Taylor Thomas is a native of Vicksburg, MS and received her dance training at Debra Franco’s Preparatory School of Dance. She continued to The University of Mississippi and graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management and a minor in Theatre Arts. In Oxford, Taylor taught at Deborah Kaye’s School of Dance and helped form Hinge Dance Company and the Ole Miss Student Dance Company. She also traveled with the University’s dance company to the American College Dance Festival, presenting her own work for adjudication in her senior year. Her professional career began in the nation’s longest running outdoor drama, The Lost Colony in Manteo, NC. She has also lived in New York City and trained at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Dance New Amsterdam, and Alvin Ailey, along with interning at The Joyce Theater. Taylor spent 8 years in New Orleans teaching and performing. She danced and choreographed for NOLA companies Synergy, Avatar Movement and Mélange and was also on stage in productions at Le Petit Theatre de Vieux Carre, Rivertown Theaters and Jefferson Performing Arts Society. In New Orleans, she taught at Dancer's Pointe, Encore Studio and had her own company of young dancers, Studio 2 Dance Ensemble. Taylor has been the Director/Choreographer for the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Pageant for 8 years and the Director/Choreographer for the Miss Mississippi Pageant for 5 years. Since moving to Orlando, Taylor has performed for Seaworld Orlando in the Sesame Street Party Parade, as well as Marquee events at Universal Orlando, seasonal offerings at the Gaylord Palms Resort and onstage at Capone's Dinner and Show. She has developed a passion for teaching that is equal to her love of performing and hopes to share her knowledge and passion for dance with all of her students.