Dance Instructors
Our staff is dedicated to teaching and providing the best experience possible for all of our students. Each of our instructors is well qualified with advanced degrees in dance and/or professional training and experience. We pride ourselves on teamwork and efficiency. At Terpsichore, we are a family and we carry that into each class and each aspect of our programs.
Alessandra Gironda
Instructor
Alessandra Gironda began dancing at the age of 4 in her hometown of Southern Pines, NC. In 2017, she received her Bachelor of Science in Communication from East Carolina University. Throughout her college career, she was a member of the ECU Dance Team and served as a captain her senior year. After graduation, she became an NFL cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers. She has danced in the NFL as a Carolina TopCat for the last 4 years and just retired in March of 2022. Outside of the TopCats, Alessandra has been teaching dance, acrobatics, and gymnastics for the last six years. She currently resides in Southern Pines with her Fiancé and adored Yorkie.
Analiese Umana
Instructor
Analiese graduated with her BFA from the Purchase College Dance Conservatory in 2012. She has studied with American Ballet Theater’s Intensive Training Program, New York State Summer School of the Arts, and Ballet Hispanico. She has trained with American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet and Martha Graham faculty throughout her career. From 2012-2014 she danced for Baltimore Ballet rising to a soloist. While dancing in Baltimore, Analiese was also on the faculty of Towson University’s Children’s Division. Analiese has served as faculty, adjudicator and Executive Coordinator for the American Academy of Ballet’s International program; teaching in Israel, Mexico, Portugal and more. From 2017-2020 she taught as an Adjunct for Purchase College Dance Conservatory and Marist College. Analiese is currently a visiting instructor at New York Academy of Ballet. She is thrilled to be joining Terpsichore Dance this coming year!
Juliet Blanks
Instructor
Juliet studied at Terpsichore in her high school years, where she focused on ballet, tap, and jazz. She received her professional training from the Alvin Ailey dance school in Manhattan. She then came back to North Carolina to work with companies such as The Lost Colony, Temple Theater, and Cary Arts Theater as a professional dancer and choreographer. She is humbled, and ecstatic, to return now to Terpsichore as a teacher, helping a new generation of dancers discover the joy of her own favorite art form.
Come in and meet each of our instructors today!
Kellye Parks
Owner/Director & Instructor
Owner and Director of moving Terpsichore, received her B.A. in Ballet Pedagogy from Brenau University in 1984, and went on to graduate from UNC-Greensboro with a M.F.A. in Dance/ Choreography in 1987. Ms. Parks taught dance under the Basic Education Plan for Moore County Schools, Public Schools of Robeson County, and most recently Hoke County Schools. She has been affiliated with such professional organizations as the North Carolina Dance Alliance and the N.C. Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance.
Leigh Blanton
Instructor
Our most senior ballet, pointe, jazz, acrobatics, and contemporary dance instructor is well rounded in many different aspects of dance. She earned her B.A. Degree in Dance from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Leigh has danced for over 20 years and still loves it! She is a current performing member of Nosi Dance Theatre in Durham, which tours throughout the Southeast. She and her husband Chase reside in Southern Pines, along with their daughter Natalie and son Nick.