Isla Brandt McGlauflin-Dreher

Isla's dance journey followed a unique path. She began much later than most dancers. At the age of 24, she joined Spa City Dance and the Arts for her first summer of dance. Quickly falling in love with the art, she took the stage in her debut dance competition that spring. From that point on, Isla has earned recognition for her exceptional emotional expression through dance and her skillful use of American Sign Language in her solos. Eager to learn, Isla seizes every chance to expand her skills, both within and beyond the studio. She's attended master classes at Diva Dance Nationals as well as SCDA. Isla also participated in Ballet in the City's weeklong intensive, training alongside members of the New York City Ballet.

Even though dance is a recent endeavor for Isla, performing is nothing new. Her journey under the spotlight began at the age of 5, when she took on the role of Gretel in "The Sound of Music." Throughout her school years, Isla remained deeply involved in theatre, embodying cherished characters like Cosette in "Les Misérables" and Lady of the Lake in "Spamalot." Alongside her theatrical pursuits, she was actively engaged in various choirs and contributed her musical talents by playing the flute and oboe in her school's bands, including jazz and community ensembles.

Isla has consistently held a strong desire to utilize her talents for the betterment of her community. During her junior and senior years, she was selected to participate in the Empire State Youth Chorale. She performed alongside the Empire State Youth Orchestra during the annual Melodies of Christmas event at Proctors Theatre. This event, broadcasted on CBS 6, raises funds for the Melodies Center of Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center. Isla was also a member of the Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers, a performance group that used sign language to accompany songs for various community engagements. Growing up, Isla dedicated numerous weekends to volunteering at the Charles R. Wood Theatre. She assisted in distributing hearing devices prior to performances. This act holds even deeper significance now that Isla herself is hard of hearing.

Following high school, Isla pursued studies in voice and music therapy at Shenandoah Conservatory. In 2019, she proudly earned her B.S. in Psychology from High Point University. Presently, Isla holds the role of a Direct Support Worker at AIM Services. Simultaneously, she's immersed in her graduate studies at SUNY Plattsburgh, focusing on a M.S.T in Childhood Education

Eagerly embracing a new role, Isla is excited to include "dance teacher" in her repertoire. Recognizing the transformative impact of dance in one's life, she's enthusiastic about contributing to the growth of the upcoming generation of resilient and self-assured dancers.