Traci Basham Addison

Traci has studied dance and voice from Miss Mona's since the age of five, and performed in such locally popular groups as Miss Mona's Sunshine Kids and the Rhythmettes. A summa cum laude Radford University graduate and member of the National Honor Society, Traci has been involved in community & professional theatre, pageants & as director/producer of the Virginia state 4H Share the Fun program from 2000-2006. She has studied at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and in numerous teacher seminars and workshops, and received several STAR Awards for both acting and choreography. She has studied in workshops with renowned instructors such as Mike Minery, Lane Napper, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben, and Mark Goodman.  Traci serves as Assistant Director of Miss Mona's, and an instructor. Traci and her husband Chip direct the very popular Miss Mona's Summer Drama Camp for youth, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2009.

Jenny Byers Lane

Jenny comes to us from Lynchburg, Virginia where she had 14 years training with Seven Hills Dance Studio. Jenny has taught all forms of classical dance and Hip Hop for six years and has attended dance conventions and competitions throughout the South. In addition, Jenny has studied Ballet, Modern and Dance Composition at Randolph Macon Women's College and is a member of the Dance Company of Virginia Tech for 2005. Combining excellent training with a strong work ethic, Jenny is an asset to the Miss Mona's staff in every genre that she teaches. Jenny is continually challenging herself and expanding her knowledge by attending seminars and workshops with some of the finest choreographers in the dance world, including Shane Sparks and Mia Michaels.

Chip Addison

Drama Department Director Chip Addison is a Ferrum College graduate and former member of the Jack Tale Players, an Appalachian folk tale theatre troupe touring the East Coast. Chip has experience in all facets of theatre, as well as musical training, and he owns and directs a murder mystery dinner theatre troupe, the Black Dog Players. In addition, Chip is an art and drama teacher at Lucy Addison Magnet Middle School, and he and his wife Traci co-direct the popular Miss Mona's  Summer Drama Camp each year. In addition, Chip can be seen on local stages and television commercials each year, and was the recipient of several STAR awards, including  Best Scenic Design and  Best Actor in a Children's Production. They have developed a fine reputation for training and nurturing young performers.

Tara Gill

Tara has been dancing since age three, and has been part of competition teams for many years. Tara is a graduate of Radford University, where she was a member of the Dance Department, and chosen to represent RU at the American College Dance Festival for two years. She spent time as a professional dancer for the Roanoke Steam and the Roanoke Dazzle for many years. She has extensive training in jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, clogging, tap, hip hop, and character. Tara's enthusiasm and sense of humor are apparent in her teaching and we are thrilled to have her as part of our faculty.

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And we are still expanding our staff! Watch for more new staff members coming soon to a studio near YOU!

Our founder Miss Mona Gevrekian was trained professionally in New York, along with her daughters and son. Upon relocating to Virginia, she began her studio - a family tradition that continues to touch many young lives today. Miss Mona's students and alumni have created their own individual success stories ranging from the Broadway stage to the Miss America runway to television and motion pictures. Others have gone on to teach the next generation to love the arts the way they were taught.

And now we extend the invitation to you to join our studio family. We are certain that you will find our studio to be a professional and caring environment that will meet the individual needs of each child.

So, if the time is right to choose well-rounded training in dance, voice and drama, be sure to select Miss Mona's. Fifty years of twinkling toes, bright smiles and proud parents can't be wrong!

Miss Mona's is proud to train students from Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt, the New River Valley, Franklin County, and all throughout Southwest Virginia. Because we are a Broadway-based studio, we value the importance of well-rounded training in all disciplines. We encourage our students to become "triple-threats", with solid experience in dance, voice, and drama, as well as technical aspects including stage managing.

Our Teaching Staff

Each of the instructors at Miss Mona's have extensive experience in all areas of the performing arts, to offer your child the finest in well-rounded training. Guest instructors and teachers also offer classes and workshops. Our staff travels regularly to master classes and workshops and have trained with some of the finest choreographers and teachers in the country.

Ginger Gevrekian Perkinson

In addition to her training and performing, Ginger has served as director of choreography for Showtimers, the Miss Roanoke Valley pageant and the local and state Junior Miss program, along with many other credits. Ginger has been involved with all facets of pageantry, theatre and is the Artistic Director of Miss Mona's, as well as an instructor for dance and voice. Ginger received her training in New York, and learned the trade of dance and business ownership at the side of her mother, Miss Mona. Ginger performed since she was just a baby, but her first love lies in teaching, training, and the aspects of production. Generations of students have benefited from her vast knowledge and experience, and as our studio celebrates its 50th anniversary year, her impact is stronger and more beneficial than ever.

Judy Gevrekian

Judy has been teaching with the family studio since high school and, like Ginger, has had lifelong training in dance as well as voice. Judy has been a familiar face in many local musical theatre productions as well. She is the Director of vocal training at Miss Mona's and teaches several young tap/ballet combo classes as well. Judy has been singing since before she could talk, and has wowed audiences for years with her lyricism. Her nurturing and fun-loving ways make her a popular and much-loved instructor.

Carrie Gladden

Carrie began her training with Miss Mona's at age three, and has been with us ever since. Her passion for dance and love of children has made her a talented and dedicated teacher. She has studied under instructors such as Mark Goodman and Shane Sparks. Carrie is a member of the Rhythmettes performance company, and has won numerous Gold and Platinum awards in competitive dance. Carrie has been featured as a performer in numerous entertainment venues and in local theatre productions. She brings her love of the stage to all those around her.

Chelsea Wells

Chelsea began with Miss Mona's at age seven and immediately personified the title "ballerina". Equally gifted in ballet, jazz, lyric, character, and tap, Chelsea is a member of the Rhythmettes, a platinum- award winning competitor, and an asset to the staff and the studio. Chelsea and Carrie were two members of a top-two nationally ranked tap trio in 2007. Whether teaching, substituting, or assisting in the office or with rehearsals, Chelsea and our entire teaching staff work together for the good of all the students. Chelsea has been a featured performer on stages throughout the valley and her love of dance is always apparent.