Stacy Young, Artistic Director
Stacy began her dance training in Huntsville, Alabama. Stacy was selected to be a member of the Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman. During this time, she served as a representative to promote the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high-quality performances, dance education, and community outreach.
Stacy and her fellow Alabama Ballet members had the opportunity to perform for the Balanchine Trust Board to help The Alabama Ballet gain the choreography license for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Stacy is currently serving on the Engagement Council for the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University and has previously served as a Board Member for the Alabama Dance Council (Birmingham, AL) and Storybook Farm (Opelika, AL). She has certification to teach Pilates and is recognized as a Certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor for Junior, Senior, & Advanced level programs.
Ms. Young is an Auburn University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. Variations began operating in May of 2007. Stacy’s journey of opening Variations was covered in the Spotlight Alum section in Keystone, the College of Education’s annual publication and in Southern Tatler Magazine Her marketing approach for Variations during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic was featured in Dance Business Weekly’s national publication. Her guest blog “From Stage to Studio: The Value of Perspective” was also featured on The Brainy Ballerina advice column for pre-pro students.
Mrs. Young worked to create Graceful Gift, a children’s picture book designed to help introduce the joy of dance alongside The Graceful Gift Foundation, which focuses on serving children with physical, emotional, or financial circumstances. The Graceful Gift Foundation was featured in the October 2019 Issue of Dance Teacher Magazine. This Foundation alongside Variations’ charitable efforts has successfully impacted various child-centered and arts outreach non-profit organizations in need.
Stacy is beyond thankful to be able to provide such wonderful opportunities for her students to enrich their artistic development. She happily resides in Auburn with her husband Bryan and their children, Thomas and Aly.
ANSLEE PALMER, Associate Director
Anslee began her dance training at the Duluth School of Ballet in Atlanta, Georgia and later moved to Birmingham, Alabama where she trained with Alabama Ballet, Birmingham Ballet, and Encore Performance Company. During her time in high school, she taught and choreographed in the Birmingham Area. She then attended Auburn University where she was a member of the Auburn University Marching Band Tiger Eyes Danceline.
Ms. Palmer has also had the opportunity to work professionally for various nationally recognized dance corporations in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas furthering her administrative and choreographic work experience.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing in business, dance and human development and family studies. She aims to continue on the path of teaching and choreographing for those younger than her, to empower them to find what they love and to help them see where the Lord leads them
Becky Sharp, assistant Director
Becky began her dance training at Montgomery Ballet spending summers studying at School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Houston Ballet. After graduating from high school, she continued dancing and teaching at Alabama Dance Theatre while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Auburn University and a Master’s in Secondary Education from The University of Alabama. She taught high school AP Biology and Anatomy for 16 years before joining the staff at Variations in 2019.
Becky lives in Opelika with her husband Jimmy and children, Lily and John Butler.
Catherine Taylor, Petite Academy Director
Catherine began her dance training in Auburn, Alabama. She joined Variations and continued her dance education there until moving to Birmingham, AL.
She attended Birmingham-Southern College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Collaborative Education certifying her in general education and special education in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. She completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Special Education with a certification in Intervention for students with Autism and Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University.
Catherine is honored to be able to work with the youngest minds and help foster their love of dance. Variations impacted her in countless ways and she is overjoyed to join the family again.