meet our faculty

Taylor Moneagle is originally from Rison, Arkansas and is currently the co-owner and instructor of Natural State Dance Company located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Taylor fell in love with dance at a young age and grew up dancing competitively all over the U.S. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and a minor in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She graduated college with honors from the National Honor Society of Dance Arts. During her college days, Taylor performed in UA Little Rock’s dance concerts, and adjudication and informal pieces at the American College Dance Association South Region. Taylor presented her original choreography entitled "Recollection" for adjudication at the 2019 American College Dance Association South Region. Taylor has trained at various places across the United States including the Washington Ballet, Joy of Motion Dance Center in Washington DC, Ballet Austin, and the Gus Giordano summer intensive in Chicago. Taylor is a former Miss Grand Prairie, and competed at Miss Arkansas in 2017. At Miss Arkansas, she was the Fine Arts Marketplace Interview Winner, and was a top 5 finalist CMN Fundraiser. Taylor has over a decade of teaching and choreography experience. She is the former adjunct dance instructor at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR, where she taught various levels of jazz and ballet classes. She has choreographed award winning competitive studio dance routines, college concert dance pieces, pageant talent routines, and cheer team dances. Taylor's choreography and dance students have received many top honors nationally and regionally at competitions including being the highest scoring routine at multiple competitions, many first overall titles, judge's choice awards, top 10 placements, and choreography awards. She is proud to lead her own studio, Natural State Dance Company, to it's many honors including being awarded the overall "Studio of Excellence" award at Dance Machine Regional 2024, "TOP Studio" at Talent on Parade Regional 2024, "Star Studio" at Nexstar Nationals 2024, invited to the SDA Circle of Excellence 2023-2025, and  becoming one of the most sought-after studios in central Arkansas and was voted as the winner and finalists of  “Best Dance Studio”  in the Hot Springs area for several years.  Taylor is currently a dance competition adjudicator for Dance Machine ANDC and Boogie Fever USA. Taylor enjoys traveling to teach masterclasses and set choreography for other studios. Taylor is a proud member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). She is well versed in many styles of dance including contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, and hip-hop. Taylor truly believes that dance can change a person’s life, and she is enthusiastic to share her passion with others!

Kenneth Moneagle is the co-owner and artistic director of NSDC. Kenneth was born in Naples, Italy, and grew up in Mayflower, AR. He holds a Bachelor's of Science in Education and Health Profession in Heath, Human Performance, and Sports Management with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Kenneth currently coaches football and swim and teaches key coding at the Hot Springs School District. He worked for Clarendon High School for three years as the Head Baseball Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Director of Football Operations, and health teacher. He also taught health at Little Rock Southwest High School for one year. Because of his sports and health background, Kenneth understands the importance of cross training for dancers. He has been a part of many team's wins on the field and onstage. His passion for dance began several years ago when he first meet his wife, Taylor. Since then, Kenneth has become well versed in various dance styles and has even preformed multiple times. He is excited to be a part of the NSDC family.

Naomi Bates is a Multidisciplinary Artist and Arts Administrator from Northwest Arkansas and Pennsylvania with BA degrees in Dance and Theatre Arts Management. In high school, she began her dance journey as both a student and teacher at Crossroads Academy, and during her college career she had the honor of studying under experienced faculty and guest artists at Slippery Rock University. In her four years at SRU she performed in and choreographed for SRUDT and in her sophomore year she participated in Rock Dance Company where she performed works by Attack Theatre, Chitra Subramanian, Christine Cobb, and Nora Ambrosio. Her senior year she produced, choreographed, and performed her own independent dance concert titled N/A: not a magnum opuswith fellow student, Autumn Lenze. One of the areas Naomi developed during college was her skills in the dance technique of Improvisation and had the opportunity to be a part of a Contact Improvisation independent study taught by Jennifer Keller. Since graduation she has worked independently on dance film projects, and has most recently produced an audiovisual movement piece titled Voice notes only, please at the 2023 Omaha Fringe Festival. In the area of Arts Management, Naomi has worked through Marketing, Stage Management, Production Management, and various production team roles. From 2022-2023, she served as the Assistant Production Manager at Florida Repertory Theatre, and is currently working at Ouachita Baptist University as Fine Arts Administrator. Naomi also serves on the Omaha Fringe Festival board as a Marketing and Social Media Coordinator. Through all artistic and administrative roles, Naomi hopes that all of her work is shaped by and exemplifies listening, empathy, and resilience which are the most vibrant human qualities that art can and should reflect. She is excited to share her passion with her students at NSDC!

Katia Hughley was born in  Port Au Prince, Haiti. She is a former Miss Haiti International 2018 and Miss Intl top 15 Finalist, T-Stepper and HSSD Dance Program Alum (Class of 2016). Katia was a dance instructor/ competitive team choreographer and technique trainer at Dancer’s Edge Studios in Benton, AR. She has choreographed for local debutante balls, weddings, dance team competition game day performances, and pageant industries. She danced competitively for several years before joining her school dance team. Once graduated, she danced/ helped with off-broadway productions in the Argenta Arts District, danced with The Muses Creative Artistry travel Company, danced on the Henderson State University Dance Company for 4 years with instructor Jennifer Maddox and has been a dance teacher for almost 10 years! 

Katie is excited to be teaching at NSDC! Katie's hometown is DeWitt, Arkansas, and she started dancing at the age of 2. She discovered her love for dance at a young age and started competing at Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio before continuing at Dance Dynamics in Little Rock. Throughout her dance career, Katie  has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, clogging, hip hop, pom, contemporary, and heels. 

Katie continued her dance career at Arkansas State University as a member of the Red Wolves Dancers. While she was on the team, she competed at NDA Nationals in Daytona, where her team made school history receiving 8th in the nation! Katie always enjoyed performing at football, basketball, and volleyball games as well as serving the local community of Jonesboro.

 Katie obtained her  Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and is now currently pursuing a Master’s degree in School Counseling. Katie  is ready to share her love for dance with her students!

Colorado native turned Hot Springs hairstylist and dance instructor, Torii brings a blend of creativity and passion to every aspect of her life. From a young age, she immersed herself in the world of dance, training in ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, pointe, tap, acro, and contemporary for over 11 years. As an NSDC alumni, she will cherish the memories and experiences gained with the NSDC family, including winning multiple awards like the title at Dance Machine. In addition to competitive studio dance, she co-captained her high school dance team, showcasing her leadership and dedication. Torii's creative spirit led her to pursue cosmetology at Paul Mitchell in Fayetteville. She is excited to rejoin NSDC, where she can continue to share her passion for dance with others.

Dance has been a huge part of Elysia's life for the past 9 years, and she is excited to share her love and passion for dance with her students! Elysia is proud to be an NSDC alumni, where she had the opportunity to train in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap, pom, musical theatre, lyrical, and contemporary. One of her most unforgettable dance memories was her senior year with NSDC, when their Musical Theatre dance won Nationals! It was such a magical experience and a moment she will always cherish. Elysia was born in Louisiana and moved to Bismarck, Arkansas when she was 15. After high school, she attended Southern Arkansas University, where she danced on the university dance team during her freshman year. She later transferred to National Park College, where she is pursuing a  bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Dance has given Elysia so many incredible memories, friendships, and opportunities, and she can’t wait to give that same experience to her students. She is so excited to help each dancer grow, build confidence, have fun, and fall in love with dance just like she did.

Esther has a deep appreciation and passion for all art forms, especially singing. She is a graduate of Henderson State University with a BA in Psychology. Esther spent her early adult years working at the Office of Hearing and Appeals in Little Rock, AR, but her proudest accomplishment is raising her two lovely daughters with my husband of over 30 years. She  homeschooled her children from kindergarten to college, during which time she was a dance mom and a theatre mom.
Esther is happy to be a part of the staff at Natural State Dance Company and encourage other children in their pursuit of art and movement as she did with her own children.