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Our Faculty
Ms. Carlee is the co-owner, artistic director & competition team choreographer for Release Dance Academy now beginning it's 18th season. Since a young age, Carlee has been educated in all dance styles and competed and performed for many years. Her love for dance eventually led her to study at the University of the Arts where she earned a BFA in dance education graduating with honors. Her dreams of opening a dance studio came true in 2006 creating an environment where students could learn the art of dance in a fresh, innovative and creative way. Carlee's passion for choreography is evident in her work. Her pieces have been bold and unique with a focus on story telling and she has led her RDA Company to 13 National Championships along with earning choreography & entertainment awards throughout the East Coast.
Teaches the following styles at RDA:
Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theater
Fun Fact:
My favorite holiday is Halloween so our entire staff go full out for a week at the studio to celebrate! There’s no Halloween week like an RDA Halloween week! 🎃👻💀
Message to RDA Dancers:
I’m so excited to start a brand new season with all my RDA dancers and can’t wait to to see the amazing things you all accomplish! Dream big dancers! Get It!!!!
Mr. Chris is currently the co-owner, operator, teacher and competition team choreographer for Release Dance Academy now beginning its 18th season. Chris has professionally taught, choreographed and performed throughout the nation. After training in high school he was accepted as a scholarship student to Ballet Austin Academy and American Dance Festival training under world renowned teachers & choreographers from around the world. He finished his studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia majoring in Dance Performance. Chris has performed professionally with the El Paso Ballet, International Dance Theater, New Mexico Dance Theater, Children’s Ballet Theater and several industrials throughout the tri-state area.
Teaches the following styles at RDA:
Lyrical, Jumps & Extension, Turns, Tumbling/Acrobatics, Core Class and Flips & Tricks, Ballet, Hip Hop
Fun Fact:
I made a tiny tot costume from scratch the night before our first recital for Release Dance Academy so that one of our tiny tots would be able to perform in our very first show in 2007.
Message to RDA Dancers:
To say that I'm excited for this upcoming season would be an understatement. I wish all of you the best dance year ever with Release Dance Academy and thank all of you so much for all of your support throughout these 18 years.
Miss Hayleigh has been teaching at RDA since 2011. She has a degree in Early Childhood and Adolescent Education from Penn State and loves working with children. Her passion for dance is shown through her interactive dance classes that incorporate fun while also preparing young dancers for the structure of higher leveled classes. She believes that self-expression and teamwork are vital factors in creating a strong dancer and that is why she loves instructing some of the tiniest dancers at RDA.
Teaches the following styles at RDA:
Mini Movers, Rockin Tots
Fun Fact:
My favorite time of the year is when RDA puts on their Holiday show! I love seeing students light up the room with their adorable performances! I also love seeing the look on the faces of the families who, for some, are seeing their little ones perform for the first time!
Message to RDA Dancers:
I cannot wait to start another amazing year with you all at RDA! This is the start of our first full year at our new location in Langhorne Borough and I can't wait to see all of your amazing accomplishments!!
Ms. Ali is an RDA alum and a graduate of the University of the Arts ‘21. In addition to teaching, She's also dancing with Artist House Dance doing performances throughout the greater Philadelphia area. Ali just began her first year of graduate school!
Teaches the following styles at RDA:
Tap
Fun Fact:
So far I've read 17 books this year (over 8,000 pages)!! My goal is to read 24 by the end of the year!
Message to RDA Dancers:
I can't wait to dance with you all and watch you all learn and grow as you develop new skills! Work hard and have fun!!
Ms. Jonna from Avon, New Jersey. She has been dancing since she could stand in the back of my older sister’s classroom. Jonna competed for over a decade in North Jersey and continued her passion for dance, teaching, and choreography through college. She graduated from The College of New Jersey this past May with a BFA in Visual Arts, and is completing a second degree this academic year. Jonna hopes to share her love for this art form with the dancers of RDA, teach something new and fresh, and of course spread joy through movement.
