Staff > Dance Instructors
tondalaya pearson.director
Tondalaya's study began at the age of three. Her professional training began at the age of thirteen in the ballet program
at the NC School of the Arts (NCSA). She studied from dance legends, Melissa Hayden, Mel Tomlinson, Frank Smith, and
others. Tondalaya also enjoys Musical Theater. Her credits include "Oklahoma," "Anything Goes," "West Side Story," "Hello
Dolly," and Raleigh's "A Christmas Carol." Tondalaya studied at East Carolina University on a scholarship in the dance
program. From there she began to teach in local schools until she opened Cary Dance Productions in 1995. Tondalaya
continues to study through national workshops affiliated with NYCDA, Tremaine, WCDE, and JUMP, to name a few. Next
to her husband, Scott and little boy, Peyton, Tondalaya considers CDP one of God's greatest blessings.
holly crosby.dance instructor
Holly began dancing at the age of four and has yet to get it out of her system! A passion for dance and a passion for kids,
she knew early on it would lead her to one thing--teaching! Holly is a 2001 graduate of Kansas University with a B.S. in
Education/Physiology. She has been teaching, coaching, and choreographing in Kansas City Kansas, Missouri, and now North
Carolina over the course of the past twelve years. Her teaching experience and training includes jazz, lyrical, leaps and
turns, hip hop, Boy's Athletic Dance, open, and contemporary dance. Holly is student-focused and results-driven, with
numerous personal and professional achievements for herself and her dancers. Her choreography is consistently singled
out for top awards at regional competition, and frequently placed in finals at the national level. In 2004, she was named
National Jazz Teacher of the Year at the Rainbow Connection National Talent Competition and in 2005 worked with
Steppin' Out the Studio to claimthe Victory Cup at Starpower Nationals!
ashley wade.dance instructor
At age three, Ashley began her training with various dance schools in Virginia before coming to CDP as a student. At CDP
she danced with the company for 7 years competing at many competitions, both regional and national. After graduating,
she continued her training at East Carolina University receiving a B.F.A in dance performance with a concentration in Jazz.
During her time at ECU she performed and choreographed different pieces for the Senior Choreography concerts. She
also danced with the performing ensemble, studied and performed at the American College Dance Festival, danced in the
2005 Dance Theatre concert, and served as president for the East Carolina Dance Association. In 2001, she studied at
the American Dance Festival from well known dancers/choreographers such as Mark Haim, Miquel Gutierrez, Jeffery
Bullock, and David Dorfman. Ashley is excited for her 5th season with CDP!
jessica mcmillan.dance instructor
Jessica's passion for dance blossomed at the ripe age of four! Soon, she began dancing in CDP's company, participating in
many competitions and conventions. Her style has been influenced by teachers such as Kim Wolfe, Marcelino Palamino, and
Wes Veldink. Jessica is a former member of Enloe's Modern Dance Ensemble. She has taken classes at Broadway Dance
Center in NYC and worked with choreographers Tiffany Rhynard, Nick Bowman, Dustin Phillips and Michael Lemanski. She
had the chance to collaborate in choreography as a student, which earned her awards at several competitions. Jessica's
passion lies in creating new and innovative choreography, and she is extremely excited to return as CDP staff this year!
haleigh lawlor.dance instructor
Haleigh is currently a senior at Green Hope High School and began dancing when Cary Dance Productions opened its doors
14 years ago. She has been a member of the dance company here at CDP for the past 10 years, where she has traveled to
competitions and conventions such as Starquest, Showstoppers, WCDE, Dance Makers, and Adrenaline. She has work ed
with many great choreographers including, Chris Jacobsen, Michael Lemanski, Kristin Sudeikis, Eddie Strachan, Kim Wolfe,
Dustin Phillips and many more. With such a great passion for dance, mixed with her excitement to work with young children,
Haleigh is very excited to be back at CDP this year.
bekah spurgeon.dance instructor
Bekah began dancing in her mother's womb and at age 12 became the artistic director and choreographer for her church
dance ministry in Greensboro, NC. Bekah attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of
North Carolina at Charlotte where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. During her time in Charlotte she danced
professionally for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' Dance Team. She has studied with various artists including E.E. Balcos,
Delia Neil, Missy Hayle Coyle former principle dancer of the American Ballet Theater, Jan Van Dyke, Shawni Collins of Urban
Bush Women, and April Berry former principle dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Bekah has studied at summer
dance intensives including Broadway Dance Center, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the American Dance Festival
where she performed Paul Taylor's Esplanade. She has also had the opportunity to perform for Disney World, Dolphin
Cruise Lines, the North Carolina Dance Festival, and the American College Dance Festival Gala. Bekah loves to use her
passion for dance to inspire her students, build their confidence, and teach them how to use their God-given abilities to the
fullest. She currently lives in Raleigh with her husband and continues to pursue her passion for dance in the forms of
teaching, choreographing, and performing.
caitlyn garrison.dance instructor
Caitlin began dancing at age 13 in Charlotte, NC. There, she studied at Visions Dance Academy under Nick Watkins for 7
years. Caitlin competed and placed in National Competitions such as Showstoppers, Hall of Fame, and New York City Dance
Alliance, and won awards such as Dance Spirit's Future Star. She also regularly attends conventions such as Adrenaline and
their summer programs at the Centre in Dallas, TX. Caitlin began teaching at age 15 at Visions Dance in Charlotte, and
assisted at Upstate Carolina Dance Center in reenville, SC. Caitlin has worked for Dance USA and VIP Dance competitions,
as well as training the Senior Company at Visions Dance in Charlotte. Caitlin plans to begin work th the Beyond Dance
Convention this fall. Caitlin is currently a Senior at North Carolina State University, majoring in Graphic Design.
arielle angle.dance instructor
Arielle began dancing until middle school, once she began she realized that dancing was in her system for good. Growing up in
Cary, she received training in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. In high school, Arielle decided to focus her study on ballet and
pointe, and was accepted into the Cary Ballet Company. During this time, she was also accepted into the summer
programs of Atlanta Ballet, Nutmeg Ballet, and Virginia School of the Arts. In college, she was eager to share her love of
dance with others, and began teaching jazz, tap, and ballet. Arielle graduated from North Carolina State University in
2007 with a degree in Middle Grades Education. She married her college sweetheart in September 2007, and she and her
husband now reside in Cary with their chocolate lab, Zoey.
valerie curran.office manager
Valerie's passion has always been to dance. That's why when she needed a job during college, she went to various dance
schools in the area with resume in hand. She found Cary Dance in 1998 and began working as an office assistant and dance
instructor for the next five years. Valerie's background in dance started at age 6 in Asheville, NC. She danced for the
Land of the Sky Civic Ballet through high school. In college, Valerie was a member and captain of the NC State Dance Team
as well as the Carolina Cobras Arena Football Team. In 2003, Valerie moved to Philadelphia to dance for the NFL team, the
Philadelphia Eagles. With the Eagles, Valerie was given the opportunity to dance for US troops in Bosnia and Kosovo,
perform in the Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong, dance at the Super Bowl, and perform at each home game in front
of 60,000 fans. After dancing in Philly for 4 years, Valerie is back in North Carolina as our new office manager.
