Stage 8 Dance Brands
Ambassadors
Passion is what it takes to be a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador. We are looking for new talent to show their love for dance! Stage 8 Dance Brands has a multi-part audition process that includes an application, dance performance, and a brief interview. The 2025-2026 Ambassadors will be announced on site at Stage 8 Nashville on March 2, 2025 at the Gaylord Opryland. This announcement will be live-streamed on DanceBug. Our new Ambassadors will be outfitted by Rebel Athletic Dance and receive an iconic Rebel Dream Bag and other various gifts! The 2025-2026 Ambassadors will begin their duties with Stage 8 Dance Brands on June 1, 2025.
In addition to being a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador, we are partnering with Inside Dance Magazine to find new talent to represent them!
If you are interested in auditioning to be a 2025-2026 Inside Dance Magazine Ambassador, that audition will take place in Nashville, TN at Stage 8 Nashville on March 1, 2025 from 9:30 PM to 11 PM in conjunction with Stage 8 Ambassador auditions. Please indicate on your application if you would like to be considered for this position. Dancers MUST be present on site at the Nashville audition in order to be considered and serve as an Inside Dance Magazine Ambassador. All Ambassadors for both Stage 8 and Inside Dance Magazine will be announced on Sunday, March 2nd at 4:30 PM in Nashville as well as live-streamed on DanceBug.
*Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassadors must be between the ages of 13 - 22 for the 2024-2025 event season, have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and must provide a copy of their report card and fill out this application. Dancers must be registered in their program's DanceBug account for Ambassador Auditions one week before the event city where they are auditioning. There is a $40 fee to register.*
Audition Locations:
Dance Connection Gatlinburg (audition during convention)
Stage 8 Las Vegas (video submission only, interview on-site)
Dance Connection Houston (audition during convention)
Stage 8 Nashville (on-site audition): Dancers will first learn a combo consisting of a variety of styles. Select dancers will then move on to an improv round. Following that round, select dancers will participate in a brief interview.*
For questions or more information, please email molly@stage8dance.com
What is a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador?
Stage 8 Dance Brands ambassadors represent our company while learning important lessons in professional development and gaining skills that will help them in whatever path they choose to take in their futures. Our ambassadors are featured throughout the season on our social media, create content for us and our partners, become a part of our media staff at events, assist our faculty at Dance Connection conventions, and so much more!
Molly Williams
Lead Ambassador - Dance Etc.
Molly has been dancing for 19 years and her favorite dance style is jazz. Her favorite quote is "Be brave, don't be afraid of your weakness, because in Christ crucified, you can do anything."
A fun fact about Molly is that she loves weightlifting and she can deadlift over 400 pounds.
Molly is the Stage 8 Dance Brands Lead Ambassador.
Lerato Fridge
Senior Ambassador - Dance Mania All Stars
Lerato has been dancing since she was 5 and her favorite dance style is jazz. Her favorite quote is "The best is yet to be."
A fun fact about Lerato is that she's very interested in all things technology, such as digital editing. She is certified in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop Applications.
This is Lerato's third year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Kyria Barnette
Dance Etc.
Kyria has been dancing for twelve years and her favorite style of dance is lyrical. Her favorite quote is “AIl Glory to God!”
A fun fact about Kyria is that she danced in her very first dance recital at age 4 with a broken collar bone. She wasn't going to miss it so she took her sling off, walked right on stage, and didn't miss a beat!
This is Kyria's second year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Eliana Agostini
Dance Mania All Stars
Eliana has been dancing for thirteen years and her favorite style of dance is contemporary/lyrical. Her favorite quote is “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
A fun fact about Eliana is that she was on the U.S. National Youth Pom team in 2022 and took home a first-place medal.
This is Eliana's second year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Sophia Griffeth
Prima Dance All Stars
Sophia has been dancing for 8 years and her favorite style of dance is lyrical. Her favorite quote is "Dirty water doesn’t stop plants from growing, so don’t let negative experiences stop your progress."
A fun fact about Sophia is that she did gymnastics for five and a half years and participated in the Tennessee State Championships several times.
This is Sophia's second year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Bryn Williams
Star Performance Centre
Bryn has been dancing for fifteen years and her favorite style of dance is hip hop. Bryn's favorite quote is “You didn’t come this far to only come this far."
A fun fact about Bryn is that she is super interested in health sciences and hopes to work in the medical field.
This is Bryn's second year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Channing Batson
Dance Dynamics
Channing has been dancing for 12 years and her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Her favorite quote is "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths" Proverbs 3:5–6.
A fun fact about Channing is that her favorite seasons are summer and spring!
This is Channing's first year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Paisley Akers
Dance Etc.
Paisley has been dancing for 14 years and her favorite style of dance is jazz. Her favorite quote is "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will" Romans 12:2.
A fun fact about her is that she recently competed in her first-ever powerlifting competition and she won.
This is Paisley's first year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Ashlyn Barrett
Innovate Dance Studio
Ashlyn has been dancing for 12 years and her favorite style of dance is pom. Her favorite quote is “Everything happens for a reason.”
A fun fact about Ashlyn is that she represented the US in the Doubles Pom Division at ICU Worlds in 2024.
This is Ashlyn's first year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.
Ella Goetsch
Blue Rose Dance Studio
Ella has been dancing for 11 years and her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Her favorite quote is "Be grateful for where your hard work has taken you and trust the process."
A fun fact about Ella is that her favorite thing to do while on vacation is parasailing.
This is Ella's first year as a Stage 8 Dance Brands Ambassador.