Meet Your Teacher!
Ms. Maddie
Owner & Artistic Director
Madelyn James is a dance educator, choreographer, and entrepreneur with a passion for creating meaningful dance experiences for students of all ages. As the founder and Artistic Director of Elev8 Dance in Clinton, North Carolina, she is dedicated to providing quality dance education in a positive, encouraging, and technique-focused environment.
Madelyn graduated from Lakewood High School in 2018 before attending Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Private Studio Teaching and a minor in Entrepreneurship. During her time at Meredith, she performed with Meredith Dance Theatre and Fierce International Rhythmic Experience, served as co-manager of the Meredith Jazz and Tap Company, and gained additional experience in choreography, stage management, and production work through both Meredith College and the American Dance Festival.
Before opening Elev8 Dance, Madelyn spent five seasons teaching and training dancers at Carolina Dance Company in Clinton, North Carolina. During that time, she founded and directed the Premier Dance Teams, leading dancers to regional competitions across North and South Carolina where students earned numerous overall awards and scholarships.
In 2024, Madelyn officially opened Elev8 Dance with a vision of creating a studio that prioritizes strong technical training, confidence-building, creativity, and community. Under her direction, Elev8 Dance has quickly grown into a thriving program offering both recreational and competitive dance opportunities in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, clogging, hip-hop, acrobatics, and tumbling.
Madelyn is deeply passionate about helping dancers grow not only as performers, but as confident and disciplined individuals. Through her teaching, she strives to create an environment where every dancer feels challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Meet the Elev8 Team
Madyson Crumpler
Associate Instructor
Administrative Support Staff
Hi! I’m Madyson Crumpler (also known as Miss Maddy or Little Maddy).
I’m a graduate of Cape Fear High School and earned a certificate in Business and Management from Fayetteville Technical Community College. I’m currently continuing my education at Sampson Community College, where I plan to complete my degree in Cosmetology by the end of 2025.
I danced both recreationally and competitively for 10 years at Carolina Dance Company, and during Elev8’s very first season, I had the amazing opportunity to step into a teaching role. I quickly realized how much I love working with our younger dancers—helping them grow, gain confidence, and find joy in movement from such an early age.
What I love most is creating a space where kids can explore, grow, and shine. Whether it’s learning a new step or cheering on a friend, those small moments are what it’s really all about—they’re the real choreography. Being part of those memories with my students is the best part of my job.
Jewel Carr
Clogging Dance Instructor
Hello! My name is Jewell Leanna Carr (Miss Jewell).
I’m a proud Clinton High School Class of 2025 graduate and Career Promise student, having also earned my Associate’s Degree in Arts. I’m currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at East Carolina University—but when I’m not studying, you’ll find me doing what I love most: clogging!
I’ve been clogging since I was just one and a half year old, and it’s been a passion of mine ever since I put on my first pair of clogging shoes. I began teaching at Elev8 Dance in 2024, and before that, I assisted my own dance teacher for several years with the Southern Extreme Cloggers. In my senior year of high school, I had the incredible opportunity to compete with Feet On Fire, the 2024 national champion clogging team.
While I’ve taken many different styles of dance over the years, nothing has stuck with me quite like clogging. I’ve been lucky to train in a variety of steps, techniques, and teaching methods—and now I get to pass that on to my students. I’m so thankful to be part of the Elev8 family and to share my love of clogging with the next generation of dancers!
Madeline Reeves
Acro Dance Instructor
Madeleine Reeves (aka Miss Mady) is bringing flips, tricks, and fierce energy to Elevs this season! She'll be leading Acro classes for dancers ages 4+, helping students build strength, flexibility, and confidence through safe, skill-based progressions.
With loads of experience in styles like acro, contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, pointe, aerial silks, and musical theatre, Miss Mady is a well-rounded performer and passionate teacher.
She's trained under industry leaders and is a proud Velocity MVA Runner-Up and Revive National Dance Honors Runner-Up.
From back walkovers to aerials, she specializes in acro technique, clean transitions, and performance quality-and she's so excited to help Elev8 dancers level up this season!
Addison Jackson
Assistant Teacher
Administrative Support Staff
Addison Jackson (Miss Addison) brings organization, energy, and heart to Elev8! She began dancing at just 3 years old and recently graduated from Midway High School. She's now continuing her education at Sampson Community College.
A talented dancer and proud Elev8 Dance graduate, Addison has trained under Ms. Maddie for several years, both recreationally and competitively. This season, she steps into the role of Assistant Teacher and Administrative Support Staff, helping things run smoothly at both studio locations.
Whether she's behind the front desk or supporting dancers in the classroom, Addison brings focus, kindness, and a true love for the Elevs community.
We're so lucky to have her on our team!
Eileen Juric
Ballet & Technique Coach for the Competition Team
Eileen Juric draws from a multi-layered history in the dance world. She began her career training on full scholarships at the Joffrey Ballet School and the School of American Ballet, afterwards dancing professionally as a soloist with the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet.
After her performing career, Eileen shifted to teaching children and later opened her own studio in New Jersey. Recognizing first-hand how traditional approaches fell short in a mainstream setting, she came to understand the need for a fresh approach to technique.
Eileen began developing an innovative technique program called “BalletBarreNone”, and she produced the acclaimed 3-DVD series The Children’s Hour of Power for ages 3-9, which has appeared in numerous dance publications and has sold in over 23 countries.
Since that time, Eileen has taught locally and traveled internationally as a faculty member for such conferences as the Dance Teacher Summit, the DanceLife Teacher Conference, Dance Masters of America, and the Florence Summer Dance Intensive in Italy.
She has continued to refine and expand her progressive teaching methods for dancers of all ages and backgrounds. While creating her latest content, Eileen decided to rename her program “PowerDance Technique” to better reflect its essence and reach its audience!
Our Teacher Assistants
Gabriella Martinez
Competition Team Dancer
Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Acro & Company Classes TA
Kathryn Strickland
Competition Team Dancer
Acro Class TA
Brooke Faircloth
Competition Team Dancer
Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Acro & Company Classes TA