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Meet RDA's Staff

Ms. Carlee is the co-owner and artistic director of Release Dance Academy, which is now beginning its 15th season. She graduated from the University of the Arts with honors, receiving a BFA in Dance Education. As a dancer she performed in several choreographer showcases and festivals in The Kimmel Center and Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, PA. She is also a highly experienced teacher who is skilled in many styles of dance, some of which include Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip Hop and Musical Theater. Carlee’s love for dance had eventually evolved into a true passion for choreography. She is an innovator who creates unique and stunning pieces with a focus on storytelling that can draw in any audience. Her work has been featured in choreography showcases and used for advertisements throughout the U.S. Her dances have also won countless choreography awards year after year and her pieces have received 1st overall awards, highest scoring group awards of entire competitions and numerous National Championship titles. In 2017 & 2018 Carlee’s dances were chosen for the prestigious Industry Dance Awards and received nominations for Best Performance and Best Open Dance in Hollywood, California. Carlee continues to push the boundaries in choreography and truly enjoys training and inspiring her students to reach new heights as well as their artistic goals.

Mr. 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. He also toured with a nationally funded dance piece, restaged from the Limón Dance Company repertoire, for Modern Dance America performing in Hunter College in New York City and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Chris is currently the co-owner, operator, teacher and team choreographer for Release Dance Academy now beginning its 15th season. Throughout the years many of his students have gone on to professional careers in the performing arts or have been accepted into prestigious dance programs throughout the US. Chris continues to enhance his skills in teaching by attending nationally renowned conventions, classes and performances throughout the tri-state area.

Ms. Tuiana is a professional Ballet dancer that graduated Ballet school in Russia at L.P Sakhyanova (2005-2013 ). After graduating she was accepted to Buryat State Opera and Ballet Theater where she became a young soloist dancer. Tuiana has performed solo and principal roles in multiple Ballets. In 2008 she participated in the 7th Siberian International Dance Competition in Novosibirsk, where she took 3rd. She also took part in Ekaterina Maksimova’s International Dance Competition in Perm, Russia. Her repertoire consists of many Classical and Contemporary Ballets such as: Giselle, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Pinocchio and Don Quixote to just name a few.
In 2015 she came to the USA with the Moscow Ballet Company to perform Swan Lake and Nutcracker spanning 30 States and Canada. She also has studied French technique in the French Academy of Ballet in NYC and is currently dancing with Roxey Ballet in New Jersey.

Ms. Hayleigh has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started dancing competitively at age 11 and joined Release Dance Academy’s competitive team in 2011. Her strong performance quality and dance style earned her numerous awards at competitions throughout the East Coast. Hayleigh started assistant teaching at RDA in the Fall of 2011, and in the following year began teaching three of her own tiny tot classes. Hayleigh attended Penn State from 2010-2014 where she earned her degree in Early Childhood and Adolescent Education with a focus in Pre K-4th grade. Her passion for dance is shown through her choreography. She believes that self-expression and performance are two main factors that aid in the growth of young dancers. Hayleigh loves working with children and is excited to continue teaching at Release Dance Academy.

Ms. Lisa has been dancing and performing since she was 5 years old. She began competitive dance at the age of 11 and was a member of Release Dance Academy’s competition team for several years. She graduated from RDA as one of our top performers and soon after developed an interest in teaching dance. She finished college at Temple University earning a degree in Business Administration and began teaching at RDA. Ms. Lisa’s passion for dance and teaching shows through her drive to help all her students enhance their skills and encourages them through their own creative journey. Come join Ms. Lisa and your child will learn beginner styles of Tap and Hip Hop in a fun environment.

Jennifer Edmonds was born and raised in the Delaware Valley, Jennifer has been a competitive dancer for over ten years, winning numerous regional and national titles. Jennifer was awarded the Prestigious Artist Scholarship to attend the University of the Arts based in Philadelphia as a dance major. Jennifer has choreographed award winning dance routines at several dance studios across the Delaware Valley. She performed at the Kimmel Center during the Hairspray live viewing party that was commercially aired on NBC. Always reaching for new goals, Jennifer has been chosen, on multiple occasions, to attend Rockette Invitational week for the Rockette Summer Intensive. Jennifer is currently performing for Norwegian Cruise Lines and has recently been promoted to Dance Captain. She has a passion for educating and is excited to pass on her knowledge in any way she can!

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