Owners & Management

Sue Faulkner

Mike Faulkner

Mich Faulkner

Holly Pennell Rizo

Faulkner's is owned and directed by Sue & Mike Faulkner. Their son Mich Faulkner currently is Co-Owner and Assistant Director of the studio. Sue & Mike Faulkner were elected as Orange County Key Volunteers for 2006.

Faulkner's is proud to have been voted the Top Gymnastics Facility by the community in Orange County for 2008-2009.

Sue Faulkner has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and over 40 years of dance training which began with Fred Kelly (Gene Kelly's brother) in N.J. She was a college cheer leader and dancer at Curry College and Ohio University. Sue continues to further her training in dance from Master Teachers - Jason Samuels Smith Guest Performer for Fox Televisions "So You Think You Can Dance"(Tap), Phil Black (Tap, Jazz), Frank Hatchett (Jazz), Shea Sullivan (Tap), Crystal Chapman (Tap), Gene Medler (Tap), Germaine Salsberg (Tap), Mike Minery (Tap), Germaine Goodson (Tap), Cindy Vallone (Ballet), Sue Samuels (Jazz), Lynda Gache (Tap-Jazz-Line), Sheila Barker (Jazz), Chio (Hip-Hop), Lane Napper (Jazz-Tap), Ken Prescott (Tap-Jazz) and Debbie Dee (Tap) to name a few. Sue also runs the Hillsborough United Methodist Church Ecumenical dance group which involes children and adults from area churches. Sue also organizes the World Day of Prayer in Hiillsborough involving over 24 churches in the area. Sue's mother Anne Solomon founded World Day of Prayer over 29 years ago and Sue has been involved with World Day of Prayer for over 16 years. Sue continues her training by attending classes and private lessons at the Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City at least four times a year. Sue has been a member and certified by Dance Educators of America for over 25 years.

Mike Faulkner is a retired Orange County school teacher for over 24 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Asian and European Studies from Ohio University.

Mich Faulkner has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications which has a focus in Public Relations, Special Events, Journalism, Broadcasting & Marketing from Barton College. He is a Dancer and Choreographer at Faulkner 's with a specialty in Hip-Hop, Baton, Jazz, Tap, Salsa, Gymnastics and Clogging. Mich was trained by Audrey & Ellis Perry who are members of the Clogging Hall of Fame. Mich is a former member of the Carolina Heartland Cloggers as well as being a member of the National Clogging Organization, North Carolina Clogging Association & America's Clogging Hall of Fame Organization. Mich had been trained for several years by former UNC Chapel Hill Baton star Cheryl Jenkins. Cheryl was the head majorette at UNC for four years. Mich was and continues to be trained by former UNC Gymnast Dr. Debra Bell. Mich is a member of the United States Gymnastics Association and is safety certified. Mich has also been trained by Bev B (Hip-Hop), Ant Boogie (Hip-Hop), Frank Hatchett (Jazz), Sheila Barker (Jazz), Valerie Ho (Ms.Vee), Jay T (Hip-Hop), Lane Napper (Jazz) & Cindy Vallone (Ballet). Competed for over 20 years. Appeared in the movie Henry's Decision on Showtime. 2005 celebrity talent booker for the Duke Children's Classic. 2006 Celebrity Talent Booker for the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. Former Production Manager at CBS Television in New York City for the nationally syndicated television programs Guiding Light, Inside Edition and Black Entertainment Television. Former publicist for 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist & America's Most Decorative Gymnast Shannon Miller, former Public Relations consultant for recording artists Kevin Lyttle and So You Think You Can Dance contestant "Snow" and former personal manager for model-actress-recording artist Samantha Cole. Mich currently is Public Relations/Jr.Agent for Nene Musik Talent Agency where he continues to do management, representation, bookings and consulting with hundreds of celebrities from around the world. For more information regarding nenemusik please check them out at (www.nenemusik.com).

Holly Pennell Rizo has a Bachelor Degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Former Level 10 gymnast. Competed in National competitions with former 1996 Olympic Team members Shannon Miller and Dominique Dawes. She was trained by Eric Singer who was a former German Olympic Gymnast Coach and also Ludmila Popkovich who was a former Russian Olympic Gymnastic Coach. Member of the Charlotte All-Stars National Championship Cheerleading Squad - 1993; UNC Club Gymnastics President (2001) and UNC Club Gymnastics member and competitor for 4 years. Began teaching at Faulkner's in 2001 and cont inues to build an extremely strong gymnastics program.Holly is a member of the United States Gymnastics Association and is safety certified. Not only is Holly General Manager and Director of Gymnastics but she also teaches Salsa.