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PDCA INSTRUCTORS

Precise and Accurate Technique from the beginning

Jessica Tarr Shackelford

Director/Owner

Jessica began her dance career when she was just 3 years old in​ Orlando, Florida. ​While dancing for over 20 years she is living her dream and owning a dance studio! She has danced professionally with Holy Land Experience and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. ​Cherographing for the JCHS Dance Team for over 5 years now, and watching them win has encouraged her to keep on and appreciate! ​Competing in several competitions across the United States, and winning award titles for self choreography, she has trained in all styles of dance, including; Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Swing, Ballroom and Bollywood. Her passion for owning a dance studio began when she was a young girl and found the joy in helping others become stronger dancers.​ Her​ training under Professional names, Mia Michaels,​ Paula Abdul, and Joe Tremaine helped her become a stronger dancer.​ Jessica graduated college with a Business Management Degree and plans to help the studio grow and open opportunities for the community. S​he has attended the Summer Intensive Program with Joffrey Ballet Company ​in New York City and is certified with Progressions Ballet Technique. Jessica is also certified with Acrobatic Arts as an Acro Instructor. She is ready to continue this journey and next step of her life with all of you!

Brandy O'Mary

Company Co-Director

Brandy started her dance path in 2007 when she made the Maury dance team. She then started taking classes with East Tennessee Dance Academy. She continued her dance team path with Jefferson County High School and competed in Nationals for the first time as well as dancing through the streets for the WIVK televised parade. Once she graduated high school and moved into college she started teaching classes on her own. She graduated college with an degree in accounting. Brandy she’s since gotten married, has three beautiful children and now the Co-director of the PDCA decomposition team.  Brandy and her husband own Superior Sheet Metal Fabrications in Knoxville, TN. She enjoys the lake life and spending time with her friends and family. 

Leah Rowlen


Ballet/Lyrical Dance Instructor 

Leah Rowlen has been dancing and teaching for over 15 years. A native of Mississippi she spent her early dancing with Ballet Magnificat, Laurel Ballet Academy, and Pine Belt Youth Ballet. She preformed with them in classical ballets and received training with many guest ballet masters. She received her BFA in dance from Belhaven University in 2010 and danced with Front Porch Dance Company for three seasons. Leah moved to Jefferson County in August of 2019 and loves exploring Tennessee with her husband and two sons. She is excited to be back for her third year with the wonderful students at PDCA.

Hannah Jackson

Jazz and Hip Hop Instructor 

Hannah started her dance training at East Tennessee Dance Academy at the age of 3 and danced there all the way through her high school graduation. She competed on their competition team and won different awards and scholarships. While dancing at the studio, she also danced on the JCHS dance team through all 4 years of her high school career. After high school, Hannah attended Middle Tennessee State University and danced on their dance team all 4 years, and competed at UDA and NDA College Nationals. She has appeared in an American Eagle commercial and has danced backup for performers in Nashville. She has also appeared dancing in 2 music videos. She has recently graduated with her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. Hannah is very excited to be back and teaching kids to love dance as much as she does!

Alivia Whitton

Tumbling

Alivia began dancing at the age of 2, tumbling at 4, and competing in dance/All Star Cheer at the

age of 5. From the moment she put on here first pair of dance shoes, she was in love with all things dance. Throughout her dance and cheer career, Alivia has earned several titles, scholarships, invitations and has had the opportunity to work with some of the best Choreographers.


In 2021, Alivia audition and was accepted into the Joffrey School of Ballet summer program in New York City for Ballet and Hip Hop. She c​hose to attend for Hip hop and spent part of her summer in New York working with the staff from Joffrey.


Alivia was a member of the Jefferson Middle School dance team for 3 years and is currently the Captain of the Jefferson County High School dance team, where she has been a member for 4 years.  While attending UDA summer dance camp with her team, Alivia was named All American dancer all 4 years and invited to audition for UDA staff. 


Alivia is currently a member of the PDCA Competitive team and the PDCA Patriot All Star dance team, helping them earn a top 5 finish at UDA Nationals in Orlando Florida. 


Alivia enjoys volunteering at the Boys and Girls club where she teaches dance and is excited to be on the staff at PDCA. Alivia is a senior at Jefferson County and plans to continue dancing through college, hoping to make a college dance team. 


Through teaching, Alivia hopes her love of dance/Tumbling is passed on to the younger dancers!!


Cheyenne Hewitt​

Tap and Musical Theater

Cheyenne has been dancing for 15 years recreationally and competitively. She is a member of the PDCA Competition team and the PDCA Patriot All Star team, helping them earn a top 5 finish at Nationals. 


Cheyenne has competed in all styles of dance, and has done well, but musical theater is where she has excelled. Competing in Musical Theater Cheyenne has earned various titles, invitations and scholarships. She began musical theater when she was 8 years old and has preformed in over 15 musical theater productions in and around the Lakeway area. Cheyenne participated in Musical Theater National Junior Festival in Atlanta 5 times and received multiple awards including: Best Ensemble, Best Choreography and Best Overall performance.


Cheyenne is a recent graduate of Jefferson County High school where she was a member of the dance team for all 4 years. While attending UDA camp with the dance team, Cheyenne was named All American Dancer her Sophomore year. 


In 2021, Cheyenne audition and was accepted into the Joffrey School of Ballet summer program in New York City for Ballet and Hip Hop. She c​hose to attend for Hip hop and spent part of her summer in New York working with the staff from Joffrey.


Cheyenne is currently a student at the Tennessee Institute of Cosmetology and is planning to start college in the fall of 2023. Cheyenne plans to continue her dance career, hoping to make a college dance team. 


Cheyenne's love for theater is evident when she takes the stage. She loves kids and is excited to share all the stuff she has learned through her career with the students of PDCA!


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