Meet our amazing staff members!
Meet our team of talented, dedicated, and fun instructors!
Meredith Caruso, Owner/Artistic Director
Ms. Meredith received her dance training under the director of Laura Foti of New Hampshire Academie of Dance where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and pointe. Ms. Meredith was a competitive dancer who attended numerous national and regional dance competitions and conferences, winning various awards and recognitions. She trained as an assistant dance instructor for five years, which led to her love of teaching young students. In 2008, Ms. Meredith studied abroad traveling and dancing around the globe. She went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education. In continuing her education, she received a Master’s of Arts in education from Southern New Hampshire University. Throughout her college training, Ms. Meredith continued her dance training as well as teaching. She earned a certification in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance and started a program designed for dancers with various abilities and special needs at New Hampshire Academie of Dance as well as ran an after school dance program at a NH school district. Ms. Meredith currently works as a Kindergarten Teacher for the Department of Defense on Camp Lejeune.
Ms. Meredith married her childhood best friend in 2008, who is a United States Marine. Together they have three children who attend classes at LDC. She opened LDC during her husband’s 4th deployment and is extremely proud of what the program has become and is grateful to be able to give back to the military community at Camp Lejeune!
Ms. Meredith continues to love learning and continues to participate in Master classes and workshops throughout her adult life. She holds current certifications in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, Alixa Flexibility Modules 1 & 2, and Acrobatic Arts Module 1.
Savanna Hanks, Performance Team Director
Savanna Hanks began her dance and gymnastic training at the age of three in Mesa, Arizona. Savanna trained in styles such as contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, jazz, clogging and ballet. She trained with Trevor Leavitt for 15 years in gymnastics, tumbling, and acrobatics.
In high school, she performed with Euporea Dance Company and cheered with Mesa Varsity Cheer. She started choreographing for these teams at the of age 14. She choreographed dances, sideline cheers, and pep rally routines. Being a part of Mesa High dance and cheer is where she found her love for choreography. Savanna began teaching dance and coaching gymnastics at age 17. Under her direction students have reached their personal goals.
After graduating high school, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. At BYU she had the opportunity to study dance under Kate Monson, Keely Song, Adam Dyer, Kathleen Sheffield, Liz Dibble, and Rachel Barker. In her studies she gained knowledge of performance, teaching, and choreography. While attending BYU, Savanna performed with BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre and BYU DancEnsemble. In February 2020, she performed professionally in “Emergence”, Louisa Rankin's self-produced show in Provo, Utah.
In the past two years, Savanna has choreographed competition solos, duets, and group pieces for Rhythm and Motion Dance Center in Mesa, Arizona and Daje Dance Academy in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Her works went on to receive regional honors at various competitions.
Savanna is is certified in Alixa Flexibility Module 1 and Acrobatic Arts Module 1.
Savanna recently moved to Jacksonville with her husband, who is a United States Marine.
Savanna is delighted to be teaching at Lejeune Dance Company. Savanna is grateful to all the artists that inspire her and her friends and family that support her.
Coming Soon!
Lejeune Dance Company is looking for qualified, enthusiastic, and dedicated instructors to join our staff and expand our classes offered. We are now hiring an instructor with prior experience in a wide variety of dance styles to teach students of all-levels, ages 18 months-adult. Circus, aerial/hoop, baton instructors needed as we are hoping to grow and interested in adding new classes for our clients!
APPLY NOW ! Send a resume & reel (if available) to: lejeunedancecompany@gmail.com