Lauren Clemons is the Owner and Artistic Director of Fayetteville Dance Company. A lifelong dancer and proud Fayetteville native, Lauren began her journey in the dance world right here in Northwest Arkansas. After years of training, performing, competing, and teaching throughout NWA, she took ownership of Fayetteville Dance Company in 2018 with a vision to create a studio where dancers could work hard, dream big, make lifelong friendships, and most importantly, feel like they belong.
With numerous awards and high studio placements throughout her dance career. Lauren's education has been built through experience. She didn't take a traditional college path, but instead chose to learn through years of training, teaching, leading, taking risks, celebrating successes, learning from failures, and surrounding herself with people who challenged her to become better. Those experiences have shaped the teacher and studio owner she is today. Lauren believes that some of life's most important lessons are learned by showing up, working through challenges, getting back up after failure, and believing in yourself.
As Owner and Artistic Director, Lauren is passionate about developing the whole child—not simply the dancer. She wants her students to leave the studio with more than strong technique. She wants them to have confidence, discipline, resilience, friendships, and the courage to be themselves.
Creating a studio where both students and staff can thrive is at the heart of everything Lauren does. She is incredibly grateful for the families who have trusted her with their children and for the opportunity to watch so many dancers grow through the years.
Now entering her ninth season as Owner and Artistic Director of Fayetteville Dance Company, Lauren is excited for everything still to come. She feels incredibly lucky to get to do what she loves every day—and even luckier to get to share that love of dance with the next generation.
Outside of the studio, Lauren loves spending time with her husband, Dillon, their daughter, Layla, and their three dogs—Luna, Lucious, and Bruno.
Outside of the studio, Miss Lauren loves to spend time with her husband, Dillon, and their 3 dogs - Luna, Lucious, and Bruno.
Kaylee Franklin is a Fayetteville native who grew up dancing, starting at a very young age and dancing all throughout highschool. Her time in the studio didn't end once she graduated highschool, when she transitioned from student to dance teacher!
Kaylee graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2021 with a Masters in the Art of Teaching, and has been a 3rd grade teacher the past 4 years. Now she is transitioning to putting all of her time and energy into FAYPAC & FDC. Dancing has always been a passion of Kaylee's, and she is excited for the opportunity to instill that same passion into her dancers.
Alex began dancing at the age of 3 and has grown up at Fayetteville Dance Company. She started competing with FDC in 2018 and was also a member of the FHS dance team for 4 years. Alex has had the opportunity to work with UDA for the past 2 years, continuing to grow her experience and knowledge within the dance industry. After graduating high school, she officially joined the FDC staff and is now in her second season. Alex is currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas studying Food, Nutrition, and Health. She continues to dance and train as much as she can and frequently travels to New York to take classes and learn from dancers and choreographers from across the industry. FDC has been a second family to Alex for as long as she can remember, and she loves being part of a studio that encourages its dancers to grow while creating a positive and supportive environment.
Jules has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been a student at Fayetteville Dance Company since the age of 10. She graduated from Fayetteville High School, where she was a member of the Varsity Dance Team. Jules is now a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Journalism Ad PR.
She loves traveling to New York City and expanding her dance knowledge by taking classes from a variety of choreographers. She believes every opportunity to dance is an opportunity to learn and grow! For the past two years, Jules has also been a member of the UDA staff, traveling and teaching dance camps throughout the summer.
Jules absolutely adores everything FDC, FayPAC, and Prep have to offer. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching the younger generation grow, learn, and develop their own love for dance.
Sophia Alesi, from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been dancing for 16 years at Delarue Dance Center, including 8 years on the competitive team. She was also a member of her high school dance team. Sophia is currently a student at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Interior Design. Dance has always been a huge part of her life, and she is beyond grateful for all of the opportunities, friendships, and memories it has given her. Sophia is excited to continue growing as a dancer herself and share her love of dance with others!