AbOuT Us
The DanZe Zone is a fabulous dance studio located in the wonderful town of
Garner, NC! Our instructors want to share their love for dance with children
in a positive, safe, and fun atmosphere! Make incredible friendships and
memories that will last a lifetime with us at The DanZe Zone!
Dream, Believe, Achieve!
Mrs. Dawn Ziglar Carlson - Owner/Director/Main Instructor -
Mrs. Dawn has been dancing since the young age of eight in High Point, NC. She has been
teaching dance for the past eleven years! Dance is a passion and joy for her! She began
her teaching career in High Point, NC. Dawn then went on to college at NC State
University where she got her degree in Education. She also studied business and dance
while attending the prestigious university! She made the NC State Dance Team her
freshman year! She was one of three freshman that made it! While at NC State she
continued teaching dance in the Triangle area! She has taught ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical,
cheer funk, and hip hop to dancers ranging from the age of 18 months to adult. Dawn has
also been cheering since the age of eight. Dawn is a multiple award winning state and
national cheerleading and dance champion! She has been competing locally and nationally
since the age of 14. Along with competing, she has performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving
Day Parade in New York City. She has also danced, performed, and choreographed dances
that were used on the Dance Caravan tour and videos. These videos were sold around the
world. She has also danced at Wake Forest Basketball and Football games, along with NC
State games as well! She also studied under the direction of a famous Radio City Music Hall
Rockette! She has danced twice at the annual broadcast of FOX News' Holiday
Spectacular! She has danced and cheered in several television commercials, including a
commercial for Ford with Carolina Panthers football team! Her knowledge of dance and
talent has allowed her to spread into the modeling field. She has posed and modeled for
nationally known Dance Magazines and Catalogues. She recently finished choreographing one
of the most famous musicals West Side Story. Mrs. Dawn is an award winning choreographer
and instructor. Her choreography has won many awards in the forms of pageants, routines,
and competitions. Her teams have won platinum, extreme platinum, and multiple overall
awards! She is also a regional and national competitive dance and cheerleading judge! Mrs.
Dawn is a believer in all children and the power of dance! Her love for children and dance
has made her what she is today!
Ms. Amy Sapp - Pre-School, Lyrical, Jazz, and Ballet Instructor -
Ms. Amy Sapp graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance
with concentrations in Private Studio Teaching. While at Meredith, she was a member of
the Meredith Dance Theatre and the Meredith Jazz and Tap Company, holding the position
of Jazz president her senior year. Amy was a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor
Society also holding position of President her senior year. Ms. Amy began her dance training
when she was four years old in Kernersville, NC. She studied many styles of dance including
jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and hip hop. Ms. Amy competed
nationally and attended many dance conventions for further dance training. In the many
years of competitive dance, Amy had the opportunity to attend a wide variety of dance
competitions. She took home many top scoring awards and competed with her dance troupe
every year at the East Coast Showstoppers Nationals. Outside of competitive dance, Amy
studied ballet and pointe at Wake Forest University Community Ballet Program under the
direction of Brantly Shapiro. Ms. Amy has performed in several American College Dance
Festivals and Meredith Dance Theatre, Meredith Jazz and Tap, and DanceWorks concerts
at Meredith College. She has taken master classes with Wade Robson, Laurie Johnson,
Tyce Diorio, Mia Michaels and many more. Ms. Sapp also has studied dance in New York
City by taking classes at various professional dance studios including Broadway Dance
Center. Ms. Amy is currently a member of a local modern dance group under the direction
of Carol Kyles Finley. Amy had the opportunity to perform at the North Carolina Dance
Festival in January of 2011 and will be touring with the company locally in the 2011-2012
year. Amy has been teaching for the last several years and has a real enthusiasm for
teaching all ages. Her passion is jazz, lyrical and ballet. Amy has experience working with
kids of all ages as well as adults.
Ms. Heather Ziglar- Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Tumbling, & Cheer Funk Instructor -
Ms. Heather has been dancing since the age of four in High Point, NC. She attended
North Carolina State University where she graduated and received a double major and
minor. These consist of a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Science Education, and a
minor in Psychology. Ms. Heather has choreographed National and State Champion Dance
and Cheerleading routines! She also co-managed and choreographed for a local
Cheerleading/Dance Team in High Point, NC. Ms. Heather has also taught many summer
camps and judged numerous tryouts for the state of NC. She is a well known and respected
choreographer and instructor! Her cheerleading talent was honored by becoming a
Spokesmodel for "Spirit Express", these advertisements were shown throughout the United
States. Ms. Heather has performed in numerous Wake Forest University half time shows.
She also choreographed several numbers in the production of "Footloose" in her home town.
She is also a multiple National and State Cheerleading and Dance Champion. With Four
Consecutive State Champion Titles and Numerous Regional and National Titles she excels in
the area of cheerleading and dance! Heather has studied with some of the top
choreographers of our time! Some of these include Geo Hubelo, Darrin Henson, Barry
Youngblood, Mallory Graham, and many more! She was also given the prestigious award of
"Dancer of the Year" in her hometown! Her upbeat and award winning routines demonstrate
her talent as a dancer and teacher! Ms. Heather feels that every child should have the
chance to experience and enjoy dance in a positive, healthy, and exciting manner!
Ms. Lacy Lowder- Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Pointe, & Tap Instructor -
Ms. Lacy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a licensure from Meredith College.
Lacy began dancing at the age of 5 in Asheville, NC with a rigorous study in the classical
forms of Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. Dancing has become a lifestyle, passion, and joy in Lacy’s
life. Her training includes dancing at the Fletcher School of Ballet and the Asheville Center
of the Performing Arts. She has also danced and performed at Broadway Dance Center,
Dance New Amsterdam, American College Dance Festival, North Carolina Dance Alliance,
Meredith Dance Theatre, and Meredith Jazz and Tap Company. Lacy has choreographed
multiple dances for Meredith College’s dance companies and has enjoyed being involved in
Meredith’s dance program. She was also a head choreographer for Danceworks and her
choreography has been a focus at many prestigious events, including North Carolina dance
galas. Her tap and ballet dance experience, proficiency, instruction, and choreography are
unmatchable. Lacy’s knowledge and experience has given her a desire to challenge the
students in their technique and creativity at the DanZe Zone. She desires to share her
passion for dance through her tap, jazz, modern, and ballet dance experiences. She has
been teaching, choreographing, and leading dancers for over four years. Her knowledge,
ability, skills, and precision in pointe and tap make her an asset to our dance program. She
is ready and excited for her second year at The DanZe Zone. Lacy believes all dancers
have the potential to make a beautiful and creative impact on the world of the arts. “It’s
time to put our best pointed and turned out foot forward!”
Ms. Kelly Griffin – Clogging, Lyrical, and Cheer Instructor
Ms. Kelly is a child development major at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC! She has been
dancing since she was 3 years old at her hometown in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Since the young
age of three, she has been doing tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip hop, and her favorite,
clogging! She also cheered growing up and was an all-star cheerleader! Ms. Kelly has
competed and choreographed multiple award winning routines at dance competitions across
the state. She has been a dance and cheer instructor since 2005. In the dance realm,
she has taught clogging, ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, and acrobatics. She has also
directed tumbling and cheer clinics back in her hometown of Roanoke Rapids. She has a love
and talent with dance and children. Her joy for dancing shines in her instruction! Ms. Kelly
loves kids of all ages, from the 2 years old to the adults that are young at heart. Her
constant smile and uplifting personality make her classes a "must take".
Mrs. Maranda Nussbaum – Clogging Instructor
Mrs. Maranda has spent the past 17 years clogging her heart out. Clogging has been her
passion for as long as she can remember. She was an entertainer/clogger at Tweetsie
Railrood. At Tweetsie Railroad she choreographed and danced in many performances. She
has clogged at various theme parks, including Universal Studios, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar
City. She also danced with Matt Sexton and Dance Explosion for 8 years. Throughout her
dancing career she has won numerous awards and national titles at CCA and NCHC
competitions. She has also performed in numerous clogging shows; some of these shows were
performed at the Bristol Motor Speedway and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Maranda graduated from the University of NC at Charlotte with a bachelors degree in
elementary education. Her experience and degree have influenced her teaching style and
instilled a love for children. Mrs. Maranda enjoys contemporary and traditional styles and
forms of clogging. She brings a fresh, creative, and upbeat style to her clogging classes.
Her high energy and positive spirit make her a great part of The DanZe Zone staff.
Ms. Catherine Smith - Office Manager -
Ms. Catherine has received her Bachelor's degree in elementary education at NC State
University, with a minor in Spanish, and is now obtaining her masters. She loves children
and they sure do love her! She has studied abroad and was valedictorian of her graduating
class at NC State. She has had lots of experience with children of all ages! We are very
lucky to have Cat with us at The DanZe Zone! Her great work ethic, uplifting spirit, and
education experience makes her a successful office manager! She is more than welcome to
assist you in all your needs and questions! She is known to the kids as Kitty Kat! You can
see her smiling face at the front desk!
Garner, NC! Our instructors want to share their love for dance with children
in a positive, safe, and fun atmosphere! Make incredible friendships and
memories that will last a lifetime with us at The DanZe Zone!
Dream, Believe, Achieve!
Mrs. Dawn Ziglar Carlson - Owner/Director/Main Instructor -
Mrs. Dawn has been dancing since the young age of eight in High Point, NC. She has been
teaching dance for the past eleven years! Dance is a passion and joy for her! She began
her teaching career in High Point, NC. Dawn then went on to college at NC State
University where she got her degree in Education. She also studied business and dance
while attending the prestigious university! She made the NC State Dance Team her
freshman year! She was one of three freshman that made it! While at NC State she
continued teaching dance in the Triangle area! She has taught ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical,
cheer funk, and hip hop to dancers ranging from the age of 18 months to adult. Dawn has
also been cheering since the age of eight. Dawn is a multiple award winning state and
national cheerleading and dance champion! She has been competing locally and nationally
since the age of 14. Along with competing, she has performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving
Day Parade in New York City. She has also danced, performed, and choreographed dances
that were used on the Dance Caravan tour and videos. These videos were sold around the
world. She has also danced at Wake Forest Basketball and Football games, along with NC
State games as well! She also studied under the direction of a famous Radio City Music Hall
Rockette! She has danced twice at the annual broadcast of FOX News' Holiday
Spectacular! She has danced and cheered in several television commercials, including a
commercial for Ford with Carolina Panthers football team! Her knowledge of dance and
talent has allowed her to spread into the modeling field. She has posed and modeled for
nationally known Dance Magazines and Catalogues. She recently finished choreographing one
of the most famous musicals West Side Story. Mrs. Dawn is an award winning choreographer
and instructor. Her choreography has won many awards in the forms of pageants, routines,
and competitions. Her teams have won platinum, extreme platinum, and multiple overall
awards! She is also a regional and national competitive dance and cheerleading judge! Mrs.
Dawn is a believer in all children and the power of dance! Her love for children and dance
has made her what she is today!
Ms. Amy Sapp - Pre-School, Lyrical, Jazz, and Ballet Instructor -
Ms. Amy Sapp graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance
with concentrations in Private Studio Teaching. While at Meredith, she was a member of
the Meredith Dance Theatre and the Meredith Jazz and Tap Company, holding the position
of Jazz president her senior year. Amy was a member of the Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor
Society also holding position of President her senior year. Ms. Amy began her dance training
when she was four years old in Kernersville, NC. She studied many styles of dance including
jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and hip hop. Ms. Amy competed
nationally and attended many dance conventions for further dance training. In the many
years of competitive dance, Amy had the opportunity to attend a wide variety of dance
competitions. She took home many top scoring awards and competed with her dance troupe
every year at the East Coast Showstoppers Nationals. Outside of competitive dance, Amy
studied ballet and pointe at Wake Forest University Community Ballet Program under the
direction of Brantly Shapiro. Ms. Amy has performed in several American College Dance
Festivals and Meredith Dance Theatre, Meredith Jazz and Tap, and DanceWorks concerts
at Meredith College. She has taken master classes with Wade Robson, Laurie Johnson,
Tyce Diorio, Mia Michaels and many more. Ms. Sapp also has studied dance in New York
City by taking classes at various professional dance studios including Broadway Dance
Center. Ms. Amy is currently a member of a local modern dance group under the direction
of Carol Kyles Finley. Amy had the opportunity to perform at the North Carolina Dance
Festival in January of 2011 and will be touring with the company locally in the 2011-2012
year. Amy has been teaching for the last several years and has a real enthusiasm for
teaching all ages. Her passion is jazz, lyrical and ballet. Amy has experience working with
kids of all ages as well as adults.
Ms. Heather Ziglar- Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Tumbling, & Cheer Funk Instructor -
Ms. Heather has been dancing since the age of four in High Point, NC. She attended
North Carolina State University where she graduated and received a double major and
minor. These consist of a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Science Education, and a
minor in Psychology. Ms. Heather has choreographed National and State Champion Dance
and Cheerleading routines! She also co-managed and choreographed for a local
Cheerleading/Dance Team in High Point, NC. Ms. Heather has also taught many summer
camps and judged numerous tryouts for the state of NC. She is a well known and respected
choreographer and instructor! Her cheerleading talent was honored by becoming a
Spokesmodel for "Spirit Express", these advertisements were shown throughout the United
States. Ms. Heather has performed in numerous Wake Forest University half time shows.
She also choreographed several numbers in the production of "Footloose" in her home town.
She is also a multiple National and State Cheerleading and Dance Champion. With Four
Consecutive State Champion Titles and Numerous Regional and National Titles she excels in
the area of cheerleading and dance! Heather has studied with some of the top
choreographers of our time! Some of these include Geo Hubelo, Darrin Henson, Barry
Youngblood, Mallory Graham, and many more! She was also given the prestigious award of
"Dancer of the Year" in her hometown! Her upbeat and award winning routines demonstrate
her talent as a dancer and teacher! Ms. Heather feels that every child should have the
chance to experience and enjoy dance in a positive, healthy, and exciting manner!
Ms. Lacy Lowder- Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Pointe, & Tap Instructor -
Ms. Lacy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a licensure from Meredith College.
Lacy began dancing at the age of 5 in Asheville, NC with a rigorous study in the classical
forms of Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. Dancing has become a lifestyle, passion, and joy in Lacy’s
life. Her training includes dancing at the Fletcher School of Ballet and the Asheville Center
of the Performing Arts. She has also danced and performed at Broadway Dance Center,
Dance New Amsterdam, American College Dance Festival, North Carolina Dance Alliance,
Meredith Dance Theatre, and Meredith Jazz and Tap Company. Lacy has choreographed
multiple dances for Meredith College’s dance companies and has enjoyed being involved in
Meredith’s dance program. She was also a head choreographer for Danceworks and her
choreography has been a focus at many prestigious events, including North Carolina dance
galas. Her tap and ballet dance experience, proficiency, instruction, and choreography are
unmatchable. Lacy’s knowledge and experience has given her a desire to challenge the
students in their technique and creativity at the DanZe Zone. She desires to share her
passion for dance through her tap, jazz, modern, and ballet dance experiences. She has
been teaching, choreographing, and leading dancers for over four years. Her knowledge,
ability, skills, and precision in pointe and tap make her an asset to our dance program. She
is ready and excited for her second year at The DanZe Zone. Lacy believes all dancers
have the potential to make a beautiful and creative impact on the world of the arts. “It’s
time to put our best pointed and turned out foot forward!”
Ms. Kelly Griffin – Clogging, Lyrical, and Cheer Instructor
Ms. Kelly is a child development major at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC! She has been
dancing since she was 3 years old at her hometown in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Since the young
age of three, she has been doing tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip hop, and her favorite,
clogging! She also cheered growing up and was an all-star cheerleader! Ms. Kelly has
competed and choreographed multiple award winning routines at dance competitions across
the state. She has been a dance and cheer instructor since 2005. In the dance realm,
she has taught clogging, ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, and acrobatics. She has also
directed tumbling and cheer clinics back in her hometown of Roanoke Rapids. She has a love
and talent with dance and children. Her joy for dancing shines in her instruction! Ms. Kelly
loves kids of all ages, from the 2 years old to the adults that are young at heart. Her
constant smile and uplifting personality make her classes a "must take".
Mrs. Maranda Nussbaum – Clogging Instructor
Mrs. Maranda has spent the past 17 years clogging her heart out. Clogging has been her
passion for as long as she can remember. She was an entertainer/clogger at Tweetsie
Railrood. At Tweetsie Railroad she choreographed and danced in many performances. She
has clogged at various theme parks, including Universal Studios, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar
City. She also danced with Matt Sexton and Dance Explosion for 8 years. Throughout her
dancing career she has won numerous awards and national titles at CCA and NCHC
competitions. She has also performed in numerous clogging shows; some of these shows were
performed at the Bristol Motor Speedway and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Maranda graduated from the University of NC at Charlotte with a bachelors degree in
elementary education. Her experience and degree have influenced her teaching style and
instilled a love for children. Mrs. Maranda enjoys contemporary and traditional styles and
forms of clogging. She brings a fresh, creative, and upbeat style to her clogging classes.
Her high energy and positive spirit make her a great part of The DanZe Zone staff.
Ms. Catherine Smith - Office Manager -
Ms. Catherine has received her Bachelor's degree in elementary education at NC State
University, with a minor in Spanish, and is now obtaining her masters. She loves children
and they sure do love her! She has studied abroad and was valedictorian of her graduating
class at NC State. She has had lots of experience with children of all ages! We are very
lucky to have Cat with us at The DanZe Zone! Her great work ethic, uplifting spirit, and
education experience makes her a successful office manager! She is more than welcome to
assist you in all your needs and questions! She is known to the kids as Kitty Kat! You can
see her smiling face at the front desk!
