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 dancing 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. After graduation, she was accepted into CLI Conservatory. This led her to move to Massachusetts for the next year to train. This program prepared her for a professional dance career and provided her with many opportunities. She worked with over 100 professional industry leading choreographers, took over 500 dance classes, performed on stage and on camera. Heather has trained in many styles under the most world renowned dancers and choreographers. 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 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!

 Amanda’s love for dance began at a young age as a student at A Step of Class. She was trained and excelled in many styles including ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, pointe, and clogging, just to name a few. Her love for dance turned into a passion for teaching. When she was 11 she became a teacher’s assistant and by the age of 16 she became an instructor. In 2019, Amanda became a certified dance instructor through CDM and DMA. While being a dance teacher she also became the mother of 3 beautiful children, modeled for Tara Grinna and other clothing companies, and acted in movies and T.V. shows. Amanda has expanded her dance background with other activities such as sports and horseback riding. Teaching and sharing her love for dance has been such a blessing to her life along with all the wonderful children that God has allowed her to teach.  

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. 

Emily Kennedy was a student in dance for 15 years and danced as a company member for 11 years. She feels as though the A Step of Class is her second home. She has been trained and has excelled in many dance styles including kinder dance, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, clogging, and hip-hop, as well as trying to broaden her horizons in getting experienced in improvisation. In Emily’s years as a student, she has won many awards in competitive group and solo routines. She was chosen as a Youth Dance Ambassador for Dance Troupe Inc. twice. She has performed in parades, recitals, competitions, skits, fairs, fund raisers, and church services. Emily’s expectations as a teacher are to help her students grow and improve their self-confidence, strength, flexibility, musicality, showing love to others, and working well as a team. Emily has dreamed of being a dance teacher since she was a child and feels extremely blessed to be able to share her love of dance with the children that God allows her to teach. 

Victoria is an instructor of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro, and Hip Hop at the Goldsboro location. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography. During her time at ECU, she was given many opportunities to train with guest artists from various parts of the US and even participated in a dance exchange with students in Nairobi, Kenya. Victoria grew up in A Step of class under the instruction of Tammy Evans. She hopes to instill the core values of dedication and persistence into her students' lives through dance.

 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.