After completing 15 years of dance training, Mrs Barbie accomplished a life-long dream of opening a dance studio at the age of 22. 26 years later, BEDP is still growing, thriving and producing amazing performers and well- rounded, confident young adults. Mrs. Barbie was a member of the High Kickin’ Heels while completing her degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been named Gaston County’s Young Woman of the Year and America’s Miss Dance Teacher. Under her direction, BEDP has been named the National Studio of the Year twice! She has students currently performing on college dance teams, NFL Cheerleading teams, at Walt Disney World, on cruise ships and on national Broadway tours.

Mrs. Jessie, a Master Teacher of children’s artistic movement, has over 20 years of dance education. As a proud alumni of BEDP (2005 graduate) she started teaching as a student and continued guest choreographing throughout college. She studied classical ballet, modern, contemporary, tap and jazz curriculum in the Dance and Theater program at East Carolina University with a focus in Performance/Dance Education from 2006-2008. She has studied in NYC and Orlando, FL alongside and under Broadway and Disney professionals. She has choreographed and danced back up for local hip hop artists. She was a 4 year member of the nationally ranked Dancing Warriors for EGHS and Coached the team herself for 3 years. In 2014 she proudly led them in winning a National Championship in 3 divisions. She received her BA in Anthropology with a minor in Biology at UNC Charlotte. She has planted roots within the community of Mount Holly where she lives with her husband and two children. She has been teaching full time for BEDP since 2006 and served on the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market Board of Directors for 6 years. At BEDP she teaches classes in many ages, levels and genres of dance.

Marissa trained in all forms of dance 17 years at Barbie’s Encore Dance Productions in Mount Holly, NC. Over the years, she has also had the privilege of working with the Joffrey Ballet, Abby Lee Dance Company, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the American Ballet Theatre. In addition to dance, Marissa also received theatre and vocal training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy as a Dance Theatre Major in New York City. In 2019, Marissa was recognized in the Top 20 Best Actress Category in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina at the prestigious Blumey Awards for High School Theatre for her performance as Sally Brown in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” She served the great state of North Carolina in 2017 as Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen and was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Gaston County for 2019. She has used those opportunities as a platform to raise awareness for organ donation through the Destiny Lives On Foundation. She founded the “Sharing Talent, Giving Life” benefit talent show in 2016 to raise funds for the foundation and has raised over $16,000 in 7 years. During her competitive dance career, she achieved several National Championships, along with winning the title of America’s Miss Dance 2020. She completed her 3rd season as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and can be seen on "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT and MTV. Marissa has been a featured backup dancer for recording artists Kane Brown, Luke Combs, the Jonas Brothers and Alan Jackson. Miss Marissa is currently a performer with Walt Disney World entertainment. Miss Marissa enjoys choreographing for our solos and Ovation groups both virtually and in person.

Mrs. Billie Jean has been on staff at BEDP since 2005! She is an alumni of the Christine McConnell School of Dance. She teaches a variety of ages and levels both in our Ovation Program and our Applause Program. She has many accolades in the competition world including Overall National Choreography Awards and Overall National group champions. She has over 30 years dance experience and has performed leads in "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Nutcracker". Mrs. Billie Jean lives in Belmont with her son, Micah.

Mrs. Michelle is a native of Stanley, NC. Mrs Michelle trained at BEDP for 14 years where she received many accolades including several national champion awards. She was the very first recipient of the Dedication to Dance award at BEDP. Mrs. Michelle has recently made the transition from real estate to enjoy being a stay at home mom. She takes pride in being an Air Force and firefighter wife. Mrs. Michelle makes her home in Mt Holly with her husband and 2 daughters.

Mrs. Kendall is a BEDP alumni. She danced for 14 years and received the Dedication to Dance award. She attended East Gaston High School, where she cheered and served as Captain her senior year. After graduation, she taught Twirlerz, and Pom classes before getting married. She now lives in Iron Station with her husband Chris, daughter Evie, and two golden retrievers, Remi and Ruger. She battled leukemia for the last two years, but is now cancer free! She is so excited to be healthy, and teaching again at the studio!

Under the direction and training of Mrs Joanna Nichols, she began her lifelong passion of the art of dance. Mallory has studied under choreographers such as Jason Parsons, Tina Cyphert, Tina D'Mato Sidoni, Nick Lazzarini, Mia Michaels, Lauren Adams, Travis Wall, Blake McCarn, and Barbara Morgan Eaves, all the while being awarded top awards. As a competitive dancer at Rhythm Dance Studio, Mallory was able to tie herself for first overall with both of her solos, the first in Showstopper National Dance Competition history. In addition, she was the highest scoring American dancer in Showstopper Nationals 2008. Appearing on a nationally televised dance competition many seasons in a row, Mallory has just fallen in love with being on stage and performing for others. Since her days as a competitive dancer, she has been crowned Miss Race City 2009, Miss Mount Holly 2012, Ms Carolina Dogwood, and Mrs North Carolina Spectacular America. She also continues to judge both pageants and dance auditions throughout the Charlotte region. With a BA in Sociology and a Masters of Social Work, Mallory proudly calls herself a UNCC 49er Alumni. She currently resides in Mount Holly and is a mother to Demi and Elliott and her 3 fur babies Pancho Villa, Daisy May, and Kota.

Melody began dancing at age five at Christine McConnell School of Dance. As a competitive dancer and choreographer, she knew that the art of dance was her heart! As the former owner of Carolina Dance Explosion for 14 years, she trained dancers who went on to dance on Broadway, in films and commercials, and as professional dancers for the NBA. Her students have earned numerous regional and national awards under her direction as well has choreography awards. After stepping away from studio ownership to focus on being a mom, Melody is thrilled to return to her first love of dance. Known for her confidence-boosting instruction and energetic teaching style, she brings joy, discipline, and creativity to every class. Her mission is to help every dancer discover their unique strength, style, and spark, because confidence shines brightest when you're doing what you love.

Mrs. Christy is a classically trained vocalist and pianist from the age of 4. She holds a B.A. in Applied Performance primary vocals and secondary piano from Lee University> She is familiar with the competitive performance world, having competed in Mysic and Gymnastics for over 10 years. She also holds a B.S, in Psychology from Liberty Universityh and loves working with kids. Christy has been a private school teacher, music director and teacher, choir director and children's pastor. For the last 15 years, she has owned her own private music lesson business, teaching in the Gastonia and Mt Holly area specifically for 9 years, where she lives with her husband and 3 children. Christy is excited to combine her love of music performance, teaching and children by offering vocal technique and performance classes at BEDP again this year!

We are happy to welcome to the BEDP family once again, Lizzy Pharr. She is originally from Buffalo, NY where she did competitive cheer for four years for both Wild All-Stars and Lightning All-Stars. She relocated to Mount Holly, NC where she coached cheer and tumbling for several years with Impact One All-Stars. Mrs. Liz teaches our tumbling classes at BEDP.

Miss Alyssa received 14 years of dance training at BEDP. She also served as a student teacher at BEDP for 6 years. Miss Alyssa is a recipient of the Dedication To Dance Award at BEDP! During her competitive career, she received many accolades including numerous judges awards for her memorable stage performances. Miss Alyssa was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Mecklenburg County 2024 and was awarded the Spirit Award from the other contestants for her positive energy throughout the program. She recently completed an employment with Victory Junction, where she worked with a variety of kids with different medical conditions and differing abilities. Miss Alyssa is well recognized at BEDP and other studios for encouraging others. Miss Alyssa will be subbing in the Applause program, as well as assisting in our Tumbling program.

Mrs. Crystal is a face you and your dancer will see every week! She can fit your dancer for shoes, order apparel and answer any questions you may have regarding anything at the studio. You can reach Mrs. Crystal through email at bedpoffice@gmail.com