duis
Dance Instructor, Choreographer
Ms. Nicole has been dancing since the age of two and has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern and Latin. She was Captain of the Latin Dance Team in High School. She went on to pursue her love of dance and theater at Montgomery College in MD, where she was a member of their Dance Company. During her time there she had the opportunity to study under choreographers Alvin Mayes and Daniel Burkholder. From there she began to work as a choreographer/ performer in the DC Metro Area. Performance credits include: Willy Wonka, Children of Eden, Annie, Brigadoon, Hello, Dolly!, Gypsy. Choreography credits include: Children of Eden, Willy Wonka, Annie, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Pajama Game, Avenue Q, Rent, Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Footloose, Hairspray and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Both Hairspray and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee were awarded 1st Runner up for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical in the 2012 and 2011 Ruby Griffith Awards. Avenue Q won the 2013 award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical.
With over 7 years as a dance instructor, Miss Nicole is excited to establish roots at Cornerstone Ballet.
Emily Lucas
Emily was born and raised on an island called Cape Cod located in Massachusetts. Emily danced at a small local studio called The Academy of Performing Arts from the age of 10 until graduating high school.
After high school, Emily attended the University of New Hampshire and got her Bachelor's of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Dance of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
During her undergraduate years, Emily continued to dance and had the opportunity to study many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz,modern, hip hop, contemporary, and aerial. Emily served as a teacher's assistant for tap and jazz classes for beginner college dancers. She began teaching dance during her sophomore year, teaching ballet, tap, hip hop, and some contemporary.
Emily graduated with her B.S. in May of 2020. She has spent the last year and a half teaching at a residential home/school for individuals with disabilities and behavioral challenges (very different from teaching dance). Now, as she starts her journey into graduate school at Gallaudet University in D.C studying Deaf Education, she is excited to get back into dance and is looking forward to exploring a new part of the country.
