Who We Are
Stellar Dance Center is dedicated to providing fresh material based on core dance foundations. We believe in quality instruction in a safe classroom environment, where students can learn and grow without judgement. At SDC, we want our students to feel alive, gain self-confidence, and learn self-discipline.
Stellar Dance Center was formed in January 2015 by Natalia Solise Gordon. A dream in the making since she was a teenager, Stellar Dance Center is proof that you can do anything you put your mind to, as long as you have passion and a strong work ethic. Natalia firmly believes in selecting instructors of like mind and hopes to extend those same values to her students.
SDC Staff
Natalia Solise Gordon
Mrs. Natalia is the owner and head instructor of Stellar Dance Center. She has participated in gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance since she was six years old. Natalia fell in love with dance at a young age while taking gymnastics.
Natalia coached and choreographed for the MNHHS Maroon Magic Dance Team from 2009-2016. The team had earned top 3 at the KDCO State competition multiple years and earned their first State Championship in 2015. MMDT earned a double state championship in 2016, winning first place in both the Medium Pom and Medium Hip Hop categories. Other past dance achievements include dancing for the University of Kentucky Wildcat Danzers from 2003-2006 and winning multiple national championships as an HCCHS High Voltage dancer from 1999-2003. She continues to choreograph school dance teams within the county, surrounding counties, and several out of state.
Her official start to choreographing and teaching dance came after high school graduation, with Eastern Cheer & Dance Association, based out of South Hill, VA. Over her 4 year employment, she was a member of instructional staff, choreography staff, training staff, and head instructor staff. She earned an invitation to be a staff member of the 2003 Capital One Bowl Halftime Show, Instructor of the Year in 2004, and participated as a staff member for the 2006 Pro Bowl Halftime Show with the Backstreet Boys.
Recently, Natalia has become involved with Summer Arts Academy and the community musicals at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. She was a SAA staff member in 2021 and 2022. She had the pleasure of choreographing her first musical in 2022 (SpongeBob the Musical) and her second in 2023 (The Addams Family). She hopes to have more opportunities to work with the local theatre in the future.
Mrs. Natalia is a bit old school. She is known for being tough on students, expecting the highest behavior standards and pushing them to do their best in all areas of dance. As much as she is tough on students, she also enjoys making jokes (especially at herself) and loves all the hugs she receives from her students.
Carla Boyd
Carla was first introduced to dance by a friend who was involved in the dance world. Since that time, Carla has strived to be involved in everything dance, while furthering her training and overcoming challenging circumstances. Her breakthrough came in Montana during her School of Dance Studies in the fall of 2007 with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organization. After her graduation Carla went back to her home in Costa Rica, and joined “The Official National Company and School of Dance of Costa Rica”, being trained in Ballet, Modern, and Hip Hop by professional dancers such as Jimmy Ortiz. Later on Carla joined “Step Up” studio directed by two of the most recognized dancers in Costa Rica, Paola and Katherina Madriz, where she further trained in Ballet and Jazz. Carla was married in 2009 and in 2010 she immigrated to the USA with her husband. While in Arkansas she joined “Shuffles and Ballet II” studio run by the “Ballet Arkansas” Company where she had the opportunity to be trained by Allison Stodola, Michelle Alexander, and Paul Tillman. In January 2011 she joined the staff of School Dance Studies at YWAM Montana where she worked for 8 years, teaching dance academics such as; Anatomy, Dance History, Nutrition, Composition of Dance, and more. As well as teaching dance technique focused on ballet, Horton modern and African. She has choreograph multiples pieces with varying styles and focus. In 2017 she joined Ywam San Jose Costa Rica where she trained for a full year in dance pedagogy with Contemporary and Modern dancer Chelsea Dawn. While there she had the opportunity to teach dance, choreography and be involved in several dance seminaries. Recently Carla joined the Stellar Dance Studio owned by Natalia Solise Gordon where she is teaching ballet. Carla also loves latin dances, as she grew up culturally surrounded by it and enjoys to teach them to all skill levels and ages as well.
Lexie Murphy
This is Lexie’s 2nd semester with Stellar Dance Center. Although she has always loved performing, Lexie found her passion on the theater stage. With many shows and directorial credits, as well as several years of dance experience, Lexie is excited to be teaching the Musical Theater dance classes. Lexie truly believes that the arts has a place for all people and connects us in a special way.
Kimberly Trappe
Kim is a junior at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. She has been a student at Stellar Dance Center since elementary school. Kim really started to get more serious about dance her 6th grade year and took all the classes available to her that year.
Kim was a member of the JMMS Stars dance team her 7th and 8th grade years, as well as a member of the MNHHS Maroon Magic dance team her freshman year of high school. Kim decided dance team life just wasn't her thing, and began to explore other sports like soccer, track & field, weightlifting, and volleyball, while also continuing class at Stellar.
Kim has a gift for expressive dance and has been choreographing for several years, both for herself and the studio. You will see her teaching hip hop, jazz, ballet, and combo classes. We are so thankful for her talent and energy!
Chelsea Vickery
Chelsea is a senior at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. Relatively new to dance, she has been taking class at the studio since her sophomore year of high school. Before starting dance, she excelled and trained in karate at East West Karate. Chelsea is naturally very athletic and coordinated, allowing her to excel quickly at dance.
Chelsea started assisting with Creative Movement in Spring 2023 and was promoted to lead teacher in the summer of 2023. Her previous teaching experience with young students at EWK made her a perfect fit for our youngest dancers at Stellar.
Through CLI Studios, Ms. Chelsea has received her pre-school teaching certificate. You will find her lead teaching many of the Dance With Me and Creative Movement classes, as well as ballet. Ms. Chelsea continue to take class herself at Stellar!
Emma Hinton
Emma is a junior at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. She danced recreationally at Stellar in elementary and middle school, training in classes like hip hop, acro, jazz, and dance team prep. Currently, Emma is a third year member of the Maroon Magic Dance Team. She is proud to have been a competing team member for the 2022-2023 season, where they took 4th place in the intermediate pom division and earning the "Unleashed" award at NDA Nationals in Orlando, FL.
Emma will be working her first year at Stellar as an office assistant, as well as teaching Dance Team Prep and Creative Movement. She can't wait to start!
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Ava Caskey
Ava Rose Caskey is an 8th grade student at JMMS and a member of the Maroon Magic Dance Team. She is a former member of the James Madison Middle School Stars Dance Team. Ava is a founding member of Stellar Dance and has been in dance classes since she was 3 years old. Ava loves Lyrical, Jazz and Acro. She spends the majority of her free time dancing!
Ava will be working as a Junior Teacher at Stellar this year. You will find her assisting in Ballet and Creative Movement classes.
Kaitlyn Knight
Kaitlyn has been taking class at Stellar since she was in 1st grade. Over the years, she has trained ballet, jazz, hip hop, acro, and lyrical, but jazz is her favorite. She was a member of the SDC Performing Arts team for 2 years before making the JMMS Stars Dance Teamher 6th grade year. Currently, she is a freshman on the MNHHS Maroon Magic Dance Team. She loves to perform and shines on the dance floor!
Ms. Kaitlyn is a second year junior teacher and will be leading the Wednesday 5-6pm Creative Movement class. She loves teaching the littles!
