Bonnie and Wesley Smith: Owners
Bonnie and Wesley became part of the Northwestern Family in 2019 and became owners in October of 2021. Their daughter Avery, has been dancing for over thirteen years. The Smith family has been an active part of a dance studio and competition dance during those years.

Bonnie and Wesley are native to North Carolina, having grown up in Rutherford County and living in Cleveland County for fifteen years before coming to the High Country. They are a dance family who loves to see others excel and enjoy dance.

“We are excited for the opportunity to be the owners of this great studio. The awesome instruction and family atmosphere are what brought us to Northwestern. It is our hope to continue to carry on the great legacy that has been left here. We’re thankful for each dancer, family and instructor that make up our Northwestern family!”

Avery Smith, Artistic and STARZ Team Director
Avery fell in love with dance at a very young age and never stopped. She has been dancing since age 5 and has been a competitive dancer for over 10 years. Avery has trained and performed in many styles of dance. Her favorites are lyrical and Jazz. Through the years she has been very active in her dance studios with classes, assisting peers and younger students, teaching, choreography and helping with competitions. Avery earned many awards during her years of dancing. She has won regional titles. Judge’s and Choreography awards, scholarships, earned many high overall placements and national honors. Avery came to Northwestern in 2019 as a high school student. She graduated from Watauga High School and now attends Appalachian State University, majoring in Dance Studies and Health and Physical Education.

Stacey Trivett: Head Instructor, Co-founder ME & U, Curriculum Developer
Ms. Stacey began her dance training in northeastern North Carolina. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance with minors in Music and Education from Lees-McRae College. She has taught Ballet, Tap, Clogging, and Social Dance at Mountcastle School of Dance, Lees-McRae College, Crossnore Academy, Avery and Watauga County schools, Grandfather Mountain Home for Children, and the North Carolina Clogging Association. Ms. Stacey has participated in musical theatre productions as a dancer, dance captain, and assistant choreographer at Gallery Theatre in Ahoskie, NC, Lees-McRae Summer Theatre, and Blue Ridge Community Theatre. Ms. Stacey spent 18 years on the Performing Arts Faculty at Lees-McRae College and is currently still directing the LMC summer program Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). Ms. Stacey is also the Music Director and a Children’s Minister at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk, NC. Ms. Stacey has taught at Northwestern Studios for over 20 years(!) and teaches Creative Movement, Ballet, and Tap.

CYNTHIA HARLESS: Head Instructor, Co-founder ME & U, Curriculum Developer
Ms. Cynthia began dancing in northwestern North Carolina at a young age. She has trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, clogging, hip hop, and gymnastics. Ms. Cynthia attended North Carolina Governor's School in the area of dance as a sophomore in high school. She applied her dance and gymnastics abilities to cheer competitively throughout high school and into college, later going on to coach high school cheerleading. Ms. Cynthia has taught gymnastics with her former instructor and she also enjoys choreographing and performing with the Ashe County Little Theatre. Ms. Cynthia is an Assistant Principal in Ashe County and has taught at NWS for many years where she teaches tumbling for dancers. She is delighted to share her passion for dance with her two little girls and enjoys dancing through life with her husband.

Caroline Friend: Head Instructor

Caroline grew up in Holly Springs, North Carolina where she studied under Marilyn Chappell at Holly Springs School of Dance. She has trained in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and pointe techniques for many years. She also has attended summer intensive programs at The Rock School for Dance and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, as well as with the David Dorfman Dance Company at Ohio University. She began teaching when she was 16 and has taught classes of all styles from ages 3- adult. Caroline is now a graduate of Appalachian State University with a BA in Dance Studies and a minor in Pyschology. She is teaching Contemporary, and Ballet classes.

Hailey Costar: Head Instructor
Hailey is a student at Appalachian State, majoring in dance, focusing in choreography. She has been dancing for sixteen years, having been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and musical theatre. Outside of studio work, some of her training includes classes through the Broadway Dance Center, and Alvin Ailey in New York City, and Titan Dance Conventions. While at App, she plans to join on campus dance clubs, and crews as well as participate in annual showcases. Though she has danced in many different styles, she loves tap and musical theater. Hailey has experience choreographing musical theatre and has been in many theater productions. She is teaching Musical Theatre and Ballet.

Jana Greer: Guest Instructor, Consultant, and Co-founder ME & U, Curriculum Developer
Ms. Jana began studying dance at Flagler School of Dance in Florida focusing on Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. During this time she had special appearances with Daytona’s Civic Ballet and Dance Alive. She spent three summers training with Ballet Magnificat. She continued her dance studies at Appalachian State University while pursuing a degree in music. After graduation she moved to NYC and taught at Dance Source Studio in Queens. She now resides in the high country and enjoys watching her children grow at Northwestern Studios. Ms. Jana is a certified Montessori Guide for Birth-3. She is also the Logistic Coordinator for The Land of Oz. Ms. Jana enjoys teaching music at a local preschool and leads the children’s choir at her church. Ms. Jana has been a part of the NWS team for 5+ years and teaches Creative Movement, Ballet, and Tap.