HOLY CITY DANCE CENTER
CHARLESTON'S MOST ELITE DANCE EXPERIENCE
Meet Our Staff
Morgan Bennett
Morgan Bennett is originally from Boston and has been a part of the dance world since she was 2 years old. She found her love of dance through her aunt who owns her own studio in the Boston area. Her love for competitive dance began at the age of 7. The rush of the competition experience excited her from day one and she performed her first
Show More
tap solo at the age of 8. Continuing with the experience of competition, she also dove head first into the competitive cheer world for most of her teen years. There she was able to compete locally as well as across the country. This helped her further her confidence on stage in front of thousands of spectators. She eventually came back full circle her senior year in high school, doing just competitive dance.
Morgan attended Dean College receiving her BA in Dance and her AA in Sports Fitness/Exercise Science. Her training at Dean College consisted of ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, and jazz. Though her time at Dean confirmed her love for dance, she found a new love in working with the athletic trainer of the dance program. She was able to learn how to help each dancer better themselves and help get the dancers stronger to do the rigorous schedule of a college dance major. Morgan has always had an interest in how the body moves and works especially for people in the arts. She is currently working on receiving her Personal Trainer certification and is working towards going to grad school for Physical Therapy.
Throughout her time at Dean she was on the performance team for Sophisticated Productions, performed with the Impact Dance Company, and joined the Boston Tap Company. Morgan never quite saw herself as a teacher but learning a lot through the Boston Tap Company inspired her to try it out. She taught master classes after graduating college and found her love for teaching. She had the pleasure of teaching classes at a variety of studios in the greater Boston area prior to moving to Charleston in 2020. She is currently a part of the local tap company Holy City Hotfoot. Morgan’s favorite part of teaching is seeing her students succeed and her pieces come to life on stage.
Maya Everett-Wilson
Maya Everett-Wilson is originally from Boston Massachusetts. She has been dancing from the age of two in styles ranging from ballet, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, and many more. Maya is a senior dance major at the College of Charleston with a concentration in performance and choreography and a minor in women and gender studies. She started
Show More
teaching at the age of 14 and recently choreographed in CofC’s spring show. Involved with many different dance companies she is very immersed in the Charleston dance scene. Maya is very exited to be at HCDC!
Izzy Byers
Director of Recreational Programming and Community Outreach
Izzy Byers, originally from Greenville, SC, has been living and dancing in Charleston for four years now. At six years old, she started dancing and training at a competitive level and soon found her favorite styles to be contemporary and hip hop. She continued her dance training in the classical styles of Modern and Ballet as well as
Show More
dancing in musicals at the local professional theatre while she was in high school. College of Charleston gave her the opportunity to major in Dance, perform, and present choreography in main stage shows as well as the American College Dance Association annual conference. Recently, Izzy performed her Capstone work from her undergraduate studies at the Alumni Concert presented through the Spoleto Festival. As her chapter of performing comes to a close, Izzy has found a true passion for teaching over the last three years at local dance studios. Helping kids build their confidence, passion, and artistry through dance is her mission in every class she has the opportunity to teach. Izzy is excited and grateful to join the team at Holy City Dance Center and can’t wait to watch her students shine!
Chelsea Taborn
Chelsea is a professional dancer and choreographer based in Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up as a competitive dancer in Virginia Beach, she trained extensively in various dance styles. Chelsea began earning her choreography and performance degree at Marymount Manhattan College in 2012.
Show More
While in New York City, Chelsea also trained at The Ailey School and never missed a chance to take additional dance classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway. She then transferred to College of Charleston to continue her dance training and education. While earning her degrees, Chelsea taught and choreographed at several competitive dance studios, choreographed for a nationally ranked dance team as well as assisted artists like Jason Ambrose, Tina Sidoni and Tommy Alexander. After earning her degrees, Chelsea continued to spread her love of dance through teaching in studios and public schools throughout the Lowcountry, choreographing for the South Carolina pageant as well as judging at Encore DCS and Shake the Ground dance competitions. Her contemporary, modern, jazz and hip hop pieces have earned several overall high scores, perfect scores and outstanding choreography awards. With 10 years of teaching and choreography experience, Chelsea is excited to spread positivity and support to the students at Holy City Dance Center.
Megan Deshotel
Megan Deshotel, with over a decade of experience, is a scholar, dancer, choreographer and instructor specializing in integrating dance with fitness and strength training. Holding a B.F.A, M.F.A and Alternative South Carolina teaching certificate for South Carolina Board of Education. She continues to stay up to date with current research, explore new movements and participate in her own strength training program.
Show More
Ashley Gargani
Ashley Gargani is originally from Long Island New York. She has been dancing for 12 years and competed in dance for 8 years. Ashley has danced in the styles hip hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, musical theatre and more. She is a Sophomore at the College of Charleston and is a dance major with a concentration in performance and choreography and a major in communications.
Show More
Ashley started teaching at the age of 15 at her local dance studio and has been choreographing and performing at school. She has recently performed in the CofC spring concert and is looking forward to immerse herself in Charleston dance opportunities. She is super excited to be apart of a new dance family, and watch her students shine at HCDC!
Emilia Drago
Emilia Drago was born and raised in Miami Florida as a dancer, actor, and singer. With both her parents being professional dancers, she’s been dancing since she was 3 in all styles. She also found a love and passion for musical theater and film acting and performed in many musicals and competitons. She was a competitive dancer for almost 10 years before the pandemic hit and closed her studio permanently.
Show More
For the last 7 years, Emilia has been teaching and choreographing for competitions, musicals, and has won many awards for her choreography. She has taught at many schools and studios around Miami, Florida, with all ages in all styles. She is excited to begin her adventure in Charleston as a dance instructor here at Holy City!