GLADC Staff
Brayden Schmitt
Artistic Director
Brayden began his training at age 10 and through the years has studied just about every genre you can think of. Ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, acro, hip-hop, modern, ballroom, Brayden is well rounded in his understanding of dance. He currently dances professionally with the Greater Lansing Ballet Company, continuing to improve himself as a dancer and performer. He looks forward to passing his knowledge to the next generation.
Experienced in the competitive dance industry, Brayden has attended many major convention/competitions such as JUMP, NUVO, Radix, Tremaine and Titans of Dance, being named a scholarship winner at many of these. He has also established himself as a well respected choreographer, recently receiving a Director's choice award at Regional Dance America for his contemporary piece "Betraying the Betrayed" which received national recognition and praise.
While pursuing a business degree at LCC, Brayden looks forward to sharing his love for dance with his students.
Olivia Shumaker
Instructor
Olivia bio
Samantha Berry
Intructor
Samantha started dancing at Rochester School of Dance at age three. She went on to join their competition team, competing in contemporary, lyrical, jazz and ballet. She also attended Broadway Dance Center, Charlotte Ballet and Sarasota Ballet intensives, receiving scholarships to all of these.
She started in professional career as a trainee for A&A Ballet in Chicago. From there, she accepted a position as a corps de ballet dancer for the Fort Wayne Ballet. At Fort Wayne, she was recognized for her choreography and was even able to set pieces on the company's principle dancers. She now dances professionally for the Greater Lansing Ballet
Sam currently takes online courses at Oregon State University, studying Environmental Science.
Sam is excited to dance professionally for the Greater Lansing Ballet Company and coach for GLAD Competitive this season!
Lucy Thomas
Instructor
Lucy bio
Kailen Berry
Instructor
Kailen bio