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.
Morgan Jackson
Instructor/Office Staff
Morgan Jackson has danced with Terpsichore since she was three years old. In her time here she has performed many soloist roles in the Nutcracker production including “Snow Queen,” “Dream Clara,” “Skater,” “Arabian,” and most recently; “Sugar Plum Fairy.” She was a part of our Performing Arts Team from 8th grade through 12th grade where she had the opportunity to dance around the East Coast, including Walt Disney World. She was promoted to a Captain of the team her Freshman year of high school. She began teaching with us her Senior year of high school and has experience teaching many different age levels and styles. She is now returning to Terpsichore as an instructor while she is studying at Sandhills Community College.
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.