Jennifer Hazelwood, Director/owner

Jennifer has been teaching dance for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in education and attended Ohio University's dance teaching program. In 2015, she opened First Landing Dance Center with the forethought to create a unique dance studio where dancers can flourish in their technique and individual talents. She has skillfully orchestrated numerous production numbers, dance showcases, and created countless dances for competition performances. Jennifer is talented in instructing multiple styles of dance including ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. In her younger years, Jennifer was a member of the South Dayton Dance Company in which she traveled all along the east coast competing in multiple dance competitions. Jennifer is intimately familiar with the dance competition community and continually strives to learn the newest and most challenging movements in the current dance world so that she may share her knowledge with her students. 

"It is my belief that a dancer should always feel they are a welcome and important part of every class they take. Each time a dancer steps into a classroom, they should feel energized and motivated to take on new challenges. It is my job to make that environment a reality."
                                                        -Jennifer Hazelwood
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Elizabeth hazelwood, instructor/choreographer

Elizabeth brings a very demanding demeanor to the classroom here at FLDC; pushing her students to succeed in many areas. She specializes in coaching ballet, stretch/conditioning, turns/leaps, contemporary, and is widely known for her award-winning choreography. 

Elizabeth was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia; where she began training locally at the age of 2 ½ as a recreational dancer. As a 2017 graduate from the Governor’s School for the Arts, Elizabeth received high quality training in both modern and ballet technique. Specializing in ballet, Elizabeth performed in numerous classical works such as La Bayadere, Swan Lake, and Les Sylphides; while also participating in several contemporary and neoclassical pointe pieces. On top of this, she also had to opportunity to perform with the Richmond Ballet three years in a row. As for her success in the competition community, she has excelled. Elizabeth first began teaching alongside her mother, Jennifer Hazelwood, at the age of 12; helping younger dancers learn recreational ballet and tap. When FLDC began, it gave Elizabeth the opportunity to choreograph her first national winning group dance at the age of 15, which expanded her focus to the field of choreography. In 2017, she was undefeated, winning the overall highest scoring routine at every competition attended by FLDC as a soloist; along with choreographing two group dances that were undefeated as well. This success allowed her to be featured in Dance Spirit Magazine as a “Future Star.”    

Lauren Sinclair, Master Class Ballet Instructor

Lauren Sinclair began her ballet training at Eastern Virginia School for the Performing Arts. She is a graduate of the Kirov Academy of Ballet. Lauren danced professionally with Ballet Austin, Virginia Ballet Theatre, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, and Elbert Watson Dance Company. She received her Bachelor degree from Old Dominion University in Communication and Psychology. Lauren is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Pilates Mat instructor. She teaches at the Governor’s School for the Arts in the Dance, Musical Theater, and Vocal Departments.  ​

​Jessica Hazelwood, instructor/choreographer

Jessica Hazelwood is a graduate of the Governor's School for the Arts. She is a national dance competition  winner, solo title winner, and accomplished dancer. After earning multiple scholarships, she competed at the World Dance Championship in the summer of 2019. Jessica has created numerous award winning works of choreography including the styles of jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, and more. 

Currently, she is earning her personal trainer license and continually adds to her knowledge of crafting the body to perform at its best through exercises and nutrition. She also works as a stage manager for Star Dance Alliance competitions.

Jessica has a great report with her students. She is able to draw each dancers talent out to highlight their strengths. 

​Jackie Caputo, Instructor/Choreographer

Ms. Jackie is a seasoned dancer/instructor with 4 years teaching and over 25 years technical training and performance experience. IN 2009, Jackie performed with the "Solid Gold Dance Tour" alongside 70s musicians such as The Village People and Peaches N' Herb. From 2009-2011, she danced her original choreography for Broadway Dance Center Showcases along with Choreographers Canvas in New York city. She has studied with Michelle Barber at Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Boston Ballet (Maine) and Jacob's Pillow Jazz and Theatre Dance in Berkshire, MA. Her passion for dance and sweet demeanor continues to fuel her technical excellence and innovative choreography!