Sara is a full-time instructor and currently teaches classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern to students ages 3 through adult. She holds a BA degree in Dance from Elon College, and is currently performing with the Kearns Dance Project. Sarah also performed and choreographed as a member of the Elon Dancers in many productions throughout college and is a member of the North Carolina Dance Alliance. Sara is a certified Pilates instructor and is also certified by Dance Masters of America at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Tracy is BSD’s Director of Theatrical Design.  She designs and creates spectacular scenery and props for our stage productions and organizes our massive costume inventory.  Tracy’s extensive experience in theatre set design brings magic to our performances!  You will also find Tracy offering assistance at our front desk where she is also eager to put a smile on the faces of our students and their families.

Dr. Danielle Abbott is the tumble and Dance Your Way instructor at Betty’s School of Dance.  Her drive to create better opportunities for children with disabilities and learning differences lead Danielle to earn her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education.  She has combined her passion for dance with her extensive knowledge in special education to create our Dance Your Way program designed for dancers with special needs.  Danielle began dancing as a young child, and she quickly fell in love with the movement. Danielle trained in numerous facets including ballet, Pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and gymnastics. She studied with professionals such as Jacqueline Dormany and Emily Adams in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. As a cheerleader for six years she competed at the national level. Convinced that dance was her lifelong dream, Danielle was accepted into East Carolina University to further her dance career. After auditioning for the program, Danielle was quickly promoted to level III and IV during her freshman year. However, a devastating foot injury thwarted her dream of dancing professionally. Yet, Danielle had already accumulated enough hours to claim a minor in dance. Danielle persevered and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from ECU and immediately began her career as a Social Worker. After a three year sabbatical from dancing, she decided to audition for a pre-professional company in Eastern NC and danced there for approximately 1 ½ years. After relocating to Statesville to begin a family, her love for dance was rekindled in 2008 when she enrolled in adult classes at Betty’s School of Dance. In 2012 she began teaching intermediate and advanced level tumbling as she also worked full time as a Social Worker for 7 years. It is Danielle’s belief that dance not only has the power of self-expression, but is a natural stress-reducer, and teaches discipline. Classes with Danielle are energetic, fun, and full of encouragement!

Ingrid began dancing with Mrs. Betty when she was five years old.  As a teenager, Ingrid realized she had a real love and passion for dance and teaching. She continued training and student teaching at Betty’s School of Dance and then graduated in 2011. After graduating high school Ingrid attended Mitchell Community College where she earned her Associates Degree in December of 2013. While attending Mitchell Community College, Ingrid began teaching her own classes at Betty’s and gained a lot of classroom experience as an instructor and substitute for core instructors. Ingrid graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a double major in Dance and Education.  She is also Level One certified through Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the State Univerity of NY in Buffalo and is currently pursuing further certification through DMA. Ingrid teaches, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Tumble.  She is also experienced in other styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and African Dance.