Kristy’s Dance Academy Faculty and Staff
Kristy Woodruff Neely-Owner
Kristy is the Director/Owner of Kristy’s Dance Academy, which was established in 2018. She is a Nationally Certified Member of Southern Council of Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America. She was the Director of the former Rhythm On Main and studied at Dance Upstairs for 14 years and was a competitive dancer for over 10 years. She was named the Best Dance Teacher in the Yadkin Valley for Three Consecutive Years when they recognized the award. Her studio, Kristy’s Dance Academy has been named Best Dance Studio in the Yadkin Valley since 2019. Kristy’s students have won many high-score awards and national championships as a team and as soloists placing Top 10 at Nationals every year they have competed. She and her team have won awards consistently for entertainment and choreography. Kristy has been awarded the USA National Dance Championships Choreography Award for multiple years. Her studio has won consistent National Champion Placements and many 1st place National Champion wins. In addition to National Championships, she has also had multiple National Title Winners from both America’s Mr. and Miss Dance Title Program and Mr. and Miss Dance USA Title Program. Kristy’s Dance Academy is currently home to America’s Junior Miss Dance. Kristy attended the Dance Teachers Summit in NYC, has been the National Director for America’s Mr & Miss Dance National Title Program, and is well known for her cutting-edge choreography in the competitive world. She herself was crowned Miss Dance USA 2011, has taught at Conventions, and has judged for multiple competition systems. Kristy is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Ethan and has one son, Evan. She is so honored to be able to share her passion and love for dance with so many wonderful young people in the Yadkin Valley Region.
Hope Holbrook
Hope is an Instructor at KDA and has already accomplished so much and is loved by her students. Hope is Certified in Acrobatic Arts and CLIStudios. Through these certifications Hope has learned how to safely and effectively instruct Acrobatics & Tumbling. Hope has been dancing and tumbling for over a decade and has been an assistant for the last two years. As a member of the KDA Competition Team, she was a leader and part of several top placements and championships. As a soloist, Hope placed 2nd Top Score at the 2021 National Championships. Hope is very passionate, caring, and encouraging to her students with a focus on personal growth.
Michelle Newman
Michelle has been teaching for 15 years, specializing in Children’s/Pre-School Classes and Tap. Michelle studied at the former Dance Upstairs, is a graduate of Appalachian State University where she continued her dance education, and enjoys attending conventions for continuing education. Michelle has judged competitions, taught Pre-School/Children’s Dance Education (to other teachers), and has served as a Director for America’s Mr & Miss Dance National Titles Program. Michelle has taught Pre-School at Churches and Private Schools and is the mom to Tyler, Tanner, and Trevin who are all now in college. Michelle is loved by her younger dancers and respected by all of the dancers of all ages at KDA. She loves sharing the passion that was instilled in her with so many young people.
Candice Dimmette
Bio Coming Soon
Crystal Nunnemaker
Crystal Nunnemaker is the office manager for Kristy’s Dance Academy. She has a B.S. degree in Human Development: Daycare Teaching and Administration. She works full time for Omni Visions Inc. as the Regional Director overseeing foster care and adults with developmental disabilities. She started out as a dance mom for Rhythm on Main when her daughter was 6 years old. Both of her children became involved in dance at a young age with Rhythm on Main and she started working part time in the office. She also works part time for Dance Machine competitions taking pictures and is familiar with many aspects of dance studios and competitions. She is married to Jon and has 2 children, Carson and Jaron. She loves working behind the scenes for the studio and getting to see all the children participate in something they enjoy.