YOUR TEAM
Meet the Instructors
Noel Pipkin,
Founder
Our founder, Noel Pipkin, has studied and performed with ballet companies across the Midwest and Southeast. She received her B.A. from Bowling Green State University and MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.
Rebecca Stines,
Program Coordinator
Rebecca Stines is a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a Master of Social Work degree and trained competitively in all styles of dance at the Academy for the Performing Arts for 12 years.
Ashley Smalls,
Program Specialist
Ashley Smalls is the Owner and Founder of the mobile fitness gym, Raise The Bar with Ashley LLC. She helps adults of all fitness levels reach their wellness goals and has a background in dance. Beginning with praise dance and continuing through ballet, modern, and collegiate training
Abbey Murphy,
Social Media Intern
Abbey Murphy is a student at UNC Charlotte pursuing degrees in Marketing and Applied Dance, blending her love for movement with creative and strategic branding.
Kaleya Stocks,
Lead Instructor
Kaleya Stocks is a 2024 graduate of UNC Charlotte with a B.S. in Health Systems Management. She has been dancing for 15 years and has a strong passion for choreography.
Avery Allen,
Intern
Avery Allen is a student at UNC Charlotte, majoring in Dance, Performance, Choreography, and Theory. She has trained in all styles and wants to share her passion with others.
Trinity Warsaw,
Intern
Trinity Warsaw is current UNC Charlotte student studying marketing and communications. She had previously danced at Carolina Dance Center for 15 years training in ballet, jazz, tap, and more.
Melody Shanahan,
Intern
Melody Shanahan is a passionate dancer and movement artist currently pursuing her dance and criminal justice degree at UNC Charlotte, where she is training in both technique and performance. With her strong educational foundation and love for movement, Melody is dedicated to helping others feel confident, connected, and energized through barre.
Malia Jackson,
Intern
Malia Jackson is a student at UNC Charlotte, majoring in nursing. She has been dancing for 13 years, and has been trained in all styles. She loves working with younger dancers and sharing her love of dance.
Grace Berry,
Intern
Grace Berry is a double major at UNC Charlotte in Applied Dance and Exercise Science, as well as receiving her Professional Training Certificate with Charlotte Ballet.
Meet the Board
Juanita Pipkin,
President and Board Chair
Juanita Pipkin is a higher education professional with 25 years’ experience developing and initiating academic strategies to achieve results with academically underprepared populations.
Mico Quijano,
Board Governance and Compliance
Mico Quijano is a dedicated and passionate individual, currently serving as a Barre Belle Ambassador. Mico's educational foundation is complemented by a lifelong commitment to inclusivity and the arts.
Dannielle Cole,
Board Secretary
Dannielle Cole brings 35 years of experience teaching in public schools focusing on discipline, confidence and communication skills. Her background provides a deep understanding of how the arts positively impact child development.
Hubert Pipkin,
Treasurer and Fiscal Strategy
Financial Executive and Adjunct Instructor with a prolific history comprised of more than 30 years of developing and spearheading financial strategies to achieve noteworthy bottom-line and operational results.
Raven Jones,
Learning and Development
Raven Jones is a learning and development professional with 10+ years of experience in education and staff development. She is passionate about creating people-centered learning experiences that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Raven is certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Sydney Lin,
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Sydney Lin combines her background in business and dance to champion arts education and community building. She believes strongly in the power of movement to inspire connection, confidence, and personal growth.
Ashley Rozier,
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Ashley Rozier is the owner and lead speech language pathologist for Speech Tx PLLC. Ashley is also a fellow dancer and trained in ballet at the University of South Carolina and currently takes classes at Charlotte Ballet.
Kenneth Johnson,
Financial Oversight and Investments
Kenneth Johnson is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of InvestorBloc, with nearly two decades of experience in investment strategy and portfolio management. He previously held senior roles at Robinhood and Wells Fargo and earned an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. He also serves in leadership roles supporting financial literacy, scholarships, and access to the arts through community organizations, including Barre Belle.
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Heather Pierce,
At-Large Member
Heather has always had a passion for serving people. She is an advocate for the arts and enjoys assisting in the growth and development of young artists, and in her free time enjoys spending time with her family.
Melissa Wentz,
At-Large Member
Melissa Wentz earned her degree in Art History and French from UNC Chapel Hill. She began her career with BASF in 2008. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys time with her family, traveling, good food and wine and ACC basketball.