Instructors

Julie Martin

Julie Martin was born and raised in York, SC. Here is where she decided to share her love and passion for dance, tumbling, cheer and children by opening Julie’s Fancy Feet Dance Academy in 2007. She studied dance education at Winthrop University and business at York Technical College. She continuously takes dance classes, teacher training classes, pedagogy classes at conventions, and master classes to always provide the best dance education and latest choreography to her students. Mrs. Julie has been dancing since the age of 5 and has 20 years of teaching experience. She was also a competitive gymnast and cheerleader. She has won numerous choreography awards at the regional and national levels and her students have also won awards such as Miss Dance USA, National Dancer of The Year, and Grand National Champions. Her dance studio, Julie’s Fancy Feet, has also won the National Dance Studio two times. Mrs. Julie’s former students have received top scholarships for dance from colleges, been members of collegiate dance and cheer teams, became dance instructors, choreographers, and other amazing careers like nurses and school teachers. Mrs. Julie produces two annual shows for over 200 students each year and choreographs numerous recitals and competitive dances.

Mrs. Julie resides in her hometown of York, SC where she has been married to her high school sweet heart for over 15 years. Together they raise 3 children, Lizzie, Auggie, and Jon-Phillip in a community that they love. Mrs. Julie volunteers for many local charities by providing funds, materials and needs throughout the community of York. She also volunteers with local schools and helps with events such as career day. She enjoys being involved in the community and participating in events such as Summerfest, Christmas Parades, Tree Lighting Ceremonies and many more events. In 2019, the Greater York Chamber of Commerce named Julie as Business Person Of The Year. Mrs. Julie is a member of Central Baptist church where she is actively involved in children’s and youth ministry. Her love for God and all children shines bright. Mrs. Julie uses her gift of dance to touch many children’s lives. She shapes dancers not only for dance, but for adulthood as well. Her humble, sweet, caring love is recognized deeply within the community.

Mrs. Julie looks forward to many many more years of serving families of York, SC and surrounding areas!

Alyssa Queen

Alyssa Queen born and raised in York,SC has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She’s trained with various famous dance choreographers as well as taking summer sessions at the Charlotte School of Ballet. She held the national Junior Miss Dance Stage One title as well as other regional titles throughout her dancing career. Alyssa was a member of the JFFDA company when door opened in 2007 until she graduated from York Comprehensive. 

Alyssa has played the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy at JFFDA’s Nutcracker in a Nutshell as well as many other roles in the York County community. Alyssa was also a member of the Spartanburg Methodist College Spirit Squad where she did many performances and volunteer work in the Spartanburg community. Alyssa is our assistant director, along with the preschool director here at Julie’s Fancy Feet. She has choreographed many award winning routines and won awards herself for her creative choreography.  Her love for dance and her students shines bright here at JFFDA.

Bailee McAbee

Mrs. Bailee McAbee started dancing at the young age of four. She then became a competitive dancer at age 9 where she won many regional and national awards with her team. She danced until she was 13 years old when her path changed to cheerleading throughout her high school years. Her love of dance brought her back to her roots and she joined Julie’s Fancy Feet Dance Academy four years ago as an instructor. Her favorite style of dance is tap but she enjoys them all and loves sharing them with her students. She loves music and finds herself choreographing dances in her mind everywhere she goes. Family means the world to her and the family atmosphere at JFFDA is what she loves most about the studio.

Outside of dance Mrs. Bailee is married to her high school sweet heart Jacob. They have been married for four years and have a sweet two year old son John. She loves spending time with her family. They enjoy being outside, cooking, and doing crafts. Mrs. Bailee is now 26 years old and loves dance just as much as she did 22 years ago when her love of dancing all started!
Syler Leary

Skyler Leary

Skyler Leary is from York, SC and attends Winthrop University where she is majoring in dance education. She has been dancing for 18 years and has been teaching and choreographing at JFFDA for 2 years.

As a competitive dancer, Skyler and her team at JFFDA placed 1st overall at many regional and national competitions. She also has received many 1st overall and judges awards as a soloist. Skyler’s solo won Grand National Champion (12 and up highest score of the weekend) in 2017 and she held the title of Ms. Fusion of Charlotte and Miss Dance USA 2018. Before transferring to Winthrop, Skyler was a member of the Limestone College Dance Team on a dance scholarship. She has been a guest choreographer at the Bright Dance Convention and choreographs for the YCHS dance team. Skyler has received choreography awards for her pieces at JFFDA such as “crowd pleaser” and “entertainment” awards. Skyler also owns a business called “Dance2fit with Sky”, where she coaches a dance based workout class in an upbeat and judgement-free environment at JFFDA.

“The passion I have for dance, teaching dance, and creating movement burns like no other. I used to think that there was no better feeling than dancing on stage with my whole heart. That all changed when I began teaching and I was able to watch each dancer absorb knowledge, grow through practices, and finally showcase their own passion for dance. While I have my own journey through dance and I love every moment of it, I love being able to watch each dancer discover their own paths even more. That’s how I know that teaching and choreographing is what I’m supposed to do. JFFDA has the best staff, students and families and I am so grateful to be apart of it.”

Jessica Brakefield

My name is Jessica Brakefield and I am from York, S.C.  I am blessed to be mom of two children that I homeschool.  I have 4 years in learning and development, and a  previous kindergarten teacher.  I have been working at Julie’s Fancy Feet for almost four years now with concentration in conditioning for the dancers.  Studying and training in group and individual fitness has been a passion of mine for years and continues to grow inside of me.  I love being apart of others journeys to self care.  I love seeing the hard work and sweat pay off in other areas of their lives.  Child education is also something I could never part with.  I adore working with the kids and teens at the studio.  Being able to pair two of my passions into dance is an absolutely amazing experience.

Jaime Webb

My name is Jaime Webb. I have been teaching dance for 28 years. I teach Jazz, Lyrical, Clogging, Tap, and Acro. I grew up training in gymnastics at Gemini Olympic Training Center. I enjoyed tumbling for 15 years. I achieved up to a level 8. I was inducted into the Clogging Hall Of Fame at age 13. I enjoyed clogging with Happy Tracks Cloggers and Shannon’s Cloggers. My students have participated in the opening ceremony of the Junior Olympics, a television show for Star Systems Dance Competition, and performed in a Nicki Minaji video. I have had students continue with their dance career and went on to dance on Broadway, college dance teams, and make television appearances. I have won teacher awards for outstanding choreography, highest scoring solos and groups, and highest score of the day. I enjoy teaching at Dance Specialties, Julie’s Fancy Feet Dance Academy and Star Struck Dance Studio. I have a beautiful daughter named Berkley. I do secretarial work also with my job. I love teaching and watching my students reach goals, work as a team, and grow independently.

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