DANCE STAFF

By assembling people who not only have the qualifications to teach but also possess great character traits and values is what truly sets us apart. We feel that you would be hard pressed to find a better staff anywhere! Faulkner's Dance & Gymnastics is a group of highly trained and qualified professionals, considered to be the finest and most knowledgeable in their field. Working together for a common goal to build self-esteem and sport makes our staff unparalleled.

Our team of instructors, coaches and staff members ensure that each gymnast, dancer, cheerleader, taekwondo or whatever you participate in is given the best possible experience. Staff at Faulkner's Dance & Gymnastics have the ability to work with every level of athlete, from beginner to professional. Helping each individual to reach their full potential is the end result. Our talented faculty brings to Faulkner's Dance & Gymnastics years of professional experience from the national stage, television, film, gymnastics national competitions and Broadway as well as local productions.

	Sue Faulkner: Director of Dance & Artistic Director Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and over 40 years of dance training which began with Fred Kelly (Gene Kelly's brother) in N.J. Sue was a college cheer leader and dancer at Curry College and Ohio University. Sue continues to further her training in dance from Master Teachers - Jason Samuels Smith Guest Performer for Fox Televisions "So You Think You Can Dance" (Tap), Phil Black (Tap, Jazz), Frank Hatchett (Jazz), Shea Sullivan (Tap), Crystal Chapman (Tap), Gene Medler (Tap), Germaine Salsberg (Tap), Mike Minery (Tap), Germaine Goodson (Tap), Cindy Vallone (Ballet), Sue Samuels (Jazz), Lynda Gache (Tap-Jazz-Line), Sheila Barker (Jazz), Chio (Hip-Hop), Lane Napper (Jazz-Tap), Ken Prescott (Tap-Jazz) and Debbie Dee (Tap) to name a few. Sue also runs the Hillsborough United Methodist Church Ecumenical dance group which involes children and adults from area churches. Sue also organizes the World Day of Prayer in Hiillsborough involving over 24 churches in the area. Sue's mother Anne Solomon founded World Day of Prayer over 29 years ago and Sue has been involved with World Day of Prayer for over 16 years. Sue continues her training by attending classes and private lessons at the Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City at least four times a year. Sue has been a member and certified by Dance Educators of America for over 25 years.Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University. Sue has been a member and certified by Dance Educators of America for over 25 years. Began training over 48 years ago and her specialty remains in tap, jazz, liturgical, ballet and gymnastics along with preschool classes.
	Candace Reid: Dance Company Director, Hip Hop Director & Dance Instructor in All Types of Dance Bachelor Degree in Bio-Chemistry from Shaw University. Candace currently is attending UNC Chapel Hill to receive her Master's Degree. Candace has danced for over 20 years and auditioned and was accepted to attend Talent Unlimited High School in New York City where she performed with numerous dance companies throughout the country. Candace is a former National Dance Competitor. Candace choreographed the dance "Lose Control" which was performed on BET's Television Show 106 and Park on Wednesday April 12th 2006 for "Wild Out Wednesday". Candace has taught dance since she was 15. Candace continues to be recognized for being one of the top all around dancers on the east coast.
	Kristin Pruitt: Assistant Dance Company Director, Clogging Director and Instructor in All Types of Dance Kristin is a graduate of NC State University as well as a former dancer at NC State. Kristin has been dancing for over 15 years and teaching for over 10 years. Kristin was a dance instructor in Ballet, Hip Hop, Clogging, Jazz, Lyrical Modern and Tap at Dance Elite as well as at the Danze Zone. Kristin was an assistant teacher under Angie Tuttle and Carrie Page at Dance Elite by Angie. Kristin was the dance captain at her high school Rockingham County High School and Rockingham Middle School. Kristin has performed at numerous National Dance Competitions that include Tremaine, Showstoppers, Starpower, Onstage New York, NYC Dance Alliance, Encore DCS to name a few. Kristin performed contemporary dance and jazz while attending NC State University.
	Nina Bass: Director of Ballet Graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts where she trained under the direction of Nina Danilova, Melissa Hayden, and Frank Smith. Nina began her training at Greensboro Ballet with Maryhelen Mayfield, John Dennis and Elissa Fuchs. Nina has spent summers at the Boston Ballet and Richmond Ballet. As an NCSA alumni, Nina spent two summers with Rick McCullough for the Manteo Summer Festival, performing at Roanoke Island. Nina currently is a professional dancer with the Greensboro Ballet and also teaches in their school.
	D'Juan Owens: Director of Break'n, Break Dancing & Hip Hop Instructor D'Juan Owens, better known as "Supreme" in the bboy community, has been bboying (breakdancing) since 2003. D'Juan was introduced to bboying by bgirl "Allur 4", a member of the Legendary Zulu Kings crew. D'Juan is a well-known and respected member of the Carolina bboy scene. D'Juan is a member of the "Silent Fury" bboy crew and was one of 8 bboys chosen to represent North Carolina in a state vs state bboy competition in New Jersey! D'Juan has won many solo and crew competitions in the Carolinas and Georgia! D'Juan's style emphasises smooth transitions, originality, and complex freeze combinations. D'Juan is a USMC veterean, and a professional mixed martial arts fighter. D'Juan is also a volunteer at the "Big brothers Big sisters" of Durham. D'Juan attends Durham Technical Community College where he is pursuing his Associate of Arts degree. Check out a photo of D'Juan performing.
	Paula Miller: Dance Instructor in All Types of Dance Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Media Communications Graduate from Methodist College. Paula was a Faulkner's student for over 16 years. Paula is a former Methodist College Collegiate Cheerleader as well as a member of the Methodist College Dance Team for 4 years with a total of 20 years dance experience. Paula has been a part of Faulkner's for over 20 years. Paula has competed nationally on the collegiate level. Paula is currently a certified national dance and cheerleading judge.
	Lara Rectenland: Dance Instructor in All Types of Dance B.A., Summa Cum Laude, History and Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College. Lara was a dancer at Balwin College and choreographer at dance concert auditions. Lara has won numerous group and individual awards at national dance competitions which include Miss Starquest 2000 and won the Talent Award "Miss Dance of Pennsylvania" from Dance Masters of America Ch. 10. Lara specializes in Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Tap. Lara taught for 4 years at Barb's School of Dance, Taught at Sandra Lynn's School of Dance Summer Program in 1997, Point Park College Summer Dance Program in 1998, Southwest Ballet Academy Summer Ballet Program in 1999 and Vagonava Summer School in 2000.
	Jasmine Gaston: Hip Hop and Jazz Instructor Jasmine currently attends UNC Chapel Hill and majoring in Biology. She graduated from Seventy-first High School in Fayetteville, NC. Jasmine is a member of the UNC Chapel Hill Kamikazi Hip Hop Dance Team. Jasmine has been a Hip Hop Volunteer Dance Teacher for under privileged inner-city youth with a non-profit organization entitled Hip Hop Haven. Jasmine has 18 years of dance training and 5 years of teaching. Jasmine currently attends various dance conventions that include Showstoppers, Monsters, Tremaine, Pulse and more. Jasmine was a dance instructor in Ballet and Jazz at Linda Kinlaw School of Dance. Jasmine was the Youth Worship Leader in Durham, NC. In the Summer of 2007 Jasmine traveled around Costa Rica performing for different high schools and middle schools.