Meet our Staff

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​Tammy Evans is the owner and director of A Step of Class since 1993.  She is a 1993 graduate of UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.  In 1996 Tammy was certified to teach by Dance Masters of America and became a member of Chapter 15 Carolina Dance Masters, where she is still an active member. Tammy began her dance education at the age of 3 under the direction of Deborah Blanton and then continued her education through high school under the direction of Lynn Raley. She has furthered her education under many master teachers such as Savion Glover, Karen Hebert, Christopher Gatelli, Elie Lazar, and many more. She was in the television version of Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Tammy has also enjoyed working with Goldsboro’s children’s theater, Stage Struck, where she has choreographed the Premier Musical of “Cinderella” as well as worked with their “STARS” camp for 3 summers.  She enjoys teaching Kinderdance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acro to her students in both the Beulaville and Goldsboro locations. 

Heather Evans grew up as a competitive dancer at A Step of Class. She began assisting, teaching and choreographing at a very young age. Throughout the years she won various awards as a dancer and choreographer at regional and national level competitions. In 2022 she auditioned and was accepted into the USC Summer Dance Conservatory, where she attended and trained heavily in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Modern, with many people such as Jennifer Ringer, Petra Conti and Carly Gallup. In 2023 she was accepted into CLI Conservatory, in Southampton, MA. For the next year she worked with over 100 professional industry leading choreographers and took over 500 dance classes. She is proficient in Ballet, Ballroom, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Heels, Jazz, Musical Theater, Tap, and Acro. Heather has been in many performances, including pieces choreographed by Sienna Lyons, Teddy Forance, Al Blackstone, and many more. Her on camera experiences have led her to work alongside Jonas Pate and Wade Robson. She has choreographed for country music artist Jessica Lynn and the band Frederick and Ronza. In 2025 she became certified to teach by Dance Masters of America. In 2026 she became certified in Beginner Mat Pilates through Mind2Body. On the weekends you can find her Backstage or Emceeing for DreamMaker National Talent Competition. She continues her training now, traveling to big cities, and working with artists. Heather plans on continuing to share her knowledge and passion with those around her. 

Ainsley Harrison danced at A Step of Class for 15 years. She began dancing at the age of 3 under Tammy Evans and joined the company team when she was 5 years old. She began assisting and teaching dance while in high school. She is trained in Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, and her favorite, Tap. During those 13 years competing, her group and solo dances won numerous awards. Ainsley was also awarded Youth Dance Ambassador. She has trained under guest choreographer companies, including Flow 40 and EPIC, as well as attended various workshops. Ainsley continues to attend classes to further broaden her technique and dance education. In addition to group dances, Ainsley has choreographed solo’s for competitions and pageants, winning Best Talent. In 2023, she graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In 2024, Ainsley was certified to teach by Dance Masters of America. As a dance instructor, Ainsley hopes to provide a safe and supporting space where your kids can have fun. She can’t wait to be there with them through their dance journey!

Kenesha Simmons is a native of Wayne County. She graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1996 and NC A&T SU in 2000. She is currently in her 18th year at Southern Wayne as a Science teacher and cheerleading coach. Mrs. Simmons has 28 years of cheerleading experience which includes middle school, high school, college, choreography, and coaching. She is also a 5 time Coach of the Year with the Eastern Carolina 3A Conference and currently serves as the lead cheer coach of Wayne County Public Schools. Mrs. Simmons resides in Goldsboro with her husband Corey and two children, daughter Kenedi and son Kamari. 

 Shakia Gainer Lee has been dancing for over 25 years. She graduated  magna cum laude from Meredith College in 2007, receiving a Bachelor of  Arts in Dance with a concentration in Private Studio Teaching.  Shakia  is a member of Nu Delta Alpha, the national dance honor society.  During  her college career, she enjoyed choreographing and performing as a  member of both Meredith Dance Theatre and Meredith Tap Ensemble.  She  performed at the 2007 American College Dance Festival, and she also  toured with the North Carolina Dance Festival for the 2007-2008 season  with Talani Torres.  Shakia began dancing at the age of  three, but she was nine years old when she found her home with Miss  Tammy and A Step of Class. As her dedication to dance increased, she  became a member of ASOC’s Company, where she competed for five years.  Shakia started assisting in classes when she was thirteen and has been  in love with teaching dance ever since. Teaching has given her the  opportunity to work with dance studios across North Carolina and  Florida. Shakia and her dancers have won numerous awards for overall  placement, special recognition, and choreography at their competitions. 

Shakia and her husband Robert live in Goldsboro with their two sons Joseph and  Benjamin. When she is not dancing, Shakia enjoys homeschooling her children, singing with the praise team at Sheridan Forest Worship  Center, and completing home renovation projects.  Shakia is delighted to  be sharing her love of dance with the students of A Step of Class once again.  

Hannah Williams has attended A Step Of Class for 13 years, began competing at the age of 9, and has been an assistant for 3 years. She is a graduate from Wayne Preparatory Academy and Wayne Community College, where she has earned her Business Administration Certificate. She recently instructed the Sparkles dance's for the 2026 recital. She has won numerous solo and group awards as a dancer at regional and national level competitions. She placed top ten at the Miss Dance of North Carolina Pageant in 2024 and 2025. She also participated in the Distinguished Young Women Program of Wayne County Scholarship Pageant 2025, where she was awarded the spirit award. This past summer she placed 2nd runner up for Miss Imagine at Imagine National Championships in Savannah, Georgia. She is currently attending East Carolina University to earn her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography.