The SDA Team

Spencer Ann Brown- Owner, director, choreographer

Spencer Ann Brown is one of the founders, owners, and choreographers at Salisbury Dance Academy. She teaches ballet, tap, modern, pointe, and competition classes. She is a former instructor of Steppin' Out Dance Company. She has been dancing for 28 years and teaching for eleven years. Spencer Ann graduated from Catawba College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and is currently employed with the Rowan Salisbury School System as a music teacher at Granite Quarry Elementary School. In 2022, she received the NCJC Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Educator at the County and State level. While at Catawba College, Spencer Ann was a part of the cheerleading team, dance ensemble, Catawba Women’s Choir, Catawba Singers, and the Catawba Chamber Singers. Following college graduation, Spencer Ann made the Charlotte Hounds dance team. She has also coached middle and high school cheerleading at Cannon School and was the 2018-2019 Catawba College dance team coach. Spencer Ann grew up going to Salisbury School of Ballet where she was trained in all styles of dance, including Cecchetti. Other activities include a Disney Performance with Steppin’ Out Dance Company, collaboration of Alice in Wonderland with Catawba College and Lee Street Theatre, Lee Street's Willy Wonka Jr., and Norvell's production of Madagascar. Spencer Ann has been blessed with so many amazing opportunities and is excited about the future of Salisbury Dance Academy.

Kristie Thomas- owner, director, choreographer

Kristie Thomas is one of the owners of Salisbury Dance Academy. She has been dancing for 30+ years and teaching for 19+ years. Kristie graduated from Catawba College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and is currently employed with the Rowan Salisbury School System, teaching 1st Grade at Hurley Elementary School. Kristie graduated from North Rowan High School, where she was Captain of the Cheerleading Squad, participated on the Color Guard squad and played softball. As if this didn't keep her busy enough, Kristie also found the time to compete in dance every other weekend, winning numerous awards for her studio, performing on a cruise, performing during the 1998 halftime show at the Orange Bowl, and participating in the Myrtle Beach Parade with the Radio City Rockettes. She was also a member of the Chamber of Ballet, which would travel around and perform at different schools around Rowan County. In 2004, Kristie was also named Miss Holiday Caravan. Other activities include multiple performances at Disney with Steppin' Out Dance Company, where Kristie was employed for 18 years, collaboration of Alice in Wonderland with Catawba College and Lee Street Theatre, choreographing for Polar Express, Lee Street's Willy Wonka Jr., and the Norvell's production of Madagascar. Kristie feels like her life has been very blessed, and she is also the proud mother of two boys Chase and Colton, who are her entire world!

Devin Leech- Hip Hop, acrobatics and competition instructor

Devin Leech is a national award winning dance/choreographer in styles ranging from Hip Hop to Jazz. Originally from Buffalo, New York, he has traveled the United States working with various different studios, conventions and workshops, starting at the young age of eight years old. Devin attended Center Stage Dance Company from 2005-2010 where he was given the opportunity to compete in jazz, tap, hip hop and even tumbling. He began teaching at Slide Dance Productions in 2011. He then went on to lead a senior hip hop team to their first national Showstopper title in 2012. With no signs of slowing down, he was able to lead them to a second title in 2013 at Dance Platinum Myrtle Beach. He had the pleasure to work with a number of studios in North and South Carolina such as Legacy Dance Academy, Extreme Dance Company, To The Pointe Dance Company, Dimensions Dance Academy, Charlotte Dance Academy and many more! Devin graduated from Concord High School and is now the proud owner of Carolina Car Guyz, an Automotive Company out of Salisbury, NC. Devin is honored and extremely thrilled to continue his dance journey here at Salisbury Dance Academy.

Dance your Heart out!

Joanna bergen- Toddler and preschool/kinder instructor ballet and tap instructor

Hi, my name is JoAnna Reach Bergen and I am originally from Point Pleasant, NJ. I have lived in Salisbury for 20 years and am a mom of 2 boys. I have been dancing since the age of 3. I studied dance, taught classes and choreographed at my mother's studio in NJ for many years. I had toured and worked for Hoctor's Dance Caravan and Stars of Tomorrow for over 10 years. While working with them I studied and worked with choreographers from LA to NYC, such as, Barry Youngblood, Thommie Walsh, Savion Glover, and Andy Blankenbuehler to name a few. I have taught during dance camps these past few years with SDA and helped with the Holiday parades as well. Dance is a passion and I am so excited to share my love and passion with new students this year. I am so excited to be a part of SDA Family!