About Us
Our Mission:
To promote self-esteem and confidence, provide excellent instruction and have fun!
At Dance and Karate Express, we are passionate about inspiring and empowering dancers and karate students of all ages and skill levels. Our studio is a place where creativity, discipline, and self-expression come together in a supportive and uplifting environment.
With a team of dedicated instructors, we offer high-quality dance and karate education in a variety of styles. Whether students are participating for fun, fitness, or professional aspirations, we are committed to helping them reach their full potential.
More than just a dance and karate studio, we are a community. One that values hard work, artistic growth, and the joy of movement.
Join us and become part of our family today!
Dance Instructors
Ms. Cindy
Co-Owner, Director, Instructor
Ms. Cindy began dancing at age 9 in Evansville, Indiana. After high school, she toured Europe with her Dance Team before continuing her dance studies through college. She graduated from Purdue University with degrees in Mathematics and Accounting, then moved to South Florida and opened “Cynthia Gayle’s School of Dance.” Her studio grew to over 400 students and became known for award-winning performances, including “The Nutcracker,” Disney World, and cruise ships. When Cindy and her family moved to North Carolina, her former student Kristin took over the Florida studio, now called “Xpress Yourself Dance Studio.” Cindy now teaches a few classes in Burnsville and continues to inspire young dancers with her positive energy and welcoming spirit.
Mr. Collin
Co-Owner, Director, Instructor
Collin began dancing at 10 years old at Dance and Karate Express. He attended our Summer Theatre Camp and fell in love with dance. His next adventure started when he saw a clogging group perform and he started dancing with the Cole Mountain Cloggers for 5 years. During this time he danced at Dimensions Studio in Mars Hill for 3 years. He has won 3 State Titles in clogging at the NC State Fair in Raleigh, including a 1st Place Trophy last year for a performance that Collin choreographed. In 2016, after attending a National Theatre Conference in Atlanta, Collin was chosen from among thousands of actors and dancers to participate in a choreography DVD in New York City. “Music Theatre International” produced a Disney DVD for teachers and students from all over the United States to use as a tool in teaching theatre and dance for famous Disney Musicals. We are so lucky to have Collin be a member of our team!
Ms. Emma
Ballet, Ballet Technique, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theare
Emma grew up in New York and started dancing at 8 years old. She has studied many dance styles but Ballet is her passion. She studied at a Performing Arts School and in addition to ballet, she took Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary. Emma attended Adelphi University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance. It was there that she found her love of technique and choreography. Emma has been teaching dance in Asheville since 2017. Currently she resides in the Jacks Creek area of Burnsville and in addition to teaching at DK Express she works as an actress and model. Emma loves helping people learn to love their bodies through the art of dance. We welcome this wonderful, talented instructor to our family.
Ms. Keaira
Cloggin, Hip-Hop, Jazz
Keaira started dancing at 2 years old and continued dancing and competing in dance until enrolling at Mars Hill University, where she is studying Political Science. Keaira is currently on the Clogging Team and Dance Team at Mars Hill. She is a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, who have been National Champions 31 times. For the second summer in a row she will be traveling to Europe to perform with the Bailey Mountain Cloggers and The Mars Hill University Dance Team. Keiara is currently teaching clogging and hip-hop and she is a wonderful addition to our dance family. We are so happy to have her on our Team.
Ms. Katie
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre
Katie started dancing at 15 years old and found the activity that gives her the most joy. She went to Mayland College and obtained an Associates degree in Business Administration. She is currently enrolled at App. State University in Boone where she is earning a Bachelor's Degree in Dance. In addition to all forms of dance, Katie also studies photography, yoga, pilates and body awareness. She will be graduating in May of 2026. Katie is married and lives in Bakersville. We are so excited to have this very talented dance teacher at Dance and Karate Express!
Ms. Blair
Gymnastics, Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Ballet
Blair started dancing at 2 years old in Texas where she grew up. She continued with her dance education and studied ballet, musical theatre, tap and jazz. When she went to college in Colorado, she majored in Acting and Costume Design with a minor in Dance. After college she transferred her focus to circus, aerial silks and dance trapeze! Blair studied and performed with a Circus in New England for 4 years and taught aerial silks for 12 years. Aerial Dance is her favorite style of dance. It brings a sense of freedom as she climbs up the silks! Blair lives in the Jack’s Creek area of Burnsville on a farm with her husband and 2 year old twins. We are so happy that Blair is teaching at DK Express. She brings lots of fun and creativity to our school!
Ms. Torin
Tap, Jazz, Clogging, Ballet, Pointe
Torin started dancing at 3 years old. She attended several local dance schools before finding a home at Dance and Karate Express. She has danced with our Emerald Dance Team for several years and her favorite style of dance is Tap! Currently she attends Mayland Early College. After graduating in May she hopes to attend Mars Hill University to study Elementary Education. Torin has been teaching tap, jazz and ballet at Dance and Karate Express and our students and parents love having her in the classroom. We are so proud that she continues to be part of our D & K Family!
Ms. Annalise
Assistant Instructor
Annelise started dancing at Dance and Karate Express in the Tiny Toe Class when she was 2 years old. She now dances with our Emerald Dance Team! Although she takes Tap, Jazz , Musical Theatre and Technique, her favorite style of dance is Jazz. She is now an assistant teacher in our Tiny Toes Class. Dancing has been such a positive part of her life and it is very apparent as she works with her students. Annelise has a great time with our Tiny Toes. She feels happy as soon as she walks into the studio. One of her favorite memories is our trip to Disney World when Annelise and 35 other Dance and Karate Express students performed at the Magic Kingdom. In addition to dance, Annelise is also a cheerleader at her school.She feels that dance will always be a part of her life. We are very proud to add Annelise as a teaching assistant at DK Express.
Karate Instructors
Mr. Chuck
Co-Owner, Director, Instructor
Master Chuck started taking Martial Arts classes when he was 13 years old. He continued to be passionate about the sport and became a more serious student when he met Grand Master Jun Kim at his S. Florida School. After training with Grandmaster Kim for several years, Chuck earned his Deputy Black Belt. When Chuck and Cindy moved to North Carolina with their daughter Taylor, Chuck started to teach a Tae Kwon Do class at “Dance Express” in 2008. His classes became so popular that the studio opened up a second room for Tae Kwon Do and renamed the school “Dance and Karate Express”. He has trained many Black Belts since he started teaching and some of the students have traveled to Florida and Georgia to receive their New Black Belts in ceremonies with our Grandmaster Jun Kim. Master Chuck is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt and continues to teach students the principles of Tae Kwon Do including respect, humility and positive self-esteem. Chuck also believes in the philosophy of having fun while learning the skills of this beautiful art form.
Mr. Zack
2nd Degree Black Belt Instructor
Zack came to Dance and Karate Express when he was 11 years old to study Tae Kwon Do. A few years later he also started taking dance classes. After high school, Zack earned an Associate Degree in engineering from AB Technical Institute. He currently works full time at Altec. His future plans include earning a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. Zack is working on earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and teaches our upper belts and other Black Belt students at Dance and Karate Express. We are proud of all of Zack's hard work and dedication to Tae Kwon Do and our Dance and Karate family.
Ms. Celeste
2nd Degree Black Belt Instructor
Celeste started her classes at Dance and Karate Express in the Dance room when she was 6 years old. When she was 13 years old she decided to start taking Tae Kwon Do classes and she was so dedicated to the curriculum that she became an Instructor. She teaches white belts (beginning levels), upper belts and also Black Belt students. Celeste is currently working toward earning her 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. She works full time at Burnsville Vet Clinic as a vet tech assistant. Future goals include going to College to study Veterinary Science, business finance or Electrical Engineering. Celeste continues to dance and study Tae Kwon Do and remains a huge part of Dance and Karate Express.
Mr. Dan
Deputy Black Belt Instructor
Dan is a veteran of the US Airforce after 2 Combat Tours. Thank you Dan for your service! When he came back to North Carolina, he enrolled in school and worked for his family at Mitchell Glass. Dan puts lots of energy into all areas of his life. He is a very talented musician. He started playing guitar when he was 12 years old and he plays most weekends with the Ali Randolph Band. He also teaches guitar in his home and works full time at Fitness Express Gym in Spruce Pine Dan studies Tae Kwon Do at Dance and Karate Express and is currently working on his 1st Degree Black Belt in addition to teaching Tae Kwon Do classes. It is an honor to have Dan at our school. He is certainly a role model for our students and a big part of our Team!
Ms. Tara
1st Degree Black Belt Instructor
Ms. Tara was in our very first Tae Kwon Do class when we opened Dance and Karate Express in 2008. She was 7 years old. She received her Deputy Black Belt in 2016 after many years of training. After high school Tara went to UNC Chapel Hill and received a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Romance Languages. She is currently getting her Master's Degree in Informational Sciences. She works full time as an Associate Librarian at the Spruce Pine Library and truly loves her job. Tara has returned to Dance and Karate Express, continues her Tae Won Do training and is working on earning her 2nd Degree Black Belt. She is a wonderful instructor and we are so proud and grateful that she has come home to be part of our Dance and Karate family.
