Our
Teachers

Founder & Artistic Director

Samara Tillman

The founder and director of Dance ELITE Performance Academy, Samara has been a lover and student of dance since the age of 5. Samara has over 30 years of dance experience ranging in dance genres from liturgical to hip-hop. She is currently a member of Nomel Inspirational Dance Theatre, a Columbus based professional dance company. Over the years she has advised numerous youth dance programs and helped create dance programs in the school systems and churches. Samara is a firm believer that the arts changes lives for the better. When a child is involved in the arts from an early age, it helps them to develop a healthy self-esteem, learn how to interact and develop relationships with others, as well as discover ways to positively express themselves. She thanks God everyday for the opportunity to use her gift to empower and inspire both youth and adults to just dance and be free!

Faculty

Aureyl Pitts

A native of Columbus, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University where she graduated with a dual degree in Dance and Communications. She began her training with Two Left Feet in the Right Direction under the tutelage of Stephanie Bland. She then went on to train with BalletMet, under the direction of April Berry. While there, she performed works by April Berry, Maria Glimcher, Rosalyn Dove, Travis Gatling, and many more. While at The Ohio State University, she trained with artists such as BebeMiller, Susan Hadley, Teena Custer, Maria Glimcher, Coco Loupe, and Abby Yager, among many others. She also attended The International Association of Blacks in Dance festival for three years under The Ohio State Department of Dance Quarterly Funding Initiative. While at OSU, she also co-founded the Black Dance Alliance, which performed works in the community, and assisted in bringing artists to teach forms of the African Diaspora into the dance department. In 2009, completed working on a solo project, which she co-choreographed with up-and-coming artist Afaliah Tribune, entitled “Journey”. She is currently active with the Judah Performing Arts Center and the Rhema Christian Center Dance Ministry, “God’s Glory”.”

Faculty

Derrell Sutton

Derrell Sutton is a a graduate of University of Phoenix with a M.A. in Adult Education and Training. She is a full time educator teaching children ages 6 weeks to three at Kids Care Academy. She is also Training director for Caring Communities Birth to 3, serving other educators in the city of Columbus. She is a dance instructor/coach for Dance Elite Performance Academy working with all ages. She is is married with three boys ages, 5, 15, and 17. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family.

Faculty

Tyisha Toler

Tyisha “Ty” Wellborn fell in love with dance at a very young age. She began taking a variety of dance classes at local recreation centers at the age of 5. Ty danced 10 years with the Good Shepherd Liturgical Dance Troupe, under the direction of Victoria Hope Jackson. Over the span of 30 years Ty's dance experience has ranged from cheerleading to Liturgical dance. Ty has performed and choreographed for various churches over the years, and is excited to be entering her second teaching year at Dance Elite Performance Academy. Ty is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B. A. in English. When she isn't teaching little dancers, Ty enjoys spending time with her husband and twins. Ty's favorite motto is “Reach one, Teach One”; and is able to apply this motto every time she teaches young people to dance. If just one child falls in love with the art of dance, then they too can teach another to love the art also.

Faculty

Carlene Saxon

Carlene is a valued member of the Dance ELITE faculty, bringing care, energy and a commitment to helping every dancer grow.

Faculty

Omar Humphrey

Omar started his dance training at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, TX. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he received his BFA from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Modern Dance. Omar danced with Ohio Contemporary Ballet (formerly known as Verb Ballets) in Cleveland, OH, where he toured both nationally and internationally. He then moved to NYC and found freelance work with friends from around the country. Omar has been fortunate to teach at dance and cultural arts institutions around the nation, including Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Omar has served on the faculty at his alma mater, Booker T. Washington HSPVA, for the past 4 years. Currently, he is working toward receiving his MFA in Dance at The Ohio State University.

Faculty

Tori Thomas

Torianna has been dancing since she was three and started dancing competitively at the age of 11. Dancing has been her passion for many years and fell in love with choreographing at the age of 16. She has choreographed two musicals: “Pippin” and “Suessical”. She has been teaching dance for recreational purposes and competition dances. She loves teaching because it’s an amazing way to share her passion and love of dancing to others. Tori believes that dance is a unique way to express your emotions & who you are. She loves teaching her dance students to express themselves in unique ways through dance.

Faculty

Naiya Sayavong

Naiya is part of the Dance ELITE teaching team, supporting students with positivity, focus and a love for movement.