Meet our founder:

Sara Shay Turner is the Founder and Director of Elevate Dance Movement and is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where dancers are valued as people first. With years of experience both on and behind the stage through lead performance roles, choreography, vocals, backstage management, and assistant production work, Sara understands the physical and emotional demands that can come with the performing arts industry.

Sara has performed lead roles in The Nutcracker ballet for multiple seasons while also gaining extensive experience in rehearsal coordination, backstage management, assistant choreography, and live production support alongside established professionals. In addition to dance, she has experience in vocal performance and musical theater-style productions, helping shape her strong emphasis on artistry, storytelling, stage presence, and performer confidence.

A Mississippi Army National Guard veteran, certified Mississippi Child Care Director, former co-founder and captain of the Biloxi Pearls Cheerleading Team, veteran of the original Biloxi Sea Wolves Cheerleading Team, and current coach at Cheer Zone Athletics, Sara brings leadership, discipline, and compassion into every aspect of her program. She is trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, tap, hip hop, musical theater, cheerleading, and acrobatic arts, and has choreographed for local Mardi Gras organizations and youth performance teams throughout the Gulf Coast.

At Elevate, Sara’s philosophy is that mental health, physical health, injury prevention, and emotional safety should always come before trophies, titles, or dance numbers. Her mission is to help dancers grow not only technically, but also into confident and resilient young people who feel safe, supported, and inspired both on and off the stage.

Her motto is to be who she needed when she was younger.. “Because no dance number will ever matter more than the child performing it.