This page will be updated for 2025-2026 shortly, so please check back soon!

welcome!
meet the team for aoda raeford…

Rachel Sutton

- CEO & Artistic Director of Alpha & Omega Dance Academy, LLC (parent organization of AODA Fayetteville & AODA Raeford)
- Owner of AODA Raeford

Rachel has trained at several dance studios, studying various ballet techniques. In addition to her emphasis in ballet and pointe, Rachel has trained in lyrical, contemporary, modern, and jazz. She has performed with dance ministries at churches, schools, conferences, and other venues locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition, Rachel has obtained numerous leadership certificates from Grace College of Divinity (now Manna University) and Jackrabbit Technologies (AODA’s database), as well as her Bachelor’s of Divinity and multiple awards from MU. She trained in the Progressive Pointe Method under internationally acclaimed Josephine Lee from The Pointe Shop and also received teacher training in Vaganova method under Runqiuao Du, who was recently the Artistic Director of Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC (2019-2021).

Rachel also serves with her husband Andrew at the Manna Church Raeford Site, where Andrew is the Site Pastor. They currently live with their three young children in Raeford and enjoy spending time with family and friends, working on house projects, and traveling. Rachel is passionate about the way dance enables people to experience joy and holistic health as they make new friends, stretch out of their comfort zone, stay physically active, and express themselves in creative ways!

2025-2026 Team

Kristen Shipp, Teacher

Ms. Kristen has been dancing for 29 years and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern, and competitive clogging. She grew up dancing, assisting, and teaching at Raeford Dance Arts and has been part of the Alpha & Omega Dance Academy family since 2009.

Throughout her years at AODA, she has taught a variety of classes including creative movement, children’s classes, adult ballet, and Level 1–2 ballet and jazz. She loves being part of AODA because of the uplifting Christian environment and the way it fosters both strong technique and a genuine love for the artistry of dance.

When she’s not dancing, Ms. Kristen serves as an Instructional Coach for Cumberland County Schools. She is also a mom of two—Jaxson, 11, who plays travel baseball, and Kinley, 5, who has been dancing at Alpha & Omega for three years. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her family.

*Ms. Sophia teaches Tues Pre-Ballet/Jazz, Tues Pre-Ballet/Tap, & Ballet/Jazz Combo*

Sophia Seklejian, Teacher

Sophia has trained at AODA in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, modern, musical theatre, tap and hip hop. She was in AODA Fayetteville’s Company for several years, and has had a role in their recent productions: Through the Wardrobe (2021), Rapunzel (2022), and the leading role in Aurora’s Enchanted Curse (2024). She has also danced in several productions of The Nutcracker with Dance Theatre of Fayetteville (2021, 2023, 2025), including the leading role of Sugar Plum Fairy!

For the past few years, Sophia was accepted into the Summer Dance Intensive for Ballet Magnificat! (the nation’s premiere Christian ballet company), and she has also attended Carolina Ballet’s Summer Dance Intensive and class with renowned Kathryn Morgan at USC. Sophia has also attended Manna Church for 16 years, where she served in their Children Ministry for six years.

This will be Sophia’s fourth year teaching with AODA, and she is excited to return! She loves teaching dance because it gives her the opportunity to make someone happy or make their day better. AODA has encouraged her to step out of her comfort zones, and she now enjoys teaching others what she knows and seeing them grow into their own person.

If she’s not at dance, you can find Sophia cooking/baking, reading, and spending time outdoors. Some of her career aspirations include becoming a cruise ship performer and an entertainment cast member at Disney World!

Anna Goodman, Teacher

Anna began her journey at AODA, where she danced for four years before turning her focus to gymnastics. With eight years of training and competition experience through Level 7, she developed a strong foundation in skill development, form, and teamwork, even earning an all state champion title. Anna has also worked with younger athletes, helping them refine technique and grow in confidence. Her favorite aspects of gymnastics are the team atmosphere and the challenge of mastering new skills.

As a member of Manna Church, Anna has enjoyed serving in Manna Kids children's ministry for eight years. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and listening to a wide variety of music.

*Ms. Ameliah teaches Creative Movement & Mon Pre-Ballet/Jazz*

Ameliah Weibe, Teacher

Ameliah has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical dance and previously worked as an assistant dance teacher. Ameliah is passionate about using dance as a way to glorify God and express joy and creativity. She hopes to create a fun, encouraging environment where every student can shine and she is so excited to join the AODA Raeford team as a teacher and share her love of dance with others!

Ameliah is the oldest of five children, and is currently in the Biblical Studies homeschool program through Liberty University Online Academy where she plans to earn her Associate's Degree in Biblical Studies before going on to pursue a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. Ameliah hopes to become an Elementary teacher and teach kindergarten after graduating.

Ameliah is an active member of Manna Church and currently serves in the children's ministry where she works with children ages 0-5 on a weekly basis. She is also a Student Leader for Manna Students, and has experience leading small groups.

Ameliah looks forward to helping her students grow in joy, confidence and skill as they learn in a faith-filled, fun environment!