Carrie Lowrey

Owner/Studio Director

Dance Extensions • Ballet • Lyrical • Contemporary • Tap • Dance Acrobatics

​

Carrie started dancing with Kohl Academy of Performing Arts at the age of 3.  During her 14 years, she was a member of the Dance Extensions Dance Company, where she competed in various competitions.  She attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in Human Environmental Sciences. She started teaching at Kohl Academy in the Fall of 2011. She received her Dance Masters Teacher Certification in July of 2013 and her Acrobatic Arts Certification in July of 2021. In December of 2020, she became co-owner of Kohl Academy. She is the current choreographer of the Crimson Belles, Guntersville High School Danceline.

​

​

 

 

 

 

​Shara Benefield

Owner/Studio Manager

​

Shara moved to Guntersville in 2002 and started with Kohl Academy as a parent in 2003. In 2007, she became the Dancewear Shop Manager and in 2018, she became Office Manager. In December of 2020, she became co-owner of Kohl Academy.

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

Lauren Benefield

Dance Extensions • Ballet • Pointe • Tap • Jazz • Lyrical • Contemporary

 

Lauren began dancing at the age of 4 at Kohl Academy and continued to dance for 15 years. She was a member of our Dance Extensions Dance Company for 7 years, and during these years, she attended master classes taught by well-known choreographers and instructors such as Twitch and Alex Wong. She became a student demonstrator at the age of 9, and in 2011, she started the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training Program, which she continued until graduation. She attended the University of North Alabama and graduated with a degree in Biology. She has choreographed for various musical theater productions at Guntersville High School and the Shoals Theater, including The Wizard of Oz and Legally Blonde.

​

 

 

 

​

 

Alyson Graves

Ballet • Tap • Acro • Lyrical • Contemporary​

​

​​​

Alyson Graves started student teaching dance in 2014 and became an instructor in 2020. She attended Wallace State Community College, where she was a member of the Pride Line Dance Team, and she graduated with a degree in Dance Education. In addition to teaching studio classes, she has also choreographed for various high school dance lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​Catie Wells

Ballet • Tap

​

Catie's lifelong love of ballet began when she saw The Nutcracker at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. She began ballet at age 6 and has gone on to perform with several pre-professional ballet companies and musical theatre productions. Catie has continued to refine her ballet technique and artistry with Broche Ballet, an online ballet school for adults. She attended the International Adult Ballet Festival in 2024 and 2025, winning 1st place in her solo division and "Belle of the Ballet" award for best costume.

"I am an advocate for adult ballet and endeavor, by example, to encourage more adults to express themselves and stay healthy through classical ballet."

​

​​​​​​​​

​​​

 

 

​

Chris Love

Musical Theatre and Vocal

​

Chris Love is a graduate of Guntersville High School. While in Guntersville, he performed at both the high school and the Whole Backstage. Chris has recently earned his Certificate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. While with AMDA, he studied musical theatre and various styles of dance, as well as performing in shows including Dreamgirls, Gypsy, La Cage aux Folles, and The Baker’s Wife. 

 

 

 

​

​

 

Josiah Rains

Vocal and Beginner Piano

​

Josiah is a graduate of Guntersville High School and has a degree in music education at the University of North Alabama. His concentration is in choral and vocal studies as a classically trained tenor. Josiah has a vast performance experience, including productions with Guntersville High School and The Whole Backstage Theatre with his most recent role being Motel in Fiddler on the Roof in 2025. He has also performed in UNA's Chamber and Collegiate Choruses as well as the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He was also a member of Opera/ Musical Theatre, where he starred in various productions. He has taught vocal, beginner piano, and choral at Kohl Academy since 2021. He is currently the Choir and Theater director at Guntersville City Schools. 

​

​

​

​

Lauren Moore

Ballet

​​

Lauren Moore joined our faculty in 2026 and teaches Ballet 1, Ballet 2, and Shining Stars Ballet. She has been dancing since the age of three and has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and clogging throughout the years.

Lauren has over ten years of teaching experience in ballet and tap in the Birmingham area. She loves helping students grow in both skill and confidence and enjoys watching the joy of dance shine through each child.

Lauren attended Samford University, where she majored in Elementary Education. She recently moved to Guntersville with her family and is excited to be part of our studio family.

​​

​​

​

​

​​

​

Katie Sims

Musical Theatre • Hip Hop

​

Katie Sims joined our faculty in 2026 and teaches Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. A graduate of Albertville High School, Katie has danced in a variety of settings throughout her life and has taken on several leadership roles along the way.

Katie has a deep love for musical theatre and singing, and her favorite dance styles include jazz, hip hop, and musical theatre. She is passionate about creating energetic and encouraging classes where students can grow in confidence, creativity, and performance skills.

Katie is excited for the season ahead and looks forward to getting to know all of her students and families!

​

​

​

​

​

​