Meet Our Instructors
Kemmian Beard
Kemmian Beard found his love for dance at the age of 12. Later, he attended Middle Tennessee State University where he joined the Middle Tennessee Performing Arts Company. He would go on to become an award-winning choreographer for the company, winning awards for best choreography in three consecutive years. His award-winning would continue, acquiring awards at many professional intensives, including the Alvin Ailey Award at the Horton Technique Dance Intensive in 2006. Kemmian has danced, choreographed, or worked for some of today’s hottest artists and choreographers which include P Diddy, Jay-Z, John Legend, 112, Sheri Hauck, Toby Mac, Nappytabs, and Wade Robson. He was featured on MTV’s hit television show, “America’s Best Dance Crew” season 4 where he choreographed and danced with select members of his dance company “Southern Movement”. He was most recently seen in the Superbowl LV halftime show, backing artist, The Weeknd. Working as a dancer on the Jay-Z produced film, “The Show”, has also been a highlight in Beard’s career. Over the past 15 years, he has set pieces in multiple genres for many studios throughout the country. After closing his dance studio, The Artist Project, Kemmian now resides in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, while traveling to teach and choreography at multiple studios throughout the region.
Morgan Foote
Morgan Foote is a Sophmore at Eagleville High School. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and competing since the age of 6. Morgan is in her 5th year on Company at The Hargest Academy of Performing Arts where she will be competing and attending conventions. Morgan has been training extensively in many genres from the best of the best in the Nashville market and she is ready to share her training with the students at IDA. Morgan is also a cheerleader with the High School basketball team. You will see Morgan teaching classes as well as assisting Kemmian Beard and our Guest Teachers. Morgan is proud to be assisting Breathe Dance Convention LLC for her 5th year. When Morgan is not dancing she enjoys spending time with her school friends, family and attending youth group and Bible study. She looks forward to getting to know each student and helping them grow.
Ali Vice
Ali is from Murfreesboro but spent a decade living in Seattle, WA dancing professionally. Her dance background is predominantly in musical theatre, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Ali also had the chance to study dance in India while in college. Whilst her time in Seattle, she danced with Splinter Dance Company, Afsaana Dance, and Lucia Neare’s Theatrical Wonders. In these companies she honed her acting skills as well as diversifying her dancing abilities. Ali also was the Assistant Director of Seattle’s Performers which was a musical theatre company for children ages 6-18. During that time, she choreographed and directed many shows such as Newsies, Singing In The Rain, Shrek, High School Musical, Legally Blonde and others. She also choreographed the competition team at Seattle’s Performers for the Junior Theatre Festival in which the team won Outstanding in Acting, Outstanding Overall, and Outstanding in Dance most recently in 2022. In her spare time Ali loves reading, watching musicals, and cuddling with her cat.
Adriana Merino
Adriana Merino is Certified in Strong Nation and Zumba since 2017. Winner with Powerhouse of the 2022 Inspiration Award from Strong Nation™️ international. Personal trainer certified by the SCW. Adriana says “I am a faithful believer that everyone can do something to feel better. And if I can help someone on my way, then it was worth it. I want to help build a more active and healthier community.
Ava Brittain
Ava Brittain is a 2024 Middle Tennessee State University graduate majoring in Physiology and Dance. Ava has over 17 years of dance experience specializing in classical ballet. Studios ranging from Metropolitan Fine Arts in Washington DC, The Huntsville Ballet Company & School in Huntsville, Alabama and many others in the Middle Tennessee area. Being taught many methods of ballet such as Balanchine, Vaganova, and Cecchetti, she has a diverse background in technique and training philosophies. Ava continues to develop her artistry in genres of Modern, Somatic Movement, and Yoga. Ava also loves to rock climb and play board games with friends. Her greatest goal in life is to stir up passion and share knowledge about the craft she so dearly loves.
Jody Isenhour
Jody is from Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Ballet from the University of Oklahoma. While there she had the privilage of studying with Yvonne Chateau, Mary Margaret Holt, and Miguel Terekhov. She started dancing at the age of 6 at Furman-Gray School of Dance. At the age of 13 she was asked to become an assistant and eventually a full time instructor. Jody is trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet and holds her Teacher’s Cecchetti Advanced Certificate. She owned F.G.I. School of Dance in Oklahoma for 13 years and Art In Motion Dance Academy in Iowa for 6 years. She moved to Texas in 2012 where she taught at Doubletake Dance and Silhouette Dance Company till her move to Tennessee.
Jody has had several students go on to dance professionally including performing at the Moulin Rouge in France, teaching for Soul de Soul dance conventions, as well as performing in Las Vegas. Jody not only is trained in ballet, but also is knowledgable in lyrical, jazz, pointe, and tap. She continues her Cecchetti education by attending Cecchetti workshops as well as the Teacher Cecchetti Intensive in Michigan at Hope College where she has the privilege of taking class with many amazing Cecchetti examiners. Jody not only trains students in the Cecchetti method, but also coaches teachers in Texas, California, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Arkansas.
Jody also attends dance conventions where she has taken class with Joe Tremaine, Terry Lindholm, Laurie Johnson, Judy Rice, Derrick Schrader, Keri LeGrand, Tony Bellisssimo, and Emily Zachary to name a few.
Kenzie McCroskey
