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 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.
Melissa Sluder
DANCE ASSISTANT

​Amanda McCormick

​​ACTING INSTRUCTOR
Amanda Perkins McCormick has been passionate about the world of theatre since elementary school. This passion really took hold during her time in high school, where she spent most of her time on the stage. After beginning college in the field of education, she realized that she could not leave the stage behind. She then finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre: Acting and Directing at Baldwin Wallace University. She has been in many different performances and has studied under incredibly experienced professionals in the field. 
Karen Magner
PIANO 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.

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.