INSTRUCTORS

Lynn D. Raley is Owner and Artistic Director of South East Dance Academy. Lynn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance from East Carolina University and 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 since 1999 as well as the National Board of Directors of Dance Masters of America since 2000. Lynn was elected President of Carolina Dance Masters Chapter 15 in 2007 for a term of 4 years. Lynn’s dance education began as a young child under the direction of Margaret Rose Damkee and Linda Kalnen. In 1980, Lynn opened Beulaville Dance Academy in Beulaville, NC and founded A Step of Class in Goldsboro, NC in 1987. She operated both schools until moving to Texas in 1993. Lynn joined the staff of School of Dance and Performing Arts in 1996 that became South East Dance Academy in 1998, where she teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre, Kinderdance, and Lyrical. 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!”. Lynn 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.

Kristi Stevens took her first dance steps at age 8 and found her way to Dance Dimensions (Brookfield, CT) under found Beverly Legge, and current director Dody Flynn.  Realizing her passion for dance she began her journey with Dance Masters of America starting Teacher Training School as a high school senior studying with renowned educators Tom Ralabate, Larraine Susa, Bill Thomas, PJ Catalono, Jill Chase and Lynne Kurdziel Formato to name a few.  Over the next four years, Kristi continued her TTS program in the summers while attending East Carolina University and earned her BFA in Dance Education in 2004.  While at ECU she had the privilege of studying under Pat Pertalion, Dr. Dawn Weeks, Tommi Galaska, Clarine Powell and Patti Weeks.  Kristi is a TTS post-graduate having successfully passed certification exams in ballet, jazz, modern and tap and later an official member of DMA.  In addition to her TTS credentials, she has also studied lyrical, hip  hop and modern. Returning home to CT, Kristi studied massage therapy at the Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy, graduating from the clinical massage program in July 2006.  As a dance instructor, Kristi loves to educate students on how to properly care for and use their bodies to be the best dancer and person possible.  She has been teaching at South East Dance Academy since 2007 and is a proud member of Carolina Dance Masters since 2006.  She lives in Wilmington with her husband Seth and son Russell.

Marti Deats began dancing at the age of 2, at the Kinston Dance Academy in Kinston NC, and grew up in Wilmingotn NC performing with Foxtroupe Dancers.  She has won several overall awards throughout her competition career as well as a number of scholarships.  Her 24 years of dance training have included all forms of dance, including ballet, lyrical, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and acrobatics.  She has been fortunate enough to include in her ballet background training with the Joffrey School of Ballet and the North Carolina School of the Arts.  She has also trained for two summers at the Broadway Dance Center in New York.

Marti has danced professionally since the age of 17.  She has appeared on stage in a wide variety of dance roles, performing for three years in SRO Associates’ productions at Hersheypark.  She has performed at Cedar Point as well a dancing on a cruise ship, peroforming for Holland Americas Cruise Lines.  She performed at the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach for 4 years, as a part of the cast of the renowned show “ONE” and “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show”.  Marti performed adage, aerial work and acrobatics as well as traditional dance.

Marti is currently working on the staff of Star Systems national talent competition.

Born Austrin Anthony Garcia in New York City, NY June 18th 1981. Austrin grew up dancing in the streets of New York.  He had his first performance with National Dance Institute at the BAM Majestic in Brooklyn, NY called Ameri-musica 92.  Austrin then got to perform in Madison Square Garden, the White House and a performing arts studio in Boston.  He participated in the 25th Anniversary of Donahue, Sesame Street and the Penn and Teller show while performing with NDI.  Austrin has had the opportunity to dance all over the world and be on several television shows, expressing his passion for dance.  He has received technical training in several genres of dance to include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Latin and HipHop. He has a passion to teach and loves  watching people expand their love for music and dance.  His primary instruction is Hip-Hop because of its versatility and the ability to add your own flava. There’s no right or wrong in Hip-Hop, just passion, hard work and 100% of your ability!