ABOUT OUR DANCE INSTRUCTORS:

Christi Hall – Christi@bartlettdance.com

Christi Gray Hall was a certified member of the Southern Association of Dance Masters and has owned and operated a studio for 30 years.  She has studied tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and baton for many years.  She has studied with Morat School of Dance, Charles Kelley, Henry LeTang, Savion Glover, Frank Hatchett, Don Farnsworth all from NYC, Al Gilbert, Joe Tremaine, and Doug Caldwell all from Los Angeles.  Other studies include Acting at Theatre Memphis, Rhodes College, University of Memphis, and Playhouse on the Square.

Theatre work includes productions at Bartlett Theatre, Circuit Playhouse, and Theatre Memphis.  She is currently choreographing “Bye Bye Birdie” at Theatre Memphis. She recently performed in and was the assistant choreographer for “Cabaret”  She also performed in “Crazy For You” (2011), “La Cage Aux Folles” (2010) and “Curtains” (2009). She also was co-choreographer for “Oklahoma” (2008) and “West Side Story” (2008).  She played Daphne in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (2007), Jennyanydots in “Cats”, (2006), Phyllis in “42^nd Street” (2002), and Judy in “A Chorus Line” (1999) at Theatre Memphis.  Her movie and television credits include the movie “Great Balls of Fire” (1988); three episodes of the television show “Elvis” (1990), commercials for Milwaukee Beer and Ford Motor Company, and numerous telethons.

Christi won six college scholarships and over 600 trophies in Modeling and Talent competitions.  She performed as Feature Twirler with the Memphis State Marching Band for four years and as Golden Girl for her senior year.  She received a BBA from Memphis State.  She is happily married to Jon Hall and they have two children, Austin and Carly.

Laura Connolly – Laura@bartlettdance.com

Laura Miller Connolly is a member of National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) and United States Twirling Association (USTA).  She has studied with Penny Janowski, Sharon Campbell, Carole Lozano, Elaine Sabino, and various other renowned twirling coaches.  She has studied dance at Sunshine Dance Studio and Turning Point Dance Academy in Miami and Broadway Dance Center in New York.   She was a dance and baton instructor and counselor at Penny Janowski’s Leadership and Auxiliary Camp.   Laura has performed with Gloria Estefan, Greater Miami Opera Company, and Miami Choral Society.  She has twirled in many parades including Jr. Orange Bowl, King Orange Bowl, Disney’s Magic Music Days, and Paris Millenium.

She is a member of the education associations STEA and NAEYC.  Laura received her degree at the University of Memphis in Early Childhood Education.  Laura was a feature twirler on college scholarship with the University of Memphis.  This is her 14^th year at Bartlett Dance Factory.  She has a master’s degree and is a kindergarten teacher at St. Francis.  Miss Laura is married to Chad Connolly and has a beautiful new daughter, Carrington Rose. 

Katie Edmonds – Katie@bartlettdance.com

Carole Gray – Carole@bartlettdance.com

Carole Gray was a charter member of Southern Association of Dance Masters.  She owned and operated Morat School of Dance and Variety Arts Workshop for many years.  Her students have won numerous awards both locally and nationally.  Several of her students were three-time winners on the earlier version of Star Search – “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour”.  She has taught jazz, tap, and baton, but her specialty is acrobatics which she will be teaching again this year at BDF.  

Carly Hall – carly@bartlettdance.com

            Carly has been dancing since the age of two at Bartlett Dance Factory.  She is a Sr. Company member and has been assisting classes for the last 4 years.  She has been trained in tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, baton, lyrical, and hip hop.  She was a member of the NDA National Dance Championship Team.  She recently performed in Crazy for You at Theatre Memphis and will be choreographing for New Day Children’s Theatre in the spring.

Reagan Shenk – Reagan@bartlettdance.com

            Reagan started dancing at the age of six in San Diego, CA.  She began competing with her studio that received “Best in the West” honors by Showstoppers Dance Nationals.  She also was on the All Star cheer team, The Mavericks, that took 1^st in the nation with UCA.  In 2001, she received the top UCA cheerleader award and was invited to become part of the UCA staff.  Reagan was also a member of the Fusion force dance team performing at Sea World and several charity events.  She married Charles, a military man, and moved to Jacksonville where she also taught and choreographed many award winning routines.  She recently moved to Tennessee with her husband and two girls, Kenna and Kallie.  This is her 3^rd year at BDF.