Ashley Payne Cook -
Owner, Certified Clogging & Hip Hop Instructor
Ashley began clogging at age 4 and hasn't stopped moving her feet since! She has clogged all over the country including Las Vegas, Florida, Disney World, and Hawaii. Most recently she competed internationally at the Dance World Cup! She is a Certified Clogging Instructor through the National Clogging Hall of Fame. Ashley graduated from ASU with a degree in Communications, minored in Dance, and also received her certification in Classical Pilates. In 2021 she returned to school at UNC Chapel Hill, and in 2022 received her certificate for Digital Marketing.
Ashley is passionate about sharing her love for dance, especially clogging, with others; whether that is in the studio teaching or out in the community performing. She is also the owner and operator of Payne's Advertising in Boone and she recently became a Children’s Author, publishing her first book last July - Nacho House Cat. She has books 2 and 3 releasing this spring and summer. In her free time she can be found at the beach!
Rose bauguess
Studio Manager/
instructor
Rose is from Bowie, TX where she danced for many years. There, she specialized in Tap, Russian Ballet, Pointe, Ballroom Contemporary, Broadway/ Musical theater, and Hip Hop. She moved to the area earlier this year after marrying her husband Colby. Rose has always had a passion for teaching dance and started assistant teaching as well as sup-teaching at the age of 16. She has Competed in Pointe, Contemporary, Broadway, and Hip-Hop over the years, both solos and groups, and has always placed.
She’s very happy to be joining the AppRhythm Team!.
Abby Becker
Instructor
Abby grew up in Atlanta, GA where she began clogging and Irish step dance starting at age 6. She has danced competitively in notable competitions such as Smoky Mountain Encore, Dollywood Clogging Classic, CCA Showdown, and Deep South Dance Off. She has competed in the masters solos category for contemporary and traditional clogging, as well as the team division for numerous categories. Additionally, she has spent many summers in Branson, Missouri in a rotating clogging show in Silver Dollar City.
Abby is a Appalachian State student studying Recreation Management and Geography. She loves anything outdoors, going to live music with her friends, and making art.
CAROLINE LASCHINGER
Instructor
Caroline is from Atlanta, Georgia. She has been Irish dancing since the age of 6. She partook I competitive Irish dance all around the country from ages 10 to 17! She is an Appalachian State University student studying Sustainable Development and Religious Studies. Caroline is very grateful for this experience. She is looking forward to teaching a style of dance which she is so passionate about!
HEIDI RAGAN
Instructor
Heidi has been clogging since she was three years old. She spent her middle and high school years dancing on a nationally ranked team in Georgia. She loves all things Disney, traveling, crafting attending musicals, and cheering on App State, especially with her husband and daughter.
She is a proud graduate of ASU and works at Blue Ridge Energy. This is her fourth season with Appalachian Rhythm and she is very excite to continue to be a part of thei amazing dance family. One of her greatest joys is getting to clog along side her daughter, Libby Ann, who is currently on the Elementary team.