Lynn D. Raley is a native of North Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance from East Carolina University. Lynn has been teaching dance for 30+ years. As Owner and Artistic Director of South East Dance Academy she continues her dance education by attending numerous Seminars, Master Classes, and Dance Conventions thus allowing her to stay on top of the changes to this living art form. Lynn has studied with Masters such as Gregory Hines and Debbie Dee for Tap; Gus Giordano and Luigi for Jazz; Douglas Waddell and Karen Hebert for Ballet; Keith Clifton and Tracy Stanfield for Musical Theatre. She is a Certified Dance Educator through Dance Masters of America. Lynn has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Carolina Dance Masters as well as President of the organization. She has also served on the National Board of Directors of Dance Masters of America. Lynn most recently became a Module One Certified Teacher with Acrobatic Arts. She has won many state and national awards for choreography and is the former teacher of Mister Dance of America. She has many dancers that are performing and teaching in New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Lynn is instrumental in making sure that her dancers don’t just learn “A” dance, but learn “How To” dance.

While teaching children is her primary passion, performing is a close 2nd. Lynn can be seen in film, television, and live theatrical performances. She has been the Dance Captain and performer with Opera House Theatre Company for such productions as “Chicago”, “Victor/Victoria”, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, “Singing in the Rain,” “42nd Street”, ” A Chorus Line”, “Anything Goes”, “Will Rogers Follies” and “George M!”.

In addition to teaching dance, Lynn maintains her commitment to community service. She gives back to her dancers an extra opportunity to perform as well as an opportunity for her dance families to contribute to a local charity during the Annual Christmas Concert. She also recognizes those dancers that hold monthly Service Society projects as well as those that volunteer time or items to projects. Lynn works hard on teaching life lessons not just dance lessons.