BAD StaffHere at Beaufort Academy of Dance we strive to uphold a spirit of excellence. We employ only the best dance instructors, that are trained, and committed to teaching the art of dance. This ensures that your child receives only the very best of quality instruction in their dance lessons. This not only gives them new skills, but will improve the skills they already have. We invite you to meet and learn a little about our instructors & support staff.

 

 

 

  

 

  


 

Savannah Pender

Savannah Pender started her dance career at the age of five with Beaufort Academy of Dance under the direction of Aleisia Ashlaw. Savannah grew up dancing competitively with Beaufort Academy of Dance's Competition Team at the age of seven, until she graduated from the Thomas Heyward Academy. Savannah received a $100,000 Dance Scholarship from SCAD, where she chose to pursue a degree in dance and performing arts.

She recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she focused her studies on choreography, ballet, musical theater, and contemporary dance. Savannah studied and trained under The Joffrey Ballet. She has done choreography for several dance studios, student films and local productions, and worked full time on Fox Searchlights feature film "Gifted."

Savannah is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

 

 

 


Marielle Richardson min

Marielle Richardson, Teacher (BIO Coming Soon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 


William Rhem min

William C. Rhem Jr, was born in Frankfurt, Germany and raised in the Gullah Islands Of Beaufort, South Carolina. Coming from a city of authentic African heritage and culture, stepping and dancing became a part of him at an early age! Growing up, William found love in music, allowing him to discover dance through being a Drum Major of his high school band and a member of the step teams from elementary to high school! His 10-year commitment to music eventually led him to receive a music scholarship to one of the top historically black colleges and universities music programs at Bethune-Cookman University. During his college career, William joined a south Florida style hip-hop group called "What's Next?" who were featured in BET’s Spring Bling 2009! Graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, from Bethune-Cookman University in 2012. Directly after graduation, William began his graduate career at Florida A&M University with a full academic scholarship to study Community Psychology.

 In 2013, William moved to Atlanta, GA and began his technical dance training with the Atlanta Dance Connection under the direction of Leyvon Campbell & Allyne Gartrell and as a scholarship student at Gotta Dance Atlanta! With such a natural talent, William was able to hone in on his technical abilities and grow rapidly. After his first year of classical training, he was rewarded full scholarships to the Dallas Black Dance Theatre Summer Intensive, Bates Dance Festival, Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Joffrey Ballet. William took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him, leading him to study with amazing choreographers and companies such as Jennifer Archibald's ARCHCORE40 NYC, Anthony Burrell's: Breaking Barriers Elite, Grounded Aerial Dance Theatre & Philadanco! The Philadelphia Dance Company. He has performed in productions such as Dance Africa, "Straight Outta Philly", Bravo's: Married to Medicine, America's Got Talent, American Idol Season 12 Winner: Candice Glover: Music Speaks Tour, 2018 ASC New York Fashion Week and Mido Swiss Watches. William has toured, taught and performed all around the U.S. as well as internationally in countries such as Japan, France, and Spain! William performed in the 2019 TOHO production, ENDLESS SHOCK in Tokyo, Japan and toured the show throughout Osaka, Japan .He is also an aerialist and certified bungee instructor! 

William was able to be certified as a bungee aerial instructor through Grounded Aerial Dance Theatre, under the direction of Karen Fuhrman. William is currently assistant to Leyland Simmons, Director of Dance at Harlem School of the Arts and on faculty as Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop Instructor. William is certified in the National Training Curriculum for American Ballet Theatre, pre-primary-level 3. William also teaches in NYC DOE Schools through Dancewave Inc. As an outreach instructor, William is able to provide quality dance education to students who are not able to afford or access proper dance education. It is extremely rewarding to give back to the underprivileged communities of New York City. As a signed talent with New York's top talent agency, BLOC NYC, William can be seen in commercials for TARGET, DC LOTTERY, and YES WE CODE! along with shows like Saturday Night Live, and MTV's TRL.


Laura Dansky min

Laura Dansky, Acrobatics Teacher (BIO Coming Soon).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Cynthia Armstrong2
Cynthia Armstrong, also known as Ms. Cindy, began her dancing career at the age of 3, with her first dance performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Cynthia has studied under Master Teacher -Lynda Gache (former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and Master Teacher for Dance Educators of America) in Long Island, New York; she studied ballet under Robert Christopher, who directed the renowned Long Island Ballet Theatre, as well as Valia Seiskaya (Russian-Based) ballet at the Seiskaya School of Ballet in St. James New York. Cynthia has extensive training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Broadway dance styles. Cynthia has taken numerous Master Training Classes in dance at various locations in New York City. She has also taken Masters Classes with Bill Derrico, Lloyd Cu!breath, the late Gus Giordano, the late Gwen Vernon in New York, and Alonzo King in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as studying Modern Dance. 
 
In addition to teaching dance, Cynthia is an educator and has been named "Teacher of the Year" with the Beaufort County School District. Moreover, Cynthia serves as an evaluator for in-coming Dance Teachers for the school district. Cynthia holds certifications in New York State and South Carolina in the areas of Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, and Dance Education and is Gifted and Talented Endorsed in SC State. Cynthia started her teaching career in Eastern Suffolk County - Long Island, New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts - Dual Degree in Child Study (Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education) from St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, New York and a Master of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Educational Dance/Movement Science from C.W. Post Long Island University in Brookville, New York. 
 
Cynthia continued her studies with postgraduate work in Dance Education, from Walden University. Cynthia is a Professional Member of SHAPE - formerly the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), a profressional member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) as well as the New York State Dance Education Association, and a member of the American Association of Dance Instructors. Cynthia is an instructor/choreographer for ballet, tap, and jazz, and has been with Beaufort Academy of Dance since 1997.

Veronica Rosario min
Veronica Rosario, aka "Miss Veronica", started dancing with Beaufort Academy of Dance at the age of 5. She grew up in the studio and her love for dance continued. Veronica choreographed some pieces in high school several years ago and was offered an apprenticeship at Beaufort Academy of Dance. During her 2 years in our apprenticeship, she took master classes and continues her dance education. Veronica is loved by our parents and she specializes in the Preschool and Kinder Dancers. 
Veronica has also published a book which can be found in the high school library.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Teresa Salleme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  


Tess Salleme minTess Salleme, Director's Assistant (BIO Coming Soon).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Michelle Elliott, Office Assistant (BIO Coming Soon). Michelle Elliott min