A native of Dillon, SC, Krystle Ladson is the definition of defying the odds.
She is a 2002 graduate of Dillon High School. She is a certified dance instructor through the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and Danscend. She is the Dillon High School Marching Band Auxiliary Coach Emeritus where she served for over 10+ years. She received classical dance training and gained experience in the dance industry (recreationally, competitively, and professionally) at Step by Step Dance Academy and Dance Dimensions. She later went on to teach at several different dance studios in the Pee Dee and danced professionally with the Lady Phantoms Dance Team, former home of the semi pro football team Florence Phantoms.
With over 37 years of experience, Krystle was the first African American dancer in Dillon, SC and the first African American dance studio owner in her hometown. Now, 14 years later, she is the executive director and owner of Elite Dance Company (est. 2011), with two locations serving Dillon, SC and Florence, SC. Ladson operates EDC with a motto of “It’s More Than Dance.” The parents and students within the organization become family and are all very proud of that fact. Krystle and her assistants format classes to teach the discipline and technique of dance, while instilling the love of the art in their students. EDC provides a fun, happy, and safe environment for their students to learn many different styles of dance, while being encouraged and uplifted to be themselves!
Her true commitment to community, coaching, and mentoring her students, makes her an inspiration to the 700+ students that she has instructed over the past 23 years. Krystle makes a difference by being the change she wishes to see in this world. Also, by teaching her students to live by the Golden Rule and treating others the way you would like to be treated. She dedicates so much of her time and talents to her students of many different ethnic backgrounds, with special emphasis on young black girls to motivate them to follow their dreams as she did. “Giving children hope and inspiration is what motivates me to continue this journey. I take so much pride in that!”
Her mom, her son, her grandson, her coach/mentor, her family, her dance family, and her church community inspire her to keep making a difference. “I am so grateful to everyone in my life that has or presently continues to play an important role in my life.” It is her hope that she inspires young black girls and even black women to be themselves and be the absolute best at whatever they desire to be or do in life, and to remember that their aspirations and dreams can really come true!
