MEET OUR STAFF
is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and performer residing in Burnsville, North Carolina. Madison is the founder of Appalachian Performing Arts and the Mountain Dance Preservation Project. She began dance classes at the age of three, and has continued to dance ever since. At age seven she developed a deep passion for clogging and mountain dance. Over the last two decades, she has been involved at five dance studios and with two clogging teams. Madison participates in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern, and recreational dance, but her love for clogging and mountain dance remain at the center of her passion. Madison has trained under the instruction of countless dance teachers over the last two decades as a student, and has shared her knowledge and love of dance with countless students over the past decade as an instructor. Madison has achieved regional and state championship titles as a member of clogging and mountain dance teams, duets, and as a soloist. Her choreography has placed in regional and state competitions.
Her love for art and passion for keeping the dying art of traditional mountain dance alive inspired Appalachain Performing Arts and the Mountain Dance Preservation Project.
Madison currently teaches many of the classes on our Appalachian Performing Arts schedule.
Madison Casteel Rogers - Owner & Director
McKenzie Casteel
Dance Instructor
McKenzie Casteel
Dance Instructor
began dancing at the age of 3, and has been involved with dance ever since. She joined the Appalachian Performing Arts staff during the 2019-2020 dance season. McKenzie has been involved in several genres of dance over the years, including tap, ballet, jazz, clogging and mountain dance, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, and pointe.
McKenzie currently teaches several classes at the studio, including ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. You may find her at the front desk and assisting with other jobs around the studio, as well!
Amy Riddle
Dance Instructor
began dance classes at the age of 8, and and continues to dance today. Her dance career began and is based in Burnsville, North Carolina. She joined the Appalachian Performing Arts staff during the 2020-2021 dance season. Amy has been involved in several genres of dance during her many years of experience, including tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, clogging and mountain dance, modern, and recreational dance. Outside of dance, Amy is has a degree in medical assisting and works at a Montessori School.
Amy currently teaches multiple Little Dancers and Kinderdance Classes. You may also find her at the front desk, or assisting throughout the studio!
began dancing at the age of 5 in Mars Hill, North Carolina. She has always had a passion for dance and teaching others about that passion. She began teaching at age 12 as an assistant in several classes at the studio she grew up in, and then at age 14 began teaching her own classes. She has had many wonderful opportunities to dance outside of her home studio. Bethany has danced in 4 spring concerts with the Bailey Mountain Cloggers as a guest performer. Her favorite dance styles are hip hop, tap, and contemporary/modern, but she is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, acro, and clogging as well. Bethany is so excited to be a part of Appalachian Performing Arts staff and share her love of dance with all of her wonderful students!
Bethany Belyea
Dance Instructor
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Our recitals and showcases would not be possible without our incredible team of volunteers. We have a wide rage of help, experience, and talent with the teams you will see during each recital, gathering, and performance.
If you are interested in gaining some backstage experience or joining our team of volunteers, contact us!
At Appalachian Performing Arts, we offer the occasional "Specialty Class" on Fridays, taught by special guest instructors. These classes are pop up classes that will appear on our schedule throughout the year!
Specialty Instructors & Volunteer Staff
Student Assistants
Our student assistants offer a helping hand to our main instructors in class and around the studio! We appreciate their hard work and dedication both inside and outside of the classroom.
Miss Savannah
Miss Savannah is in 7th grade and takes ballet, pointe, hiphop and clogging. She has been a part of Appalachian Performing Arts since the 2022-2023 season. She assists with Little Dancers.
Mr Ben
Mr Ben grew up dancing with Miss Madison and Miss McKenzie. He has many years of dance class and performance experience. Mr Ben is a musical theatre dance and hip hop student. He assists with our Little Dancers.
Miss Trinity
Miss Trinity is in 10th grade. She has been involved at Appalachian Performing Arts since the 2019-2020 season. She takes ballet and pointe, clogging, tap, musical theatre, & modern and contemporary. She can be found assisting at the front desk and office throughout the week.