Who We Are
Christie Karavan
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Ms Karavan has performed, choreographed and directed over 100 productions across NC/SC/Ga. She received her Musical Theatre training during college at USC and by working as Assistant for over fifteen years to lyricist/composer/director Jay Thompson. Christie received years of ballet training and certification through the Cecchetti Council of America. A long standing member of SCDMA, Ms. Karavan continues her tap training through the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the NC Rhythm Tap Festival and regularly attends studio classes in NYC. In addition to teaching at MBSPA, Christie trains and teaches young dancers at dance and gymnastic studios in Horry and Georgetown Counties and during the Summer months you will find her teaching drama and musical theater for CCU's Summer Kids Camps at MBEC.
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Kate Keck-Mathews
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Kate has twenty years extensive dance and acrobatic training, as well as nine years teaching experience. She has traveled the country performing and accumulated many awards including Dance Masters of America overall tap, jazz, and ballet scholarship winner, along with numerous ballet and Cecchetti scholarships. She has had the opportunity to dance with many seasoned performers, including Liza Minellli. Kate has received numerous awards for choreography at both the regional and national level Kate enjoys travelling to New York to continue her training and take class with her inspiration, Jazz Master Luigi. , on whom her teaching fundamentals are based. As Luigi says "Never stop moving".
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Stacy McFarland
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Stacy McFarland grew up dancing at MBSPA where she performed regionally as well as with The Robert Ivey Ballet in Charleston, SC. In 1989, Stacy founded The Strand Ballet Theatre - the first youth ballet company along the Grand Strand. Through the Strand Ballet, Stacy directed and choreographed numerous ballet productions, including an annual Nutcracker and ballet presentations for The Long Bay Symphony concerts. Stacy graduated with a BFA in Art from CCU and works closely with the Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church. Stacy is trained, certified and a member of The Cecchetti Council of America.
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Carlin Russell
Carlin Russell grew up dancing at MBSPA where she had the opportunity to study with our esteemed faculty and alumni as well as many, many Guest Artists and working professionals in an intimate workshop setting. At the age of 9, she began demonstrating for HipHop Guru Dena Rizzo on her convention circuit and performed in several of Rizzo's Instructional HipHop videos. CArlin trained at Tap Kids summer training programs in NY, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and continues her tap training with the NC Rhythm Tap Festival. Through he Palace Theater, Carlin performed as an orphan in a two week touring company of Annie and as Fern in Charlotte's Web. Carlin worked as Co-choreographer for TOR's production of Shrek, Jr. , and is a trained and certified Barre Fitness Instructor.
Kay Brown
Kay Brown brings over twenty five years theater experience to the dance program at MBSPA. Her teen years were spent training in gymnastics. Her teacher training includes creative dramatics, creative movement for preschoolers as well as tap. A founding member of the Tricycle Players, Kay has spent more than thirty years working in every aspect of theater production for community theater groups and churches.
Portia Wright
Portia hails from our Nations' capital where she began dancing at the age of 5, then began competitive dance at the age of 11. She won numerous awards in Star Power and Rising Star National competitions prior to starting a HipHop dance team called The Untouchables at Salisbury State University. Portia has been teaching for the past 10 years, which affords her the opportunity of sharing her love of dance with us.
Jeffrey Polston
A graduate of the North Carolina School o the Arts, Jeffrey received his start from Adrienne Hawkins
in the Boston based Impulse. He became an original member of Philadanco under Joan Myers Brown which led to becoming an original company member with the prestigious Complexions Contemporary Ballet(under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson.)
Since relocating to North Myrtle Beach, Jeffrey continues to travel and to perform as a Guest Artist with companies from Arizona to Alaska, while maintaining ongoing classes at MBSPA.
in the Boston based Impulse. He became an original member of Philadanco under Joan Myers Brown which led to becoming an original company member with the prestigious Complexions Contemporary Ballet(under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson.)
Since relocating to North Myrtle Beach, Jeffrey continues to travel and to perform as a Guest Artist with companies from Arizona to Alaska, while maintaining ongoing classes at MBSPA.
Rachel Hayner Lum, guest instructor
Rachel began training in her hometown of Olathe, Kansas and graduated from the University of nevada in Las Vegas in 2011 with a BFA in dance performance and choreography. Rachel was chosen to perform in Australia, germany, Turks and Caisoc and Korea. She also studied with Giordana Jazz Dance, American Ballet Theater, the Virginia School of the Arts, Fort Wayne Ballet and Hubbard Street II. Rachel performed one season with Ballet Mink in Denmark and Las Vegas. Currently, she is a member of Spirit Productions, performing in Niagra Falls, Las Vegas and NYC. and the Fall at The Palace Theater.
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Linda Butler
Linda Butler is former National President of the Cecchetti Council of America. Having performed with the American Ballet Theater and The Detroit City Ballet, she presently teaches across the country as well as in Canada, Haiti and London. Linda currently serves on the National Board and is a permanent examiner for the Cecchetti Council. |
Brian McGinnis, Guest Artist
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Brian proudly began his dance training at the age of seven in Worcester, Mass. with Jo Ann Warren. He has danced with Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Elisa Monte Dance, Parsons Dance Company and Buglisi Dance Dance Theater. Brian has had the opportunity to perform at Jacob's Pillow, Lincoln Center, Cultural Center of the Phillipines,The Bolshoi Theater, American Dance Festival, The Joyce Theater, NYC City Center, Spoleto Festival and the Kennedy Center. He holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Julliard School under the directorship of Benjamin Harkarvy. Our dancers are always excited and proud to study with Brian when he visits MBSPA.
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Christie Sirota , Guest faculty
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Christie has trained from east to west coast and along with some of LA’s hottest choreographers in a wide variety of styles that bring an exciting blend to the classroom. Christie travels nationally with numerous conventions and workshops, serves as director for VIP conventions as well as teaches master classes and choreography throughout the country. Her credits include Las Vegas Fashion Week, Latin icon JUAN LUIS GUERRA, Disney’s NLT, dance/pop group TAXI DOLL, workout sensation HIP HOP ABS and many others. Christie has been a permanent faculty member at MBSPA and has a very strong following looking forward to her return to our classroom. |