804.272.9152
Ballet - Pointe - Jazz - Tap - Hip Hop - Contemporary
danceatlegacy_gmail.com
Legacy School of Dance is a unique blend of artistic creativity empowered by business intelligence. Legacy truly is the best of both worlds! Legacy stands by it's integrity, as we give enriching dance experiences to all of our dancers, as each student's well being, dance education, and development comes first!
Meet our Instructors...
C lick on their names to learn more!
Mary Farr-Maynard
Business Manager/Owner
Kimberly R. Ligatti
Artistic Director/Owner
Felix Cruz
Dance Instructor
Shera St. Clair Farmer
Sabrina Goodman
Pamm Holsinger
Whitney Hughes
Leigh Hammack Lowery
Sara Maynard
Assistant Instructor
Kelly Kerr Nelson
Patricia Shreve Ribler
Jennifer Musselwhite Salley
Jordan Hughes Strader
Jenn Zippler
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
After many years of studying dance, Kim has found her one dream, to share the love of dance with our youth! As director of Legacy School of Dance, Kim strives to inspire young dancers, as they work to achieve their own dreams as artists, dancers, and performers. "My goal as the director at Legacy, is for each child to walk out of class feeling better about themselves."
Kim began studying dance at the age of 4, throughout her youth Kim had wonderful opportunities to study different forms of dance at her home studio, and in New York, under numerous instructors. The most inspirational being Frank Hatchett, as his energy and personal style left a lasting impression. During her dance studies in New York, Kim studied Ballet at Carnegie Hall, as well as other forms of dance at the Broadway Dance Center. Kimberly has studied dance for over 30 years!
Kimberly later graduated from Radford University in 1998 with a degree in Business Management and Contemporary Dance. As she worked toward her degree in dance, Kimberly studied under the direction of Margaret Devaney, Dr. Pegeen Albig, Frano Jelincic, and Dagmar Kessler. While at Radford, many of her contemporary dance studies were based on the technique of Martha Graham. Kim was asked to perform multiple times, both at the University and away.
Upon graduating from college, Kimberly found her new love and passion, as she began teaching at Martinique School of Dance. Choreographing and teaching has inspired Kimberly to bring the world of dance to our young dancers, “giving each aspiring artist opportunities to grow and learn, and most importantly fall in love with the art of dance”!
Kim has explored many forms of dance with her technical foundation in ballet and expanding her repertoire to include more contemporary forms of dance as she continues her dance education. She later attended the University of Richmond where she received her Elementary Education Certification, and has taught in Henrico County, and currently at Providence Elementary in Chesterfield County Schools.
When Kim is not teaching dance or kindergarten, she is spending quality time with her husband Matt Ligatti, and two girls, Taylor and Fallon.
Kimberly has experienced dance from many point of views; as a performer and a student, a teacher and choreographer, and most recently as a mother. Kim’s daughter, Taylor Ligatti, is currently a student at Legacy. Kim is also looking forward to Fallon taking her first steps into the dance world at Legacy.
Many aspects of the behind the scenes office work will be handled by Mary. She has spent many hours a week at Martinique School of Dance as a mother of a dancer for 11 years. She also took dance classes at Martinique as both a child and an adult. She is excited about the opportunities Legacy School of Dance will provide for the students through the guidance of a very excited and energetic director and staff.
As the licensed contractor and office manager of Midlothian Glass & Door, Inc., Mary handles accounts receivables and payables, payroll, taxes, insurance and all compliance issues. She has been involved with this company since her husband founded it in 2005. Mary is also the bookkeeper for Lester Oil Company where she has worked for the last 18 years. She handles bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes for this small business as well. This is all done from home while taking care of the job she loves the most, being a mom. Mary is the proud mother of 3 children Joseph, Sara, and Alex.
Mary attended the University of Richmond and graduated from Pat Ryan Finance and Insurance School in Chicago, Illinois in 1983.
Mary's daughter, Sara, shares the passion for dance as she plays a very active role at Legacy. You will see Sara in multiple classes learning all forms of dance, assisting instructors, leading a class as a substitute, behind the scenes taking part of the business aspects, and/or as a performer and soloist.
From the moment Felix Cruz walked into the Legacy studio, everyone knew we found a treasure! Felix has a vast background in dance, a passion that inspires all dancers - no matter their experience or their age - and most of all, he exudes a warmth and energy that lets everyone in his presence know he truly cares.
Felix began his dance training at the age of 15 at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School of the Performing Arts in Bethlehem, PA. Felix holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. Cruz has presented his choreography in New York City, The American Dance Festival in Durham, NC, Philadelphia and Richmond. He has also been blessed to perform all over the country in many dance festivals and in The Netherlands.
As soon as you enter the class with Felix, you will fall in love with dance all over again! His choreography is fresh, his ideas plentiful, and his energy is neverending.
Felix feels honored to be able to share his passion for dance with young dancers at Legacy School of Dance. “YAY DANCE!”
Biography in the works....
Sabrina began studying dance at the ripe age of three in Fredericksburg, VA! Growing up, Sabrina’s primary focus was ballet, tap and lyrical. Her performance credits include the title role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, The Liliac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and Kitri in Don Quixote. Sabrina attended the International Ballet Festival and had the privilege of taking class from a legendary prima ballerina, Gelsey Kirkland. A whole new world of dance opened for her when she received a scholarship, as a high school senior, to study modern dance at Mary Washington College under the direction of an Alvin Ailey dancer, Eugene Roscoe. Sabrina decided then that dance was something she would continue to pursue for a lifetime and that the education opportunities were endless!
Sabrina graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001 with a marketing degree and dance minor. While at VCU, Sabrina was able to build on her own repertoire in other dance genres such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, African, Improvisation and even Ballroom. She had the opportunity to study with faculty favorites Chris Burnside, Frances Wessels and Melanie Richards as well as renowned guest artists Ron Brown and David Grenke. In addition, she completed her marketing internship with VCU’s Department of Dance working on special promotions and publicity for their Spring Season. Sabrina also spent 13 seasons as an instructor with Martinique School of Dance.
Dance has always had a special place in Sabrina's heart, however she has another great love, her family. Sabrina and her husband, Dan, have a joyful, adorable little boy, Adam. Being a Mom has brought much love, laughter, and excitment into her life.
Sabrina’s love for dance, extensive background, and true care for her students, makes her a one-of-a-kind instructor! She is looking forward to a fun-filled, exciting season at Legacy School of Dance.
Mrs. Pamm's gregarious, personable, and warm personality have made her a teacher favorite among our dancers and families!
Pamm started dancing at the age of 4, and has over 35 years of dance experience. She studied under Eleanor Pernia School of Dance in Silver Spring, Maryland until the age of 18. She had the wonderful opportunity to study tap, jazz, ballet, and pointe. Her greatest passion was for tap! Once Pamm was an adult, she followed her true passion in dance, and found herself tap dancing professionaly with American Tap Dance Theater in W ashington D.C.
Pamm then expanded her study and love of dance and taught for several years for Arthur Murray School of Dance in Maryland, learning and teaching ballroom dancing. Marriage brought her to the Richmond, Virginia area in the late 80's where she taught dance for several years at the New You Dance Studio.
Pamm came to Martinique School of Dance as an adult student in the late 90's, and after 2 months of classes was asked to the join the Martinique family as a teacher. She taught for Martinique up until 2009 and is very excited to be part of the new Legacy School of Dance family. Pamm's knowledge and experience from her years of dancing and teaching, combined with her enthusiasm for her students and love for dance, make her a true asset for Legacy School of Dance!
"If you keep at it, one day something which at first appeared impossible
will become merely something very difficult indeed."
Throughout her high school and college career, Whitney danced and choreographed for a student liturgical ballet performance group. She is now a member of Radiant Light Ballet, a local ballet company touring throughout the Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. area.
Whitney learned the love of performing at a very early age, and hopes to instill that same love to all her students.
While not dancing, Whitney enjoys spending time with her husband and baby girl Trystan.
Click here to learn more about Radiant Light Ballet
Radiant Light Ballet
Whitney danced at Martinique School of Dance for 14 years, and then taught there for 3 years. She will now be teaching ballet and modern dance at Legacy this fall. Whitney trained in ballet, modern, jazz and tap at Martinique, and performed with the student company, Ballet Petit, for 9 seasons in various roles. Some of the lead roles she performed were Holly and Ivy, Fairies, Silver Bells, and The Spirit of Christmas. She also worked with a children's music theater for five years, doing choreography for plays and musicals such as The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and the Chronicles of Narnia.
Whitney majored in Fashion Merchandising and received a minor in dance from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied ballet, jazz, modern and improvisation under teachers including Arnott Mader, Julie Job, and Willie Hinton. She also studied at the Richmond Ballet throughout the years under Susan Israel Massey, Malcom Burn, and Randall Marks, as well as many others. While at VCU, Whitney also was a member of the VCU dance team, performing at basketball games throughout the season, as well as at a Redskins/ Cowboys game at the Fed Ex field in 2005. In her Junior year, Whitney performed at Radford University in a premier student choreographed show.
Leigh has over 25 years of dance experience. She began taking classes at the age of 3 and started studying at Martinique School of Dance at age 5. While at Martinique, Leigh studied under many instructors, including Shannon Martin Howell. However, Mary Beth Simpson Campbell, a former teacher at Martinique, truly inspired and nurtured her love of jazz and hip hop at a very young age. From then on, Leigh knew that was the genre she would pursue. She continued to take many different types of classes at Martinique and also performed in Ballet Petit’s The Night Before Christmas for 9 years, where she was given various roles and leads, including the “ Wicked Snow Queen.”
After leaving Martinique at the age of 17, Leigh attended James Madison University. Freshman year, she auditioned for and became a member of the Dukettes, JMU’s nationally-ranked collegiate dance team. She was able to perform in many different venues with the Dukettes, including national competitions in Daytona, Florida, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
She graduated from JMU with a degree in Organizational Communication and went into management but couldn’t escape the need to perform. At 22, she auditioned for and was selected to be a dancer in King’s Dominion’s entertainment department. She performed in shows such as VH1 presents VIBE, Pulse, Tuned In, and School of Rock. Between her first and second year at King’s Dominion, Leigh moved to Manhattan to take classes at Broadway Dance Center and pursue dance a bit more. After living in New York for 6 months and taking many classes, Leigh realized her heart was still in Virginia. She moved back but brought with her a new love of teaching and choreographing.
Leigh is currently an Advertising Sales Manager for Media General and is very excited about the opportunity to share her love of dance and performing with the students at Legacy School of Dance!
Kelly is a native of Florida. She graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts with a dance major, where she was privileged to receive training from talented instructors and guest artists including Dr. Phyllis Penney, Rhonda Stampalia, Debra Webb, Mia Michaels, Mark Spivak, Michelle Ottley, and Maya Shinavaskyva. From there she was accepted into the trainee program at Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, Mississippi. There she trained under the direction of Kathy Thibidoux, Rick and Rose Fauscher. She became a member of Ballet Magnificat!II performing locally and then touring with the main company nationally, including a benefit concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Upon returning to her hometown, she became the Co-Director of The Father's Company, a Christian dance ministry consisting of 30 dancers. She led TFC, alongside her instructor and mentor of seventeen years, the beloved Lori Miller. Kelly will always credit Miss Lori as her inspiration to become a dancer; the one who taught her that dance is a gift to be given and a language which speaks from ones heart to another’s soul. During this time Kelly also taught many styles of dance at over 15 different churches, dance studios, and private academies throughout Jacksonville, Orange Park, and the Beaches.
In 2002, Kelly and her family moved to Richmond, Virginia where she taught at Martinique School of Dance for three years and performed with Ballet Petit. Also during that time she was invited to lead the youth Interpretive Movement Ensemble at Bon Air Baptist Church which she led for eight years. There she continued her mentor’s legacy, encouraging the girls to let the light of hope that is within them shine through their dancing. She has also privately coached dancers who have gone on to be accepted into the dance programs of Purchase College New York, The Joffery Ballet's Nutcracker, Braided Light Dance Project, Florida State College, Jacksonville University, East Coast Ballet, The Massive of Chicago, The Rockette Experience workshop at Radio City Music Hall, Ballet Magnificat! summer workshop, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and Thomas Dale High School.
In 2009, Kelly began her life’s dream of directing a dance company. Along with the help of her long time friends and dance partners, Jordan Strader and Whitney Hughes, Radiant Light Ballet was created. Her goal for Radiant Light Ballet is to combine excellent technique with a heart of worship in the sanctuary and on the stage. She also desires to teach the next generation of dancers that this art form can be more than just entertainment; dance moves us not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally.
In 2010, Kelly was asked to stage excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty ballet for Legacy’s School of Dance Spring Showcase and taught master classes throughout the year.
Kelly is excited to be on Legacy’s staff currently teaching weekly classes and again having the opportunity to inspire dancers of all ages!
Kelly's home life is full of energy and laughter created by her three boys, her sweet girl, and her ever-loving husband.
Patricia has studied dance for over 20 years! Patricia began her dance career at the age of three, and has studied at Martinique School of Dance since the age of seven. While at Martinique, Patricia also studied under the direction of various instructors, including Shannon Martin Howell. Patricia was given wonderful opportunities to grow and learn, and fall in love with dance while at Martinique. She performed in Ballet Petit's, The Night Before Christmas for ten years, where she was given various roles and leads. Patricia's technical foundation is in ballet, however, she has studied many forms of dance, including jazz, modern, and tap.
Patricia began teaching and sharing her love for dance at Martinique School of Dance in 2008. Students of Patricia's, truly enjoy her enthusiasm and passion for dance, as she instills discipline and pride in her young dancers.
Patricia graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007 with a degree in English. During college, Patricia also studied dance at VCU and the Richmond Ballet. She later attended the University of Richmond's Teacher Education Program and has been teaching at an elementary school in Henrico County since 2008.
We are very excited to have Patricia as a part of our Legacy Team, as her enthusiasm, patience, and love for dance will continue to inspire young dancers!
Jennifer started her love of dance at the young age of three. Over the years she has studied a variety of dance styles but ballet, tap and lyrical are closest to her heart. In addition to taking classes at Martinique School of Dance, she also performed with The Chesterfield Performing Arts Company and Ballet Petit for many years. She enriched her technique through instruction at Mary Washington College, The Broadway Dance Center and Carnegie Hall. After graduating from Martinique in 1993, Jennifer attended Shenandoah University where she majored in musical theater and dance. She participated in numerous senior projects, children’s theater productions, and performed at The Kennedy Center.
Jennifer took a break from the dance world to get her degree in veterinary technology, get married and have three wonderful children. She currently works as a licensed veterinary technician in the west end. Jennifer is so excited to be a part of the Legacy School of Dance family. She looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm and passion for performing.
Jordan Hughes (soon to be Jordan Hughes Strader!) is a graduate of Martinique School of Dance where she danced for 13 years. She is ecstatic to be teaching ballet and modern dance at Legacy in the fall! Although she also studied jazz, modern dance and tap, she recognized her ever developing love for ballet from a very early age. She also developed a deep love for the stage, performing seven seasons with the school’s student company, Ballet Petit, in lead roles including Holly and Ivy, Fairies, Lead Skater and The Spirit of Christmas. During her high school years she worked as a choreographer for children’s theatre for kids ages 5 to 18, choreographing and staging shows including The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella. After graduating, Jordan went on to Christopher Newport University where she had the great opportunity to study the fundamentals of ballet as well as dance composition under Lon Hurst, whose superior teaching instilled in her the desire to become a dance teacher.
Other opportunities she enjoyed while working toward her degree include master classes with The Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance, as well as being selected by a member of Todd Rosenlieb’s professional company to perform in the CNU dance department’s first ever student-choreographed show. She also spent two years dancing on the university’s dance team and performed in a student-choreographed show at Radford University as a guest artist during her senior year. She graduated from CNU in 2008 with a B.A. in English and a double minor in Dance and Classical Civilizations.
Additional training Jordan has received over the years came from various artists including Stoner Winslett and Julie Fauth Job of the Richmond Ballet, as well as Pedro Szalay, Randall Marks, and Kathy Sawyer, among others. Jordan is currently a member of Radiant Light Ballet, a touring company new to the Richmond area.
Jordan firmly believes that a good experience in dance class can positively impact every area of a child’s life forever and strives to seize every opportunity to instill a love of dance in each of her students.
When Jordan is not dancing, she enjoys writing, spending time with her wonderful and supportive husband, Kellen.
-Agnes De Mille
Jenn Zippler has been dancing for 16 years now. She began dancing at Encore Studio when she was five years old. Throughout her years there, She was trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap, and contemporary. She also competed on their Pink Ladies competition team winning numerous large and small group awards. When Jenn was in high school she was accepted into Thomas Dale High School’s Specialty Center Dance Company. She was extensively trained under Denise Purvis in modern, ballet, and choreography everyday during school. During her four years attending Thomas Dale’s dance program she had the opportunity to take classes from various guest artist such as Maria Bauman of Urban Bush Women, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Will Sterling of Latin Ballet, Richmond Ballet, VCU, Starr Foster and many more. During her senior year she found her love for teaching after being selected to teach a class of non dance majors. Jenn is now attending Virginia Commonwealth University receiving her bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Exercise Science. She is entering her third year as a member of the VCU Gold Rush Dance Team where she was privileged to have been selected to represent the dance team during VCU’s famous journey to the Final Four in 2011. She performs at every men and women’s home basketball games, a few away games, and the CAA tournament. Jenn loves to share her love of dance with every student she encounters. Dance holds a special place in her heart, and she hopes to show her students what dance can do for them.
