Director / Instructors
Director
Mary Lee Kennedy
Director Mary Lee Kennedy has been an educator for over 50 years – but a dancer all her life. She began her studies at age 4 and continued thru college on a dance scholarship. With a degree in Theatre Education from Louisiana State University, her experience as a movement specialist has included 50+ years owning a performing arts studio, 2 years teaching in public school and 6 years serving as physical education director of a private school. As President of Dance Tree, Inc., she trains and certifies teachers in “early childhood movement education” for in-house programs in private and parochial day schools as well as directing and teaching at Kennedy Dance Theatre, our affiliated studio. Mary Lee is also the President and Founder of MannersPro, where she teaches executive etiquette and children's manners. Contact Mary Lee at marylee@dancetree.com
Instructors
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Erica Carmona
Erica has been dancing at our affiliated studio, Kennedy Dance Theatre for the past 13 years but has danced for a total of 16 years. She has been on the faculty at Kennedy Dance Theatre for 4 years, teaching Pre Dance, Creative Dance and Hip Hop. She is a founding member of the pre-professional company, Ballet Jete', under the direction of Ballet Mistress, Milena Leben. Erica is currently enrolled in college. This is Erica's 5th year with Dance Tree.
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Heather Reyna
Heather started dancing at Dance Tree when she was 6 and has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and modern. She was a part of The Sam Rayburn Tex-Ann Drill Team, where she was Lieutenant her Junior year and Captain her Senior year. She worked for the past 7 years in the after school program at STEPS PAC in Pasadena and choreographed for their competition team No Boundaries Dance Company. She resides in Pasadena with her 2 daughters and husband. This is her 3rd year teaching with Dance Tree and she is very excited to share her love for dance with your dancer!
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Cadence Blount
Cadence has danced at our affiliated studio, Kennedy Dance Theatre since she was 2 years old and this is her 20th year with KDT. She has trained in various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, modern, contemporary, cheer and pointe. She competed on several competition teams, including the award-winning Jazz Company where she was an officer. She has taken tap classes from world renowned teachers at the Space City Tap Fest, including Chloe and Maud Arnold. In 2016, she was awarded KDT’s Student of the Year Award in addition to a summer scholarship. This is Cadence’s first year teaching with Dance Tree, and she cannot wait to share her love of dance and passion for learning with your dancer!
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