Meet Our Faculty

Kimberly R. Ligatti has been passionately involved in the world of dance for over 30 years. A proud graduate of Radford University, she earned her degree in Business and Contemporary Dance in 1998 before continuing her education at the University of Richmond, where she obtained a degree in Elementary Education. She later earned a degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. In addition to directing Legacy School of Dance, Kimberly serves as a Behavior Specialist for Powhatan County Public Schools, where she continues to nurture and guide students both in and outside the classroom. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, Kimberly has worked with dancers of all ages and in a variety of styles. Her greatest joy comes from watching her students grow, gain confidence, and shine on stage. As Kimberly often shares, “It was never my dream to be a professional dancer — it was my dream to work with young dancers and help them shine.” Under Kimberly’s leadership, Legacy’s competition team has achieved top honors, including numerous highest adjudications, choreography awards, and recognition as ADCC Studio of the Year and Studio of Excellence on multiple occasions. Outside of the studio, Kimberly is a proud mom of two daughters. Her eldest, Taylor Ligatti, graduated from Legacy in 2024 and is now pursuing a degree in Kinesiology at Christopher Newport University while also teaching and coaching at Legacy. Her younger daughter is one of Legacy’s biggest fans — a devoted supporter who enjoys horseback riding and playing field hockey. Kimberly’s lifelong love of dance, dedication to education, and commitment to her students’ well-being make her the heart and soul of Legacy School of Dance.

As Co-Owner and Business Manager of Legacy School of Dance, Mary Farr-Maynard is the organizational heart of the studio. Known for her diligence, professionalism, and dedication, Mary works tirelessly to ensure that each dancer is placed in the right classes and that every family is prepared for a successful and enjoyable dance year. Behind the scenes, Mary manages the day-to-day operations and business needs of Legacy with precision and care. Her attention to detail keeps the studio running smoothly, allowing the faculty to focus on what they do best — inspiring dancers to reach their full potential. Mary studied Business Management at the University of Richmond and has applied her strong business acumen not only to Legacy, but also to her family’s businesses, where her leadership and insight have contributed to their continued success. While she excels at managing logistics and operations, Mary’s greatest joy comes from watching Legacy’s dancers grow, year after year, into confident, talented performers. Mary and her husband are proud parents of three children — Joseph, Alex, and Sara — who all reside in the area. Her daughter Sara, a Legacy graduate, has been part of the Legacy teaching staff for many years, continuing the family’s deep connection to the studio. Mary’s commitment, professionalism, and love for the Legacy community make her an invaluable part of the studio’s leadership team.

A recent graduate of Legacy School of Dance, Crystal Adams quickly made a lasting impression as a student. Known for her hard work, dedication, and radiant stage presence, Crystal consistently shined in class and on stage. Her love for dance has always been evident, and she is valued for her friendly nature, close friendships, and role-model qualities. Crystal has found a perfect home on the Legacy instructor team, where she shares her passion for dance with our youngest dancers, including our Acro classes and Legacy Littles. She also works closely with our Ovation Competition Dance Team, bringing firsthand experience from her own time as a competition team member, where she earned top adjudications and showcased her exceptional talent. Crystal’s energy, positivity, and dedication to helping students grow make her a cherished part of the Legacy community.

Ashley Anderson has been teaching at Legacy School of Dance for many years, bringing her keen eye for detail and unwavering dedication to excellence to every class. Known for her “let’s get it done” attitude, Ashley has the ability to shape ballerinas into hip hop stars, inspiring dancers to focus, work hard, and reach their full potential — whether in class or on stage. Her choreography has earned numerous top honors and awards, and she continuously pushes both herself and her students to achieve more. Ashley’s energy, determination, and passion for dance make her an invaluable member of the Legacy faculty.

Toria Donaldson is a one-of-a-kind dancer whose dedication, focus, and drive have never ceased to amaze us. As a student at Legacy School of Dance, Toria consistently earned top honors, always working hard to earn her place and push for more. Her high-energy performances and entertaining stage presence made her a true showstopper. Toria is currently completing her BFA in Dance at VCU and is preparing to pursue a professional dance career. Her passion for dance and her commitment to excellence continue to inspire the next generation of Legacy dancers.

A proud Legacy School of Dance graduate, Taylor Dundlow has been part of the Legacy family for many years — first as a student, and now as one of our most sought-after instructors. Taylor is Acrobatic Arts certified and plays a key role in training and choreographing for Legacy’s award-winning competition team. Her creative vision and technical precision have earned her multiple choreography awards, showcasing her ability to bring out the best in every dancer she works with. Known for her passion, positivity, and dedication, Taylor creates a learning environment where dancers feel supported, confident, and inspired to reach new heights. Her love for teaching and her commitment to helping Legacy dancers shine — both on and off the stage — are truly commendable.

Juli Garrett is a true Legacy Legend, known for her ability to inspire and bring out the best in every dancer she teaches. Her classes are full of fun, excitement, and team-building, as she encourages students to work hard and succeed both on stage and off. With a long-standing career in dance, Juli’s focus has always been on helping dancers grow as performers and as people. Her endless energy and passion for teaching make every class a joyful, motivating experience for her students.

Sabrina Goodman has been teaching at Legacy School of Dance since its founding, bringing over 20 years of experience and a lifelong love of dance to every class. She is dedicated to helping her students reach their full potential, encouraging them to grow and shine in each lesson. A VCU graduate with degrees in Business and Dance, Sabrina’s greatest passion is ballet, and she brings that elegance and technique into all her classes. Her connection to Legacy is also personal, as her daughter is currently a Legacy dancer, continuing the family’s legacy of dance.

Olivia Gotsch brings energy, expertise, and a deep passion for dance to Legacy School of Dance. Born and raised in Chicago, Olivia began her training at Hyde Park School of Dance and spent summers at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. She studied Anthropology and Dance at Vassar College and has worked with renowned choreographers including Desmond Richardson, Jennifer Archibald, Amy Hall Garner, Mike Tyus, Stephanie Martinez, Adam Weinert, Yoshito Sakuraba, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Starr Foster. Olivia currently performs with Conflux Dance Theater in Richmond, VA, and has created works for multiple festivals and companies, including Dogwood Dance Project, Richmond Dance Festival, and Gridlock Dance. Grounded in classical modern and ballet technique, Olivia’s choreography and teaching explore movement as both personal and universal expression, blending technical skill with creativity and embodied storytelling.

Erica Monroy Hidalgo began dancing at the age of three, training extensively in tap and jazz, with additional study in ballet and lyrical. While earning her BA in college, she trained and performed with the Lynchburg College Dance Company, choreographing tap numbers for dance concerts and performing in a variety of student-choreographed projects across multiple styles. After college, Erica continued her training in Northern Virginia, focusing primarily on tap and performing with the Step Aside Tap Company. She routinely participates in tap festivals across the U.S. and has taken master classes with highly regarded tappers including Diane Walker, Michelle Dorrance, and Barbara Duffy. Erica is focused, driven, and dedicated to giving her students the best of her experience and expertise. She is thrilled to share her passion for dance and tap with students at Legacy School of Dance, inspiring each dancer to grow with skill, confidence, and joy.

Taylor Ligatti, a Legacy graduate, is currently studying Kinesiology at Christopher Newport University, with a passion for understanding the body, muscle movement, and development. She loves exploring how movement is controlled and how it impacts health, performance, and overall well-being. A former competitive dancer for 10 years, Taylor earned top honors and titles along the East Coast and has a genuine love for competing. A two-time state champion gymnast, she has a keen eye for detail and is a brilliant Acro instructor, always discovering novel tricks, teaching conditioning, and guiding students in understanding muscle groups. Taylor is also venturing into choreography, bringing fun and creative ideas to dancers of all ages. Her goal is to make Legacy the best it’s ever been and help every dancer shine.

Jenn Lyman began her dance training in Chesterfield, Virginia at the age of five. She trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap, and contemporary, and competed as a member of her studio’s competition team. Jenn was accepted into Thomas Dale High School’s Specialty Center Dance Company, where she trained under Denise Purvis in modern, ballet, jazz, and choreography. During her four years there, she had the privilege of taking classes from numerous guest artists, including Maria Bauman (Urban Bush Women), members of Paul Taylor Dance Company, Will Sterling (Latin Ballet), Richmond Ballet, VCU Dance faculty, and Starr Foster. It was during her senior year that Jenn discovered her passion for teaching after being selected to instruct a class of non-dance majors. Jenn went on to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science in 2013. While at VCU, she was an alumni member of the VCU Gold Rush Dance Team, representing the team during VCU’s historic 2011 Final Four journey. She performed at every men’s and women’s home basketball game, several away games, and the conference tournament. Jenn began teaching at Legacy School of Dance in 2010, where she has become one of the studio’s most sought-after instructors. She teaches everyone from toddlers to adults and works with both recreational and competition dancers. Jenn strives to build strong, confident, and technically sound dancers, always holding high expectations because she believes deeply in her students’ potential. Her choreography has earned numerous top honors and awards across the East Coast, and she continues to inspire excellence in every class she leads. In addition to her work at Legacy, Jenn also oversees the Powhatan High School Dance Team, leading them to multiple top achievements and proudly showcasing her love of dance within the community.

Misha Nikitine was born in Arkhangelsk, Russia, and later moved to Samara before relocating to Perm at age 12 to attend Perm State Ballet School. After graduating in 1992, he joined the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Ballet Theatre. Later that year, Misha moved to the United States, performing with prestigious companies including Hartford Ballet, Ballet El-Paso, Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Miami Contemporary Dance Company, and Dance Now Miami. He unofficially retired from performing in 2010. As a Ballet instructor at Legacy, Misha emphasizes strong technique, foundational strength, and artistic excellence, creating an atmosphere where dancers are inspired to achieve their best. His dedication to pushing students toward excellence fosters growth, confidence, and a love for ballet within every dancer he teaches.

Whitney Mitchell has been with Legacy School of Dance since its first year in 2010, teaching ballet, pointe, modern/contemporary, jazz, and tap. Whitney began her dance training at Martinique School of Dance, where she danced for 14 years and later taught for 3 years. While there, she trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap, and performed with the student company Ballet Petit for nine seasons in various roles, including Holly and Ivy, Fairies, Silver Bells, and The Spirit of Christmas. Whitney also worked with a children’s music theater for five years, choreographing beloved productions such as The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Whitney majored in Fashion Merchandising and earned a minor in Dance from Virginia Commonwealth University, studying under Arnott Mader, Julie Job, and Willie Hinton. She also trained at the Richmond Ballet under Susan Israel Massey, Malcom Burn, and Randall Marks, among others. During her time at VCU, Whitney was a member of the VCU Dance Team, performing at basketball games throughout the season and at large events such as the Redskins/Cowboys game at FedEx Field. She also performed at Radford University in a premiere student-choreographed show during her junior year. In addition to her extensive training and teaching experience, Whitney danced and choreographed for a student liturgical ballet performance group and was a member of Radiant Light Ballet, a touring company performing throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. from 2009–2012. Whitney’s classes are filled with discipline, grace, and inspiration. She leads with quiet confidence, and her greatest joy is sharing her lifelong love of performing with her students, helping them grow as both dancers and artists.

Sara Maynard is a Legacy graduate and a certified Acrobatics Arts instructor. She began her dance journey with a love for ballet and continued her studies in dance at the college level before pursuing a career in law, earning her degree from the University of Richmond and becoming a practicing lawyer. As an instructor, Sara is focused, organized, and intentional, designing each class so that every minute is a full, enriching experience for her dancers. Her attention to detail and structured approach ensures that students grow in both skill and confidence while enjoying every moment in the studio.

Mallory Moody is the newest member of the Legacy faculty, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong dance background to her students. She grew up competing at a highly competitive dance studio, attended Thomas Dale’s Arts Program, and continued her dance studies in college. Mallory jumped in without hesitation, guiding each class with fun, energy, and encouragement, helping dancers grow in technique, confidence, and performance. Her approachable teaching style and dedication make her an inspiring addition to the Legacy team.

Molly Moorman is a proud Legacy graduate whose dedication and focus are unsurpassed. Known for being loyal, true to her word, and upbeat, Molly brings contagious energy to every class, cheering on her dancers and empowering them to become their best selves. Molly understands the true meaning of teamwork and incorporates it into every lesson, helping students grow not only as dancers but as supportive, confident members of the Legacy family.

Kelly Nelson has been a vital part of Legacy School of Dance since its founding, bringing a passion and vast knowledge of dance to every class. A native of Florida, Kelly graduated from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts as a dance major, where she trained with renowned instructors and guest artists including Dr. Phyllis Penney, Rhonda Stampalia, Debra Webb, Mia Michaels, Mark Spivak, Michelle Ottley, and Maya Shinavaskyva. Kelly continued her training in the Trainee Program at Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, Mississippi, and performed with Ballet Magnificat!II nationally, including a benefit concert at the Kennedy Center. She then became Co-Director of The Father’s Company, a Christian dance ministry, where she led 30 dancers and taught dance at more than 15 studios and churches throughout Florida. After moving to Richmond, VA, in 2002, Kelly taught at Martinique School of Dance, performed with Ballet Petit, and directed the Youth Interpretive Movement Ensemble at Bon Air Baptist Church for eight years. She has privately coached dancers who have been accepted into prestigious programs, including Purchase College, The Joffrey Ballet, Florida State College, East Coast Ballet, and more. In 2009, Kelly co-founded Radiant Light Ballet, combining excellent technique with heart-driven performance. She has also staged multiple full-length ballets and classical excerpts for Legacy showcases and taught master classes throughout the year. Kelly is thrilled to inspire dancers of all ages at Legacy, continuing her lifelong mission to help dancers shine both on and off the stage.

Jennifer Salley began her love of dance at the young age of three. Over the years, she has studied a variety of styles, with ballet, tap, and lyrical closest to her heart. Jennifer trained at Martinique School of Dance, performed with The Chesterfield Performing Arts Company and Ballet Petit, and further enriched her technique at Mary Washington College, Broadway Dance Center, and Carnegie Hall. After graduating from Martinique in 1993, she attended Shenandoah University, majoring in musical theater and dance, participating in numerous senior projects, children’s theater productions, and performing at The Kennedy Center. Jennifer took a break from dance to earn her degree in Veterinary Technology, marry, and raise her three children. She currently works as a licensed veterinary technician in the West End. Jennifer has been with Legacy since the beginning and is one of our most sought-after Legacy Littles instructors, known for her creativity, fun, and infectious enthusiasm in every class.