Rachel Beck
Rachel Beck Is the Owner and Director of Carolina Dance Alliance. Rachel is originally from Virginia Beach, VA. She started dancing at the age of 4 years old at Jean Wallace Studios and was a dedicated dancer there through high school. Ms. Lisa Wallace, Rachel's childhood dance teacher is responsible for molding Rachel into the dancer and teacher she is today. Lisa always instilled the value of working hard, teamwork and appreciating the art of dance before anything. Some of Rachel's best memories growing up were at the dance studio. Rachel's goal is to create the same environment at Carolina Dance Alliance. She enjoys teaching all ages and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with young dancers In the area.
Kaitlyn Walker
Kaitlyn Walker has been the Artistic Director and Team Director for Carolina Dance Alliance since its inception in 2015. She started her dance training in Minnesota as a competitive dancer at Spotlight Studios. She continued her training in Florida and attended Harrison School for the Performing Arts as a dance major. She attended several intensives including American Ballet Theater, The Orlando Ballet and Ballet West. She has danced in and choreographed several full length musicals for community theaters including Cinderella, Annie, Seussical, Pirates of Penzance, Brigadoon, Princess and the Pea and many more. She spent some time modeling and acting. She appeared in print advertisements and commercials for companies such as Tivo, GAP, LifeTouch, Mattress Firm and Beacon Athletic Supply. Kaitlyn danced in and modeled for several fashion shows at The Mall of America and spent time dancing professionally for a Modern Dance Collective in Tampa, FL. She received a full-ride artistic scholarship to the Dance Department at Florida State University and spent two years there. She finished her Bachelors Degree in Business with a focus on Leadership and Communications. Kaitlyn now works in her family business as a full time insurance agent and office manager for Walker Insurance Group. In addition, she enjoys volunteering in her church as the Regional Communications Director, focusing on outreach and service opportunities in the community.
Dance and the arts will always play a major role in her life. She believes there is nothing more magical than when a group of artists work together to create wonderful displays of life and talent. Teaching and choreographing has become a passion of hers as she shares her love for the arts with her students. It is important to Kaitlyn to hold a high standard in the classroom for technique and etiquette. She strives to provide a safe environment where dancers can feel empowered to express and improve.
Megan Crotty
Megan has been with Carolina Dance Alliance since its opening in 2015. She works with both the recreational and competitive programs and currently serves as CDA’s Assistant Artistic Director. Megan received her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from East Carolina University where she was able to further grow in her knowledge, artistry, and love for dance. During her time at ECU she was able to train under Tommi Galaska, Teal Darkenwald, John Dixon, David Ingram, and Danielle Sheather, where she was able to perform in several mainstage pieces and explore her own choreography style as well. She has received several choreography awards over the past couple of competitive seasons and also was selected by ECU Dance Faculty to create a piece for the mainstage performance Spring Dance 2019. Megan has also been invited to several studios locally and across the state of North Carolina to teach at workshops and intensives. She has also worked with local high school dance teams, color guards, and winter guards on technique and assisted with choreography. Throughout the years, she has found her niche in the open jazz style, but loves to explore the modern/contemporary style as well. Outside of the dance realm, Megan is a business teacher at Havelock High School and has been in the profession since January 2021.
Kaitlin McMahon
Kaitlin McMahon has been teaching at Carolina Dance Alliance for five years. She teaches many of our younger classes, including but not limited to, Wiggles, Tiny Tots and Minis. We are so fortunate that Mrs. Kaitlin also brings her knowledge and experience of competitive cheerleading and tumbling of over ten years to CDA. Kaitlin strives to create an environment that children feel free to express themselves while learning and having fun.
Kaitlin Is married to her wonderful husband, Patrick. They have four beautiful children, three boys and a little girl. Carolina Dance Alliance has been a huge part of Kaitlin's life and she looks forward to growing with the studio.
Sydnee Bartholomew
Sydnee was born and raised In New Bern, NC and has been with Carolina Dance Alliance since Its opening In 2015. She works with both the recreational and competitive programs with children between the ages of 2 and 18. She recently completed her Zumba training and is looking forward to bring Zumba to CDA for the first time!
Sydnee's passion for dance began at the age of one. She was a part of the New Bern High School Drill Team from 2015-2018. Outside of the dance studio, Sydnee Is a Patient Coordinator at Gibbs Dentistry and has been In healthcare since 2019.
Makenna Slocum
Makenna has been teaching at Carolina Dance Alliance since 2021. She Is currently a full time student pursuing a degree In Dance at East Carolina Univeristy. When she's not In school, Makenna loves teaching all age levels at Carolina Dance Alliance. Our dancers love her acro and hip hop classes.