Sidney originally from Asheville, North Carolina moved to Greensboro after graduating from UNCG. Her love for music and movement began at the age of four when she started dancing at Center Stage Dance Studio and eventually began teaching there at the age of seventeen. While she loves to perform, her true passion is for teaching dance. She enjoys teaching all genres and ages, but teaching contemporary and hip-hop are her favorites.

Sidney immediately put her business degree to work after graduating, launching straight into her dream job of owning a dance studio. While she doesn’t mind the desk work, her favorite part of being a studio owner is the connections she builds with her students when teaching. Getting to be a part of and witness a child’s growth is something she finds so special.  Sidney strives to challenge her students, help them reach their own potential and foster their love and joy for dance.

If you manage to catch Sidney outside of the studio, you might find her spending time soaking up the sun or drawing and painting.

Nicole spent 15 years as a marketing coordinator before deciding office life needed more glitter, and became co-owner of SESD alongside her daughter, Sidney. After 19 years as a dance mom, she's logged more hours in the lobby than most people log at their actual jobs. While Sidney handles the choreography and technique, Nicole brings the dance mom perspective (and a marketing degree from UNC-Asheville) to keep the business side running smoothly.

When she’s not at the studio, you can probably find Nicole reading or listening to a book. She also loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and exploring local shops.

Hayden Creech is a ballet, pointe, and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor who specializes in inquiry-based pedagogy. She trained at UNCSA Preparatory Dance and is currently on faculty both there and at Southeast School of Dance, teaching ages 3-68. Additionally, through her private practice Hayden Creech Coaching, she works to tailor technique to each student’s unique anatomy.

Hayden’s goal as an educator is to foster critical thinking and self-reflection, developing students who understand the why behind technique. She wants students to walk away with the belief that their body is capable of classical technique and meaningful storytelling. 

Beyond the studio, Hayden is a dog lover who would gladly spend all day giving belly rubs in the sun. She treasures time hiking and exploring with friends and family. Hayden is also an avid reader, something that inevitably leads back to dance through her work in dance research.

Originally from Belmont North Carolina, Maya began dancing at the age of four at Dance Specialties. During her time at the studio, she served as a teacher's assistant for recreational dance classes, developing a passion for both dance and teaching at an early age.

After graduating from high school Maya moved to Greensboro to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She earned a bachelor's degree in sports science with a concentration and physical therapy, as well as a second degree in dance combining her passion for movement with a strong understanding of the human body. Maya's also on staff with Applause dance Talent competition, allowing her to stay actively involved in the competitive dance community. She has experience teaching a variety of styles including jazz, tap, hip hop, pom, and modern and is dedicated to creating a positive engaging environment where dancers can grow in both skill and confidence.

You can find Maya spending time with her friends and her dog. 

Samara has been dancing since she was 3 years old, and has performed with her Charlotte dance studio's performing company team for the past 5 years. She has been an assistant dance teacher since she was 14 years old, and has experience teaching multiple genres including lyrical, acro, jazz, ballet, and tap.

One of her favorite dance accomplishments is being able to help her students achieve their goals. She is starting college at UNC-Greensboro this fall where she hopes to turn her passion for science into a degree in Environmental Biology.

When she is not busy teaching or studying, Samara enjoys spending time in nature, making jewelry, and shopping.

Kaitlyn Ray is a recent graduate of UNC- Greensboro with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Degree and K–12 Licensure. During her time at UNCG, she completed her student teaching at Diggs-Latham Elementary, where she taught dance to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and she also spent a semester assisting dance classes at Glenn High School for students in grades 9–12. Dance has been a vital part of her life since she was seven years old, through her training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and many other dance styles at Dance South Performing Arts, High Point Ballet, and UNCG.

Along with her experience as an assistant dance teacher, she has developed a passion for teaching and mentoring young dancers while learning the importance of creativity, perseverance, confidence, and building meaningful relationships. She is currently enrolled as a substitute teacher with Guilford County Schools and hopes to become a public school dance teacher, where she can inspire students, foster creativity and confidence, and help make dance education accessible to every child.

Outside of dance, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, choreographing and filming creative dance projects, and baking.