Our Staff
Taylor Jenkins
Owner/Certified Instructor
Taylor Jenkins was born and raised in Mt. Juliet, TN. She graduated from Wilson Central High School and went on to Middle Tennessee State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a minor in Speech and Theatre.
Taylor has been dancing for 19 years and teaching for 12 years. Ms. Taylor is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Pointe. She participated in competitive dance and cheerleading regionally and locally through out high school. While competing, Taylor won many 1st place and overall awards. In 2006, she went to Chicago where she was certified through Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. In Ms. Taylor’s teaching career, she has choreographed numerous award-winning dances as well as received choreography awards. Ms. Taylor loves all types of dance but her favorite is Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop.
Ms. Taylor was recently certified in Zumba and looks forward to starting this new endeavour!
In her free time Taylor enjoys working out, Kickboxing, Zumba, shopping, being with her friends, her Pomeranian Harry Winston, and being with family.
Justin Jenkins
Hip-Hop Instructor
Justin Jenkins is in his 4th year with Diamond. He is from Memphis, Tennessee and attended MTSU for college majoring in physical education. He danced with MTSU’s MPAC dance program for 6 years where he found his love for Hip-Hop. In 2009, Justin and his friends auditioned for MTV’s show, Americas Best Dance Crew and made it! Their group “Southern Movement” became famous for their hip-hop routines in their cowboy hats. After the show, Justin came back to Tennessee to teach at various studios and master classes before he made Diamond his teaching home. Mr. Justin has brought Diamond Hip-Hop to the next level, and has lead the team in their hip-hop categories to numerous choreography and first overall awards. He loves Memphis Tigers basketball, Chicago Bulls and of course, the Tennessee Titans. Justin lives in Mt. Juliet with his wife, Mrs. Taylor and their dog Harry Winston. Justin loves children and loves sharing his passion with his dancers!
Payton Hartnett
Instructor
Payton has grown up at Diamond and lights up the room wherever she goes. She is a senior at Wilson Central High School and will graduate in 2017. She has been dancing for 8 years and competing for 6 of those years. Payton not only teaches, but she is also the captain of the Diamond Dance Team. When she is not dancing with her team, she is doing her favorite thing, teaching! Her favorite type of dance is hip-hop and contemporary but loves all types. After she graduates, she hopes to go to college. Miss Payton teaches tumbling, twinkle toes, ballet, hip-hop and the Diamond Dance team.
Leslie Pugliese
Tap Instructor
Leslie Pugliese is no stranger to the stage. She has been performing on stage since the age of 8. Leslie has been involved in dance for 35 years, taking Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Tahitian and Hula. Her favorite is Tap! She has won many state and national competitions all over the United States. She has been a choreographer for pageants for many years and this will be her second year at Diamond Academy of Dance teaching Tap! Leslie moved to Nashville in 1999 to pursue her music career and record her first Demo. Just recently, she released a song on iTunes with her Duo Partner. They are called Sassy Southern! Leslie graduated from Miamisburg High School in Ohio and attended Middle Tennessee State University for 3 years. She enjoys teaching, singing, and family time! Leslie has two daughters, Gia and Jewels, who are on the Dance Team at Diamond Academy of Dance. She resides in Mt. Juliet with her husband and two children.
Shelby Ambrose
Instructor
Bio coming soon
Heather Penzhorn
Instructor
Bio coming soon
Jim Beasley
Tap Instructor
Bio coming soon