Stacy Young, Artistic Director
Stacy began her dance training in Huntsville, Alabama. Stacy was selected to be a member of the Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman. During this time, she served as a representative to promote the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high-quality performances, dance education, and community outreach.
Stacy and her fellow Alabama Ballet members had the opportunity to perform for the Balanchine Trust Board to help The Alabama Ballet gain the choreography license for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. Stacy is currently serving on the Engagement Council for the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University and has previously served as a Board Member for the Alabama Dance Council (Birmingham, AL) and Storybook Farm (Opelika, AL). She has certification to teach Pilates and is recognized as a Certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor for Junior, Senior, & Advanced level programs.
Ms. Young is an Auburn University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. Variations began operating in May of 2007. Stacy’s journey of opening Variations was covered in the Spotlight Alum section in Keystone, the College of Education’s annual publication and in Southern Tatler Magazine Her marketing approach for Variations during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic was featured in Dance Business Weekly’s national publication. Her guest blog “From Stage to Studio: The Value of Perspective” was also featured on The Brainy Ballerina advice column for pre-pro students.
Mrs. Young worked to create Graceful Gift, a children’s picture book designed to help introduce the joy of dance alongside The Graceful Gift Foundation, which focuses on serving children with physical, emotional, or financial circumstances. The Graceful Gift Foundation was featured in the October 2019 Issue of Dance Teacher Magazine. This Foundation alongside Variations’ charitable efforts has successfully impacted various child-centered and arts outreach non-profit organizations in need.
Stacy is beyond thankful to be able to provide such wonderful opportunities for her students to enrich their artistic development. She happily resides in Auburn with her husband Bryan and their children, Thomas and Aly.
Becky Sharp, assistant Director
Becky began her dance training at Montgomery Ballet spending summers studying at School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Houston Ballet. After graduating from high school, she continued dancing and teaching at Alabama Dance Theatre while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Auburn University and a Master’s in Secondary Education from The University of Alabama. She taught high school AP Biology and Anatomy for 16 years before joining the staff at Variations in 2019.
Becky lives in Opelika with her husband Jimmy and children, Lily and John Butler.
Catherine Taylor, Petite Academy Director
Catherine began her dance training in Auburn, Alabama. She joined Variations and continued her dance education there until moving to Birmingham, AL.
She attended Birmingham-Southern College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Collaborative Education certifying her in general education and special education in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. She completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Special Education with a certification in Intervention for students with Autism and Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University.
Catherine is honored to be able to work with the youngest minds and help foster their love of dance. Variations impacted her in countless ways and she is overjoyed to have this full circle moment of leading the next generation of Variations dancers.
Ellie Morris, Competition Team Coordinator
Ellie began her dance training at the age of four and trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe, and hip-hop at North Alabama Dance Center in Huntsville. She was a competitive dancer for nine years and performed with the Westminster Christian Academy Wildcat Dance Team for six seasons.
Ellie continued her dance career at Auburn University, where she danced on the Tiger Paws Dance Team and served as Captain her senior year. Her time with Tiger Paws was filled with choreography, travel, and unforgettable moments performing at SEC games & events.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Dietetics and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Nutrition Science. Beyond dance, she represented Auburn University as the 2023 Miss Homecoming and serves her community through Christ Presbyterian Church.
Ellie believes dance is more than just a sport— it encourages students to build confidence, create friendships, and learn to work hard. Ellie hopes to be a mentor and friend in each student’s life by pointing them to the hope and love found in Christ— both inside and outside of the studio.
Ellie happily resides in Auburn with her husband Coleman.
holly johnson, Assistant Petite Academy Director
Holly began her training in Huntsville, Alabama, at Adonai School of Ballet and Fine Arts. She trained in ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, and contemporary, and had the opportunity to participate in intensives and master classes under acclaimed ballet instructors across the Southeast.
She was a member of the Adonai Ballet Company, where she performed in community outreach and conventions, and began her teaching journey as a high school junior—quickly discovering her love for sharing the gift of dance. Holly continued teaching throughout college as a member of the Variations Staff while earning her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Auburn University.
Holly’s heart as a teacher is to ensure each dancer leaves class feeling joyful, seen, and deeply valued. She strives to foster a nurturing space where dancers not only develop technical excellence, but also build confidence and a lasting love for the art of movement.
Holly happily resides in Auburn with her husband David.