Mrs. Tracy
Owner/Director, Company Tap TeacherTracy Spencer Hannon began dancing at 2 years old at her aunt’s studio, Dotti’s School of Dance. She began teaching in her mother’s kitchen at age 13. Continuing her training through high school and college, she graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in theatre/dance. She taught and choreographed with the Civic Dance Company in Georgia and began dance programs for the community centers and school systems of Auburn, Alabama. She was the Memphis children’s rehearsal director for The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker for over ten years. She has been a judge for I Love Dance International Dance Competitions. She is a member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters (previously on the board of directors and serving as the second vice-president). She continues dancing, currently studying and competing in ballroom dance (rhythm, latin and smooth) with Dream Ballroom Academy.
“I love all kinds of dance! And all kinds of performing! I love sharing that with the kids here so they can feel the magic too!”
Mrs. Amanda
Childhood Dance Education Specialist, Curriculum Coordinator, Dance TeacherAmanda O’Rourke is a DAB alum who has been dancing since the age of 6 and teaching since age 12 when she started assisting at DAB. There she found her passion for educating children and it became her mission in life to combine her two passions of childhood education and dance. She was a dance major at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and the University of Memphis. She studied dance, education, math and science and graduated from the University of Memphis with an BS Ed. in elementary and middle grades education with a concentration in math and science. She is a member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters, has been teaching at The Dance Academy of Bartlett since Fall ’08 and works primarily with our youngest students. In her “social-emotional” style classroom, she strives to learn what each child needs as an individual and aims to give them just that. Her classes are filled with games, imagination and creativity easing the children into learning without them even realizing it.
“I bring my neuro-spicy self to every class as it is my superpower used to connect, engage, and inspire all students in their love and learning of dance.”
Ms. Kim
Company and Pre-Company Teacher, Tumbling/Acro Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher, Retail Store ManagerKim Jenkins grew up dancing in the Memphis area graduating from DAB and has been teaching since 2009. She has a great love for education in dance starting as a young assistant teacher and progressing to an SADM certified member since she was 16 years-old. She was a dance major at Columbia College (SC) and is also certified in Acrobatic Arts curriculum. Over her time as a teacher at DAB, Kim has choreographed many award-winning dance pieces in a variety of styles and is always excited to continue creating alongside fabulous students and fellow teachers.
“My 4 pets are all named after sweet treats–Honey, Fudgey, Jellybeans, and Strudel.”
Ms. Aiyanna
Ballet TeacherAiyanna LaRue is a Memphis born teacher, choreographer, and performer. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old but attained most of her professional training at the University of Memphis where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with a Dance Concentration. Some of her most recent performances have been in Firebird with Off the Wall Arts, Jack Robinson Gallery with Tennessee Ballet Theatre, and Saddle Tramp with Crosstown Arts. Aiyanna is trained in the Horton Technique of modern dance and is excited to pass on her love of ballet to the younger generation. She is very excited to be teaching for the first time with the Dance Academy of Bartlett and is looking forward to a great year!
“I have been in 4 Memphis produced music videos and 1 Memphis-made movie that showed in theatres last fall.”
Ms. Alexandria
Dance TeacherAlexandra Riding is a DAB alum who is currently teaching art at Bartlett High School. She has a BA in Arts Education from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She loves teaching and watching students master things they originally found challenging. She is excited to extend this love into the dance community with DAB.
“Art is everything! It’s how we see the world and express our emotions/experiences no matter the medium.”
Ms. Brennley
Hip Hop TeacherBrennley Scarbrough began dancing at the age of 3. During her years as a dancer, Brennley trained in various styles such as ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Brennley danced both recreationally and competitively, and quickly found a love for hip-hop dancing. In college, she continued to pursue her passion by training at places such as Weave Dance Company, Millennium Dance Complex, and Monsters Dance Convention. One of her fondest memories as a dancer is becoming a background dancer for singer NEDY. Brennley began her teaching career in 2019. She currently specializes in hip-hop instruction for all ages. She enjoys teaching strong foundational hip hop technique and the importance in understanding true hip hop culture. Brennley loves what she does and the dancers she has the privilege of teaching!
”I own a wedding photography and videography company called BN Photo and Video! I also love pugs :)”
Ms. Katye
Tumbling TeacherKatye Baker danced at DAB from the time she was 5 until she graduated high school. She started as an assistant teacher at age 12, then became a SADM Certified Student Member in 2021 (and looks forward to becoming a Member this fall) and has been teaching on her own since. She has also been training in the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus under the guidance of Mrs. Kim over the past several years. During her time at DAB, she expanded her knowledge outside of the studio through summer intensives such as Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, the Joffrey Southwest Dallas Intensive, and Ballet Memphis’ Beyond Technique Advanced Intensive. Katye is currently enrolled at the University of Memphis in the Dance Science and Dance Programs. Katye is very excited to get the opportunity to share her knowledge and create in a place she knows and loves and DAB is so excited we get to continue to work with her in a new capacity!!
“I love all things Disney and Frozen 2 is one of my favorite movies ever!”
Ms. Rachael
Company Dance Teacher, Movement Science ExpertRachael Arnwine is a Memphis native, DAB alum, and graduate of The University of Memphis who holds an MS in Exercise, Sport, & Movement Sciences, a BFA in Theater Performance with a concentration in Dance, and a BS in Exercise, Sport, & Movement Sciences. She is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance, a dance instructor at local dance studios/programs in the Memphis community, and a company dancer with Tennessee Ballet Theater. Rachael has also performed with Opera Memphis, Hot Foot Honeys, Racine + Southern Dance Exchange, the Moscow Ballet, and Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed in music videos for artists such as Julien Baker and Brennan Villines. She is a certified board member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters as well as the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science where she is a published author in the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science. DAB is honored to have Ms. Rachael and her extensive knowledge of movement sciences as part of the team to help keep our dance curriculum safe and healthy on the body!
“I love so many different types of music, you never know what you might here me play. You’ll hear anything from classical to jazz to motown to current pop and everything in between! If disco is your thing, make sure you join me in September…LOL!”
Ms. Jessie
Company Ballet and Pointe TeacherJessie Tretter moved to Memphis from Rochester, NY in 2022 and has been lending her expertise to the Memphis community since. She has been a company dancer at Houston Ballet, BalletNext and Rochester City Ballet where she was also Rehearsal Assistant. She has taught all ages at Draper Center for Dance Education and other studios around the Rochester area. She is trained in and has taught Progressing Ballet Technique, Pilates and Yoga as well. Ms. Jessie’s valuable skills are a great addition to the DAB family!
Ms. Debby
ReceptionistDebby Howell-Moroney is originally from Garden City, KS. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old and taught hip hop and dance fitness in Birmingham, AL before moving to Memphis in 2012. She retired in 1998 as an IT Project manager at DuPont Automotive in Wilmington, DE to raise her 3 children. Her youngest is a DAB graduate making Ms. Debby a DAB DanceMom before she began working here. She has been married to her college debate partner for 29 years.
“I have seen “Hamilton” live 3 times.”