INSTRUCTORS
CONNIE REA
Connie Rea has been teaching in a studio setting for 45 years. She began teaching at the age of 20 while achieving her first college degree in dance - a BFA major at UNC-Greensboro. While teaching dance in the evenings, she also taught dance and theatre at Western Alamance High School where she was voted Teacher of the Year before retirement. She returned to UNC-G for a second degree in Dance Education (K-12). Connie produced numerous musicals during her 23 years of teaching at Western and continued that passion at Centre Stage On Main. Her most recent production was a second round of Polkadots, the Cool Kids Musical. Connie has choreographed for local community theatres such as Alamance Children’s Theatre and Gallery Players. One of her favorite memories is her opportunity to teach a semester of Show Tap at Elon University. Centre Stage On Main is celebrating 20 years of success. Connie is accompanied by her two daughters, who have been teaching at Centre Stage On Main since the doors opened. She and her husband just celebrated 40 years of marriage! Connie’s mission has always been to provide opportunities for people of all ages to partake in the arts affordably in a family-friendly environment - those with disabilities included. Her Special Needs class is one of her biggest passions.
MEREDITH HURSEY
Meredith Hursey has been teaching in various studios including Centre Stage On Main (20 years) and is the coordinator for the competition teams. Meredith studied Hospitality Management at ECU. While attending high school at Western Alamance High School, she served as co-captain on their award-winning dance team, competing on a national level. More recently, she has won multiple choreography titles at competitions and charities such as “Little Pink House of Hope”. Meredith is married to Tripp Hursey and has 2 amazing boys, Sawyer and Parker. She teaches PE at their school one day out of the week and is a substitute teach.
KATELYN HARDY
Katelyn Hardy (also Connie’s daughter) has been teaching all twenty years at Centre Stage as well. Her focus is mainly on the acro competition team this year, but teaches other genres of dance to all ages as well. Katelyn graduated from ECU with an Economics degree. She teaches PE at her two sons’ school as well. She is married to Brandon Hardy and recently their sons, Noah & Grayson gained a baby sister named Lynlee. Katelyn has also choreographed award-winning routines and has danced in the Little Pink Houses of Hope event. She has taught Pre-K in previous years. For now, her main focus is the studio and her new addition to the family.
CHERIE BOWER
Cherie Bower has been such an asset to our ballet program at Centre Stage. Her instruction includes ballet to teens and adults along with a Stretch & Relaxation class for adults. She has taught ballet at various universities including UNC-Greensboro and currently at Elon University for 16 years. She has performed on Broadway and has travelled with the renowned Agnes De Mille Theatre. Cherie takes total ownership of the room when she instructs and according to her Elon University students, maintains a total sense of respect in the classroom. We feel the same way about Miss Cherie at Centre Stage. She is an animal lover and her cats are the love of her life.
HANNAH QUALLS
Hannah Qualls teaches a variety of dance styles at Centre Stage. She graduated from Western Alamance High School where she was on the dance team. She is a licensed cosmetologist and is a stylist at Painted Hair Salon in Burlington. Hannah teaches a variety of dance styles at Centre Stage including hip hop, jazz, and acro. Her classes fill very quickly, so sign up as soon as you can!
MELA WILLIAMS
Mela Williams specializes in Acrobatics, having been a competitive gymnast for ten years at Kidsport. She instructs Barre for adults and teens at our studio as well. Mela graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill within a two-year span of time and continued her communications career at Elon University - obtaining a master’s degree.
BRAELYN VALENTE-PHILLIPS
Braelyn Valente-Phillips is a dancer and choreographer from Acton, Masachusetts. She danced at Acton-Boxborough Dance Center until she graduated from high school. She is currently attending Elon University as a Dance Performance and Choreography and Professional Writing and Rhetoric double major. Braelyn has attended The Ailey School, Peridance, and Urbanity’s summer intensives. Most notably, she has gained awards and scholarhips for her self-choreographed solos at competitions. She has been teaching various styles of dance for 4 years. Braelyn currently teaches technique and contemporary at Centre Stage.
APRIL QUALLS
Centre Stage On Main would not be complete without our o ce manager, April Qualls. April is the mother of (instructor) Hannah, Lainey, and Lincoln Qualls and is married to Justin Qualls. April pours her heart and soul into her work and wears quite a few hats at the studio, including instructing our summer cheer camps. Rain or shine, she always greets you with a beautiful smile on her face. If you have any clerical questions...she is the one to see.