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Carroll County
Dance Center

professional performing
arts training

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Once you have created an account, download our Studio App for easier access.

Over 30 Years of

Dance excellence

The studio is designed to extend to children and adults the benefits that can be derived from an educational and professional dance program. Dance is the most physically and mentally demanding subject within the arts. We strive to instill in our students the knowledge of dance technique, feeling of movement and the emotional qualities required for the art of dance.

Mission Statement

Carroll County Dance Center was founded in August of 1997 and is located in Hillsville VA.   The company expanded to Mount Airy, NC, by opening Surry County Dance Center, in August of 2021.  Through this expansion, KMG Ensemble was created and is the franchise umbrella that houses both studios.  Since 1997, we have been educating young people in the art of dance.

At both the Carroll County Dance Center and the Surry County Dance Center, we have one true goal – to provide a nurturing, fun and safe environment for all to practice their craft.  We aim to offer options for families to find activities that are geared toward keeping their children active and learning.

The classes our staff provides are about the betterment of oneself.  We believe, wholeheartedly, that the greatest importance for every student is that their best efforts are met with encouragement, positivity, and proper instruction.

We inspire confidence.
We encourage fun.
We stress inclusivity.

It is our hope that when students leave our program, they will have developed a stronger character, an excellent background in dance, and a special love and confidence of the individual beauty within them.

Creative Movement

Classical
Ballet

Jazz
 

Tap
 

Modern /
Contemporary

& More!

Kelly Gray Krantz

About Kelly G. Krantz

KMG Ensemble
Carroll County Dance Center
Surry County Dance Center

Founder/Owner/ Artistic Director/Educator

Kelly Krantz is the Founder and Artistic Director of The KMG Ensemble and serves as the Head Dance Coach for Virginia Tech Athletics, where she leads the university’s dance program and supports Hokie Athletics at a wide range of athletic events and university functions. A respected dance educator and judge, keynote speaker, and leader with more than 30 years of experience, Kelly has built a career centered on excellence, leadership, and empowering others through the art of dance…

Contact: kelly@kmgensemble.com

Administration Staff

Kelly Krantz
Founder, Owner, Artistic Director
Brenda Leath
Assistant Director
Tabitha Dalton
Admin
Assistant
Katie Wilber
Marketing 
Director
Linda Wilson
Account Manager
Susanne Stanley
Office
Coordinator

Instructors & Staff

Brenda Leath
Assistant Director & Instructor

Brenda Leath began dancing at the age of eight under the direction of Kelly Krantz at Carroll County Dance Center. Brenda was a member of the CCDC Performance Company for twelve years and during that time, she had many
performance opportunities such as Carnival Cruise Lines…

Contact: brenda@kmgensemble.com

Katie Wilber
Marketing Director & Instructor

Originally from Newport, Tennessee, Katie moved to Cleveland in January of 2014 to join Inlet Dance Theatre as an Apprentice. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a Dance focus and a minor in Interdisciplinary Writing and Speech from Middle Tennessee State University…

Contact: katie@kmgensemble.com

Ella Bash
Instructor

Ella is from Hillsville, Virginia but her and her family moved to Holly Springs, North Carolina, when she was really young. At the age of 13, Ella began dancing at Holly Springs School of Dance where she fell in love with dance. She decided that after high school she wanted to continue to pursue dance and began in the Fall of 2022 at Radford University. Ella is currently attending Radford as a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor in Business Management double major…

Contact: ella@kmgensemble.com

Tabitha Dalton
Admin Assistant & Instructor

At the age of 13, Tabitha began dancing at Carroll County Dance Center, under the direction of Kelly Krantz. Tabitha was a member of the CCDC performance company for four years. That came with many performance opportunities. Salem Red Sox, Carnival Cruise Lines, Universal Studios, and many more…

Contact: tabitha@kmgensemble.com

Meriam Worrell
Instructor

Meriam started dancing with the Carroll County Dance Center at the age of 3. She was a dancer with the CCDC Performance Company for 6 years and with the KMG Ensemble for 4 years…

Contact: meriam@kmgensemble.com

Bella Villa
Instructor

Isabella Villa is a contemporary and modern dance artist and educator. She began training in classical ballet at Artistic Motion School of Arts & Preparatory Academy, focusing in Vaganova technique…

Contact: bella@kmgensemble.com

Susanne Stanley
Office Coordinator

Susanne Stanley may not be a dancer herself, but CCDC and SCDC are a huge part of her life and have been for over going on twenty seven years…

Contact: susanne@kmgensemble.com

Student Assistants

Isabel Jaime

Annaleigh Simpkins

KMG Ensemble Intern

KMG Ensemble is proud to announce our new KMG Ensemble Intern position! Students interested go through a rigorous application and interview process to be considered for this paid position. Selected interns will work the full 9-month dance season at 3 days per week, 2-4 hours per day. They’ll be engaging in a mix of clerical, administrative, and classroom duties, contributing to the vibrant energy of our dance community! This position will provide invaluable professional development and skill-building opportunities, enhancing the interns’ experience with us and propelling them forward as they continue their journey beyond high school.

KMG Ensemble’s 2024-2025 Intern is Meriam Worrell

"I am thrilled to be the first-ever KMG Ensemble Intern! I can’t wait to see what all this year will bring. I am deeply honored and grateful for this opportunity."

2026 Model Student of the Year

Madalyn Reinhard

My name is Madalyn Reinhard and I’m so happy to say I have been chosen as the CCDC 2026-2027 model student! I am 16 and will be a senior at Floyd County High School this upcoming fall. I come from a very close family and have an older brother who is currently a senior at VT.
 
Outside of the studio, I enjoy reading, hanging out with my friends, and doing anything that has to do with art.
 
My dance journey began when I was 3 years old at Back Porch Studios in Floyd VA. I then transferred to Carroll County Dance Center at the beginning of third grade when I was 7 and have been here ever since!
 
Dance has taught me things that I would’ve never learned without it. Dance taught me how to work through challenges even if they seem impossible.
Going to a studio almost an hour away from my home was extremely nerve racking at first, and could’ve stayed that way, but everyone, like my friends and teachers, made it where I could fit in even without going to school with the other girls.
 
I’m so exited to see where my last year of dance with CCDC takes me. Thank you so much to the staff at Carroll County Dance Center for this incredible start to my senior year!

Why You Should Join Our Dance Family!

2026

Summer Schedule

Registration Opens March 23, 2026

We have 2 different camp offerings this summer!

2026-2027

Class Schedule

Use Your Finger to Scroll Across the Table

MONDAY
TimeAgeClassLengthStudio Location
4:30-5:208 - 10Level 1 Ballet/Lyrical1 classUpstairs Studio A
5:05-5:555 - 8Tumbling II1 classDownstairs Studio B
5:20-5:558 - 10Level 1 Jazz1 classUpstairs Studio A
5:55-6:208 - 10Level 1 Tap.5 classUpstairs Studio A
5:55-7:106 - 8Combo II/III1.5 classUpstairs Studio A
TUESDAY
TimeAgeClassLengthStudio Location
4:15-5:053Preschool I (Ballet & Tap)1 classDownstairs Studio B
4:30-5:2010 - 13Level II Jazz/Lyrical1 classUpstairs Studio A
5:05-6:205 - 6 Combo I1.5 classDownstairs Studio B
5:20-5:5010 - 13Level II Tap.5 classUpstairs Studio A
5:50-6:2013+Level III Tap.5 classUpstairs Studio A
6:20-6:506+Ensemble Performance Group.5 classUpstairs Studio A
6:50-7:2013+Level III Pointe.5 classUpstairs Studio A
7:20-8:3513+Level III Jazz/Lyrical1.5 classUpstairs Studio A
WEDNESDAY
TimeAgeClassLengthStudio Location
12:30-1:203 - 4Preschool I/II (Ballet, Tap, & Tumbling)1 classUpstairs Studio A
1:30-2:205 - 6Combo I (Ballet, Jazz, & Tumbling)1 classUpstairs Studio A
4:15-5:0510 - 13Level II Ballet1 classUpstairs Studio A
5:05-5:5510 - 13Level II Modern1 classUpstairs Studio A
5:55-6:4513+Acro III1 classUpstairs Studio A
6:45-7:3513+Ballet III1 classUpstairs Studio A
7:35-8:2513+Modern III1 classUpstairs Studio A
THURSDAY
TimeAgeClassLengthStudio Location
4:30-5:208 - 13Acro I/II1 classUpstairs Studio A
4:30-5:204Preschool II1 classDownstairs Studio B
5:20-6:103 - 4Tumbling I1 classUpstairs Studio A

2026-2027

Tuition Rates

All-Inclusive, Budget-Friendly Tuition

Our all-inclusive tuition makes budgeting easy by including:

*Weekly instructional classes

*Costume fees for our Annual End-of-Year Showcase

Monthly tuition is due by the 25th of each month. Payments received after the 1st incur a $25 late fee.

We also offer multi-class discounts, family discounts, and a 5% discount when the full 9-month season is paid by June 15.

For specific tuition rates or questions, please contact Linda at linda@kmgensemble.com

Number of ClassesMonthly Inclusive
.5 Class$45 Per Month
1 Class$65 Per Month
1.5 Classes$100 Per Month
2 Classes$120 Per Month
2.5 Classes$155 Per Month
3 Classes$170 Per Month
3.5 Classes$210 Per Month
4 Classes$225 Per Month
4.5 Classes$260 Per Month
5 Classes$280 Per Month
5.5 Classes$315 Per Month
6 Classes$335 Per Month
6.5 Classes$370 Per Month

Login or Create an Account
on our Parent Portal to reserve your space
or ask any additional questions

2024-2025

Zumba Classes

No Registration Fee – Space is Limited – All Instructors Are Certified
ScheduleDescriptionTeacher Name

Mondays & Thursdays

6:30 – 7:30pm

Zumba

Everybody and every body! Each Zumba™ class is designed to bring people together to sweat it on. A total workout combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class.

Gretchen Lawson

Login or Create an Account
on our Parent Portal to reserve your space
or ask any additional questions

It is our hope that when the students leave the Carroll County Dance Center they will have developed a stronger character, an excellent background in dance, and a special love and awareness of the individual rhythm and talent within themselves.

For More Information

Contact Us

165 N Main St, Hillsville, VA 24343

(276) 728-6026

Hours
Monday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Once you have created an account, download our Studio App for easier access.

About Kelly

Kelly Krantz is the Founder and Artistic Director of The KMG Ensemble and serves as the Head Dance Coach for Virginia Tech Athletics, where she leads the university’s dance program and supports Hokie Athletics at a wide range of athletic events and university functions. A respected dance educator and judge, keynote speaker, and leader with more than 30 years of experience, Kelly has built a career centered on excellence, leadership, and empowering others through the art of dance.

Inspired by decades of success at Carroll County Dance Center, Kelly created The KMG Ensemble, a branded dance program that now serves hundreds of dancers across two locations in Virginia and North Carolina. Her reputation for excellence has also led to opportunities to judge NFL dance team auditions and present keynote programs on leadership, resilience, teamwork, personal growth, building cultures of excellence, and the power of showing up for yourself and those you lead.

While still a junior at Radford University, Kelly founded Carroll County Dance Center in Hillsville, Virginia. Over the next three decades, she developed one of the region’s most respected dance programs, creating a comprehensive curriculum dedicated to helping dancers of all ages reach their fullest potential. Under her direction, students have earned numerous regional and national titles while performing at venues and events including Universal Studios, Carnival Cruise Line, the Daytona 500, NASCAR Xfinity Series events, Harlem Globetrotters games, collegiate athletic events, and professional baseball games.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly’s innovative approach to teaching allowed her students to remain engaged, connected, and progressing in their training while many studios struggled to survive. Rather than simply enduring the challenges of that period, her program experienced remarkable growth, laying the foundation for the expansion that became The KMG Ensemble.

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance from Radford University, where she performed in numerous productions and was selected for several university-sponsored performances. She later returned to her alma mater as a guest instructor, teaching tap dance as part of the department’s curriculum. Following graduation, she was accepted into the prestigious American Dance Festival, where she studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance, and she continues to pursue professional development through workshops and master classes across the country.

Kelly’s passion for dance began at the age of five at Patrick County Dancing Arts Center in Stuart, Virginia. By age fifteen, she was already assisting with instruction, discovering a love for teaching that would shape her life’s work. 

Although her career has taken her from the dance studio to collegiate athletics, the professional dance industry, and the speaking stage, Kelly believes her greatest accomplishment is helping others discover confidence, resilience, discipline, and purpose. Her mission remains unchanged: to inspire excellence, cultivate character, and empower every individual to discover what they are truly capable of.

About Brenda

Brenda Leath began dancing at the age of eight under the direction of Kelly Krantz at Carroll County Dance Center. Brenda was a member of the CCDC Performance Company for twelve years and during that time, she had many performance opportunities such as Carnival Cruise Lines.

At the age of twelve, Brenda began assisting classes at CCDC and in 2007 she became an instructor. Brenda educates all ages in ballet, jazz, and her favorite style, tap. She also has a great passion for working with ages 3-7. Helping them explore their creativity and developing their foundation for technical development is where she feels most accomplished.

After graduation, she worked with Dance Troupe Inc. traveling on the competition circuit as a staff member. Brenda has also worked with local church organizations incorporating Praise & Worship dance routines into their services.

Brenda attended Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga. She has been able to bring her knowledge back to CCDC and help prepare students for higher dance education both mentally and physically.

Throughout her professional teaching career, she has studied under nationally-renowned choreographers and instructors. This exposure has helped her expand her own dance vocabulary and given her more tools to use when educating students at CCDC.

Brenda resides in her home town of Fancy Gap with her husband Seth and their two daughters, Savannah and Emma.

About Katie

Originally from Newport, Tennessee, Katie moved to Cleveland in January of 2014 to join Inlet Dance Theatre as an Apprentice. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a Dance focus and a minor in Interdisciplinary Writing and Speech from Middle Tennessee State University.

While at MTSU, Katie worked with multiple guest artists, most notably Alberto del Saz, Stefanie Battan-Bland, T. Lang, and Patty Foster. During her collegiate years, Katie traveled all over the country, cities in China, and London performing and studying dance. She spent her summers attending different intensive programs such as Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, Alambradodanza in Florence, Italy, and Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive in Florida.

Katie was a Company Member with Inlet for 6 years touring nationally (Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Massachusetts, Alabama, Philadelphia), and teaching educational residencies regionally. Through Inlet, she has been a lead instructor of dance education at the Newton D. Baker School of Arts and a lead instructor and choreographer of the Newton D. Baker Student Dance Ensemble for 3 years. Notably, Katie performed with Inlet at Jacob’s Pillow as part of the Inside/Out Series. Most recently, Katie performed a leading role in the internationally renowned production of “What Do You Do With An Idea?” at the International Performing Arts for a Youth Conference in Philadelphia and the 2020 National Tour of the production before the COVID-19 shutdown. In 2017, Katie became the Social Media Coordinator authoring the monthly e-newsletter, “In the Current” and other social media platforms. She also served as Costume Coordinator for the company. Additionally, she was a subcommittee member of the Inlet PR/Marketing Committee. Katie was appointed to be the Company Dancer representative of the Capital Campaign’s Project Leadership Team in 2019 (working toward the acquisition of a building as Inlet’s new home).

As an independent dance instructor and choreographer, Katie has served as teacher/choreographer at various dance studios in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. She also has had the privilege of traveling as a guest choreographer winning multiple choreography awards throughout the Midwest region.

Now residing in Southwest Virginia, Katie is a Marketing & Advertising Consultant for various dance and entertainment organizations across the country and Australia. She continues her love of dance through teaching and choreographing various dance styles and ages through KMG Ensemble and travels nationally as a dance artist teaching residencies and choreography.

About Ella

Ella is from Hillsville, Virginia but her and her family moved to Holly Springs, North Carolina, when she was really young.

At the age of 13, Ella began dancing at Holly Springs School of Dance where she fell in love with dance. She decided that after high school she wanted to continue to pursue dance and began in the Fall of 2022 at Radford University. Ella is currently attending Radford as a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor in Business Management double major.

She has had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in both 2018 as well as 2021. This past year at Radford, Ella was cast in Fall Dance Fest and Dancing on the Edge. She is so excited to see what this year of teaching dance has in store for her!

About Tabitha

At the age of 13, Tabitha began dancing at Carroll County Dance Center, under the direction of Kelly Krantz. Tabitha was a member of the CCDC performance company for four years. That came with many performance opportunities. Salem Red Sox, Carnival Cruise Lines, Universal Studios, and many more.

In 2015, Tabitha started as a student assistant. She fell in love with teaching the technique of all styles of dance to the CCDC students.

After graduating, she continued to work under Kelly. She has worked with three different local churches, incorporating worship dances into their ministries. Tabitha continues to study at Liberty University for her Bachelors of Science in Christian Leadership.

In June 2023, Tabitha was able to travel to Panama with the World Missions Ministry of the IPHC, The Awakening. While in Panama, she was able to be apart of the program that shared the gospel to many children and young adults. Missions is where her heart lies.

Tabitha continues to pursue leading at the Carroll and Surry County Dance Centers as the Administrative Assistant and an Instructor and is honored to still be apart of the amazing dance community that she grew up in.

About Meriam

Meriam started dancing with the Carroll County Dance Center at the age of 3.

She was a dancer with the CCDC Performance Company for 6 years and with the KMG Ensemble for 4 years.

She had many dance opportunities over the years. She competed in group dances as well as solos and a duet. Other opportunities include dancing at the Daytona 500, Charlotte Hornets, Virginia Tech, Duke and many more.

In 2021 she began working as a student assistant at CCDC. In 2024 she was the KMG Ensemble intern and worked at SCDC. In the Spring of 2025 she graduated high school and Bluefield University with an associates degree.

Before graduating she accepted a position with KMG Ensemble.

Meriam has a passion for dance and teaching dance. She is excited to start her teaching position with KMG Ensemble and share her love of dance with the students.

About Bella

Isabella Villa is a contemporary and modern dance artist and educator. She began training in classical ballet at Artistic Motion School of Arts & Preparatory Academy, focusing in Vaganova technique. Isabella competed in several editions of the Youth America Grand Prix and performed with the Moscow Ballet in Greensboro, North Carolina. At the age of 15, she found her passion for contemporary dance and trained in Graham, Limón, Cunningham, and Release technique under the direction of Brenda Daniels, Sean Sullivan, Jiwon Ha, Misha Tchoupakov, Kurt Douglas, and Trish Casey.

Isabella attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and studied Contemporary Dance Performance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Some of her performance credits include Missa Brevis, Anywhere But Where I Am, The Snow Queen, and her self-choreographed work Noise Above Our Heads. In 2023, she assisted in
choreographing and performed in a new dance work, LUCI, in Boston, Massachusetts. A year later, she performed in Jiwon Ha’s original work Multiplicities at the North Carolina Dance
Festival.

Over the past three years, Isabella’s artistic mission has evolved from performance to dance education. As a teacher, she is passionate about nurturing not only technical excellence but also confident, compassionate, and authentic artists. She believes the dance studio should be a place where students feel safe, seen, and encouraged to grow both as dancers and as people. Her mission is to promote dance not only as an artistic practice, but as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and self-discovery. Through teaching, she strives to create empathetic, validating spaces while challenging outdated traditions and fostering a healthier, more inclusive future for the dance community.

About Susanne

Although I may not be a dancer myself, CCDC and SCDC are a huge part of my life and have been for over going on twenty seven years. My daughter danced at CCDC and now my granddaughter is in her 3rd year of dance and 2nd year of acro.

A native to Carroll County and having moved to Mount Airy three years ago, I have had the privilege of watching Kelly at CCDC lead, instruct, and challenge not only my daughter, but some of the wonderful ladies who are instructors teaching my granddaughter those same skills now at SCDC.

So let me just say, I am a huge fan of Kelly and this wonderful group of teachers! They instruct these students in the art of dance all while building their self confidence, problem solving skills, and modeling what it is to be a leader who is strong, while being compassionate, understanding, and fair. Your child’s time spent at the dance studio is not merely learning the art of dance, which is incredible on its own, it is an investment in their future as they are learning by example to be successful and become future leaders in life.

My work background is in manufacturing, customer service, Human Resources, administrative assistance, and technical services and my passion is helping others. I have a huge love for this dance center and team, so when Kelly asked me if I could fit this into my schedule, I was honored, thrilled, and yes I cried with excitement!