Our Faculty
Faulkner's faculty are well known locally for sharing their knowledge of dance and gymnastics with their students. Some of their faculty have been teaching for over 25 years. The faculty regularly attends dance and gymnastic workshops locally and throughout the country to keep up with the latest trends. Faulkner's continues to be a member of Dance Educators of America after 30 years. Faulkner's also are members of USA Gymnastics and Are USA Gymnastic Club Members. All of its gymnastics staff are safety certified.
Faulkner's continues to be a member of Dance Educators of America after 30 years, member of USA Gymnastics, members of the National Clogging Hall of Fame Organization and the NC Clogging Council. Faulkner's gymnastics are Safety Certified, First Aid and CPR certified.
Filter By
or clear filters | Sue Faulkner: Director and Owner at Faulkner's. 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, gymnastics and preschool classes along with Jazz, Lithurgical, Ballet & Adult Tapperercise. Director of Tap & Preschool Classes along with teaching Jazz, Ballet, Lithurigical and Gymnastics at Faulkner's. |
|---|---|
 | Mike Faulkner: Director & Owner at Faulkner's. Retired Orange County school teacher for over 24 years. Holds a Master's Degree in Asian and European Studies from Ohio University. Director of Front Office & Operations at Faulkner's. |
 | Mich Faulkner: Co Owner and Assistant Director of Faulkner's. Bachelor of Science degree from Barton College. Dancer and Choreographer at Faulkner's with a specialty in Hip-Hop, Breakdancing, Gymnastics, Jazz & Clogging. Competed for over 20 years. Appeared in the movie Henry's Decision on Showtime. Mich is a former member of the Carolina Heartland Cloggers and is a member of the National Clogging Organization, North Carolina Clogging Association & America's Clogging Hall of Fame Organization. Mich is a member of the United States Gymnastics Association and is safety certified. He also is Agent/Public Relations for Nene Musik Talent Agency. Currently is Director of Clogging and the Boy's Program along with teaching Hip-Hop, Break Dancing, Jazz, Gymnastics, Adult Classes and Clogging at Faulkner's. |
 | Holly Pennell: General Manager and Director of Gymnastics. Bachelor Degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Former Level 10 gymnast. Competed in National competitions with former 1996 Olympic Team members Shannon Miller and Dominique Dawes. Member of the Charlotte All-Stars national Championship Cheerleading Squad - 1993; UNC Club Gymnastics President (2001) and UNC Club Gymnastics member and competitor for 4 years. Holly is a member of the United States Gymnastics Association and is safety certified. Began teaching at Faulkner's in 2001. Currently is Director of Gymnastics and General Manager at Faulkner's. |
 | Dru Davis: Degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Business from North Carolina State University (NCSU). Former NCSU Gymnastics Team Member from 2005-2009 with a full Gymnastics scholarship. Former Elite & Level 10 Gymnast as well as a Level 10 National Qualifier in 1999, 2004 and 2005. 3 Time All American at NC State University. Former North Carolina State University Gymnastic Camp Intern, Coach and Camp Instructor from 2006 - 2008. Volunteer for the Wheel Chair basketball. Extremely experienced with people with disabilities. Has coached numerous kids from 4 years old to Adult in recreational and competitive Gymnastics. Currently is Assistant Director of Gymnastics at Faulkner's. |
 | Nina Bass: Graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts where she trained under the direction of Nina Danilova, Melissa Hayden, and Frank Smith. She 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. She is currently a professional dancer with the Greensboro Ballet and also teaches in their school. Currently is the Director of Ballet at Faulkner's. |
 | Candace Reid: Bachelor Degree in Bio-Chemistry from Shaw University. She currently is attending UNC Chapel Hill to receive her Master's Degree. Has danced for 17 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. 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". She has taught dance since she was 15. Currently is the Faulkner's Dance Company Director, Director of Hip Hop and also teaches all types of Dance at Faulkner's. |
 | Tiffany Hinesley: Currently attends the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and is a Exercise Science major and is a Varsity Cheerleader at UNC. Tiffany is a member of the United States Gymnastics Association and safety certified. She also is CPR and First Aid certified. She spent her first two years of college at University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) as a Kinesiology major. While at UNCC she was a NCAA All-American on the Small Co-Ed squad. The squad placed 3rd at the NCA Nationals held in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2007. Tiffany has be a gymnast since she was 6 years old. She competed through level 8 and started coaching beginners through level 7 in 2003. After completing her undergraduate degree she plans to pursue an education in Physical Therapy. Currently is Director of Cheerleading and is a Gymnastics Coach at Faulkner's. |
 | Moises Rocha:
Moises is better known as Red-Rawka. Moises is an active bboy (breakdancer) and choreographer at UNC, NCSU and DUKE. Participated in many local performances like Noche Latina, Dance Marathon, Habitat for humanity etc. He has won several state and local competitions. He started break dancing in Mexico when he was 14 years old and moved to USA when he turned 16. He has worked with the rapper Kaze and has appeared in one of his music videos called Non Stop Hip Hop as well with Kooley High. Moises has been inspired by many people including his high school dance teacher Danielle Zyde Cohen, his family and friends. Currently is Director of Breakdancing at Faulkner's. Raw-3-Bbody-Battle Shamrock-5-Bboy-Battle |
 | Brandon Brown: Has studied Classical Guitars for over 7 years at Durham School of the Arts. He has been playing Rock/Blues Guitar since the age of 7. He was introduced to guitar at age 5 by his father. He learned as much as he could on his own and from his father until he was admitted to Durham School of the Arts where his art/career pathway was Guitar/Music. Started classical guitar at the age of 11 and continued through his senior year.He has played in several local bands in Durham and played weekly shows at the marvel and a very popular venue at the time The electric blender where we headlined the metal matinee each week. Currently is the Director of Guitar at Faulkner's. |
 | Allison West (Ayperi): Has been dancing since age 4. She started at the Betty Smith School of Dance in Hampton Virginia with Ballet and Jazz. During High School, she danced here at Faulkners for 2 years. Most recently she has studied under some of the most famous Belly Dancers in the World; Eva Cernik(Turkish, Egyptian) Shazadee(Middle Eastern),Ava Fleming and Aradia (Lebanese). Allison was a member of the Colorful Waves Dance Troupe and performed for 3 years at the NC Renaissance Faire. Last year she participated in the International Belly Dance Convention in Las Vegas. She has learned various styles of Belly dancing; tribal, oriental, gypsy, Arabic from these various artists. Ayperi performs every Friday Evening at the Marrakesh in Raleigh. Currently directs the Belly Dancing Program at Faulkner's. |
 | Kristin Mattison: B.S. Degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice from Fayetteville State University. Currently, she is a music teacher at Hillsborough Elementary School where she has been teaching for four years. She is classically trained and can sing all genres of music. She has a special interest in music theatre and enjoys working with children and young adults. Some of her performances include a workshop of the musical, The Notebook and an appearance on the T.V. series "One Tree Hill". Currently teaches Voice at Faulkner's. |
 | Barbara Turner: Received her BA in piano performance from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Received her post graduate degree from UNC-G, where she studies piano with Inga Bergstrom and organ with Robert Burns King. Studies piano privately in New York City with Edward Alwell and Stan Friedberg and also taught young students in Mr. Friedberg's studio. She has taught piano since 1972, and served as an organist/choir director in various churches in High Point, Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro and Ohio. She is a member of the Chapel Hill Music Teacher's Association and Durham Music Teachers Association. She also is a member of the American Guild oo Organists and Mu PhiEpsilon, a national honorary music sorority. She holds a membership in the American College of Musicians and the national piano teachers guild. Currently is Director of Piano at Faulkner's. |
 | Dr. Debra Bell:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Debra received her Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University by graduating Magna Cum Laude. Debra is a member of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Debra has an extensive background in Sports Injuries and Exercise Physiology. She currently is the Director of Whole Family Chiropractic in Cary, North Carolina. Debra is a former member and president of the UNC Gymnastic Club. Debra was a class 1 gymnast which in todays gymnastic format is considered a Level 10. She has taught at Faulkner's for over 5 years. She has competed in several National Gymnastic Competitions around the country. Debra is Safety Certified. Currently is the Director of Sports Medicine as well as a gymnastics coach at Faulkner's.
You may visit her site at: www.wholefamilyofcary.com |
 | Miranda Hucks: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in History at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Member of the National title winning team "Bailey Mountain Cloggers" and also a member of the Mars Hill College Dance Team. Recently performed in the World Folkdance Festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Member of 2003 All-American Clogging Team. Has been clogging competitively for over 14 years and is considered one of today's most recognized performers and choreographers on the east coast. Currently is Clogging Consultant and Choreographer at Faulkner's. |
 | Jason Thomas: Currently is the owner of Alamance Black Belt Academy. He currently has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Black Belt in Tae Know Do and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He also specializes in Cage Fighting. Currently is the director of Martial Arts with a focus in Tae Kwon Do, Little Ninjas, Kickboxing, Self Defense and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Faulkner's. You may visit his website at: www.alamanceblackbelt.com |
 | Rafa Parra: Rafa is Assistant to Jason Thomas. Rafa specializes in all types of martial arts like his partner Jason. You may visit his website at: www.alamanceblackbelt.com |
 | Paula Miller: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Media Communications Graduate from Methodist College. Former Faulkner's student for 16 years. Methodist College Collegiate Cheerleader and was a member of the Methodist College Dance Team for4 years with a total of 20 years dance experience. She has competed nationally on the collegiate level. Currently teaches Jazz, Hip-Hop, Cheerleading, Adult Classes and Lyrical at Faulkner's. |
 | Lara Rectenland: B.A., Summa Cum Laude, History and Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College. Dancer at Balwin College and choreographer at dance concert auditions. 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. Specializes in Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Tap. 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. Currently teaches Lyrical, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Pointe and Tap at Faulkner's. |
 | Lisa Bistreich: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Master of Science Degree in Communication from North Carolina State University. Lisa is a former competitive gymnast and past member and Vice President of the UNC club gymnastics team. She also is a former United States Gymnastics Association Judge (Judged Levels 2 through 8). She has coached for more than 15 years and taught at Faulkner's from 1998 - 2000 and from 2006 - present. Currently teaches Gymnastics at Faulkner's. |
 | Tiffany Tyler: B. S Degree in Religion and Early Childhood Education. Currently seeking to obtain a Doctorate in Religious Dance from FICU. Tiffany will be obtained as a licensed dance minster from the Eagles International Training Institute in October 2010. Tiffany has over 9 years of experience teaching Liturigical, modern and Lyrical dance. From 1997-2004 she taught as well as performed Lyrical, Hip Hop and Modern at Culbreth Middle School and East Chapel Hill High School. She has performed at numerous dance conferences. Tiffany has also made appearances at Chapel Hill's "Juneteenth" Celebration as well as Freedom Day Celebration. She is a member of Eagles International. Currently teaches Lyrical, Modern and Liturgical at Faulkner's. |
 | Dana Riley: Currently attends UNC- Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. Majoring in Dance. Currently is a member of the UNC Charlotte Dance Team. Has been a competitive dancer for over 17 years. Has won numerous national high score dance awards. Dana has also taken several classes in New York City at the Broadway Dance Center and Ailley.Dana specializes in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Clogging, Lyrical and Modern. Currently teaches all Types of dance at Faulkner's as well as assisting the front office. |
 | Greg Andrews:
Founder and President of THD Construction, Inc and THD Reality. THD Construction is in its 13th year in Efland. Greg is an Unlimited Licensed Building Contractor for Residential and Commercial building. Greg's wife Shannon Andrews is a licensed Real Estate Broker. THD Contruction was recently featured on The Savvy Homebuyer, a program regularly airing on CBS Television. Currently is Director of Prop Design, Sponsorship, Coordination and Consulting at Faulkner's.
Check out THD Construction at: www.thdconstruction.com |
 | Scott Wicker: Scott graduated from NC State in 2007 as the Valedictorian in his class. He received a BA in Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude). Scott currently is a website designer and developer with over 5 years experience in the field. He does all styles and formats for developing websites. Placed first in the state for website design a few years ago. Scott is married to a former dancer of Faulkner's Christy (Williams) Wicker. Currently is the Director of Website Design, Management and Consulting at Faulkner's. |
 | Jason Samuels Smith:
Jason is a NYC native and Emmy & American Choreography Award Winner in Tap. He is considered the next Gregory Hines & Savion Glover. In less than a decade, Jason has emerged as a multi-talent leader in the Art form of Tap. He has been seen on So You Think You Dance as a special guest choreographer, Secret Talent of The Stars on CBS Television (Trained Music Star Mya), been a member of the cast Da' Noise, Bring in Da'Funk. Dean Hargrove's Tap Heat, AMC televisions series Cool Women, Imagine Tap, Chicago, Savion Glover's NYOTs, Soul Possessed with Patti LaBelle. He was the recipient of the Arts International Grant and the Alpert McDowell Fellowship Award and he also received the 2007 Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award. Jason founded tap company A.C.G.I. & JaJa Productions band featuring original jazz-influenced hip-hop music appearances throughout the United States. Jason currently is a visiting tap instructor & consultant at Faulkner's.
To find out more information regarding Jason Samuels Smith please check him out at www.divinerhythmproductions.com |
 | Sue Samuels:
Specializes in Jazz (Broadway Coach, Veteran Performer & Choreographer). Sue has established herself as one of the staples of the performing arts community of today. With over 35 years experience, her expertise is often sought after for mentoring and coaching purposes by professionals and aspiring artist from around the world. Her performance and choreographic credits include Got Tu Go Disco, The Johnny Hallyday Show, The Brazil Export Show, All My Children, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Contemporary Women, Zoom, Dr. Pepper, 7 UP, Wheat Thins, Head & Shoulders, Adidas and Glaxo. Samuels is Co-Founder of Jo Jo's Dance Factory in NYC which later became Broadway Dance Center.Sue continues to travel around the world for master classes. Students & Teachers come to study her unique jazz style. She currently teaches at the Broadway Dance Center (Since 1986). She was trained by Broward Civic Ballet in Florida and performed with the company for six years, also studied in NYC with Madame Swoboda of the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo. Sue currently is a visiting Jazz & Theatre instructor & consultant at Faulkner's.
To find out more information regarding Sue Samuels please check her out at www.divinerhythmproductions.com |
 | Shirley Mansfield: Front Office |