Meet the Team

Owner/Instructor
Ensley Russell
Ensley is the founder, owner, and teacher at The Warehouse Dance Company. She has been dancing since she was four years old and loves to teach and be on stage! She is a national award winning choreographer and has been teaching for many years. She has studied dance in NYC with The Rockettes, Broadway Dance Center and Dance Molinari. She has had the opportunity to learn with Ballet Magnificat and performed with the Atlanta Hawks Dancers. Along with many dance accomplishments, she graduated from Highlands College with a degree in Ministry Arts with a focus in Family Ministry. As a little girl, Ensley always had a dream of opening up her own studio one day. It is now the purpose and joy of her life to be able to invest and love on the students and parents a part of the WDC family!

Instructor
Holly Townsend
Holly has always loved dancing and twirling baton since a very early age. Through her years of dance and twirl, Holly has trained with some of the most prestigious choreographers. Holly has coached and choreographed for the Hokes Bluff High School Majorette line since graduating from there in 2020 and she still does currently. Her award-winning choreography has won many titles the past five years including receiving all superior ratings and best in class awards at competitions. Holly also works as a pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant where she specializes in helping children with various needs reach their highest potential and goals. Working with children of all ages brings Holly pure joy and she loves sharing her love of dance with them all. Holly values the relationships made with her dancers and their families, and truly loves being a part of WDC and everything it stands for!

Instructor
Alexandra Ricks
Dancing has been a part of Alexandra’s life for as long as she can remember. She has trained in various styles for the past 18 years, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and pointe. Alexandra was a part of Southern Dance & Performing Arts Company’s team for 6 years, where she performed, trained, and danced for ministry. She has danced in multiple productions, including Samford University’s production of The Wizard of Oz and Southern Dance & Performing Arts Company’s Disney’s Frozen Jr., Beauty and the Beast, and Christmas Angels Ballet. Alexandra finds joy in teaching and helping students learn the art of dance and desires to open her own dance studio in the future.

Instructor
Chandler Browning
Chandler began dancing at the age of four and has studied all genres. She started choreographing and teaching clogging at seventeen. Chandler competed in dance growing up and has had the privilege of choreographing award-winning solos and group dances for over 8 years. Her passion is to uplift her students through a loving and encouraging classroom environment.

Operations Director
Payton Russell
Payton is the co-owner and Operations Director of The Warehouse Dance Company and a sales rep for Telephone Communications Inc. He graduated from Southeastern University and Highlands College with a degree in Christian Ministry and a certificate in Pastoral Leadership. He is an ordained minister through The Vine Network. Payton is also a national and local award-winning actor, and he had the privilege of directing The Lion King Jr. with Alabama Repertory Theater. He is grateful to serve the amazing families of The Warehouse Dance Company and is thankful to be part of the WDC team!
Teacher Assistants

Chloe Wilson
Ballet/Jazz Assistant

Malorie Davenport
Tap Assistant

Makayla Fountain
Acro Assistant

Lily Platt
Ballet/Jazz Assistant
