April Lawyer/Founder/CEO of Destiny Dance
April's journey into the world of dance began during her formative years, ignited by her participation in a local theater program and a church-affiliated dance troupe. This initial spark ignited a lifelong passion that guided her toward a career in dance. Her formal dance education took shape at Towson University, where she underwent rigorous training under the mentorship of distinguished figures including Linda-Denise Fisher, Stephanie Powell, and acclaimed choreographers Jayne Bernasconi and Vincent Thomas.
April has carved her expertise in modern dance techniques, showcasing a diverse skill set encompassing ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and jazz dance forms. Her professional trajectory includes a notable stint as a member of the highly-regarded Full Circle Dance Company, under the visionary direction of Donna Jacobs, spanning over a decade. The depth of her experience in modern dance fueled her aspiration to introduce a modern dance performance company to the DMV area.
With an illustrious teaching career spanning over 20 years, April stands as a seasoned educator, imparting her wealth of dance knowledge to students of all ages. Her teaching contributions have extended to esteemed institutions in the region, including Ballet Petite, The Washington School of Ballet, The James School of Dance, Community College of Baltimore County, Local Motion Studio, and Dance Dynamix. Additionally, April was actively involved with Ballet Petite’s Performance Company, taking on the role of Artistic Director for the 2016 Nutcracker and 2017 Swan Lake Productions.
Furthermore, April has extended her dance influence through her participation in the Local Motion Project dance company a in Alexandria, VA. She also enriched her journey as a member of the Lions Den Dance Company, also based in Alexandria.
April's lifelong dream has been to lead a dance studio that nurtures and guides emerging dancers of all ages within an inspiring environment. Her mission is to introduce individuals to the joy of creative arts through dance. Through Destiny Dance, she envisions dance serving as a lifelong enrichment for students of varies ages.
Sydney Lauren Painter is a 20-year-old from Winchester, Virginia where she danced under the direction of Denna Smith at the Inwood Dance Company for 15 years. During those years she trained in ballet, tap/jazz, contemporary, modern, and Irish step dance. Sydney’s passion for choreography and contemporary dance led her to achieve two chosen pieces titled “Depersonalization” and “Who I Am” which were both performed at the Regional Dance America Southeast Festivals in 2021 and 2022. Sydney has attended numerous summer dance intensives including West Virginia University Summer Dance Academy, Southeast Alabama Dance Company’s Summer Intensive, Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, and The National Choreography Intensive. During her dance career, Sydney has danced the following: The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Deux, Arabian Princess Deux, and The Nutcracker), Coppelia (Prayer Solo), Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Don Quixote, Cinderella, and Le Corsaire. In 2018, Sydney was chosen by her instructors and peers to receive the Brandeis Wilson Memorial Scholarship for her dedication to dance. In 2019, she was selected for the Dorothy Ewing Memorial scholarship The recipient must possess the characteristics of leadership, dedication, love of dance, and the gift of friendship. Throughout the years, Sydney has attended multiple dance festivals including Dance Works, Dance West Virginia, and Regional Dance America Southeast Dance Festival. Sydney is also a member of the Royal Academy of Dance. After high school graduation, she furthered her dance career at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia and West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Dance Instructor
Meet Nikki Stone, a dance enthusiast who discovered the enchanting world of dance at the tender age of 6. Captivated by the boundless expressive potential of movement and music, Nikki's journey into the realm of dance began. Growing up within the dance competition circuit, she honed her skills while simultaneously undergoing training at ballet schools across Northern Virginia.
Nikki's dedication to her craft led her to prioritize her artistic development, resulting in her completion of high school studies online. This step allowed her to focus on nurturing her artistry at East Coast Movement, guided by the mentorship of Billy Larson. During her teenage years, Nikki experienced the thrill of performing works by renowned choreographers, including Billy Larson at the Painted Bride Theatre and Joyce Theatre. She also graced the stage under the direction of Marinda Davis in the New York premiere of "UnBreakable" at Salvatore Capezio Theatre.
As her dance journey continued, Nikki transitioned into teaching during her senior year of high school. This passion evolved into a pursuit of excellence, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from George Mason University. Her time at the university offered her the privilege of performing distinguished pieces by acclaimed choreographers such as Camille Brown, Robert Battle, and Luis Torres Ortiz, alongside exceptional student choreographers. Guided by the direction of Susan Shields, the School of Dance empowered Nikki to refine her voice as a choreographer, earning her recognition and awards in regional dance competitions.
Nikki's dance accomplishments extend to performances at prestigious venues, including the Harris Theatre, the Center for the Arts, the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, and the Capezio ACE awards.
With great enthusiasm, Nikki Stone looks forward to collaborating with her fellow dance educators at Destiny Dance. Her mission is to impart the intrinsic value of movement and creativity to the next generation of aspiring artists, igniting their passion for dance.
