Jordan is the Director of our Co. Team Training and Mini Starz program as well as the Director of the Hip Hop Company and Co. 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, as well as Mini Starz and Co. Team Training. 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 Massey 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. Taylor is happily married and lives in Spartanburg with her husband, Nick.

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.  Now, after thirteen years, Shauna is returning to the sport she so passionately loves. Shauna has been coaching the power tumbling and trampoline program for 5 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.  

Courtney Frost is the Director of the Irish program at StarMakers. Courtney is a 2008 graduate of Byrnes High School and currently has an Associates Degree in Science as well as a degree in Cardiovascular Technology. Dance became a huge part of Courtney’s life at the age of two, when she began her first class. She immediately fell in love, and that love and passion for dance continues

to this day. Courtney began her life of dance at StarMakers Dance Company in 1999, when she became a Company Team Member at the age of ten.

She has won numerous overall awards when she was competing as well as the title of SC State Dancer. Some awards that her competitive teams have won are Overall Entertainment, Overall High Score of the day, and First Place Overalls.

Courtney has also danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Walt Disney World and in Ireland; been seen on Your Carolina, and performed at many other local venues. With dance being such a huge part of her life, she was thrilled to become part of the StarMakers staff as an instructor. She continues to work as an instructor since 2008 with Company Teams, where she specializes in clogging and Irish. Her love and passion for dance, as well as children, will continue to be a huge part of her life for many years to come. When not at StarMakers, Courtney works in the Cath Lab at Spartanburg Regional as a Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist.

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 styled 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 boyfriend, Russell, and their two daughters, Bryleigh and Brently.

Char’Lee is the Company Clogging Director at StarMakers Dance Company. She has been dancing since age and has been trained in clogging, tap, and Irish. She was selected as an All American Clogger as well as being inducted in the America’s Clogging Hall of Fame in the year 2000. In 2004, Char’Lee was awarded a clogging scholarship to attend Mars Hill University near Asheville, NC, where she became a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers dance team. Through Bailey Mountain, Char’Lee has been able to travel to folk festivals around the world, including trips to Spain, Germany, Canada, and Costa Rica. She has had the honor of dancing with several folk bands including Nickel Creek and The Duhks. Char’Lee has also had the opportunity to direct the National Champion Bailey Mountain Cloggers of Mars Hill University as well as the National Champion StarMakers Dance Company. She enjoys sharing her passion of percussive dance with all the children she is privileged to teach, and she takes pride in the quality dancers produced by StarMakers Dance Company. In March of 2013, Char’Lee graduated with her Doctorate from Sherman College of Chiropractic, where she went on to open her own practice. As of 2019, Char’Lee, along with teaching dance, is a Biology teacher at Byrnes High School. Char’Lee is married to her husband, Jon, and they have three beautiful boys: Jamison, Bretscher, and SJ.

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 travelled 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.

Studying all genres including Clogging, Tap, Irish Step, Hip-hop, Jazz, and Acro. Throughout her years dancing, she has won numerous overall awards,regionally and nationally, including Overall entertaining, Overall Highest score of the day, and First place overalls. She has been invited to Hollywood Dance Invitational, and New York on scholarship. She has danced at Walt Disney World, on Carnival Cruise Line, and in Ireland. Kyleigh also appeared on Your Carolina and performed at many local venues such as Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Highland Games in Myrtle Beach. 

Kyleigh is a 2016 Graduate of Dorman High School where she maintained a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the National honor society, and Beta Club while being an active member in the Dorman Dance Department. Including performing for the district and choreographing dances for peers. She still goes to her alma mater to guest choreograph dances for this department. Kyleigh graduated Converse University with a degree in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Dance.  Along with her Dance minor, she was also a member of Dance ensemble and choreographed a tap piece for one of their productions. 

Starmakers is a big part of her life and is so grateful for all the wonderful people she has met and all she has learned. She has always aspired to teach children and share her love for dance and now she can do both.

Kyleigh is currently an elementary school teacher at Lone Oak Elementary and, In 2021, she married her husband, Matthew Murphy.

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. It 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.

Bio Coming Soon!

Sarah is brand new to the Starmakers Family and is a Tumbling & Trampoline coach. She grew up doing competitive gymnastics for 10 years and then continued her journey into competitive cheerleading for 5 years. Sarah is also a current college student at Spartanburg Community College. Sara is currently certified by USAG to coach tumbling.

Katie Gillespie is a highly accomplished dance instructor with a passion for inspiring students through the art of dance. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she has become a well known figure in the upstate dance community.

After completing her education at Clemson University, Katie embarked on a career as a professional dance teacher. Driven by a desire to share her expertise and knowledge with aspiring dancers, Katie creates a nurturing and supportive environment for students of all ages and skill levels.

Katie has received numerous accolades and recognition for her choreography on Regional and National levels. Most recently, she was named one of Talk Magazine’s “Top 25 Beautiful Women” for her work with special needs children in a weekly dance class designed especially for them. She strives to create opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to experience the joy and liberation that dance offers.

As a dance educator, Katie remains committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers. Her unwavering dedication has solidified her as a beloved and influential figure in the world of dance education.

Amanda’s love affair with dance began at age 3. She trained at a competition dance school and participated on multiple award winning dance teams prior to becoming a teacher’s apprentice at 13 years old. These days, Amanda combines 30 + years of teaching experience with a masters degree in nursing. Amanda’s primary focus is teaching conditioning techniques that optimize dance skills and performance. During the day, she works with an Oncology practice as a Nurse Practitioner and clinical manager. She and her husband are parents to 3 boys ages 21, 17, and 10. In her spare time, she enjoys many aspects of the fine arts including literature, painting and vocal performance.

Amy Novak trained at Edna Lee Dance Studio in Linthicum, Maryland, for fifteen years. While there, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary styles under Ashley Canterna-Hardy, Mary Moran, Alicia Canterna, and Brandon Perry-Russell, among others. She began teaching and choreographing at the age of seventeen. Amy attended the University of Utah and graduated with a BFA in Ballet and minors in Business Administration and Nutrition. While there, she taught ballet, jazz, contemporary, and character dance classes at local studios, as well as choreographing several group and solo pieces for university performances and competitions. After graduation, she danced as a trainee with Ballet Idaho during their 2021/2022 season before joining Ballet Spartanburg as a company artist in 2022. Amy loves helping students improve their technique, while also encouraging them to find their unique artistic voice in the studio. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with the students of StarMakers Dance Company this season! 

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, 3 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 10 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! 

Miss Anna T.C.R.G began traditional Irish Dancing lessons at the age of 3 which instilled in her a love of the genre. Her competitive dance career began with The Drake School of Irish Dance at age 9, and led her to compete at regional, national and world championships earning medals at each level. In 2015 she ranked 23rd at the World Irish Dance Championships in Montreal, Canada, bringing the only medal back to the state of Georgia. Miss Anna is an established award winning Traditional Irish Musician & Irish Gaelic Singer as well. Her competitive music career began at the age of 10, with performances in Atlanta at age of 9. She advanced to performing throughout Georgia & the Metro Atlanta area a member of several Ceili Bands. In 2011 Anna her employment as a Vetted Teacher for the Woodruff Arts Center Young Audiences program teaching Traditional Irish music, dance and culture classes and workshops in numerous Metro Atlanta school systems. In both 2011 and 2012 she ranked as one of the Top 8 Concertina Players in the world as well as one of the Top 8 female Irish Gaelic Singers in the world. In addition, she also earned the opportunity to compete at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan, Ireland. Anna was blessed to attend the CCE’s Scoil Egisa Music Academy in Ireland on full scholarship at age 17. Miss Anna has taught Irish dancing basics as well as Championship material to hundreds of children and adults alike, fulfilling her childhood dream of sharing her love of Irish dance and music. Miss Anna presently assists Mr. Karl Drake A.D.C.R.G. at the Drake School of Irish Dance, one of the most successful and largest Irish Dance schools in the USA. Anna is now married to her husband, Andrew, and has one daughter, Laelyn.