Our Instructors
Our Instructors
Kind, Disciplined and Confident
Kind, Disciplined and Confident
Krystal Hawkins
Krystal Hawkins
Owner and Director
Krystal is a Dance Masters of America Member since 2012, Certified by Dance Masters of America to teach Modern, Ballet, Jazz and Tap, Board Member of Dance Master of America since 2014.
During her career, she has taught in private dance schools, Dance Masters of America workshops, and community centers. Added, to this she has experience in teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and modern dance. Krystal has had the pleasure to teach students who have gone on in their dance careers to work for companies such as Garth Fagan Dance Company and Disney. She has also trained many Rochester area, dance teachers.
Krystal is dedicated to the Mission, Vision, and Values of KDC. She is determined, results orientated and dedicated to achieving the highest possible standards across all curriculum key stages. Krystal has 15 years of experience supporting people with disabilities and is excited to be one of the only studios in the Rochester area to offer classes for people with disabilities.
Caitlyn McKechney
Caitlyn McKechney
Instructor
Caitlyn was 3 years old when she began her training. At age 6 she began training at Sandy Stramonine School of Dance. She continued her training there as a demonstrator through high school. She then joined the teaching staff at for 8 years. Additionally, Caitlyn has taught at two other local dance studios. Caitlyn is Dance Masters of America Certified through Level 2. Caitlyn had taken a break from teaching to be a mom, however, is so excited to be stepping back into dance with Krystal's Dance Centre!
Tina Salmon
Tina Salmon
Instructor
Tina Salmon is a 1993 graduate of Rochester School of the Arts where she majored in dance Ballet Tap Jazz and was taught with a Modern base in the Martha Graham technique. Tina went on to obtain a minor in dance at the University of Brockport where she studied dance with Tony award winner Garth Fagan. During that time Tina also was a member of the Borinquen Latino dance company of Rochester New York where she danced with the company for a year. From there Tina went on to teach dance in 1999 at Rapa theater in the city of Rochester. From 2002 to 2004 Tina taught Hip Hop Ballet and Modern dance at Jubilate dance studio in Spencerport New York. Tina also taught and conducted dance workshops for Terry Fike (PACE) dance studio in Scottsville NY. Tina has created and taught Worship dance, African Dance workshops for local area churches and colleges in the Rochester area. Tina taught at Dance Dimensions by Susan for a season in 2016 as a Hip Hop teacher and has been a Substitute teacher there for the last 5yrs, teaching all ages and genre's.
Tina is now embarking onto a new journey here at Krystal's Dance Centre teaching Ballet Tap Jazz and Hip Hop.
Instructor
Joanna started dancing at the age of three. She started her dance journey at Dance for Joy. At 9, Joanna began studying at Sandy Stramonine School of Dance. While at Sandy’s she began demonstrating at 14, which allowed her to combine her love for dance and helping kids! When she was 17 she transferred to Krystal’s Dance Centre where she continued demonstrating/assistant teaching. Joanna finished her high school career at Krystal’s. She is excited to return to the studio to start teaching and continue her passion for dance.
Kai Stockie
Kai Stockie
Student Instructor
Kai is a self-taught hip-hop dancer. She has been dancing since 2012 but professionally since 2019. Since her time at KDC, she had broadened her dance horizons. Kai has learned more about other styles such as lyrical, contemporary, ballet, tap, and jazz. Kai is looking forward to working with the students and families at KDC.
Sarah McLaen
Instructor
Sarah began dancing at age 4 at Expressions of Dance by Lisa in Spencerport, NY. She studied dance at Nazareth University and is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe technique, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, modern, high kick/precision line, musical theatre, social dance, and dance improvisation. Sarah has experience teaching ages 2 through adult, with a variety of experience levels. She also has experience in event planning, program development, music editing, and costume alterations. Sarah is very excited to join the KDC family!