Laura Payne is an experienced performer, choreographer and dance educator. A graduate of The Governor's School for the Arts in Virginia and The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, she earned her BFA in Modern Dance Performance and received the Top Choreographer award of her graduating class. She has performed professionally with Group Motion, The Virginia Opera, and was both a performer and a choreographer of Second Wind Dance Co. In addition to performing she was on adjunct faculty at TRDance Center and Old Dominion University for several years. Laura is a sought after choreographer and masterclass teacher for studios

throughout the East Coast. For 6 years she was a resident choreographer and teacher for the professional dance company Masterworks as well as a choreographer for Academie De Ballet’s competition team. The past 3 years she’s been on staff with Elevate Performing Arts Center’s elite competition team where her works were featured with multiple choreography awards and 1st place overalls. Laura has enjoyed being a dance adjudicator for 6 years and has served on multiple panels with 5 different competition companies throughout the country. Just recently in addition to judging for Elite Performance Challenge she signed on to be their new Event Coordinator responsible for booking all competitions and conventions. She has 19 years experience as a certified massage therapist which has deepened her abilities and passion to educate dancers in the importance of proper body mechanics and injury prevention. Laura resides in Virginia Beach with her husband and 2 boys.