Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy

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WELCOME TO KEDA'S MYSPACE! This site will contain ALL THE VALUABLE INFORMATION about KEDA (class schedules, dress codes, tuition information, upcoming productions, etc.). If you are a KEDA student or parent, please accept our Friend Request. We want to hear your feedback ~~ if you have a suggestion or comment, please send us an e-mail (link is just below or just send it to DianeWithKEDA@cfl.rr.com). Thank you! Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy is more than just a place to dance ~~ it's a place to dream, a place to grow and a place to express yourself while becoming the best dancer YOU can be! At KEDA, we offer classes for all ages and all levels in Ballet and Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, Acro and of course, Hip-Hop. We teach the fundamentals of each technique and encourage a professional attitude, in the classroom and on the stage. The students at KEDA don't just learn how to dance, they learn how to be Dancers: from lessons in auditioning to producing their own stage productions, KEDA students are being prepared to further their dance education at the college level and pursue careers in dance whether it be a performer, choreographer or teacher. Celebrating our sixth year of successful business and dance family, KEDA invites you to come get to know us and *Express Yourself* at KINETIC EXPRESSIONS DANCE ACADEMY! MEET MISS CRYSTAL Crystal J. Draper, Owner and Director, is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and began her studies in dance at the young age of two at the Anneliese Von Ottengin School of Ballet (AVO), one of the first European ballet schools formed in the Midwest. There she was trained intensively in the European method of ballet for over 10 years. While studying at AVO, she was accepted in the school's acclaimed performing company where she was featured as a Soloist and Principal Dancer. She later became an Associate Instructor and taught at the school for a period in college. Crystal attended high school at the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a Dance and Music Theater Major. At SCPA, Crystal studied classical Ballet, Tap, Martha Graham Modern technique as well as, Broadway-style Jazz and Hip-Hop within SCPA's Music Theater Ensemble. During high school, Crystal was chosen to participate in a junior college intensive study program at The Juilliard School in New York City. There she was given the opportunity to study Ballet and Modern, as well as regular curriculum classes, with the students and faculty of The Juilliard School. Through SCPA, Crystal was also given the opportunity to dance with the Cincinnati Ballet in numerous performances as well as perform as a guest dancer in a nationally televised Cincinnati Pops Orchestra New Year's Eve Celebration concert. After graduating from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in 1999, the dance fever didn’t stop. Crystal decided to continue her dance education at the college level. With the opportunity to study at The Juilliard School, Crystal decided that her college career should not only better the quality of her dancing, but better the quality of her mind as well. In the fall of 1999, Crystal attended Shenandoah University and Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, as a double major in Dance and Psychology. During her college career, Crystal studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Composition and Choreography and performed in over twenty main-stage performances. She also performed with the University’s Outreach Touring Dance Company in which she performed and taught at elementary schools all over central Virginia. Crystal was also able to hone her Hip-Hop skills as a dancer and choreographer for the Shenandoah University Dance Team. In May of 2003, Crystal graduated from Shenandoah University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance and a Minor in Psychology. Upon graduating from college, Crystal moved to Florida and began teaching here in Daytona Beach at The Dance Company at Retro Studios in August of 2003 as an Associate Instructor. In March of 2004, Crystal took over ownership of Retro Studios and it became what is now known as Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy (KEDA). "Dancing is my life. It is what I live, breath and dream, and the ultimate expression of who I am. I have a passion for movement, an excitement for teaching and a dream to shape the future of young aspiring dancers. To share this passion with my students and through Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy is truly a gift." MEET MISS JULIE Julie Hackler, Associate Dance Instructor, specializes in Tap, Acrobatics and Jazz, but has been classically trained in almost every style of dance since she was three years of age. Miss Julie has taught in studios all over the Tampa area since she was seventeen and has performed in and choreographed for various shows in the Tampa area as well. Fairly new to the Daytona Beach area, Miss Julie feels so blessed to be a part of the KEDA Family and hopes to share her love and passion for dance and help her students become the best that they can be! MEET MISS DIANE Diane Swirka is the new magic behind the scenes at KEDA. Miss Diane has joined the KEDA family this 2008 Dance Season as our Public Relations Manager and will be the friendly voice of KEDA in order to promote what an excellent program we have! Diane is excited to help KEDA grow and share the expression of dance! Diane has done customer care for auto dealerships, insurance companies, printers and manufacturers. She has have been independently trained in customer retention and received several awards for her customer care at the insurance company. Her slogan is "Customer Service Excellence is the Most Important Part of my Job Description".