Who We Are

Christie Karavan
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.

Kate Keck-Mathews

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".

Stacy McFarland

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. 

Carlin Russell

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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

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   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

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Rachel Hayner Lum

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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. 

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

Christie Sirota , Guest faculty






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.