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Our Team

We love teaching your children!

Heather Nelson

Studio Owner/Director

Heather started dancing at the age of two with her mom at Mary Lu Smith Dance Academy. In high school, she earned a full scholarship to Mallory Graham School of Arts in North Carolina. She attended George Mason University in their dance program.  She has more than 25 years of teaching and choreographic experience. Heather traveled with Hoctor's Dance Caravan throughout the U.S. and Canada for six years and worked with such greats as Tommy Tune, Danny Hoctor, Barry Lather, and Henry LaTang. She has appeared in an instructional dance video and she has worked as a choreographer for many local pageants and musicals.  Heather has owned and operated Performing Arts 2000 for eighteen years, and has trained a multitude of dancers who have entered the dance profession. She has directed and choreographed many award-winning numbers, receiving national recognition and national teacher of the year award. Heather is very excited to be entering her 18th season this year.

Heather resides in Mineral with her husband, Tim Nelson, their three sons, Jared, Dillon, Ethan and their two dogs an adopted chocolate lab and a yorkie poo.


Mandy Cheshire

Dance Teacher

My name is Mandy Cheshire and I was born and raised in Louisa Va. I started dancing when I was 3yrs old. I love every aspect of dance from choreography to facial expressions there is no greater joy for me as a teacher than watching a dancer work hard on their skill and go home with a smile on their face because of all the new techniques they learned and the fun that they had. I have been a part of performing arts 2000 since I started dancing at a young age. I now not only have the pleasure of teaching but getting to watch my daughter enjoy the same sport that I have enjoyed all my life.

Sylvia Rigsby

Gymnastics Teacher

Sylvia is a Louisa County native who began taking dance lessons at a young age before switching over to gymnastics where she competed for multiple years and trained at Piedmont Gymnastics and later Classics Gymnastics Center. She attended Randolph-Macon College where she was on the cheerleading competition team before transferring to Virginia Tech and graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Sylvia is an active member of the community volunteering with local organizations including the Louisa County Fair, Louisa 4-H Livestock Club, and Mineral Fire Auxiliary. Sylvia enjoys passing along her love for gymnastics and has been teaching at PA 2000 since 2015.

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