About — Renner Dance Company | Our Story, Team & Notable Alumni

Summer Renner Disher, Founder of Renner Dance Company

Our Story

How Renner Dance Began

At Renner Dance, movement is more than technique; it is a legacy. Our founder and artistic director, Summer Renner Disher, grew up immersed in a family where athletic discipline and high-level performance were a way of life.

Her father, Bill Renner, played in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers before becoming a respected high school football coach, while her brother, Bryn Renner, set records as a standout quarterback at UNC and played in the NFL before transitioning into coaching.

Summer carved her own distinguished path in dance. She trained under the legendary Miss Mary Day at The Washington Ballet, earned her BFA in Dance from Florida State University where she captained the FSU Golden Girls to a 2nd place national ranking at UDA Nationals, and performed for six seasons as a Radio City Rockette in New York City. Certified through the ABT Teacher Training program and currently serving as Head Coach of the UNC Carolina Girls Dance Team, Summer founded Renner Dance in Chapel Hill in 2015 to blend the athletic rigor of sports with the expressive artistry and joy of dance.

At Renner Dance, we believe in nurturing versatile, resilient dancers who lead with confidence both on and off the stage — values deeply rooted in Summer’s family legacy.

“We welcome families who seek a dance education that fosters growth, confidence, and a lifelong love for movement.”

Founder & Artistic Director Radio City Rockette (6 Seasons) Head Coach, UNC Carolina Girls The Washington Ballet ABT Certified Teacher BFA Dance — Florida State

What Drives Us

Mission & Culture

At Renner Dance Company, we are committed to helping young people grow into strong, resilient, disciplined, and compassionate individuals.

Through the rigor of dance training, our students learn to embrace failure, build patience, and grow confidence in the face of challenge. They learn how to collaborate and coexist with peers, how to lead and how to follow, how to push through discomfort, and how to take pride in showing up every day, even when it is hard. We do not just teach technique; we help shape character. Our goal is to help every dancer leave the studio not only more skilled, but also more mature, grounded, and ready to thrive in life beyond the stage.

Our training philosophy is rooted in high standards and individualized growth. We teach to the level of our most advanced dancers, creating an environment where ambitious students are constantly challenged and those still developing are inspired to rise. This dynamic fuels rapid progress, technical mastery, and a shared sense of purpose in every class.

Versatility is a cornerstone of our curriculum. We train dancers across a wide range of styles and techniques, preparing them to be adaptable, confident performers in any setting.

Competitions are an important part of our dancers’ development. They offer opportunities to apply their training, perform under pressure, and grow as both artists and teammates. Our company dancers participate in a core set of competitions that support their technical and artistic journey. We also encourage and celebrate those who choose to explore additional competitive opportunities across the country, as long as they carry our values with them. At Renner Dance, success is not measured by trophies. It is measured by how dancers grow, how they lead, and how they show up for themselves and others.

By the Numbers

Excellence That Speaks for Itself

From local competitions to world stages, Renner Dance students have consistently risen to the highest levels.

Competitive Success

Multiple First Overall awards at top competitions including Showstopper, NUVO, and Jump

Recognized for Outstanding Technique, Performance Quality, and Choreographic Excellence

Frequent invitations to elite finals, nationals, and dance-offs

Recipients of the Star Talent Galaxy Award

Title winners and runners-up at regional outstanding dancer events

Alumni Progression

Accepted into prestigious college dance teams, pre-professional programs, and conservatories

Performing with professional companies across the country and internationally

Working as teachers, choreographers, and creative leaders in dance

World-Stage Moments

Alumni performed at the FIFA World Cup

Choreographed for the Backstreet Boys

Performed for Mariah Carey

Featured in the film Étoile

College Placements

Pace University (New York City)

University of Arizona — dance scholarship

Florida State University — FSU Girls Dance Team

UNC-Chapel Hill — Carolina Girls Dance Team

Top conservatories and pre-professional programs nationwide

The People Behind the Magic

Our Team

Under the artistic leadership of Founder & Artistic Director Summer Renner Disher, our faculty brings extraordinary professional experience, genuine care for students, and a shared commitment to developing every dancer’s potential.

Teaching Faculty & Directors

Mady Jackson

Company Director · Excel, Extreme & Edge

Lyrical Jazz Tap

Mady has been teaching dance across the country for over 10 years and has been with Renner Dance since the very beginning. Her students have earned choreography awards, entertainment honors, and National Champion titles — including a Critics' Choice Award for tap at NYCDA. This season, she steps into her directorial role leading Excel, Extreme, and Edge Company.

Rossana Nesta

Ballet Mistress · Academy Director

Classical Ballet Cecchetti Vaganova

Trained at Balletto di Roma and certified at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome, Ms. Rossana has taught internationally for over 30 years. Her students perform with NYC Ballet, ABT, Royal Ballet London, and many more of the world's elite companies.

Rachel Carr

Ballet Academy Assistant Director

Ballet Pointe Conditioning

Graduate of Point Park University (B.A. Dance Performance). As Assistant Director of the Ballet Academy, Ms. Rachel plays a key role in classical instruction, choreography, variations coaching, and program coordination alongside Ms. Rossana.

Chaveli Peña

Ballet · Contemporary · Lyrical

Classical Ballet Contemporary Lyrical

Trained at the International Ballet Academy and the School of Carolina Ballet's pre-professional division, where she was promoted to apprentice. Has led roles in Giselle, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and works by Zalman Raffael. Passionate about nurturing creativity and technical precision in young dancers.

Brooke Rogers

Jazz · Contemporary · Choreographer

Precision Jazz Contemporary Adjudicator

BFA in Dance from University of Georgia. Former member of SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company (Atlanta) and UGA Red Hotz. Trained with The Radio City Rockettes at their New York summer intensive and interned with Joffrey Ballet School. Specializes in precision jazz and competitive choreography.

Ally Organo

Ballet · Jazz · Contemporary · Hip Hop

Ballet Jazz Hip Hop Acro

Began dancing at age two and competed in elite programs throughout her training. Member of the Carolina Girls Dance Team at UNC-Chapel Hill, performing at major events and competing at UDA Collegiate Nationals. Deeply passionate about sharing her love of dance with every student.

Karen Perez

Acro · Dance · Cheer

Acro Specialist Choreographer 20+ Years Teaching

B.A. in Dance and Choreography, University of Maryland. Former UMD Cheerleading Squad member (Gator Bowl, Women's Final Four). Has directed multiple dance programs, coached all-star cheer and dance teams, and developed acro curricula for studios across the region. Her choreography has earned numerous competition awards.

Gabrielle Cataldo

Faculty · Studio Operations Manager

Contemporary Choreographer Arts Administrator

BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and BA in Arts Administration, Elon University. Studied internationally at the Florence Dance Center in Italy; performed at Teatro La Compagnia in Florence. Education internship with Parsons Dance Company (2023). Has worked with acclaimed choreographers including Jiwon Ha, Hyoin Jun, and Maurice Watson. Joined Renner Dance in August 2025.

Studio Operations

Gabby Cataldo

Studio Operations Manager

Gabby keeps the daily operations of Renner Dance running seamlessly. From class logistics and scheduling to family communications and studio coordination, she ensures every dancer and family has a smooth, positive experience every time they walk through our doors.

Deb Schleicher

Revenue & Accounts Manager

Deb oversees all financial operations at Renner Dance, including tuition, billing, and accounts management. Her attention to detail and commitment to transparency give families confidence that their accounts are always handled with accuracy and care.

Leigh Anne Brann

Front Desk Coordinator

Leigh Anne is often the first friendly face families see when they arrive at the studio. She manages front desk operations, greets students and parents, and makes sure every visit to Renner Dance feels warm, organized, and welcoming.

Where Renner Dancers Go

Notable Alumni

We train our dancers not just for the next competition, but for the next chapter. Our alumni go on to perform on the world's biggest stages, earn college scholarships, and build careers in dance and entertainment.

Trey Barrett

Professional Dancer & Choreographer

CLI Studios artist. Has performed for Mariah Carey, choreographed for the Backstreet Boys, and performed at the FIFA World Cup. One of Renner Dance's most accomplished and decorated alumni.

Hayley Wilson

Pace University · Film: Étoile

Attended Pace University in New York City and appeared in the film Étoile. Carries the technical and artistic foundation built at Renner into a professional creative career.

Amari Walker

Pace University, New York City

Trained with Renner Dance and went on to study at Pace University in New York City — one of the country's premier programs for aspiring professional performers.

Emma Vaughan

Dance Scholarship · University of Arizona

Earned a merit-based dance scholarship to the University of Arizona — a testament to the technical excellence she developed during her years at Renner Dance.

Charlei Warren

FSU Girls Dance Team · Florida State University

Attended Florida State University and competed on the FSU Girls Dance Team — one of the most competitive collegiate dance programs in the Southeast.

And Many More

College Programs · Professional Careers

Renner Dance alumni continue their journeys with confidence and strong foundations. They work as teachers, choreographers, and creative professionals across the dance industry and beyond.

We're Hiring

Join Our Faculty

We are always looking for experienced, passionate instructors who are committed to teaching with excellence, professionalism, and genuine care for students.

Whether your background is in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, or early childhood movement education, we would love to hear from you.

Minimum 2 years of teaching or professional performance experience

Strong communication and classroom management skills

A professional, team-first mindset that reflects our values

Passion for helping young dancers grow in skill and character

Questions? Email us at admin@rennerdance.com

Faculty Application

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A Legacy
of Movement.

How Renner Dance Began

Mission & Culture

Beyond
the Steps

Excellence,
Versatility,
Respect