meghan lavender

Meghan began dancing at a young age, focusing on ballet, lyrical, and modern styles. She continued her dance education through college while working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Electronic Media & Film. It was during this time that Meghan was introduced to Ballroom dance and was eventually offered a teaching position with Arthur Murray International in the D.C. area. There, she studied a variety of Ballroom styles under the tutelage of American 9-Dance Champions. She competed both with students and in the professional divisions of American Smooth & Rhythm, as well as Nightclub styles. In 2013, Meghan was named Top Specialist in Arthur Murray, worldwide. The award recognized her as the top teacher for new students in the entire company. 

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In 2014, Meghan married fellow instructor Jake Lavender and moved to Asheville where the couple opened Asheville City Dance. For eight years, Meghan & Jake ran a successful dance studio, launched their professional dance career in the independent world, organized the annual Asheville Dance Classic, directed Dancing with the Local Stars - Asheville, and trained with some of the best dancers in the United States. In 2022, Meghan received her Master's Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, which she regularly applies to her work within the ballroom dance industry.

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Also in 2022, Meghan & Jake relocated the City Dance headquarters to Charlotte, establishing Charlotte City Dance in the Queen City. They continue to compete professionally in the American Smooth division and organize multiple student-focused events & competitions throughout the year. 

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