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.
Candice also brings 22 years of experience as a high school counselor, supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of young people and building strong relationships with students, families, and community partners. She holds a Master of Education degree and is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels accepted, valued, and empowered to succeed.
As a mother of two and the primary handler of the Berkeley Springs High School Therapy Dog, Candice understands the importance of connection, compassion, and encouragement. Through dance, she strives to help each student develop confidence, discipline, creativity, poise, and self-expression while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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 has been an educator since 2009, beginning as an AmeriCorps Art Director and Teacher with the Boys & Girls Club while earning her Studio Art degree from Indiana University in 2011. She later transitioned to early childhood education, teaching children ages 2–6 and earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in 2017.
Since 2019, Carly has been part of Wind Dance Farm and Earth Education Center, where she leads the Little Wilderness Wanderers preschool program and summer camps. She is certified in nature-based teaching and holds Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification. Carly and her husband, Greg, also operate Forest Shepherd Farm and Nursery in Berkeley Springs.
A lifelong dancer, Carly began with ballet, jazz, and tap and later returned to dance through tap training. She currently studies tap regularly and, in 2026, 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 love of dance and inspire 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.