Studio News:

Come see us in action at our Open House on September 22nd

GRAND OPENING!!!! SEPTEMBER 24TH.... TIME TO PUT YOUR DANCING SHOES ON!

Teacher Bios

Lauren Upton: Owner/Primary Instructor

Lauren has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She grew up in South Florida where she studied dance at Fame School of Dance under the direction of Sherri Davis. She was an active member of the award winning Dance Electric Company for 5 years. In her 5 years with Fame’s Dance Electric Company, Lauren was a part of group numbers, which took first place overall at Tremaine, Hoctor, and Show Stoppers for 4 out of her 5 years. She was also an assistant instructor. She then danced with the still award winning Encore Dance Theater of Ft. Lauderdale for one year. Lauren has had the opportunity to take many workshops at Dance Caravan, Tremaine, and even preformed a routine choreographed by Master Jazz Instructor Scott Benson. She took a break from dancing to pursue her education and start a family. After the birth of her youngest child, Lauren decided to get back into dance and began teaching at the Flagler School of Dance in Flagler Beach, Florida. She was the beginner, intermediate, and advanced Tap instructor, as well as the beginner Jazz instructor, under the direction of Cindy Miller. Upon moving to North Carolina in February of 2007, she decided to open a dance studio. Armed with a unique vision, Lauren opened U Can Dance Inc. in September 2007.
Katy Cochran Rakow

Katy Cochran Rakow- Jazz Instructor

Katy is originally from Highland City, FL. She has been dancing since she was two and trained exclusively at Carol Grayson’s School of Dance in Lakeland, FL. She studied extensively in Jazz and Tap. She started as a student assistant when she was 10. From student assisting, she moved on to choreographing her own routines and was a registered instructor with Dance Educators of America by the age of 16. She then went to work full time for Walt Disney World Company in Lake Buena Vista, FL. She performed there as a Costumed Entertainer and eventually a Choreographer. When not in the studio, Katy enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike and their son, Aiden

 
Marissa Ashley Slutsky

Marissa Ashley Slutsky- Ballet/Pointe Instructor

Marissa Ashley Slutsky grew up in Montgomery, New Jersey where she started her study of dance at age 3. Before moving to Raleigh in 2000 she danced at the Princeton Ballet School and Ballet Florida in West Palm Beach. She continued her dance studies at the Raleigh School of Ballet and Raleigh Dance Theater before coming to Carolina Ballet. As a young dancer she participated in many Carolina Ballet productions including the first Nutcracker in 2001. Ms. Slutsky is now attending Meredith College majoring in biology and dance .