Kim Yarborough

From the time Ms. Kim stepped into her first dance class at the age of seven, it has been her lifetime goal to make dance a career.  She was first inspired by Ms. Barbara James of the Barbara James School of Dance in Camden, SC and went on to dance at numerous studios throughout her home state of South Carolina.  As a teenager and in college, she danced as a principal dancer in the Florence Ballet Company in Florence, SC where she had opportunities to study with teachers from the famed Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Buffalo City Ballet, and Ballet West.  After teaching at several studios in the Raleigh, NC area, Ms. Kim had the opportunity to open her own studio in 1996.  Step Ahead Dance Studio was born from a dream and a great desire to dance and share the passion of dance with students of all ages.  Ms. Kim loves seeing the faces of her students light up with joy, and enthusiasm when they enter the classroom and eventually the stage! When not in the studio, Ms. Kim loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, and scrapbooking. Ms. Kim has 2 cats that require a lot of love and attention. Bubba, the Ancient One is 20 years old, and Simon, aka, Le Squeak, is still a baby!

Bubba

Simon

Jenni Perry

Ms. Jenni is a graduate of Meredith College with a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology. She teaches science at Clayton High School. Jenni has been a teacher at Step Ahead since 2004 and is proficient in jazz, tap and clogging. She began dancing at the age of 8 at Massey School of Dance in Zebulon, NC where she was a member of the performance and competition troupes. Jenni is a former member of the Wolfpack Clogging Team and Meredith Tap Ensemble and a founding member of the award-winning Second String Cloggers. Ms. Jenni loves dancing and occasionally has time for scrapbooking, making crafts, shopping and spending time with her family and friends!

Ashley Yarborough

Ms. Ashley spent 7 years dancing at Step Ahead before going off to college in 2002.  She spent 3 years at Brenau University in Dance Education training.  While in college, Ashley danced with the Brenau Dance Ensemble and Praise in Motion Dance Company.  She taught dance at NE Georgia School of Ballet, and 5-6-7-8 Dance.  She also worked as technical director and master electrician for many shows at Brenau and in the Atlanta area.  When not dancing and working, Ms. Ashley enjoys reading mystery novels, watching movies and TV, theatrical lighting, planes, and guitar.

Charlotte Luckett

Born to a semi-professional toe-tapper, and niece to an ABT and NYC alumni, Ms. Charlotte’s second home has been a dance studio since she was only 6 months old! Raised in Fayetteville, NC, Ms. Charlotte danced and taught with the Ann Clark School of Dance and Fayetteville Performance Company until leaving for college at UNC-W at the age of 18. While in college, she danced with a company and taught intermediate ballet. Ms. Charlotte’s favorite discipline is ballet, with a flair for technique, placement and partnering. She is well versed in tap and enjoys jazz. When not dancing, Ms. Charlotte loves spending time with her 3^rd generation dancer-in-training, Anna, her cat Angelina, as well as crocheting, music and reading.

Brenda Burton

Ms. Brenda is a Senior at Meredith College majoring in Accounting. At Meredith, she continues to lead the Meredith Tap Ensemble and participates in the Meredith Dance Theater. Ms. Brenda almost learned to walk and dance simultaneously, so she has many years of experience in the classroom both as a student and an instructor. Ms. Brenda is proficient in tap, jazz, and clogging.  She has choreographed award-winning routines for dancers in the triangle area for several years and enjoys working with children and adults. 

Jessica Allen

Ms. Jessica is a student at Meredith College where she is majoring in Dance with a concentration in Private Studio Teaching. She has danced for many years at private studios in Virginia before moving to Raleigh. Since she came to Raleigh, she has continued her dance training in private studios as well as in the theater and dance department at Leesville High School. Ms. Jessica also has several years of experience teaching in the triangle. In addition to studio teaching, she instructs Praise & Worship classes at her church. When not dancing, Ms. Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and participating in church activities.