Young Academy Instructors
Meredith Ballard is a Junior who will graduate with her B.A. in Dance in May 2026. She studied dance for 9 years in Martinsburg, WV at Tari Jo’s Dance Studio, and she was a member of the Martinsburg High School Velocity Dance Team from 2020-2022. She is currently a member of the WVU Student Dance Association, and has performed in Celebration of Dance, Dance Now! and the Spring Showcase annual concerts. In 2023 she attended the Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary Intensive in Las Vegas, NV. In addition, she attended the ACDA (American College Dance Association) Mid-Atlantic South Conference, as well as the NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) National Conference in Denver, CO in 2023. She has studied a variety of styles including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, Acro, and Kathak.
Kylie Dempsey is from Harpers Ferry, WV. She is a Junior double major in Dance and Exercise Physiology. She has been dancing for 19 years and has performed in 8 shows here at WVU and has choreographed 2 of her own pieces so far. Kylie used to teach the littles at her hometown studio, Allegro Dance Company for 5 years in ballet, tap, and hip-hop. She currently serves as the President Elect and upcoming President of the Student Dance Association for the 2023-2024 school year.
Sydnie Tetrick is a freshman dance major at West Virginia University (WVU). She started dancing at the age of 4 in Martinsburg, WV at Tari Jo’s Dance Studio. She was a member of the Martinsburg High School Velocity Dance Team where she served as captain. She had the privilege to attend and compete at NDA Nationals with VDT, as well as with the WVU Hip Hop Dance Team. Sydnie is a current WVU Student Dance Association member and has performed in the productions of Celebration of Dance, Dance Now! and the Spring Showcase. This past spring, Sydnie attended the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Mid-Atlantic South Conference at Meredith College, NC as well as the WV Dance Festival in Charleston, WV. She has trained in multiple genres of dance throughout her career including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, pointe, acro, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, pom, and Kathak.
