Alexis Kelley McDonald is a teacher and choreographer at Kelley’s Fine Arts (KFA) Dance and Gymnastics. Alexis began taking dance with KFA at the age of two and was part of the KFA Company for 14 years. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, was under contract with Opryland Productions for four years as a child, and was SAG eligible by the age of 8. She was also a featured singer and Dance Captain in Myrtle Beach’s High Steppin’ Country for three years. She has participated in many Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) events winning both Technical and Entertainment Awards and even directed Kershaw County’s DWTS show. Alexis has choreographed all over the southeast for various schools, theaters and dance teams. She has performed places such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and on Carnival Cruiselines.
Alexis holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina with a Music Minor and is a certified member of Dance Masters of America. She served as the director of the National Dance Competition, Dance Troupe, Inc., for three years where she traveled the country teaching master classes and putting on events. In addition, Alexis was named the 2018 Best Mannered Teacher by the Junior Cotillion of Camden and she won the 2018 Lake City Chamber of Commerce’s Patricia McElveen Customer Service Award.
While she loves to perform, her greatest joy is found when she has the opportunity to watch a student grow. She also believes in giving back. Alexis was a member of the Camden Junior Welfare League and the University of South Carolina Phi Mu House Corporation. She and her KFA dance family put on a concert every year to benefit various charities and perform all over the state. She is married to Chaz McDonald who is a nurse at McLeod. They live in Camden with their sweet mutt Mina and are members of First Baptist Camden.
When did you begin your role as a dance teacher/choreographer?
Alexis: “My choreography and teaching career began as soon as my sisters could listen to me. I would choreograph routines that they would have to perform complete with costumes and cassette tapes! I started assisting my mother (Burnadene Kelley-Newman) at her dance studio, KFA, in the sixth grade and doing choreography in the ninth grade. After I graduated high school, I began teaching on my own in Camden, South Carolina while attending school in Columbia. In 2016, I began teaching in Florence as well, and last year I added Lake City to my schedule.”
Tell us about your family interaction at work.
Alexis: “My mom and sisters and I love to bounce ideas off of each other. We all have different strengths, so some of the best routines come from us all in the same room throwing out ideas and choreography together.”
What is it like to have many young faces looking up to you and waiting for instruction?
Alexis: “It is the best feeling in the world! No one loves you like children and no one is as honest with you as children. I am very attached to my students and after they’ve taken one of my classes, I think of them as mine. It is a deep responsibility to make sure that no matter what is going on at home or school, when they come into my studio, I want them to leave feeling loved and worthy.”
Describe your most rewarding moment as a dance instructor?
Alexis: “There are so many, it’s hard to pick just one. A student making her college dance team, a shy toddler getting through her first recital, a hardworking high school senior finally winning 1st Place Overall, a parent telling you their child is most happy in the studio, and watching a student work so long for a skill and eventually accomplish it. Those are amazing moments. I also feel an overwhelming sense of pride when I see my dancers cheering each other on and helping others. That’s what we need more of in this world; Dancers rooting for one another even when that person might be their competition. When they understand that winning isn’t always the most important and are grateful for the opportunities, I feel like I’m doing something right.”
Tell us about the Acro classes to be offered at KFA.
Alexis: “I am so excited about this new opportunity. Acro is a style that combines classical dance technique with acrobatic elements and tumbling. We are getting our certification this summer with Acrobatic Arts in Orlando and will be offering it to our competitive dancers in all of our locations.”
Describe your favorite routine, dance style, and music.
Alexis: “My favorite dance routine would be impossible to choose, but this past year, I taught a routine that melted my heart every time it was performed. It was a lyrical dance to the song ‘This Little Light of Mine’ by Addison Road. These dancers absolutely reflected the love of Jesus in their faces and movement and I couldn’t help but get emotional. I love to dance to songs that tell a story or communicate an emotion, whether it be joy or sorrow. The best songs and routines are the ones that move the audience to feel something. My favorite type of dance to perform myself is absolutely tap. I love complex rhythms and finding new ways to emphasize the music. Tap is creating music with your feet.”
What does the future hold for KFA?
Alexis: “God has been so good to us. Honestly, I love exactly where KFA is. Sure, I would love to see some of our smaller studios grow to the size of our bigger locations, but as far as our programs go, I think the focus is continuing what we have going. We have such a strong family atmosphere where we help our students grow as dancers, but even more so as kind and caring members of society. The future is bright!”
KFA has a total of seven locations with studios in Florence, Lake City, Turbeville, Bishopville, Camden, Hartsville, and Cheraw. For more information, visit www.kelleysfinearts.weebly.com.
