welcome!
meet the team for aoda raeford…

Rachel & Andrew Sutton

- CEO, Alpha & Omega Dance Academy LLC (parent organization of AODA Fayetteville & AODA Raeford)
- Studio Owner & Teacher, AODA Raeford
*Rachel currently teaches Ballet (11+) & Adult Ballet*

Rachel has trained at several dance studios, studying various ballet techniques. In addition to her emphasis in ballet and pointe, Rachel has trained in lyrical, contemporary, modern, and jazz. She has performed with dance ministries at churches, schools, conferences, and other venues locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition, Rachel has obtained numerous leadership certificates from Grace College of Divinity (now Manna University) and Jackrabbit Technologies (AODA’s student database), as well as her Bachelor’s of Divinity and multiple awards from Manna University. She trained in the Progressive Pointe Method under internationally acclaimed Josephine Lee from The Pointe Shop and also received teacher training in Vaganova method under Runqiuao Du, who was recently the Artistic Director of Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC (2019-2021).

Rachel also serves with her husband Andrew at the Manna Church Raeford Site, where Andrew is the Site Pastor. They currently live with their two young boys in Raeford and enjoy spending time with family and friends, working on house projects, and traveling. Rachel is passionate about the way dance enables people to experience joy and holistic health as they make new friends, stretch out of their comfort zone, stay physically active, and express themselves in creative ways.

Erin Brazell, Teacher

Erin Brazell is a mom, wife, worship leader and artist. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts from Spring Arbor University and a Master of Arts in Theatre Studies from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has performed in many shows over the years including locally with the Gilbert Theatre and Sweet Tea Shakespeare. She taught music in Cumberland County Schools for over five years and is a Worship faculty member at Manna University. She can be found playing piano and singing on the Manna Church worship team, singing the National Anthem for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and the Fayetteville Marksmen or spending time with her family. She is beyond excited to be a part of the Alpha and Omega Dance Academy teaching team!

*Samantha teaches Monday Pre-Ballet/Jazz, Ballet (7-10), & Jazz (11+)*

Samantha Barnett, Teacher

Samantha has been dancing with AODA since 2016, when she took her first dance class and fell in love. She poured herself into the art, and she now has training in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. Samantha is also a former AODA company member and was recently seen as The White Witch in AODA’s 2021 production of “Through The Wardrobe” and as Flynn Ryder in AODA’s 2022 production of “Rapunzel.”

Samantha has been an assistant teacher with AODA since 2020, but her experience teaching and leading children goes back much further. She grew up in a family with eight siblings and always aims to have patience and lead by example. She has also served as a teacher in her church’s children’s ministry since 2016.

Samantha is not only passionate about dance, but also about gaining knowledge. She sees the opportunity to teach dance as a chance to invite students to share in those passions, and she’s excited to see how God may use her in this position!

Jasmine McKoy, Teacher

Bio coming soon

Sophia Seklejian, Teacher

Sophia has trained for ten years at AODA, mostly in ballet and pointe, but also in contemporary, jazz, modern, musical theatre, tap and hip hop. She has been in AODA Fayetteville’s Company for the past several years, and has had a role in their recent productions: Through the Wardrobe (2021), Rapunzel (2022), and the leading role in Aurora’s Enchanted Curse (2024). She has also danced in several productions of The Nutcracker with Dance Theatre of Fayetteville, including the leading role of Sugar Plum Fairy. For the past few years, Sophia was accepted into the Summer Dance Intensive for Ballet Magnificat! (the nation’s premiere Christian ballet company) and also Carolina Ballet Intensive.

Sophia has also served in Manna Church’s Children Ministry for the past four years, as well as on their SERVE Team. Dance is a huge passion of hers and she would love to pursue it in the future!

*Lileigh teaches both Tuesday Pre-Ballet/Jazz classes*

Lileigh Baucom, Teacher

Lileigh has grown up with the AODA family, having started dancing with Alpha & Omega Dance Academy at the age of two. She has trained in classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern, with jazz and contemporary being her favorite styles. Lileigh has been a member of AODA Company for several years, which includes performing at local community events, ministry and outreach opportunities, local nursing homes, and more. Lileigh has also been in the cast of recent AODA productions (Genie, Lamp Of Wonder 2023; Fairy Merryweather, Aurora’s Enchanted Curse 2024), participated in The Nutcracker with Dance Theatre of Fayetteville, and recently attended Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive.

When she is not busy dancing, Lileigh can be found playing the piano or serving on the student leadership team at Village Baptist Church, where she and her family are active members. She also serves at VBC’s Vacation Bible School for K-5th graders every year.

Lileigh loves being a part of AODA because it has helped her learn not noly dance, but also how to express herself and find other ways to serve God. She is looking forward to teaching with AODA Raeford!