Heather Maree
Director, Master Choreographer
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop
Heather is the co-owner, director, and lead choreographer for Dance Specialties in North Carolina, which was named one of the Top 10 Studios in the Southeast Region by the Federation of Dance Competitions in 2010. Dance Specialties has also been recognized with the ‘Studio Excellence Award” for the past several years and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Studios in the country in 2009. She is a nationally recognized dance instructor trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Her choreography and dancers have been showcased both regionally and nationally, winning top prestigious awards. In her spare time, Heather works locally with her community High School dance teams and has also worked with many collegiate level dance teams, such as the University of Mississippi. Most of her students continue their dance education by being involved with their University Dance Teams nationwide, as well as holding National and State Titles in the pageant circuit. Heather’s love for dance has led her to a successful career in dance instruction. She feels that she can make every child a “star” by giving them the proper training, love, and encouragement necessary to help each student to reach their potential.
Kelsey Jones
Kelsey is a former member of the Dance Specialties competition team. She is also a former captain and founding member of the South Point Dance Team. She recently graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. There, she was a member of the nationally ranked ECU Dance Team for four years. Through these experiences, Kelsey has been trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, gymnastics. While continuing her education, she has returned to Dance Specialties as an instructor and assistant choreographer for our recreational and competitive programs.
Ashley Locklear
Jazz, Lyrical
Former member of the Dance Specialties competition team. Ashley graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC. Earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. Ashley continues her love of dance by teaching and assisting recreational and competition classes at Dance Specialties. Ashley’s routines have won many awards both regionally and nationally.
Carlene Landroche
Carlene is a dance educator with over 40 years of teaching experience. Her professional credits include:
Choreographer/Childrens Theatre of Rochester MN
Choreographer/American Girl Movie
Instructor and Manager of Competition Company/Summit Dance Shoppe, Minneapolis MN
Instructor/Dance Productions, Charlotte NC
Director of competition teams Dance productions.
Regional/National Dance Competition Judge/Showbiz, Star Power, Star Systems and other major talent competitions across the US for the past 20 years.
Carlene’s students have been honored with many awards under her guidance. They have been accepted into the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Theatre and Rhythmic Circus as well as 5 foot 10 Tap Companies. Carlene has had students go in to perform on Broadway most recently in Willy Wonka and the. Chocolate factory. Numerous students have opened their own dance studios with success.
The Kelle Costume Company and Carlene have been working together for the past 15 years. Carlene is the lead choreographer for the company and is featured in the catalogue which is used across the US by many dance studios.