Seven Lakes Dance Co-Owner, Marcie Milbredt, is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Elementary Education, a concentration in Psychology, and a minor in Dance.  Before college, Marcie studied ballet, pointe’, tap, jazz and tumbling for 10 years, as well as dancing competitively in many regional and national competitions.  Marcie was a member of the Appalachian Dance Ensemble while in college.  A first Grade teacher for 13 years, Marcie decided to give up teaching to pursue full-time studio ownership and instruction for Seven Lakes Dance.  Marcie has trained with many world-renowned choreographers including Kit Andre, Mallory Graham and Mia Michaels, to name a few.  Marcie is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and attends training throughout each season to stay current in the ever-changing dance world. Marcie’s choreography has won many special awards at various competitions, with her dances also receiving various top 10 and first overall placements over the years. She has been teaching dance for 29 years and continues to instruct and choreograph students at Seven Lakes Dance, focusing on preschool and level 1 dancers, as well as the competition program and the business side.

Seven Lakes Dance Co-Owner, Lauren Tierney, is also a graduate of Appalachian State with a degree in Psychology, and a concentration in Business.  Lauren studied tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop for 13 years, as well as dancing competitively before college, and as a member of the Appalachain State University Dance Team.  Lauren has trained under many world-renowned choreographers and artists. She has trained at Millennium Dance Complex in LA as well as attending the BuildaBEAST Intensive twice, and Dancerpalooza twice, where she trained with world renowned professional dancers such as the infamous TWitch, Blake McGrath, Bobby Newberry and Misha Gabriel to name a few.  Lauren also holds certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and attends training throughout each season to stay current. Lead competition choreographer at Seven Lakes Dance, Lauren's choreography has won various special awards, including many entertainment and choreography awards. Lauren has been awarded numerous top teacher awards for winning first overall in the solo, duet/trio, small group and large group divisions at various competitions. Her numbers have also been named highest scores of the day at both regional and national competitions. Lauren has been teaching and choreographing with Seven Lakes Dance for the past 21 years, with her focus being contemporary, hip hop and jazz, as well as competition numbers.

LeAnn Garrison studied tap, jazz, and ballet for 12 years before attending college to pursue a degree in business.  LeAnn also competed for many years in regional and national competitions.  She has been instructing and choreographing for Seven Lakes Dance for the past 24 years. Seven Lakes Dance’ lead tap instructor, LeAnn has trained under world-renowned tap artists including Aaron Turner and Anthony LoCascio, as well as attending classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. LeAnn's tap choreography has also been awarded many choreography awards, as well as top scores of the day at regional and National competitions. LeAnn's main focus is tap choreography/instruction for our competition teams. Fun fact: Marcie, Leann and Lauren grew up dance together here in Moore County throughout their childhood. Marcie and Leann were award winning duet partners back in the day!

Hannah Punimata was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and was blessed enough to be born into a family of artists and to grow up in a town full of creativity and art. She says, “Throughout my small professional career, I found that teaching was my true passion. I have dedicated my teaching career to being the teacher I always wanted. You don’t have to be “THE best,” in order to do “YOUR best.” Every student is different and everybody has a different way they learn best. My goal is to find the best way for every dancer I come in contact with”. Hannah competed professionally in college with her college dance team then moved to NYC to train and work as an amateur performer in New York in off Broadway productions and workshopped two Broadway shows. Through networking and training, she also worked in production, music videos, movie production, commercial industry, and competitive hip hop crews and heels teams after moving back to Los Angeles and signing with an L.A. based talent agency. Hannah also holds certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and attends training throughout each season. She is the lead Ballet instructor at Seven Lakes Dance, as well as instructing many other classes and choreographing both competition and recital pieces.

Kate Medlin started dancing at Seven Lakes Dance around the age of five beginning in jazz, tap, and ballet. After a couple of years, she joined the competition team and found her second family. Throughout her years at the studio, she had additional training by going to conventions, Governors school, and Rockette summer intensives. In 2016 she graduated from high school to continue to NC State where she double majored in statistics and economics, minored in dance, and was a member of the NC State Dance Team for all four years. While on the NC State dance team she led the morning stretch and across the floor technique at their 6am practices, competed at Nationals in Daytona, FL in both routines every year (minus 2020 due to covid resulting in the cancelation of the competition), danced at all home football and men’s basketball games, and was a captain her senior year. Upon graduating at the peak of covid, she began her actuarial career at Blue Cross NC and is still currently in the process of taking all the exams to become fully credentialed. This is Kate’s sixth year teaching and choreographing at the studio. Kate is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and attends training throughout each season to stay current. She’s excited to be a part of the future growth of the studio and provide all the students with as much knowledge and love of the sport as she can. She thanks her parents and her husband for all the endless support, and for the dedication of the other instructors, especially Marcie and Lauren, for giving her some of the best years of her life.

Ashley Lafell has been a part of the Seven Lakes Dance community for 18 years. She started out as a competitive dancer with SLD where she was in numerous national winning dances and competed at the Worlds Dance Competition in New Jersey. Ashley trained professional artists in the industry such as Matt Stefani and Dana Alexa.
Ashley transitioned into teaching upon graduating high school. This is her eighth season teaching, and she’s been a part of all our national winning tap pieces. Ashley also is an x-ray tech at first health convenient care in Pinehurst and is a newly certified Yoga instructor.

Gracie Vest Robison began dancing at Seven Lakes Dance at the age of two. She danced competitively for 13 years before graduating, where she held National Champion status for 4 consecutive years. Upon graduation, Gracie attended East Carolina University where she was a member of the ECU Dance Team. She is entering her third year teaching and choreographing at Seven Lakes Dance. 

Danielle graduated from Watertown High School in New York. She went on to graduate from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo with a Bachelor's Degree with a Major in Mathematics and dual certification in Special Education and Elementary Education. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education in Mathematics from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She teaches at Southern Pines Elementary School. She is currently in her 24th year of teaching Special Education. She has been with Seven Lakes Dance for 14 years. She enjoys spending time with her family (Jim, Will and Maggie), watching her daughter dance, and the Carolina Hurricanes