Jordan is the Director of our Starz Performance and Mini Starz program as well as the Director of the Hip Hop and Jazz Company Teams at StarMakers. Jordan is a graduate of Dorman High School, where she was a leader on the Blue Belles dance team. Jordan has been teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop at StarMakers since 2003, and currently teaches the competitive hip hop, and jazz teams. Jordan has had the privilege of teaching at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind where she is able to share her passion of dance. As of 2019, Jordan was given the opportunity to become the Assistant Coach of the Wofford College Dance Team along with the head coach, our very own, Christi Stanton. When not at StarMakers, Jordan is the office administrator for Bird Paving & Upstate Grading.

Jordan Says: “I have danced for as long as I can remember, in many different places…Disney World, Dollywood, Bowl games and more! Dance is such a passion for me, and I also love kids, making this the best job ever! I have always had an aspiration to teach children and the best feeling in the world is knowing that I am using my talent to reach out to children and teach them the art of dance!” She is happily married to the love of her life, Hunter, and they have a beautiful daughter named, Huntly, who is also a dancer for the SMDC Co. Teams.

Taylor Connolly is an instructor, the Director of the Tap program for StarMakers, and a staff member/bus driver for StarKidz After School and Summer Camp. Taylor became a member of the StarMakers family in 2007 at the age of 15; however she discovered her passion for the art of dance when she was 11 years old, living in Simi Valley, California. During her years in California, she was classically trained in Ballet and Pointe, along with Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Contemporary. Alongside dance, she also was trained in Musical Theatre for 8 years. After four years of competing in Southern California, and one year in Pikeville, Kentucky, Taylor’s family packed up and moved to South Carolina where she was pointed into the direction of StarMakers Dance Company. From 2007 to 2012, Taylor had the opportunity of competing in numerous solo routines along with competing on the local, state, and nationally ranked Jazz, Tap, Clogging, Hip Hop, Irish, and Sudden Impact Top 5 company teams. Since 2007, Taylor and her teammates have made numerous appearances on Your Carolina with Jack Roper, Fox Carolina News, and on Carnival Cruise Lines. In 2010, her Top 5 clogging team was granted the opportunity to travel to New York and audition for Paula Abdul’s reality show, Live to Dance. Also in 2010, Taylor was hired on as an instructor and staff member and has since moved up to become an Instructor for the Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop Company Teams at StarMakers. During her time at StarMakers, Taylor has won numerous choreography awards for tap, jazz and contemporary, and in 2023, led her Jr. Tap Team to the World Dance Championships in New Jersey where they placed in the Top 5! While at Worlds, she received the “Excellence in Choreography” award. In addition to StarMakers, she was also hired as a staff member at StarKidz After School & Summer Camp Program and, in 2017, became CDL-certified to drive busses, pick up children from school, and bring them to our facility in the afternoons. StarMakers has not only been a place to further her career as a dancer/dance instructor but has become a true second home and second family. Taylor could not be more thankful for all of the open doors that dance has provided in her life.

In 2010, Shauna married Jeremy Hines, and together they have three wonderful children: Ryan, Jaydon, and Shaylee. In 2014, they decided to leave the army.  After thirteen years, Shauna returned to the sport she so passionately loves. Shauna has been coaching the power tumbling and trampoline program for 9 years at StarMakers.  This program has had athletes qualify for Nationals every competition season.  With multiple State and Regional Champions.  Shauna was named the Developmental Coach of the year for North and South Carolina in 2019 and USAG State Chair for South Carolina for 2019-2020.  

Ashley Cloonan is a graduate of Clemson University. During college, she taught hip-hop and clogging at local dance studios and for Clemson University’s Clemson Dancers. Ashley is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, clogging, Irish step, and hip hop beginning at age 5. She was a

member of all StarMakers Senior dance teams from 2001-2004

where she also served as a class assistant. By 2015, Ashley was hired on as an instructor at StarMakers, and currently teaches studio level Ballet/Tap Classes, Mini Starz Tap, and the competitive Petite Tap team. Her daughter, Aly Grace, is also a member of the SMDC Co. Dance Teams. Ashley’s goal is to provide her students with a strong foundation in dance and to grow their passion for this amazing artform. In addition to dance, she’s an elementary school teacher in Spartanburg’s District 5 where she strives to incorporate dance and the arts into her regular classroom curriculum. Ashley currently resides in Spartanburg with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Aly Grace and Henry.

Hoyt Starkey has been clogging for 41 years and teaching for the past 36 years, and is the Director of the Award Winning STARZ ARTISTIC CLOGGERS. Throughout his clogging career he has had the opportunity to perform at The Grand Ole Opry, on Hee Haw, Club Dance, The Miss South Carolina Pageant and Disney World. Hoyt has had many High School pageant winners as well as Miss South Carolina pageant preliminary winners. His Clogging Team opened for Minni Pearl in Punta Gorda, FL at their Tricentennial Anniversary. In 2012, Hoyt was inducted into the America’s Clogging Hall of Fame where he also serves on the advisory board for the organization. Hoyt had the privilege to travel abroad with the Bailey Mountain Cloggers from Mars Hill University to Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Paderborn, Germany to participate in the International Folk Dance Festivals. We are blessed to have Hoyt as a part of the StarMakers staff!

Caitlin began her dance journey at the age of 5 at StarMakers. Studying in all styles of percussive dancing, clogging became a passion. After graduating from Dorman High School in 2012, Caitlin was off to North Carolina where she spent 4 years at Mars Hill University, and 5 years with the well known Bailey Mountain Cloggers. While with BMC, she was able to travel the world performing in multiple countries in both South America and Europe. After graduating from Mars Hill, majoring in Physical Education, Caitlin moved to Tennessee where she performed as a member of the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. After 2 years in Tennessee, Caitlin moved back home to South Carolina and became a part of the SMDC Staff, teaching the upper level competitive clogging teams. Caitlin now lives in Spartanburg with her two daughters, Bryleigh and Brently.

Jessica joined StarMakers when she was 9 years old where she competed in various styles such as jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. During her time as a student, Jessica was voted on by her peers as Performer of the Year in both 2020 and 2022 and represented the studio as a cover model for multiple years. While in high school Jessica attended the Fine Arts Center of Greenville County Schools where she studied ballet and modern in a conservatory dance setting. Jessica then went on to study dance at the University of South Florida before returning home to the upstate to pursue teaching. Currently, she is working at StarMakers teaching jazz technique, ballet, and contemporary as well as various studio classes. Jessica is currently studying Business Management and Digital Media at North Greenville University.

Mr. Karl has studios in Alabama, China, Florida, Georgia, Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Drake Irish Dance, one of the most prestigious Irish Dance Schools in the United States, was founded in 1990 in Atlanta, GA by Dublin Ireland native, Karl Drake. Since it’s beginning, Drake Irish Dance has branched out across the southern states. After establishing itself in five southern states, Karl Drake went global by expanding into Mexico and China. Drake Irish Dancers have a record of competitive achievements to include Regional and National Champions as well as World Medal holders.
In addition to competitive achievements, The Drake Irish Dance Troupe traveled all the way to Shangai China in March 2013 where they performed at Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre and Dulwich College Shanghai, China.
Currently they hold the title of World Champions.

Abigail McKeever, born and raised in Kildare, Ireland found a passion for dance at the age of 4yrs old. She is an outgoing, highly motivated and trustworthy dancer and teacher of a number of forms of dance.

Abigail is passionate about all aspects of movement, dance and in particular Irish dancing.

Abigail enjoyed much success during her competitive Irish dance career, participating in numerous prestigious competitions, to name a few, Leinster, All-Ireland and World Irish Dance Championships. Abigail’s enthusiasm and natural talent for Irish dance performance and teaching led her to the University of Limerick, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Irish Music and Dance. From thereon, Abigail’s teaching career went from strength to strength. She is an accredited Irish dance instructor and choreographer (T.C.R.G), personal trainer (I.S.S.A) and Modern Dance instructor (I.D.T.A).

After performing in many shows worldwide, 5 years ago Abigail began a journey of moving to the US to start this adventure of bringing Irish dance & culture to communities. She has been teaching for the last 13 years to people of all ages & abilities and hopes that Irish Dance can bring her students some exciting enjoyment as they venture into this new activity with her!

Steph began her tumbling journey with cheerleading at the age of 2. As she got older, she cheered competitively for Boiling Springs High School for 7 years. After highschool, Steph cheered for USC Upstate for 3 years, as well as with outside competitive cheer teams. In addition to being USAG Certified to coach, Steph has also coached and judged cheer teams of all levels. She currently resides in Spartanburg with her husband, Justin, and their 3 children, Peyton, Cameron, and Nora.

Cassie Jo cheered for the duration of junior high & high school and was on the competition team for 4 years at Landrum High School. She was a captain on her squad for 2 years and was also selected as an All Star Cheerleader. She continued her education at Mars Hill University where she majored in Psychology & minored in both Studio Art & Sociology. She has always had a passion for helping others and a heart for children. Cassie Jo also has extensive experience working with children. She has been a volunteer in the children’s program at her church for many years, has worked with pediatric patients as a sleep technologist, has been a preschool teacher, and has 4 children of her own. Cassie Jo is married to her husband, Grant, and they have 4 children—Jodee, Jimah, Janee, and Judah. Her three daughters, are currently on our competitive trampoline and tumbling team here at StarMakers. Cassie Jo joined us at StarMakers in 2023 and since then has become a certified USA Gymnastics Competitive Coach. She looks forward to working with and getting to know your children at the gym this season.

Beth Graves brings a wealth of experience in both education and the performing arts to
her role at StarMakers. With 21 years in education, she has served as a teacher, instructional
coach, assistant principal, and currently as the Freshman Academy Director at Boiling Springs
High School. Her passion for student growth and development extends beyond the classroom
and into the studio.
Beth has been a dedicated dance, tumbling instructor, and recital manager at
StarMakers for 18 years, where she is known for fostering confidence, discipline, and a love for
movement in her students. In addition to her teaching experience, she has over 25 years of
dance experience as a performer, giving her a deep understanding of technique, performance
quality, and artistry.
Outside of her professional roles, Beth enjoys reading, gardening, and working out. She
is committed to inspiring students both academically and artistically, helping them reach their full
potential in all areas of life.

Rachael works in the office at StarMakers Dance Company, a place she has proudly called her second home since beginning dance here in 2008. At age 16, she joined the StarKidz Afterschool and Summer Camp staff, where she spent her high school and college years supporting students and families. In 2021, she transitioned into a larger role in the SMDC office and now primarily focuses on office operations and assisting families and staff.

Rachael loves being part of the StarMakers community and watching dancers grow both on and off the stage. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading a good book, and playing with her dog, Murphy, and her cat, Lucy—who she happily adopted after Lucy showed up at SMDC.