Erika M. Smith is the Director of LKN Perform. She graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville, FL in 1990 with a concentration in Dance and studied at The Florida Ballet. In 1990 Erika studied at The Martha Graham School in New York and was privileged to study the craft of choreography from the legendary dancer Pearl Lang there as well. Erika studied dance in college at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she graduated in 1994.
Erika moved to the North Carolina coast and taught, choreographed and performed there locally. She taught Dance at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte, NC. In addition Erika traveled to schools K-12 in Brunswick County and worked with Special Education teachers to use Dance as a tool in their curriculum. Erika moved to the Lake Norman area in 2009 from Wilmington, NC where she was co-founder of The Dance Cooperative a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the dance community locally in Wilmington and throughout North Carolina. Erika was one of the founders of The Dance Cooperative and served in many capacities – as board President, Vice-President, Secretary, choreographer and dancer throughout the years. She also participated in the North Carolina Dance Festival throughout the years as both a choreographer and a dancer. She also was a choreographer for UNC-Wilmington performances, a dancer with Forward Motion Dance Company and Wilmington Independent Choreographers. Erika has choreographed and performed in various venues and productions throughout North Carolina and Florida over the years. Most recently she was the dancer/choreographer for the music video ‘These Broken Wings’ Featuring Inspectah Deck of Wu Tang Clan.
Erika’s true passion in addition to choreography is teaching. “Seeing dance through my students eyes inspires me on a daily basis. The joy that is reflected in a child’s face when they are dancing is priceless. I want all of my students to see LKN Perform as a place where they are able to grow as dancers & individuals in a positive environment, celebrating their achievements as well as encouraging and supporting the other students in their classes. ” Her goal is that all students walk out of LKN Perform with a solid foundation, love & appreciation of the performing arts.
In addition to being a busy mother of six beautiful children and Director of LKN Perform Erika also has other outside creative projects in the entertainment industry including being an Executive Producer on the television show ‘One Shot’ that aired on BET last year as well as other projects that are in development.
LKN Perform Dance Instructors
Maya Sanders Fripp I have been dancing all of my life! I have been trained in various forms of dance such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, African, tap, liturgical, modern, cheer , contemporary, and lyrical. Dance is my passion and it enables me to express myself. I began to take off with my talent in high school when I was discovered for The Possibility Project a very well known talent program for talented teens of Charlotte. I am a former cheerleader for the Charlotte Hounds Professional Lacrosse Team and am currently a professional back up dancer and a professional cheerleader for the Charlotte Knights baseball team as well as a professional dance and fitness model. I currently teach Hip Hop & Jazz classes here at LKN Perform. I love to teach children and adults how to stay in shape, love dance & have fun!
Nicole Benson Bio Coming Soon!
Kyla Smith Bio Coming Soon!
LKN Perform Theater Instructors
Ria Matheson is a professional performer and dance educator. She discovered her love of the arts in dance class at the age of three, and grew to love theatre as another wonderful artistic outlet as she grew older. Ria studied numerous styles of dance growing up, and competed at the World Irish Dance Association (WIDA) World Championships in 2015 and 2016. She found her way to theatre through dance, and has continued to work both on stage as a performer and offstage as a choreographer. Ria earned her BA with Honors in Theatre in 2020 from Wake Forest University, and she has been teaching dance and choreographing theatrical productions since 2014. Outside of the classroom, Ria is a performer at Carowinds and an avid patron of the arts. She is excited to share her artistic passions with the students at LKN Perform.
LKN Perform Music Instructors
Jacob Richard is a professional music educator and musician in the Cornelius area. Mr. Richard is a music teacher at J.V. Washam Elementary School. Mr. Richard teaches k-5 music classes, directs the Ukulele Ensemble, and all musical programs at J.V. Washam. In 2015 Jacob graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.M. and B.S. in Music Education. While at WCU Jacob studied Saxophone and held the top leadership position, Staff Coordinator, in the world renowned “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band. Mr. Richard is a NC Teaching Fellow, and his professional affiliations include NAFME and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.
Jacob Richard specializes in wind band instruments (saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, etc.) and offers piano, vocal lessons as well.
John-Paul Lepeley is a distinguished multi-instrumentalist and voice instructor with an impressive career spanning more than four decades in music performance and education. His exceptional proficiency extends across an array of instruments including voice, piano, electric/acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, clarinet, saxophone, violin, trumpet, and the recorder (used extensively in educational settings).
From a young age, John-Paul immersed himself in music, performing since the 4th grade and continuing to shape his skills on stages across the USA, South America, and Europe. His musical journey has been marked by performances in diverse settings, including small towns during Christmas celebrations, hospitals for children and staff, and even jails, where his music has uplifted inmates and staff alike. His talents have also graced the airwaves of TV and radio.
Beyond performance, John-Paul has made a significant impact as the director of after-school music and arts programs at multiple schools in California. He has written and produced five Christmas programs and a variety of musicals, demonstrating his creative leadership and commitment to fostering a love for the arts in young minds.
As an educator, John-Paul is renowned for his passion for teaching and dedication to bringing out the best in his students. He believes in promoting community and teamwork through music, fostering an environment where students not only develop musical skills but also learn collaboration and communication. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, empowering students to approach musical challenges with confidence and creativity. Known for his clear and engaging communication style, John-Paul creates a supportive learning environment infused with humor and encouragement.