We aim to provide developmentally appropriate dance classes that inspire creativity, imagination, and a lifelong love of fitness and the arts, while respecting the artistic and technical progress, body autonomy, health, and safety of each dancer. We aim to foster an inclusive atmosphere regardless of a student’s age, ability, gender, race, or background.

Learn more about Our Values here.

Brianna Hickman (Ms. Bri) is the director of ABC Dance and our lead instructor. She has 15 years teaching experience with children and adults in a variety of dance genres, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, Broadway, and acrobatics. She is a dance faculty member at the Summer Arts Camp in Charleston, and volunteers with the Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative. She is a member of Dance West Virginia and is Acrobatic Arts certified. Prior to opening her own studio, Ms. Bri taught at studios and high school dance programs throughout the Kanawha Valley, as well as in Wheeling, WV and Manassas, VA. She taught master classes at Oglebay Institute School of Dance in Wheeling, WV. She trained at Oglebay Institute School of Dance, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she completed a minor in dance, a bachelor’s in arts administration, and a master’s in business administration. Ms. Bri continues to perform professionally as a freelance artist and with projects such as the Mountain Moves WV Performance Project. Previously she performed with Virginia Civic Ballet, dancing principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and the Jaguar in The Rainforest. She also performed with Allegro Dance Company and JADCO Contemporary Dance Company. She participated in summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Austin, as well as numerous festivals including West Virginia Dance Festival and American College Dance Festival. 

Ms. Bri lives in Charleston with her two cats and dog. In her spare time she loves to read, garden, watch birds, and go camping.

Heather Looney (MFA University of MD, BFA Brenau University GA) maintains a choreographing, teaching and performing schedule with private studios, dance and theater performing groups, universities and public schools in the WV area. These include ABC Dance, Huntington Dance Theater, the Charleston Light Opera Guild and Shanna’s School of Dance in Spencer, WV. She has served as the festival director for Dance WV and spearheaded over a million dollars in scholarship opportunities to summer intensives and university dance programs for WV dancers. Prior to returning to WV, she held the position of artistic director and ballet mistress for The Dance Theatre of Fairbanks in Alaska creating new full length ballets and recreations of classical works. While pursuing her masters degree she taught ballet for the University of Maryland. In NYC she taught with Ballet Academy East and worked as a contemporary freelance performer, choreographer and costume creator. She was privileged to work with The Mark Morris Dance Group, Merce Cunningham and members of the American Ballet Theater.

Ms. Heather resides on her family's farm in Roane County with her son, enjoying the outdoors.

Morgan Connard (Ms. Morgan) has 5 years of experience with teaching and choreographing for multiple studios including The Mountainettes, CW Dance Company, and Lee's Studio of Dance. She began dancing at age 6 and went on to compete from ages 11 to 19. She has choreographed multiple national-winning dances as well as title-winning solos. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and is pursuing her masters in education through Marshall University.

Ms. Morgan lives in Cedar Grove along with her two cats. In her free time she enjoys reading and crafting.