WAKULLA DANCE ACADEMY - Key Persons
Alex Porter has been part of the dance world for 18 years! She grew up dancing at Wakulla Dance Academy!
Miss. Alex won many group and individual awards as a part of WDA's competition team and continues to excel as a dancer and a choreographer. She teaches a wide range of classes at Wakulla Dance Academy including our Parent and Me classes, Tap and Hip Hop, and Ballet.
Alex is passionate about instilling proper dance technique in a fun, nurturing environment. Miss. Alex loves teaching at Wakulla Dance Academy and watching her students learn and grow.
Caylie Bussey is excited to be teaching another year at Wakulla Dance Academy! She teaches classes to our preschool and elementary school aged students in all styles ranging from ballet to hip hop! Caylie received her training at WDA and has won many high score awards for her solo and group performances. Caylie is currently a student at TCC with plans to attend FSU in the spring.
Hayley Mahaffey is the founder/director of Wakulla Dance Academy. At the age of four, Hayley began dancing at Hope's Dance Center where she began performing competitively in dance and cheerleading. She was the captain of her cheerleading squad, cheered for six years and has judged several dance and cheer tryouts. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Psychology, where she continued her dance education, taking ballet and jazz at the FSU School of Dance.
Ms. Hayley was an instructor for three years at Star Dance Academy in Titusville, FL and taught for one year at the Quincy Country Club. Ms. Hayley is a certified Yoga instructor and continues her dance training by attending dance conventions each year, taking classes from the best teachers, dancers and choreographers in the business.
Recently, Ms. Hayley received her dance teacher certification from UNLV!!!! Ms. Hayley is so proud of the students and instructors at Wakulla Dance Academy and is thankful to have them in her life.
Jacey found her love for dance at the early age of 3 and has never stopped. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and contemporary dance. Jacey competed in both cheerleading and dance on an elite level while in high school where she received many awards. She also trained at the Tallahassee Ballet and at the World Ballet where she performed in many Nutcracker Performances and other ballet productions. She received a talent based dance scholarship to attend college in Jacksonville, Fl where she continued to train with the dance company "Dance Works" in various different dance techniques from profound professors. Jacey is proud to be teaching dance in her hometown at Wakulla Dance Academy and is looking forward to sharing her love for ballet with all of her students.
Julia Mann is originally from Tampa and comes to us with over 10 years of competitive cheer experience. Julia is currently an undergrad student at FSU and a member of the FSU cheerleading team. We are very fortunate to have Julia as she is also a certified UCA staff instructor! Julia exudes her outgoing and peppy attitude with all who are around her. Julia shares her genuine love for children at WDA and she gets excited to see them improve on skill
Kristin Weaver has been in the dance business since the age of 3.
She received her degree from the University of Florida in nursing with a minor in dance. During her college years, Kristin was a member and officer of the Danza Dance Company where she was recognized for her technique and choreography.
Kristin is also well known to the world of dance competitions where she has served as a judge at regional competitions throughout the country.
Prior to moving to Crawfordville, Kristin taught at one of the largest dance studios in Broward County and worked as a director for their competition dance team, choreographing and staging pieces from solos to productions.
Her dances continue to win overall titles and her students can be found around the globe dancing at universities, on cruise ships, in companies, working as dance photographers and as artistic directors/owners of various dance companies and studios.
Kristin is extremely proud of her students' accomplishments this year and can't wait to watch them grow in years to come!
My name is Laina Cleaves and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I started dancing at McKeons Dance and Gymnastics Center at 2 years old and began competing at 7. Since graduating high school, I have continued teaching technique classes, master classes, and private lessons during the summer. I am now going into my 4th year as an FSU Golden Girl. I was awarded rookie of the year my freshman year and was just named Captain for the 2023 season:) I was a Pro Reveler and got to travel around the country assisting master teachers for 2 years and also assisted their virtual conventions during Covid. I had the opportunity to be featured in a music video for UK singer Reigns as well as a concept video to Lady Gaga's Til It Happen To You. I love teaching at WDA and look forward to another year in Wakulla!
Hi! My name is Maliyah Henry, and I am a rising senior at Florida State University. I was raised in Loganville, GA, and I started cheering at 7 years old. Throughout the past 12 years of my cheerleading career, I have done all-star cheer, football sideline cheer, GHSA competition cheer, and collegiate cheer. Most recently, I have worked as an FCA cheerleading camp instructor. I have worked with athletes of many ages building and improving their stunting, tumbling, motions, and jumps! I am so excited to meet everyone and start working with you all this year!
My name is Natalie Poole and I started dancing in Orlando, Florida at age 11 and began competing the following year, continuing through graduation of high school. Being so passionate about dance, I continued into college and joined Florida State's Seminole Dance Force where I am beginning my 3rd year. Teaching dance is something I have always loved to do and began at the early age of 15, after starting as an assistant at 13. Seeing kids work hard to improve and meet their goals they have such ambition to reach is easily the most rewarding part. My favorite classes to teach are contemporary, jazz, and technique, but also really enjoy doing hip hop! I am super excited to be teaching here at Wakulla Dance Academy and look forward to an incredible year!