Rhythm & Spirit Locations Franklin Recreation Complex

1120 Hillsboro Rd., Franklin

Longview Recreation Center in Spring Hill

2909 Commonwealth Dr., Spring Hill

Indoor Arena @ Crockett Park

1485 Volunteer Parkway, Brentwood

Williamson County Recreation Complex @ Nolensville

7250 Nolensville Road, Nolensville

Contact us at (615) 377-6530

Jen Barnes x2117

or Kristi McDonald x2118

JEN BARNES Jen is well versed in all aspects of dance performance as well as in choreography and dance instruction. Barnes is coordinating the Rhythm and Spirit Program of dance, tumbling, and cheer for Williamson County Parks and Recreation. A McMinnville, TN native, Barnes received a dance scholarship to the University of Memphis, where she received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and was captain of the dance team and member of the 2000 National Collegiate Dance Team Championship squad. After college she was a member of cheer/dance squads for the Memphis Redbirds, Memphis Grizzlies and Tennessee Titans. Barnes also taught studio lessons in McMinnville, TN and developed community recreational programs for the McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department. In 2007, Barnes joined the Nashville Predators as dance team coach and choreographer. She joined WCPR in 2008 and is currently developing community athletic and dance programs for the department.

KRISTI MCDONALD Kristi is a Franklin native with over fifteen years of formal dance training. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University (OCU), where she received a bachelor of performing arts in Dance Performance. Kristi received a dance and academic scholarship to OCU. In college, she was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company, the OCU Pep Dancers and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz arena football dance team. For three years, she was a dancer for Princess Cruise Lines performing on the Sapphire, Coral, Caribbean and Diamond Princess ships. Her travels have taken her to ports of call in Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. She is happy to have her feet back on solid ground and sharing dance with students in her hometown.

Rhythm & Spirit is a fun, affordable and quality DANCE, TUMBLING, and CHEER program of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation

Department. The Rhythm & Spirit program began in 2012 in Franklin and has now expanded to include a program in Spring Hill and Nolensville.

Rhythm & Spirit is a wonderful opportunity for children, teens and adults to dance in a non-competitive environment with students who are not only learning; but also having fun! The program is recreational and teachers

strive to know their students as individuals to help them improve at their own pace.

Classroom environments are supportive and informative Small class sizes so your child will not get “lost in the shuffle” Professionally trained and experienced instructors Variety of class styles and techniques Affordable class pricing Helps support a healthy lifestyle Participants will gain strength, balance and coordination Participation builds self-confidence Classes are challenging, encouraging and FUN!!!

BRITTNEY HANKINS Brittney attended MTSU majoring in Early Childhood Education, and minoring in Dance. She was certified to teach Dance through the

Southern Association of Dance Masters. She then attended Columbia States Commercial Entertainment Program. Upon graduating, she

received an offer to dance at Nickelodeon Suites in Orlando, Fl. There Brittney worked for Nickelodeon, Universal, Sea World, Gaylord

Hotels, and Walt Disney World in various Entertainment roles. She now choreographs and performs with Day and Night Theater

Company based in Franklin, TN.

ALLISON LITTLE Allison is a native of Franklin, TN and started dancing when she was only three! After earning her BFA in Performing Arts from Western Kentucky University she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her performing career. Allison has been seen in such TV shows as Boston Legal, Mad Men, Shear Genius and feature films such as The Comebacks, The Prestige and Ocean’s 13. Allison loves performing in every genre of entertainment, but her true passion is theatre. Some of her favorite theatre credits include, The National Tour of CATS ’09-10 & ’10-11, A Chorus Line, All Shook Up, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, Nunsense, Silk Stockings and most recently a new Broadway bound musical “The Nutty Professor”, directed by Jerry Lewis himself! The most rewarding aspect of all of her experience is getting to share that knowledge and love with her students! Fortunately she has gotten to do that for the past 7 years in addition to performing. Allison is very excited to be joining the WCPR Dance program to help enrich children’s lives through the art of dance!

TESSA MENDOZA Tessa Mendoza has established herself as a successful Choreographer and Director. Starting at the age of 7, her passion for the stage

has continued to grow as has her passion to teach. Originally from Los Angeles, Tessa Mendoza began her vocal and dance training in

Arizona. At 14, she began Choreographing for her High School Show Choir and at the age of 17 was Choreographing and Coaching

College Dance Teams across Arizona. She was awarded two Choreography Scholarships for her work on the shows “Little Shop of

Horrors” and “Godspell" and then went on to work with the Bel-Air Musical Theatre Company for Kids in Los Angeles. Tessa Mendoza

is most known for Choreographing, Dancing and Directing for Disney Star and Hollywood Recording artist Coco Jones.

TOSHIA MILKS Toshia was raised in the small town of Gordonsville, TN. She started Cheerleading and Tumbling at Gordonsville Junior High in the 7th

grade. In 8th grade she was selected to move up and join the high school competition team and competed all five years with their

Co-ed team. She served as Captain her senior year, and was selected to compete with Power Athletics Elite co-ed squad attending

nationals. Before graduating, she began her instructing career at UC Athletics, a new All-star Gym in Carthage, TN. Here she served as

one of the main choreographers, coaches and tumble instructors. During this time she also helped coach and choreograph dances for

high school teams. After the arrival of her son, Toshia joined the Rhythm and Spirit program.

KATIE STEVENSON Katie started dancing at a young age in her hometown of Omaha, NE. She spent most of her life training in ballet, tap, and jazz and enjoyed performing in local community theater productions. She attended Oklahoma City University and graduated in May of 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management. During her time at OCU, Katie was a part of many productions and trained from respected names such as Jo Rowan, Brian Marcum, and Jay Fagan to name a few. She has also had the privilege of training in New York City, taking master classes from some of Broadway’s finest. Katie is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with her students at Rhythm and Spirit!

ROXANNE MCINTYRE Roxanne McIntyre began dance lessons at the age of six, and has been hooked ever since. At Dance Classique, Franklin Dance

Academy, and Eccentrique Backbone Dance Theatre, she trained in a variety of styles such as ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip

hop. This prepared her to attend Jacksonville University, where she expanded her understanding of the art of dance, including

technique, performance, choreography, and pedagogy. Her first year, she was named Outstanding Freshman in Dance, and her senior

year won the prestigious Dean’s Award for Student of the Year in Dance. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and

an Education minor. Since college, she has continued her dance training at Vanderbilt University, performed on Chicago rooftops with

Wake Up! Waltz, and entertained as a high-kick dancer at Universal Studios Florida. She is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance

with the students of Rhythm and Spirit!

BRITTANY CHANEY Brittany Chaney was born in Flint, Michigan and moved to Franklin, Tennessee when she was three and started dancing the same year. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater. Brittany not only has danced her whole life, but also performed musical theater with the Children’s Performing Arts Program. After high school, Brittany went to Columbia State Community College and was in the Entertainment Program where she was dance captain.

JENA LINK Jena is a McMinnville, TN native and University of Memphis graduate. She has been a gymnast since the age of 4 and also has dance training in ballet, jazz and tap. She was the captain of her high school dance team who won top honors at national competitions. Link was a dancer for the Memphis Redbirds, Nashville Predators, and has performed backup for Trace Adkins, Rascall Flatts and Jay Sean. Jena is currently a cheerleader and captain for the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders.

JEN HUTZEL Jen has a background of formal studio training in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance styles. She has a

minor in dance from Middle Tennessee State University where she studied a variety of genres also including

modern, ballroom, and tap. While at MTSU, Jen was a member of Middle Tennessee Performing Arts

Company where she choreographed a number of pieces and also danced with Senior Company, an extension

of MPAC for elite dancers. Jen also worked for Murfreesboro City Schools Extended School Care program for

several years and cofounded the first dance program, "Project Dance". Jen has always had a passion for dance

MILLIE MARTIN Millie is so grateful to be a part of the Rhythm & Spirit program! She has been dancing since the young age of three. She began her training with the acclaimed Miss Texi Waterman who is the original choreographer of the famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Millie attended the American Musical & Dramatic Academy; a conservatory in New York City where she studied musical theatre and dance. She landed her first professional gig at 19 and began performing and traveling all over the United States! She has served as Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer for numerous productions along the way. She was a scholarship student at the prestigious Steps on Broadway in NYC for 5 years where she studied dance intensely and also went on to work with the School at Steps. Millie continues to perform professionally and is currently a Nashville Predators Dancer for the National Hockey League.

JUSTIN MILELE Justin was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Justin's love for dance started at a very young age of 8 years old. He was inspired to dance from attending his sisters dance competitions and his entire family is full of singers and dancers. He became a company member at nine years old at DC Dance Factory where he com-peted for twelve years and received some of the best training in the United States. Graduating from high school in 2012, he was an intense football player who participated in class 6A state playoffs and received college scholarship offers. Additionally, participating in basketball, karate and wrestling throughout some of his middle and high school years. He joined the band, Contagious in November 2012.While in the group he was booked for the ABC TV show "Nashville" (Seasons 1 and 2) as a principle dancer for Hayden Panettiere and also immediately booked the CMA Country Christmas which also aired on ABC, as a dancer for Kelly Pickler and Jennifer Nettles. He has also participated in numerous music videos and commercials throughout his life time for such artists as Austin Mahone, Brooks and Dunn, Nickelodeon, Snowbird, Alex Aiona, Jake Owens, Morgan Riley, Taylor X, and Bubba Sparxx, to mention a few.

RAVEN JACKSON Raven began her dance training at a very young age. Getting serious into ballet, she began training at Nash-ville School of Ballet. There, she performed in several ballet performances including The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. In 2004, she attended the Alvin Ailey School as a scholarship student where she danced for two summers before receiving a full scholarship to Brenau University to study dance in 2007. Raven has trained in many master classes from Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, Jacob’s Pillow and Juilliard.

Ballet/Tap Combo (3-6yr.) In this class, young dancers will be introduced to the fundamentals of tap and

ballet. They will learn basic steps in both styles. Body awareness and self confidence will be emphasized.

Attire: leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes and black tap shoes with ties or elastic.

Diva Dancers (3-6yr.) This class will focus on balance, musicality, and coordination. Class format will include

dancing with props and using creativity and imagination.

Attire: leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes.

Ballet (7-17yr.) Learn grace, balance, and technique to strengthen muscles and create proper body placement. The foundation of

ballet positions and terminology will be taught.

Attire: black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes and hair up in bun (no hair down).

Jazz (7-17yr.) This class will focus on jumps, turns, leaps, flexibility, and proper body placement. Attention will also be placed on

stage presence, rhythm and learning choreography.

Attire: leotard or fitted top, tights, fitted pants or fitted shorts with tights (no bare legs), jazz shoes and hair up and out of face.

Tap (7-17yr.) Learn tap fundamentals as well as choreography. Rhythm, musicality, and stage presence will also be stressed. The

lessons learned in tap will benefit all other styles of dance.

Attire: leotard or fitted top, tights, fitted pants or fitted shorts with tights (no bare legs), black tap shoes and hair up and out of face.

Hip Hop (7-17yr.) Learn to isolate, pop, and groove. Focus will be on dance fundamentals and classic hip hop movement.

Attire: tank top or t-shirt, sweat pants or fitted jazz pants and tennis shoes.

Adult & Senior Tap This is a carefree and fun class where you will learn tap steps and combinations in a relaxed environment.

Your feet will be making beautiful music in no time!

Attire: Comfortable clothes, no jeans and tap shoes.

Cheer/Tumbling (5-9yr.) Students will focus on motions, jumps, cheers and pom dance. The class will also learn basic tumbling

working on strength and balance. Both cheer and tumbling will be incorporated into each class.

Attire: fitted athletic clothing and tennis shoes.

Mom & Me Tumbling (2 yr.) Parent and child participate in this class together learning how to roll and flip safely on fun, age ap-

propriate tumbling equipment.

Attire: fitted athletic clothing and hair up and out of face.

Tumbling (3-4 yr.) Through games and exercises, develop coordination and motor skills. Roll, swing, jump, balance, and flip on

our tumbling equipment in a structured, safe and fun environment.

Attire: fitted athletic clothing and hair up and out of face.

*STUDENTS MUST BE DRESSED IN PROPER ATTIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS!

*Rhythm & Spirit has been created to provide a comfortable and fun environment for students to learn. Disrespect or gossip of any kind towards each other, children, instructors or staff will not be tolerated.

Please arrive early enough to use the bathroom and

put on appropriate shoes before class starts.

If a student arrives late, parents should make sure the

student is ready before entering the studio as to mini-

mize disruption for the class. Parents and siblings

should not enter the studio while class is in session.

Students will not be allowed to participate in class if

they do not arrive with proper class attire and shoes. This includes hair

being pulled back.

Names should be written inside all dance shoes.

Please do not wear tap shoes to and from class.

No food, drinks, or gum allowed.

Water bottles with a lid are allowed and encouraged.

No jewelry should be worn.

Please come inside the building to pick up your child and be on time. We

will ask your child to wait inside until you have arrived.

Students must register for classes based on their age as of the 1st day of

class. Any adjustments based on level/maturity will be made at the

teacher’s discretion after the 1st 2 weeks of class.

A minimum of 4 students enrolled is required for a

class to convene.

PAYMENT Payment for the season is due by the student’s 1st day of class. All checks will be made payable to WCPR.

ATTENDANCE

We encourage students to attend class regularly as we are unable to offer a make up class for absences. Students are responsible for full payment regardless of absences.

OBSERVATION/WAITING AREAS

Franklin Recreation Complex: All parents/siblings may either wait in the lobby or use the facility while stu-dents are in class. No one is permitted to stand or sit in the hallway while class is in session. Once a month,

parents/siblings are invited in to the dance studio to watch the end of class. Photos/video are allowed at this time. Specific dates will be posted.

Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill: All parents/siblings may either wait in the nearby seating area or use the facility while students are in class. Once a month, parents/siblings are invited in to the dance studio

to watch the end of class. Photos/video are allowed at this time. Specific dates will be posted.

Williamson County Recreation Complex at Nolensville: All parents/siblings may either wait in the attached observation area or use the facility while students are in class. Once a month, parents/siblings are invited in

to the dance studio to watch the end of class. Photos/video are allowed at this time. Specific dates will be posted.

*We encourage parents of young students to stay in the building while class is in session.

DISCOUNTS

Multiple Class Discount: Per season, if students take more than one type of class per season (ex: ballet & jazz or cheer & hip hop, etc), they will be charged full price for one class and then will receive a $5.00 discount on any additional classes for which they are registered. Sibling Discount: Per season, if you have more than one child registered for classes, the first child will be charged full price for their class and then each additional sibling will receive a $5.00 discount for any classes for which they are registered.

REFUNDS No refunds will be given after the 1st week of classes. After the 1st week of classes, a credit can be issued to

be used towards any Rhythm & Spirit class/camp within 1 calendar year. WCPR reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment. Should WCPR cancel a class for any reason

and the student cannot be placed in another class, then a refund will be issued.

CLASS CANCELLATION/BUILDING CLOSURES

Rhythm & Spirit classes are only cancelled due to inclement weather in the event that WCPR buildings are closed. We do our best to contact parents asap when this happens. If you are unsure if class will be

meeting, you may contact the coordinators, visit the website (click on Inclement Weather Update), or you call the WCPR Hotline at (615) 591-8524.

CONTACT US

For any questions regarding the

Rhythm & Spirit Program, please call

(615) 377-6530

ext. 2117 for Jen Barnes (JenB@williamson-tn.org)

or

ext. 2118 for Kristi McDonald (KristiF@williamson-tn.org).

ONLINE

Visit our website at wcparksandrec.com, click on the

Rhythm & Spirit logo

&

LIKE us on Facebook too!

Dance Attire Stores

Spell’s Dance Theatre Shop 330 Franklin Rd.

Brentwood, TN 37027 (615) 376-4647

Discount Dance Supply

Catalog and Online Store Discountdancesupply.com