Meet our inspiring instructors
At Candice Meryl Dance Studio, our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience, passion, and artistry to every class. Get to know the professionals who nurture talent, build confidence, and ignite a lifelong love for dance in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
Our Team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Candice Pennington
Owner, Lead Instructor
With 33 years of ballet experience and more than 22 years as an educator, Candice Pennington is the heart of Candice Meryl Dance Studio. A lifelong dancer and dedicated teacher, she specializes in Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I, and Ballet II, combining strong technical foundations with engaging, age-appropriate instruction that inspires a love of dance in every student.
In addition to her work in the studio, Candice has served as a high school counselor for 22 years, building strong relationships with students, families, and community partners throughout the region. Her extensive experience supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of young people has shaped her teaching philosophy and commitment to creating a positive learning environment. She is a passionate and dedicated professional who believes every child deserves to feel accepted, nurtured, valued, and loved.
Candice holds a Master of Education degree and has spent her career helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and reach their full potential. As a mother of two, she understands the importance of providing children with opportunities to grow in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. She is also the primary handler of the Berkeley Springs High School Therapy Dog, further reflecting her commitment to fostering connection, compassion, and well-being among students.
Through dance, Candice strives to help each child develop poise, discipline, creativity, and self-expression while cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Her goal is for every dancer who enters the studio to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed both in dance and in life.
Lauren Proffit
Instructor
Lauren Proffit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She brings more than 13 years of teaching experience, over 20 years of theatre and performance experience, and more than 15 years of ballet training with a focus on the Russian Vaganova method. In addition to her work in dance and theatre, she has expertise in learning styles, performance assessment, and student development.
Lauren works full-time as a paraprofessional with WCPS and maintains ongoing professional training each year. She also teaches theatre for students in grades K–12 through ACT in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Lauren is passionate about the arts and believes they play a vital role in helping children develop confidence, creativity, emotional expression, and lifelong skills. She is committed to creating a welcoming environment where every student, regardless of experience or background, feels safe, valued, and supported.
Carly Sherbert
Instructor
Carly Sherbert began her teaching career in 2009 as an AmeriCorps Art Director and Teacher with the Boys & Girls Club while completing her degree in Studio Art at Indiana University, graduating in 2011. She later transitioned to early childhood education, teaching children ages 2–6 at the Bloomington YMCA Center for Children and Families and earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech Community College in 2017.
In 2019, Carly joined Wind Dance Farm and Earth Education Center after completing certification in nature-based teaching through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. Following the birth of her son, Graham, in 2021, she returned to Wind Dance in 2022, where she leads the preschool program, Little Wilderness Wanderers, and guides summer camp sessions. She also earned her Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification in 2024. In addition to teaching, Carly and her husband, Greg, operate Forest Shepherd Farm and Nursery in Berkeley Springs.
Carly's love of dance began in childhood with ballet, jazz, and tap. After exploring music and visual arts during her teen years, she returned to the stage as a singer and dancer in her high school's production of Anything Goes. She continued her dance training with tap classes at Windfall Dance in Bloomington, Indiana, and for the past three years has studied tap twice weekly with Ms. Whitney at Twist and Turn, while also participating in an advanced tap class with Ms. Kim and Ms. Lynette. In 2026, Carly served as an assistant teacher for beginning ballet and tap classes for ages 4–5 and as a substitute instructor at Dance Haven Collective. She is excited to share her passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.
Lauren Bachman
Choreographer
Expertise meets passion: our unique teaching approach
At Candice Meryl Dance Studio, our instructors blend artistry, experience, and heart. Our professionally trained faculty brings decades of experience and a passion for teaching dancers of all ages and levels—from creative movement to advanced technique. With strong educational backgrounds, they understand how students learn, fostering creativity while supporting each dancer’s individual growth. We focus on building solid technique, nurturing a supportive environment, and inspiring confidence, discipline, and expressive storytelling through movement.
Styles and ages we teach
Our instructors teach a variety of dance styles for students ages 3–13, creating a welcoming environment where every dancer can find the right fit. From young children exploring movement and creativity to students developing strong technical foundations, our faculty nurtures growth, confidence, and a love of dance at every stage. Instruction is age-appropriate, engaging, and designed to support each dancer’s individual progress, with limited opportunities for advanced study as students demonstrate readiness and commitment.