Our Story
Family-founded. Artist-led. Community-rooted.
The Dance Vault began long before its doors ever opened.
Our founder, Della Hatcher, was never given the opportunity to pursue dance as a child. Years later, when her daughter, Shalyce Hemby, found dance, Della witnessed firsthand just how transformative the arts could be. For a child navigating a learning disability and a mind that didn’t always move in a straight line, dance created focus, discipline, confidence, and a place to thrive.
Della knew those lessons reached far beyond the studio. So she kept sharing them. Soon, nieces, nephews, and a generation of family members were dancing too. What began with one daughter became a lifelong belief: every child deserves access to the arts and the opportunity to discover what movement can unlock within them.
Today, at 75, Della is a first-time business owner, longtime dance mom, registered nurse, and ArtsCentric board member. Shalyce has grown from that young dancer into a professional choreographer, performer, arts educator, and creative leader who continues to work throughout the dance and theatre industries.
Together, they created The Dance Vault—a place where generations meet, strong foundations matter, and the traditions that shaped yesterday’s dancers are reimagined for those of tomorrow.
Our Purpose
Shaping Dancers Through Tradition.
The Dance Vault exists to provide accessible, high-quality dance education that develops the whole dancer—artistically, physically, mentally, and personally.
Rooted in the traditions and foundations of dance, we pair strong technical training with contemporary practices and evolving styles to prepare dancers for the world they are growing into. Through movement, mentorship, and community, we cultivate discipline, confidence, creativity, and life skills that extend far beyond the studio.
We believe every dancer deserves a place to learn, grow, belong, and discover what they are capable of becoming.
Mission
Meet Our Team
Creative Minds Behind
Our talented team comprises dedicated professionals with a passion for storytelling and visual excellence, ensuring each project is executed with precision and creativity.
Della Hatcher
A registered nurse, longtime dance mom, and ArtsCentric board member, Della Hatcher founded The Dance Vault at 75 with a lifelong belief in the transformative power of the arts. Her commitment to wellness, education, and access inspires a space where every young person has the opportunity to experience what dance can unlock.
della@thedancevault.org
Shalyce Hemby
A professional choreographer, performer, arts educator, and creative leader working across dance and theatre. Bringing professional industry experience into the studio, she honors the traditions that shaped her while preparing the next generation of dancers to create, evolve, and thrive.
shea@thedancevault.org
Jennifer Buchannan
Jennifer Buchanan is a 40+ year dance education veteran with experience spanning primary, secondary, and university-level instruction. A former studio owner, dance administrator, and longtime dance mom whose son has gone on to a professional dance career, Jennifer understands the journey of a dancer from both the educator’s and parent’s perspective. She brings that experience, along with a deep love for creativity, mentorship, and young people, to The Dance Vault.