About our Faculty:

Lindsay Tilley began dancing locally at the age of nine. She performed and competed on local and nation levels, being crowned Jr. Miss Dance of the United States at thirteen. At fourteen, Lindsay left Durham to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem as a ballet major. While there, she performed in many roles from classical ballet to jazz. During her high school years, Lindsay attended progras with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Hungarian national Ballet, Joffrey ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet, as well as professionally guest performing with the New Jersey Coastal Ballet. Upon graduation, Lindsay returned to the triangle to pursueprofessional dancing and teaching. She danced with the Duke University Dance Program, Chapel Hill Dance Theatre and the 15-501 Ballet while teaching in the Durham Chapel Hill area. Later Lindsay went on to join the Carolina Ballet as their first paid professional dancer. After enjoying three years with Carolina Ballet, Lindsay decided to start afamily and return to teaching, becoming a memeber of Dance Masters of America in 1998. While owning and teaching at Encore Academy of Dance Lindsay also teaches at many workshops and community events around the state, as well as teaching master classes for other studios in North Carolina. Lindsay is the mother of three very wonderful boys; Omar, Ayman and Ethan.

Fabia Simpson is from London, England and started dancing at the age of five. After gaining her teachers qualifications with the British Association of Teachers of Dance she embarked on a thetre and dance career which allowed her to travel all over the world. She has performed in shows as a principal dancer in japan, Hong Kong and Korea before joining the exciting world of criuse ships in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. From there, Fabia went on to produce, choreograph and stage variety shows for “Cypriana Cruises” in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Isreal. She moved to north Carolina in 1995 and joined the studio in 1997. Fabia currently teaches all levels of tap, as well as pre-dance and pre-tap/ballet. She is also a certified aerobics instructor. Fabia is thrilled to share her experience and knowledge with us all at Encore Academy of Dance.

Kathy Reeves began dancing in Raleigh, NC at the age of five. She performed with the Raleigh Civic Ballet Company before, at fifteen, she left to study at the North Carolina School of the Arts. While at NCSA Kathy received two merit scholarships. Upon Graduation, Kathy moved to Philadelphia to study at tha School of the Pennsylvania Ballet on scholarship. There she performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company for two years. Kathy then went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a B.S. in Buisness Administration. She has been teaching dance for thirteen years and has taught in several local studios. kathy loves teaching dance and now has her very own kindergarten class at Eno Valley, but her greatest joys in life are her two daughters, Jennifer and Lindsey.

Diane Blackwell began dancing here in Durham, NC. Diane continued her training at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC studying dance history, composition, lighting and sound, costume and make-up classes, care and prevention of injury classes, as well as performing arts administration. Diane graduated from Meredith College with a BA in dance. She has also taught at local studios in the triangle, as well as directing the Meredith College High School Day of Dance.

David Bratcher was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. A professional gymnast for over a decade; he has trained in gymnastics, as well as modern, jazz and lyrical dance. David relocated to Durham two years ago and joined the staff of Encore Academy of Dance in 2007. David has won past awards in cheerleading, gymnastic floor routines and dance. He truly loves teaching, and believes that any student who takes his class can truly grow as a person, dancer and gymnast.

Karen Clark is a Durham native and recently graduated from Elon University with a Bachlor of Atrs degree in Coporate Communications. Karen grew up dancing competitively and cheering all through school. Karen attended Encore Academy of Dance while attending college. While at Elon, Karen was a member and Co-Captain of the Varsity Dance Team where she gained much jazz, hip-hop and cheer-dance choreography experience. Karen is excited to have the opportunity to teach at Encore Academy of Dance.

Kara Mahaney joins Encore Academy of Dance after graduating from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY. While a modern dance major with an emphasis on performance at college Kara also studied at Dance Amsterdam and Peridance in New York City. Kara has attended Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, American Dance Festival and New York University’s Summer Residency Festival. She trained extensively with the Amy Marshall Dance Company, based in New York City. Kara’s choreography has been presented at the American College Dance Festival Adjudication and in studio performances in Syracuse, New York. For the past three years, Kara has been a counselor and dance teaching assistant at SummerFame, a summer performing arts intensive for high school students, which is housed at LeMoyne College. She has also been a dance instructor and coordinator for SummerTime on Campus, a summer day camp put on by BOCES, a continuing education program in New York State. 

Jeanie Stasko began her passion for dance at the age of five.  She was classicaly trained in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet for 12 years.  As a member of Dance Company at Pat’s School of Dance she had the opportunity to perform at Disney World, The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, and The Orange Bowl Parade.  While in high school Jeanie was accepted to attend North Carolina’s Governors School for Modern Dance, an intensive six week summer program.  Jeanie then chose to attend The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill where she received her Exercise and Sport Science degree.  While at the UNC, Jeanie was a member of the UNC Dance Team which competed nationally as well as provided supported to both the Football and Basketball Teams.  All of her dance experiences have given her an intense passion to share with you through instructional dance.

 

Guest Faculty

Rachael Culler is a Durham native who trained with Sharon Bullock at Dance Arts Unlimited and has been a student of many musical theatre and jazz icons, such as Chris Gatelli, Bob Rizzo and Geo.Rachael began dancing at the age of five and competing at the age of eight; winning numerous honors including Jr. Miss Dance of North Carolina, Miss Headliner and Dancer of the Year. Rachael has also performed intheatre productions of Godspell, Bye Bye Birdie and Pippin’ and is a founding member of the NOSI Dace Company. Rachael is currently living in Hillsborough and works with Duke University’s Office of Sponsored Programs.

Kristin Taylor is a native of Durham, NC. She is a college graduate of the North Acrolina School of the Arts. In 1998 she attened Jacobs Pillow for the “Visions of Jazz” workshop, where she trained with guest artists Cholly Atkins, Vanoye Aikens, Danny Bericheski and Dianne Walker. For two years she worked at the South Carolina Govenors School for the Arts and Humanities as a dance assistant under the instruction of Robert Lindgern and Sandra Neels. In 2002 she received a scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studios where she trained with Hubbard Street II and guest artist Joanne Smith. During her three year residency in New York Ms. Taylor had the priviledge of working with choreographers Nathan Trice, Bridget Moore, Christal Brown, Germaul Barnes, Ayo Jackson and Sidra Bell. Also, she had the honor of apprenticing with Urban Bush Women. In January 2007 Ms. Taylor was invited to Venezuela to work with Yuxtadanza Compania de Danza directed by Jorge Esteva and Jonathan Castro. She was also requested to choereograph a new piece for Yuxtadanza. Kristin is currently in her third year with Tania Perez-Salas Compania de Danza based in Mexico City, Mexico.