Staff

Alice Grimes

Owner/Director

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Mrs. Alice Grimes is certified in ballet, tap, and jazz through the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3 where she currently holds the position of Vice President. She is also certified in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique. She is married with 2 children and her favorite style of dance is ballet. Mrs. Alice has been teaching her love of dance to all ages at Lorna Badon Legacy Dance Centre since 1991. She credits “Miss Lorna” for teaching her the quality of training in a disciplined atmosphere that not only produces excellent dancers, but self-confidence and poise.

Janel Campbell


Ms. Janel Campbell has been teaching dance since 1985! She is certified in ballet, tap, and jazz through the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3. Janel is a mom of 3 with 7 grandchildren and many others (we love our studio kiddos!) She has traveled and learned from many world-renowned dancers and also taught several students who have went on to perform on Broadway or have careers in performing arts.

Danielle Oliver

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Mrs. Danielle Oliver has been teaching dance since 2005! Danielle is certified to teach ballet and jazz through the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3. She is married with 3 children and is also a Registered Nurse who works in labor and delivery!

Mallory Blanton

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Mrs. Mallory Blanton has been teaching dance since 2011! She is certified to teach ballet, tap and jazz through the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3. Mallory is married with one daughter. She has been teaching for the LCM school district since 2016 and is a 6th grade history teacher at Little Cypress Junior High.

Carlee Grimes

Ms. Carlee Grimes began assisting in 2016 and became certified in ballet and jazz through the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3 in 2019. She is currently serving her second year on the Board of Directors for this organization. She has experience stage managing from her time traveling the U.S. with Legacy Dance Championships and does work with local dancers and drill teams in the form of choreography, private lessons, and workshops. She holds a B.S., Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston. Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical and contemporary!

Kristi Porter

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Mrs. Kristi Porter has been teaching dance since 2007! Kristi has a Bachelor of Science in Dance from Lamar University and is a Degreed member of the South Texas Association of Dance Teachers, Inc., Dance Masters of America Ch. #3! She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Ms. Kristi was a member of Lamar University Dance Team for 2 years and the Dance Company for 4 years. She is married with 3 boys and her favorite style of dance is tap!

Kaydance Whitfield

Ms. Kaydance Whitfield began assisting in 2018 and became certified to teach through the South Texas Association of Dance Teacher, Inc., Dance Masters of America Chapter #3 in 2022. She is Acrobatic Arts certified and also served as varsity cheer captain at Orangefield High School. She is currently attending Lamar University to become an elementary school teacher. Her favorite styles of dance are lyrical and contemporary!

Madeline Finn

Mrs. Madeline Finn began assisting classes in 2020 and became certified to teach Jazz and Ballet through the South Texas Association of Dance, Inc., Dance Masters of America Chapter #3 in January of 2023. She was named captain of her high school drill team, The Honeybears, and also a part of the Lorna Badon Legacy Dance Company. Currently she is attending college at McNeese State University and majoring in Elementary Education. Her favorite style of dance is ballet and contemporary!

Carol Puckett


Meet Ms. Carol Puckett, our office manager, the first one you see when entering the studio! She is retired from Christus Health, has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She looks forward to seeing the students and hearing about their day. We also thank her for being the on hand seamstress who saves the day!

Founder – Lorna Badon Knaus

At the age of 18, Lorna Badon Knaus started running her own business after taking over her mother’s studio in Orange. She successfully ran June Badon School of Dance and Gymnastics for 15 years before building the studio at its current location in 1993. She changed the name to Lorna Badon School of Fine Arts and enjoyed 36 years teaching children the art of dance. In 1991, Alice Grimes, a former student began teaching for her. Alice acquired the studio in 2015 continuing Lorna’s legacy of offering the Orange area the best in dance education.