Meet Your Teacher!
Ms. Maddie
Owner & Artistic Director
Madelyn James is a passionate and dedicated dance educator, choreographer, and entrepreneur who has devoted her career to fostering a love for the performing arts. Her journey in dance education began early, and she has since built a thriving career that continues to impact students and the local community.
Madelyn graduated from Lakewood High School in 2018 and went on to attend Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, in the fall of 2020. She was fortunate to have the opportunity to tailor her academic schedule, which allowed her to continue teaching dance while pursuing her degree. Throughout her college years, she remained committed to her students at Carolina Dance Company in Clinton, North Carolina, where she spent five seasons teaching and training dancers. During her tenure at CDC, she founded the Premier Dance teams, leading her students to competitions throughout North and South Carolina. Her guidance helped them achieve top awards and prestigious scholarships, demonstrating her ability to nurture talent and develop competitive dancers.
In 2023, Madelyn graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, concentrating in Private Studio Teaching, and a minor in Entrepreneurship. During her time at Meredith, she was an active member of the Meredith Dance Theatre and the Fierce International Rhythmic Experience. She also served as a co-manager of the Meredith Jazz and Tap Company, further honing her leadership and organizational skills. In addition to performing and choreographing, Madelyn gained invaluable experience in stage management for productions at Meredith and the American Dance Festival during its 2022 Summer Festival.
Building upon her years of experience, Madelyn took a significant step in her career by founding Elev8 Dance in Clinton, North Carolina. As the Artistic Director of Elev8 Dance, she has established a vibrant and inclusive studio that serves students of all ages and skill levels. Her program offers both recreational and competitive dance classes in a wide variety of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, clogging, hip-hop, acrobatics, and tumbling. She is deeply invested in the technical growth and artistic development of her students, ensuring they build confidence, discipline, and a profound appreciation for the performing arts.
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!