Faculty/Staff
Madison Darden
Studio Owner / Artistic Director / Competition Director & Choreographer
Madison Darden is the Owner and Artistic Director of Darden Dance Company and a nationally recognized, award-winning educator and choreographer. With more than 27 years in the dance industry and over a decade of teaching and choreography experience, Madison has dedicated her career to developing technically strong, versatile, and confident dancers while preparing them for success at the competitive, collegiate, and professional levels.
A Mooresville, North Carolina native, Madison began her dance training at the age of three and entered the competitive dance world at just four years old. Throughout her competitive career, she earned numerous regional and national accolades, including National Dancer of the Year, multiple first-place titles and overall awards for both solo and group performances, and opportunities to perform at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. She was also selected to perform in the Opening Number at the America Loves to Dance National Championship with Showstopper Dance Competition.
Throughout her extensive training, Madison studied a wide range of disciplines including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pom, Tap, Hip-Hop, Tumble/Acro-Dance, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary, Latin Dance, and African Diaspora. She is also an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, further strengthening her knowledge of safe, progressive acrobatic training and technique. Her diverse training provides the foundation for the versatility, technical excellence, and performance quality she emphasizes in her dancers today.
Madison is a graduate of Mooresville Senior High School, where she was a four-year varsity cheerleader and team captain. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance. During her collegiate training, Madison had the opportunity to study and work with renowned artists and companies including Kim Jones, Rachel Tucker, Tamara Williams, E.E. Balcos, Missy Coyle, Karen Hubbard, the Martha Graham Dance Company, the José Limón Dance Company, Dave Scott, and many others.
While attending UNC Charlotte, Madison was also a member and captain of the UNC Charlotte Gold Dusters Dance Team, performing at university football, basketball, and baseball games and competing nationally. During her time with the Gold Dusters, the team earned national recognition in both Open Jazz and Hip-Hop, placing as high as 3rd in the nation in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Following college, Madison built her career teaching and choreographing throughout the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas before founding Darden Dance Company. Her choreography has since earned numerous regional and national overall placements, national championships, choreography awards, judges’ awards, title placements, specialty awards, Ultimate Buzzers, and showcase selections across multiple age divisions and genres. Her work has also received national industry recognition, including an Industry Dance Awards People’s Choice nomination.
Madison's choreography is known for blending strong technical foundations with musicality, storytelling, individuality, and performance quality. Her dancers consistently earn top adjudications and overall placements at the regional and national levels, with her choreography and students receiving recognition from judges and industry professionals across the competitive dance circuit.
Beyond competition results, one of Madison's greatest passions is training dancers for the next level. Her approach extends beyond teaching choreography; she focuses on developing well-rounded artists with the technique, versatility, work ethic, confidence, and professionalism necessary to succeed beyond the studio. Dancers trained under Madison have gone on to earn positions on collegiate dance teams and within collegiate dance programs, as well as pursue and book professional performance opportunities.
As an educator and studio owner, Madison believes that success is measured by far more than trophies. Her mission is to challenge dancers to reach their fullest potential while instilling discipline, confidence, resilience, professionalism, and a lifelong love for dance. Through Darden Dance Company, Madison continues to cultivate the next generation of artists — preparing her dancers not simply for their next competition, but for their next level.
Madison’s dream has always been to own her own Dance Studio. She strives to make a difference in each person’s life whom she comes across, and inspire those to chase their dreams. Dance has made such a huge impact on her life, and she would love to provide those same opportunities for others. Dance truly is her passion, and she wants to share her passion and teach children to “Dance with Purpose”.
Instructors:
Jayna Haddox
Recreational Program Director / Competition Instructor & Choreographer
Jayna Haddox began her dance journey at the age of four and entered the competitive dance world at age seven. From an early age, Jayna understood that becoming the performer she wanted to be would take years of dedication, training, and perseverance. With the guidance of incredible instructors, teammates, convention faculty, and her greatest inspiration—her older sister—Jayna developed a deep love for the artistry of dance and the confidence to make the stage her own.
At just 11 years old, Jayna began assisting with preschool dance classes and summer camps, quickly discovering that teaching dance was exactly what she wanted to pursue. By age 16, she was earning numerous overall awards for her self-choreographed solos while also working alongside her sister as a teaching assistant for multiple overall award-winning competition routines.
Today, Jayna serves as Darden Dance Company's Recreational Program Director, Competition Instructor, and Choreographer, where her passion for both teaching and choreography continues to flourish. Her work has earned recognition at the regional and national levels, and Jayna is proudly a national championship-winning choreographer, with her choreography earning top honors on the national stage.
Jayna has a special heart for young dancers and takes great pride in guiding students through the foundations of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and more. She strives to create a classroom environment where every dancer feels supported, encouraged, and comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing at their own pace. For Jayna, developing a dancer's confidence is just as important as developing their technique.
Her love for working with children extends beyond the dance studio. Jayna also has experience working as a substitute preschool teacher and nanny, and being a part of a child's learning and development journey continues to be one of the most fulfilling aspects of her life.
Jayna is incredibly grateful to continue growing alongside the dancers and families of Darden Dance Company. Whether she is introducing a young dancer to their very first steps or choreographing an award-winning performance for the competition stage, Jayna's goal remains the same: to help each dancer discover their confidence, artistry, and love for dance while creating a space where they feel supported every step of the way.
Grace Kramer
Recreational Instructor / Competition Instructor & Choreographer
Grace Kramer has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of two, developing extensive training across a diverse range of styles and growing into both an accomplished performer and passionate educator.
Grace is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Communication. During her time at Clemson, she was a dedicated member of the Clemson Rally Cats Dance Team, ultimately serving as captain. Her collegiate dance career allowed her to further develop her performance abilities, leadership skills, teamwork, and professionalism while representing Clemson University at athletic events and appearances.
Grace's connection to Darden Dance Company began during her college years when she spent her summers teaching at DDC, sharing her training and passion for dance with students of all ages. While attending Clemson, she also served as an instructor at Clemson Elite Dance Center, further expanding her experience in dance education, choreography, and mentorship.
Following graduation, Grace took her performance career to the professional level. She began her professional dance career in the NBA as a member of the Charlotte Hornets Honey Bees, performing at games, appearances, and events throughout the Charlotte community.
Grace has since continued her professional career in the NFL and is currently in her second season as a Carolina Panthers TopCat. As a TopCat, Grace represents the Carolina Panthers organization through NFL game-day performances, community appearances, events, and professional engagements. Her continued success at the professional level gives her the unique opportunity to bring current industry experience directly into the classroom and serve as an example to young dancers who aspire to pursue collegiate and professional dance careers of their own.
At Darden Dance Company, Grace serves as a Competition Instructor and Choreographer, where she combines her extensive performance background with her passion for developing the next generation of dancers. She strives to instill confidence, discipline, versatility, performance quality, and a strong work ethic in every student she teaches.
Grace's journey from competitive dance to collegiate dance, the NBA, and now the NFL provides her students with an invaluable perspective on what it takes to continue pursuing dance beyond the studio. Her vibrant energy, professional experience, and genuine investment in her students make her an incredible part of the Darden Dance Company faculty, where she continues to inspire dancers to dream big and work toward their own next level.
Abby Hutchinson
Ballet Instructor
Abby has spent her life immersed in the world of dance, developing a deep passion for ballet and the arts from an early age. Her years of training have shaped not only her approach to movement and technique, but also her appreciation for the discipline, artistry, and attention to detail that ballet requires.
Following high school, Abby attended Appalachian State University, where she continued her dance education and training while performing throughout her collegiate experience. Her time at Appalachian State allowed her to further develop as both a dancer and artist while expanding the knowledge she now brings into the classroom.
Since graduating, Abby has shared her love of dance through teaching at several studios and working with dancers of varying ages and experience levels. As an instructor, she is passionate about helping students establish strong technical foundations, proper alignment, musicality, confidence, and an appreciation for the artistry of ballet. She strives to create an encouraging classroom environment where dancers feel supported while also being challenged to grow.
At Darden Dance Company, Abby brings her knowledge and passion for ballet to dancers throughout the program. She understands the important role that ballet training plays in developing well-rounded dancers and enjoys helping students recognize how the discipline and technique they build at the barre translate into every other style of dance.
Abby's creativity extends beyond the dance studio. When she isn't teaching, she enjoys spending time at home with her two dogs and creating art. She is also the owner of Abs Paint Co., where she combines her creativity and artistic passion through custom watercolor artwork and designs.
Whether working with a dancer on their technique or creating a piece of artwork, Abby's love for creativity is at the heart of everything she does. She is grateful to share that passion with the dancers of Darden Dance Company and to play a role in their continued growth as both technicians and artists.
Cara Gonzales
Recreational Instructor / Competition Instructor & Choreographer
Cara Gonzales is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Commercial Dance. Originally from Michigan, Cara brings extensive training, performance experience, and a strong understanding of both the commercial and competitive dance industries to Darden Dance Company.
Growing up in the convention and competition dance world, Cara developed a versatile foundation and a passion for performance from an early age. Her training spans numerous styles including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Heels, and Ballet, allowing her to bring both versatility and current industry knowledge into the classroom.
During her time at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Cara further developed her artistry, technique, and understanding of the professional dance industry through an intensive collegiate dance education. Her BFA in Commercial Dance provided her with training designed to prepare dancers for the demands of today's professional industry while encouraging versatility, individuality, and artistic expression.
In addition to her performance training, Cara has experience teaching and choreographing dancers ranging from ages 5 to 25. She is passionate about creating a positive and supportive classroom environment where dancers feel comfortable challenging themselves, exploring their artistry, and developing confidence both as performers and individuals.
At Darden Dance Company, Cara brings a fresh perspective shaped by her competitive dance upbringing and collegiate commercial dance training. She understands the dedication required to take dance beyond the studio and is passionate about helping students strengthen their technique, versatility, performance quality, and individuality.
Cara is excited to be a part of the Darden Dance Company faculty and to invest in the next generation of dancers. Through both teaching and choreography, she strives to encourage dancers to push beyond their comfort zones, discover what makes them unique as artists, and develop the skills and confidence necessary to pursue whatever their next level may be.
Ranko Bogosavac
Ballroom Instructor
What People Are Saying
“ Miss Madi is my favorite dance teacher ever!!! She's very nice but still strict. She tells us what we do well and what we need to work on. She makes dance class fun, she even Tik-Toks with us! She is a very talented choreographer, dancer and Tumbler and I love to watch her do her handsprings and tucks. Miss Madi makes me feel safe and helped me to not be scared to do my roundoff back handspring on the floor. Miss Madi has taught me so much and I can't wait to learn more. I love Miss Madi!!! ”
— AVERY S.
“Miss Madi showcases each and every child's talents no matter how large or how small. In her eyes and words, they are all equal in importance. This instills confidence and a sense of self worth in every one of her students. She goes above and beyond, spending her own time creating new ideas. She critiques each dance step that still needs work while still complimenting the steps done well, further inspiring the students to WANT to improve. She takes the extra time to speak to the students on their level where they can understand it instead of it going over their heads. She maintains positivity and compassion at all times while still conducting a strict and orderly class. She stresses team work and encourages the students to have positive team building experiences together. She continues to lead my child to become the best Competitive Dancer and Tumbler that she can be. Ms Madi's creativity, choreography skills, and genuine good hearted personality will take her very far. We love you Ms Madi!! Thank you for taking my shy girl and helping her have the courage to shine and show her true personality on stage. We are so excited to embark with you on this journey and we wish you the absolute best!!!!”
— DAWN S.
“Madison Darden has been teaching my daughter for the past year. Within the last year, she has had a major improvement in dance and tumble. Her choreography is top-notch. Madison dedicates so much of her time to her students, inside and outside of the classroom. I can’t wait to see what is to come, and embark on this journey with Darden Dance Company.”
-SHERRIE C.
“Madison is one-of-a-kind. Her hard-work and dedication to the art of dance is inspiring. I can’t wait to see her deep passion manifest into the dancers at Darden Dance Company. Great things are coming!”
— TYESHA O.