Meet our Team

---

​Nancy's dance journey began at the Myrtle Beach School of Performing Arts, where she trained in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Since 1993, she's been a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and from 1999, she's been involved with Dance Masters of America and the Southern Council of Dance Masters. With over 35 years of teaching experience, Nancy is a certified examiner in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, and Modern dance styles. Her students have excelled at regional and national competitions, winning titles like Petite Miss Dance of SCDM and Mr. Dance of America. In 2003, Nancy founded Planet Dance, where she continues to share her passion for dance with students of all ages as an instructor. She's also been a guest artist at local schools and an artist in residence at a Berkeley County elementary school for three years. Nancy's choreographic skills extend to pageants, and she's judged at both regional and national dance competitions, influencing dance excellence across the country. 

Ashley is from Summerville, South Carolina. She grew up competing and training at Planet Dance in all styles of dance, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Modern, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. With Planet Dance, she competed and won at the state, regional, and national levels. Her favorite styles of dance are Jazz and Acro. Outside of competitions, she has performed on a Carnival Cruise ship, in, Christmas at Northwoods, and in the Charleston Ballet's, The Nutcracker. She is currently a member of the Buc Angels Dance Team at Charleston Southern University. Her favorite part about being on a dance team at both Planet Dance, and in College, is the friendships, growth, and education she has received. She is so excited to come full circle and give back to Planet Dance. She plans on graduating in May of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Biology, with a Minor in Spanish. Outside of the dance community she coaches gymnastics at the Goose Creek Recreation Center, and holds a local Miss South Carolina title, where she advocates for mental health awareness for athletes of all ages and levels.

Sarah grew up locally in South Carolina. Her dance journey began at age 4, and by age 7, she began dancing at Planet Dance. She soon became a part of the competition team training in various styles, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, and Acro. Sarah enjoys and appreciates all styles of dance, but Ballet is her favorite. Her time on the competition team brought many opportunities to attend classes and conventions with a number of respected instructors throughout the country. In the off-season she would attend camps and intensives to further her education and techniques. While competing, she won overall placements, top scores, and a solo title. In addition, she performed in pieces such as The Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel, and Christmas at Northwoods. She began teaching as an assistant teacher, transitioning into having her own classes. She choreographed competitive group and solo dances. Since 2019, she has worked as a firefighter in the City of North Charleston. She is so grateful to be able to share her love, passion, and knowledge with the dancers at Planet Dance just as she received.  

Amanda Boyd, affectionately known as “Ms. A” by all of her students, was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. She’s a trained professional dancer with more than 18 years of experience as a dance educator and choreographer. 

She has studied with Columbia College, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, American Ballet Theatre and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Her love and passion for dance and the performing arts has granted her multiple opportunities with the Footlight Theatre of Charleston, Dock Street Theatre, Lightsey Chapel, Charleston Black Expo, MOJA Arts Festival, Spoleto Festival, and Flowertown Festival. She has also built long term partnerships with youth organizations, schools, churches and studios where she serves as the Director of Performing Arts. 

Additionally, her mission to build relationships with her students rooted in growth and opportunity has heavily influenced her drive to not only educate them but to also empower and inspire them through creative movement. There’s absolutely no other place Ms. A would rather spend her day than with her students dancing, creating and learning together. 

Hallie Driggers began her dance journey in Charleston, South Carolina, at age 2, where she trained extensively in many styles of dance. Starting to compete at age 5, she went on to win numerous regional and national titles for the next 16 years. She was on the Pre-Pro Team at Creative Edge Dance Center, where she competed, assisted with classes, taught, and choreographed. 

After graduating, Hallie went on to spend 10 months at the CLI Conservatory, under Direction of Teddy Forance, in Easthampton, Massachusetts. She was able to take from well over 100 notable Choreographers, perform in their, Last Dance, Showcase, and be apart of Wade Robson’s film, Element. 

Hallie has gained so much knowledge that she can’t wait to share with dancers all over the community!  

 Sierra was born and raised in Utah. Sierra’s formal training took her to Odyssey Dance Theatre 2 under the direction of Derryl Yeager. She then continued her dance training at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem under the direction of Kim Delgrosso. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary. In 2012, she was accepted into the Joffrey Contemporary Ballet Summer intensive studying under Josie Walsh, Anna Holmes, Denise Biggi, Julie Bour, Mia Michaels, and Mandy Moore. In 2014 Sierra received the Dance and Merit Scholarship at AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) Performing Arts College in Los Angeles where she studied Dance Theatre. Sierra has danced professionally with Company Rhome and SoulEscape The Company in Los Angeles as well as SALT

Contemporary Dance and Divinity Dance Company in Salt Lake City. Sierra has been teaching dance for 8 years and is a freelance choreographer for dance studios and high school dance companies.

 Madison Grillo brings over 15 years of dance experience to Planet Dance, including five years as a student within our own studio. She is trained in a wide range of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, acrobatics, and pom.

Madison continued her dance journey at Charleston Southern University, where she was a member of the university’s dance team. During her time there, she served as both captain and lead choreographer, and created the team’s debut routine for the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Competition.

In addition to her performance experience, Madison has spent the past four years teaching jazz, ballet, contemporary, and acrobatics. She is passionate about inspiring young dancers while building strong technique, confidence, and a love for the art of dance.

Janine Kaiser grew up in Sumter where she began dancing at the Freed School of Performing Arts at the age of 2 & 1/2. She became part of the Freed Spirit Dance Company for 3 years before graduating High School.  At Freed’s, she studied Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Modern, and Tap under Andrea Freed Levenson. 

Janine then attended Coker College, where she obtained a Degree in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Ceramics, and a Minor in Dance. She was also a part of the Coker College Dance Team, took a Study Abroad session in Europe for Dance, and has had the opportunity to dance in pieces set by the Amy Marshall Dance Company, and The Wanda Project. 

During her years at Coker, she taught Tap, Ballet, and Jazz, to all ages, at the Brenda Cranford’s School of Dance. At Brenda’s, Janine got introduced to Hip-Hop. Ever since, it has been included with Modern and Jazz as her favorite dance styles. 

Avery grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY, and is a new Charleston resident! 

Growing up in upstate NY, Avery began dancing when she was 3, at her home-studio, Dance Force. She joined her studio's competition dance team when she was 8. Avery took classes in Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Ballet. She found any excuse to stay at the studio, like working the front desk, or teaching. 

Avery started assistant teaching classes at 13, and taught until she was 18. She was also able to showcase her love of dance as an Empress for the NAL Albany Empires. She performed Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Pom-style routines. Avery attended Coastal Carolina University, where she choreographed Hip-Hop and Jazz productions for the Homecoming talent show, and, Chant Rock, a fundraising Greek-life dance competition. 

After graduation, Avery was able to teach summer and fall classes at a competition school in New Jersey, where she reignited her love for Teaching and Choreographing. Avery could not be more excited to begin teaching at Planet Dance!

 Kodi Oliver is a professional dancer and educator with extensive experience performing and teaching across the United States. His performance credits include work as a cruise ship dancer and appearances in music videos, showcasing his versatility and stage presence. Kodi is classically trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop, and although he began his dance journey at age 13, his dedication and discipline quickly allowed him to excel alongside his peers.

Kodi is passionate about entering this new chapter as a mentor and instructor, where he is committed to cultivating young dancers both technically and personally. He strives to instill a strong work ethic, confidence, and artistry in every student, helping them grow into well-rounded and empowered performers.

Stephanie grew up in New Hampshire where she trained pre-professionally in classical ballet at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater under Patricia Lavoie. During her time with this youth company, she performed in works such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, excerpts from Swan Lake, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty and various modern and jazz pieces. Her featured roles included Clara and Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Pas de Trois and Big Swan in Swan Lake, and Cat in The Ugly Duckling. She also attended annual regional and national festivals as a member of Regional Dance America Northeast, allowing her to take classes with dancers and teachers across the nation and perform in multiple pieces by National Choreographic Recognition Award winner Ashley Walton. In high school, Stephanie began assistant teaching at SNHDT, earning over 1,000 hours of dance teaching experience. She attended Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, where she received a BA in Elementary Education with minors in Dance, Physics, and STEAM Education in 2023. Stephanie spent two years teaching 5th Grade ESL in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as teaching dance at American Ballet Academy. She has recently moved to Charleston and is continuing her career as a certified public school teacher as a 6th Grade ELA teacher in Berkeley County. Stephanie is excited to continue her teaching career in South Carolina!