Kayla Derrick (Teacher) lives in Maumelle, Arkansas with her husband, Ben. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance and a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Kayla’s passion for dance began in her hometown of Heber Springs, Arkansas, where she performed and taught at local studios, and participated in liturgical dance at her church. During her years at UALR, she displayed her talent and fostered her love for dance through participation in multiple dance concerts, in which she was featured as a performer and choreographer, and attended American College Dance Festival conferences. She has also danced, acted, and sang in two of UALR’s theatre productions. Kayla combined her knowledge of dance and sign language to fulfill her duties as a dance instructor at the Arkansas School for the Deaf.
After graduating UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company and is currently an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids. The company has given her great opportunity to grow in her love for teaching, while learning how to create a positive environment in showing students how to use dance to glorify God. Recently, in 2015, Kayla found her passion for fitness. Through her experience and years of teaching, she has found joy encouraging and empowering people of all ages to live an active and healthy life. Kayla is a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor through the Schwinn Training Program and holds a teaching license as a Pound Pro Instructor.
After graduating UALR, Kayla completed five seasons as a performer/choreographer for New Creation Dance Company and is currently an instructor for the New Creation Dance Kids. The company has given her great opportunity to grow in her love for teaching, while learning how to create a positive environment in showing students how to use dance to glorify God. Recently, in 2015, Kayla found her passion for fitness. Through her experience and years of teaching, she has found joy encouraging and empowering people of all ages to live an active and healthy life. Kayla is a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor through the Schwinn Training Program and holds a teaching license as a Pound Pro Instructor.
Emily Harris (Dancer) is from Conway, AR. She began taking dance at the age of 3 at Shuffles and Ballet II in Little Rock until 12 years old, where she then began dancing at Sonshine Academy and Central Arkansas Ballet in the Conway area. She eventually returned to Little Rock Studios in high school and danced with Next Level Dance Company under Director Angel Hairston while also being featured as the dance soloist for Conway High School band performances. She won a Thea Scholarship in 2015 with her contemporary solo as well as a dance scholarship with a jazz solo from Hendrix College.God has further blessed her in college with many opportunities to study dance. She performed with the Hendrix Dance ensemble for a year and a half before embarking for Italy and Germany, where she studied dance. She has experience in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop.
Emily is very thankful that these experiences abroad have opened her eyes further to God´s beautiful creation and to his followers from other parts of the world. She wishes to continue to grow in her relationship with him and felt called to continue with His gift after she returned home. Emily is a graduate of Hendrix College with a major in German Literature and Language. She studied under Faculty member Stephanie Thibeault at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. before going to Berlin, Germany to do freelance work. She is now teaching at The Studio by Lauren. This is her second season with the company.
Emily is very thankful that these experiences abroad have opened her eyes further to God´s beautiful creation and to his followers from other parts of the world. She wishes to continue to grow in her relationship with him and felt called to continue with His gift after she returned home. Emily is a graduate of Hendrix College with a major in German Literature and Language. She studied under Faculty member Stephanie Thibeault at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. before going to Berlin, Germany to do freelance work. She is now teaching at The Studio by Lauren. This is her second season with the company.
Eden Woodruff (Apprentice, Assistant Teacher) was born in San Francisco, CA, and after many moves, she currently resides in Little Rock, AR. She begun dancing at the age of 2 in California and hasn’t stopped since. She always had a love for music and the stage as a child. She has performed in multiple church musicals, choirs, and Sign Language for worship at churches throughout the years. She continued her dance education in multiple dance studios in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Nebraska. She has many God-given talents and puts all of her passion and energy into everything she does. When not dancing, Eden always as a project, whether it’s drawing, painting, crochet, sculpting, making gifts, etc. This year she hopes to publish her first novel.
For three years, she studied at a pre-professional training program under the amazing tutelage from Leslie Doge, Lauren McCarty-Horak, Allison Staloda Wilson, and Hope Wenneker for 25 hours a week. Her studies included: ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and jazz at Shuffles and Ballet II in Little Rock, owned and wonderfully run by Ms. Jana Beard. Most recently, Eden performed at the Youth American Grand Prix with classical and contemporary variations. She performed Bluebird from Sleeping Beauty in 2019. In 2020, she performed Medora from Les Corsaire and Swan Lake Pas de Troix. Her contemporary piece, choreographed by Ms. Lauren McCary-Horak, portrayed some parts of Eden’s life living with multiple invisible disabilities. These rare conditions affect her hearing, vision, and can cause all of her joints to dislocate. It also causes faulty collagen that affects all the connective tissues that provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Her doctors are so pleased she can still dance, as it’s protecting her joints to keep her out of her wheelchair.
After graduating from Heritage High School (homeschool) at the age of 16, Eden was offered a full dance scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Last year she studied Ballet 3/4 in the college senior level under Professor Steven Stone at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. God has placed a passion for teaching children in Eden’s heart, and she is delighted for the new opportunities this season that New Creation has in store as first year apprentice with the company.
For three years, she studied at a pre-professional training program under the amazing tutelage from Leslie Doge, Lauren McCarty-Horak, Allison Staloda Wilson, and Hope Wenneker for 25 hours a week. Her studies included: ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and jazz at Shuffles and Ballet II in Little Rock, owned and wonderfully run by Ms. Jana Beard. Most recently, Eden performed at the Youth American Grand Prix with classical and contemporary variations. She performed Bluebird from Sleeping Beauty in 2019. In 2020, she performed Medora from Les Corsaire and Swan Lake Pas de Troix. Her contemporary piece, choreographed by Ms. Lauren McCary-Horak, portrayed some parts of Eden’s life living with multiple invisible disabilities. These rare conditions affect her hearing, vision, and can cause all of her joints to dislocate. It also causes faulty collagen that affects all the connective tissues that provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Her doctors are so pleased she can still dance, as it’s protecting her joints to keep her out of her wheelchair.
After graduating from Heritage High School (homeschool) at the age of 16, Eden was offered a full dance scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Last year she studied Ballet 3/4 in the college senior level under Professor Steven Stone at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. God has placed a passion for teaching children in Eden’s heart, and she is delighted for the new opportunities this season that New Creation has in store as first year apprentice with the company.
Welcome! We are a professional dance company and nonprofit ministry based in Central Arkansas. Our desire is to use the art of dance to glorify the name of Jesus Christ and to make Him known in our communities in Arkansas, across the United States, and the world. We offer performances, local weekly dance classes, workshops, and master classes
Darby Schmidt (Teacher), an Open Championship Level Irish Dancer, has been dancing Irish Dance for nine years. She has trained with the Dwyer School of Irish Dance in Dayton, Ohio, competing in the North American Championships and the Regional Championships as both a soloist and ceili team member. She was an assistant teacher at the Dwyer School of Irish Dance and has taught workshops and an Irish Dance camp to students in Central Arkansas. This is Darby's first year to teach for the New Creation Dance Kids!
specific contact emails:
Erin Sanders, Director
erin.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kayla Derrick
kayla.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kathleen Marleneanu
kathleen.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Saige Wood
saige.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Erin Sanders, Director
erin.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kayla Derrick
kayla.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kathleen Marleneanu
kathleen.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Saige Wood
saige.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Jessica Borden (Dancer, Teacher) is from Vilonia, AR. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has experience in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, modern, and acrobatics. Most of her studio training comes from Sonshine Academy and Blackbird Academy of Arts. In 2014, she had the opportunity to take dance classes from Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance in New York City.
Jessica is currently a sophomore at Central Baptist College where she studies Elementary Education. She teaches hip hop, tap, ballet, worship, and jazz through New Creation every week, and works at Sonshine Academy, where she teaches classes in ballet, tap, and jazz. She also teaches classes and gives private lessons from home. Jessica loves worshiping the Lord through dance and is excited to be dancing with New Creation.
Jessica is currently a sophomore at Central Baptist College where she studies Elementary Education. She teaches hip hop, tap, ballet, worship, and jazz through New Creation every week, and works at Sonshine Academy, where she teaches classes in ballet, tap, and jazz. She also teaches classes and gives private lessons from home. Jessica loves worshiping the Lord through dance and is excited to be dancing with New Creation.
Sarah Tillman (Apprentice Dancer) is native to Central AR. She studies classical ballet with former Ballet Arkansas dancer Lauren Horak. She also has spent time in Oklahoma City taking class directed by OKC Ballet company members, as well as private study with former company dancer Callye Crespo. Sarah studied music in college at the University of Central Arkansas, and graduated with a degree in classical guitar performance. She is currently teaching music in the Central AR area. Sarah is very excited to be starting this new journey with the New Creation Dance Company!
specific contact emails:
Erin Sanders, Director, Booking, Fundraising
erin.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kayla Derrick, Tour, Class Finance
kayla.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kathleen Marleneanu, Class Admin, Website/Social Media, Print Design
kathleen.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Laurel Simon, Press Releases, Mailing List, Prayer Updates
laurel.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Saige Wood, Product Sales
saige.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Erin Sanders, Director, Booking, Fundraising
erin.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kayla Derrick, Tour, Class Finance
kayla.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Kathleen Marleneanu, Class Admin, Website/Social Media, Print Design
kathleen.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Laurel Simon, Press Releases, Mailing List, Prayer Updates
laurel.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Saige Wood, Product Sales
saige.newcreationdance@gmail.com
Laurel Simon (Dancer, Teacher) is originally from Seattle, WA, where she studied at Pacific Northwest Ballet School under the instruction of Elaine Bauer, Bruce Wells, and Victoria Pulkkinen. Prior to that she began her ballet training in Williamsburg, VA at the Eastern Virginia School of the Performing Arts with Sandra Balestracci. Laurel graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s School of Dance with a BFA in Ballet Performance and a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies: Technical and Critical Theatre.
After graduation, she spent two seasons with Ballet Arkansas under the leadership of Michael Bearden. She was privileged to dance in a variety of classical and contemporary works, including world premieres by Kiyon Gaines and Darrell Grand Moultrie. Laurel is very excited to share the joy of dance and worship with others through New Creation! This is her third season with the company.
After graduation, she spent two seasons with Ballet Arkansas under the leadership of Michael Bearden. She was privileged to dance in a variety of classical and contemporary works, including world premieres by Kiyon Gaines and Darrell Grand Moultrie. Laurel is very excited to share the joy of dance and worship with others through New Creation! This is her third season with the company.
Greta Smith lives in Jacksonville, Arkansas with her husband Greg and their two children, William and Caroline. Greta has been dancing for 22 years. Her training includes 3 years in the Arkansas Youth Ballet under the instruction of Antonio Mesa, where she performed solos in “Don Quixote” and “Coppelia”, and was one of Swan Lake’s “Four Swans”. She has danced roles such as “Chinese”, “Waltz of The Flowers” and “Snow” in The Nutcracker, while later dancing with Ballet Arkansas.
At nineteen, Greta moved to Jackson, Mississippi to train with Ballet Magnificat! II, and toured with them for two years, performing and teaching workshops with the other company members. After moving back home to Arkansas, Greta started teaching ballet and pointe, and continued to teach and choreograph at various studios for over eight years. In 2011, she had the opportunity to perform at “Project Dance New York” in Times Square. In 2010 and 2013 she attended Ad Deum Dance Company’s Summer Dance Intensive in Houston, TX, taking classes from Randall Flynn, Steve Rooks, Bill Wade, and other talented instructors from around the world. Greta has had a vision for directing a professional dance ministry for over ten years, and is so excited for New Creation's fifth season as a company. Greta’s ultimate desire is, and has always been, that God will continue to use her passion for dance to minister to others, and that He alone will be glorified through her movement and her life.
At nineteen, Greta moved to Jackson, Mississippi to train with Ballet Magnificat! II, and toured with them for two years, performing and teaching workshops with the other company members. After moving back home to Arkansas, Greta started teaching ballet and pointe, and continued to teach and choreograph at various studios for over eight years. In 2011, she had the opportunity to perform at “Project Dance New York” in Times Square. In 2010 and 2013 she attended Ad Deum Dance Company’s Summer Dance Intensive in Houston, TX, taking classes from Randall Flynn, Steve Rooks, Bill Wade, and other talented instructors from around the world. Greta has had a vision for directing a professional dance ministry for over ten years, and is so excited for New Creation's fifth season as a company. Greta’s ultimate desire is, and has always been, that God will continue to use her passion for dance to minister to others, and that He alone will be glorified through her movement and her life.
