Centre for Performing Arts - A New Face for Dance

Karen Jordan : Karen holds a bachelor's degree from Auburn University in elementary education, a master's degree from Troy University, an additional master's degree from Auburn University in Leadership/Administration, and an EDS in elementary education from Auburn Montgomery. She has been with the Autauga County School System for nineteen years and loves working with children of all ages. Mrs. Jordan is an active member of her church, has directed children's choir, teaches Sunday School, and is involved with the Youth Committee. She has attended various seminars promoting the arts and is a member of the Alabama Council of the Arts in Education where she served on the State Grant Committee. She studied dance extensively with Al Gilbert, Gus Giordano, and Terrell Paulk with the Canadian Ballet Company. She also performed with the Montgomery Civic Ballet. She has judged numerous pageants and choreographed many productions. She has over thirty years of teaching and choreography experience.

Rebecca Jordan Little : Rebecca holds a bachelor's degree from Auburn University Montgomery in Accounting and is pursuing her MBA. She is currently employed with Central Alabama Electric Cooperative as a Staff Accountant. Rebecca has studied all forms of dance since the age of three but has concentrated in the areas of childrens' creative movement and tap. She has attended numerous conventions and workshops that focus on toddler dance. Rebecca strives to teach the wonderful wonder of dance to all children. She is currently the choreographer for the Miss Fountain City pageant in Prattville. Rebecca teaches all tiny tots and tumblers classes, all beginning dance classes, and coaches the petite dance team. She also oversees all financial activities for the studio.

Elise Burkart: Elise has been dancing for 19 years and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dance. She has been performing in talent shows and competing in dance competitions since 1995 and has won numerous platinum metals for her lyrical solos. She has taught at several studios in Georgia for the past 5 years and specializes in jazz and lyrical choreography. Elise holds a bachelor's degree from University of West Georgia with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Political Science. Elise moved to Alabama to join the CBS 8 News Team in September, 2008. As the South Alabama reporter, she covers Butler, Covington and Crenshaw Counties. Elise teaches lyrical and coaches the lyrical dance teams.

Anna Hudman: Anna is currently a senior at Auburn Montgomery pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. She began her dancing at the age of three and has been trained in the disciplines of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and Character. When she was younger Anna participated in multiple dance conventions and competitions as both a soloist and in groups winning many awards. Wanting to become more focused on the art of ballet, she began formal dance training at the Alabama Dance Theatre. She joined the company and, for four years, performed in numerous public productions such as The Messiah, Mistletoe, Madeline and the Gypsies, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, as well as many contemporary works. As a company member she also attended the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) seminars for four years studying under numerous talented instructors and teachers throughout the country. Anna has participated in many summer intensive programs at both the Alabama Dance Theatre and Montgomery Ballet and was also accepted into the summer programs for the both Alabama Ballet in Birmingham and The Joffrey Ballet in New York City. After graduating high school, Anna auditioned and was accepted to the Dance Major program at the University of Alabama where she studied under Cornelius Carter until recently transferring to Auburn Montgomery. Anna has studied under many world renowned teachers and choreographers such as the late Dame Sonya Arova, David Anderson, Wes Chapman, Leslie Jane Pessimier, Darla Hoover, Shawn Black, and Alan Hineline. Anna is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Prattville where she has taught and choreographed for the Liturgical Dance program. Anna teaches all levels of ballet, jazz, and coaches the competitive ballet and modern teams.

Emily Jordan Rittmanic: Emily has been studying all forms of dance since the age of three. She was an award winning gymnast with the "Y" team. She also danced with the Montgomery Ballet Company and performed in the "Nutcracker" on several occasions. She won numerous awards at many dance competitions. Emily's acrobatic routines have won many platinum awards and choreography awards at regional competitions. A love of children and the arts is evident by her enthusiasm that she brings to the classroom. Emily teaches all levels of gymnastics, assists with the tiny tots and tumblers classes, and coaches the junior dance team.

Kristen Ruby: Kristen is a senior at Auburn University where she is pursuing an English degree in hopes of becoming a high school English teacher. Kristen trained intensively in Lexington, Kentucky, competing all over the Midwest where she was also the captain of her nationally ranked high school dance team. After moving back to the area, Kristen was named Autauga County Jr Miss in 2006 and placed in the top 8 at the state competition. She is a regional and national award winning choreographer in lyrical and jazz dancing. Kristen teaches all levels of jazz, advanced tap, and coaches the senior dance team.

Anna Walker: Anna graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in dance from the University of Alabama with a minor in Social Work. While at UA , she was a member of Alabama Repertory Dance Theater, the pre-professional company at Alabama and Dance Alabama! a student led organization at UA. While at UA, Anna trained under Cornelius Carter, Sarah Barry , Rita Snyder , Qianping Guo. John Virciglio and other guest artists. She served as a counselor for the American Ballet Theatre summer intensives for two years and was the public relations officer for Dance Alabama!. She now dances with Sanspointe Dance Company, a modern dance company based in Birmingham, Alabama.