MEET THE STAFF

Kelly Perry

STUDIO OWNER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kelly Perry, ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, and liturgical instructor, is a native of Newland, NC. She received her early dance training from The Dance Center, Cindy Beers Ballet Studio, Northwestern Studios, Appalachian Dance Theatre, and SG Ballet. As a dual-enrolled high school student, she also studied ballet, modern, and jazz at Appalachian State University. In addition, Kelly received training at the Ballet Magnificat! Summer Dance Intensive and Teacher's Workshop in Jackson, MS, and at the Mediterranean Dance Festival, an international dance event instructed by world-renowned masters and choreographers in Reggio Calabria, Italy. As a performer, Kelly danced competitively with the ADT Studio Stars and performed many roles in the Nutcracker with the High Country Youth Ballet, including the roles of "Snow Queen" and "Sugar Plum Fairy". She also performed with SHINE Worship Dance Ensemble and as a College Apprentice with SG Dance Theatre, a Professional Contemporary Dance Company. Kelly's passion for teaching dance began in high school when she first started teaching ballet classes in her family's small home dance studio. After graduating from high school, she spent two years as a teacher and choreographer at Appalachian Dance Theatre, and she taught dance at G3 America in Margate, FL while in college. In 2019, Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Pedagogy with a minor in Education from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Tasha Dellinger

TEACHER ASSISTANT
​Tasha Dellinger, a twelfth grader from Avery County, began dancing at the age of 3 and has studied many styles of dance, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. Tasha received her early dance training from The Dance Center and Appalachian Dance Theatre, where she performed many roles in the Nutcracker with the High Country Youth Ballet and danced competitively with the ADT Studio Stars. Tasha is currently a student at Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy and is very excited to share her love and passion for dance with her students and inspire them to do their very best!

TEACHER ASSISTANT
​Alexa Pippert, a ninth grader from Mitchell County, has been dancing for 8 years and is in level 5 at BRPAA. This is her first year as a class assistant. She enjoys helping the kids become better dancers and loves the energy and kindness they bring to each class. When Alexa isn’t dancing, she enjoys reading, taking part in musical theater productions, and playing the piano, drums, and ukulele.

Karen Magner

PIANO & VOCAL INSTRUCTOR
Karen Magner, a recently retired educator, holds a Master's Degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University. For over 30 years, she has taught students of all ages and levels from early childhood settings through the college classroom. She has also been certified and taught in other areas of education. Karen is currently the Music Director at the First Baptist Church of Newland, North Carolina.

Melissa Sluder

RECEPTIONIST
Melissa Sluder began dancing at the age of eight at The Dance Center in Spruce Pine, where she trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and lyrical. She was a competitive dancer with The Mountain Moving Company Senior Competition Team and performed many roles in the Nutcracker with the High Country Youth Ballet, including the role of "Ballerina Doll." Melissa is always available when and where she is needed, whether it's helping at a parade, assisting a class, or greeting visitors when they walk through the door. During the 2020-2021 season, Melissa worked as a Pre-Ballet and Ballet/Jazz/Tap 1 teacher assistant, but this season she will be working as our studio receptionist, helping the office run as smoothly as possible. 

Karen Perry

OFFICE MANAGER
Karen Perry, originally from Central Florida, has lived in Western NC for the past 40 years. She received an associates degree in secretarial science from Brevard College and furthered her studies in Business Administration at Ball State University. After a career as a corporate secretary, she retired to become a stay-at-home mom to her three children, Mitchel, Casey, and Kelly. The years spent as a soccer, basketball, karate, softball, dance, music, and homeschool mom were some of the happiest and most rewarding years of her life. With a little persuasion, Karen has agreed to come out of retirement and is very excited to be working with her daughter, Kelly, as the office manager for Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy.