Meet the Owner, Ms. Kim!!

(Tap/Ballet/HipHop/Liturgical/Lyrical/Jazz Instructor)

Kimberly Nicole Jones was born in Greenville, NC and grew up in the small town of Farmville, NC. Farmville is where Kim began her music and dance training at the tender age of 3 in schools and local dance studios. Kim grew up in a very musical and spiritual home with her parents, Bishop Jessie W. Jones and Co-pastor Carolyn Jones and 2 sisters. Even as a young child Kim understood her God-given gift of and had a strong vision to use it to give God glory. At the age of 8, she started her first dance team, “SpLaSh!” As a teenager, she gained plenty of experience working for Christlike Productions, Inc. as an actress and background vocalist. Kim is also a graduate of John Casablancas Modeling and Acting Center. In 2000, Kim became director of the performing arts ministry at her father’s church, Rouse’s Abundant Life Ministries.

She was also a very active student at North Carolina State University where she majored in Arts Applications with a Music Concentration. While at State, she modeled with Black Finesse Modeling Troupe and danced with DanceVisions where she studied under Stafford Berry, the associate Artistic Director for the African Dance Ensemble. Kim also danced with ‘Commercial Break’- State’s original Hip Hop Dance Team where she was the assistant choreographer.

Wanting to take the dance ministry to another level, Kim started Kalyani Productions in the summer of 2004. Taking the ministry outside the 4 walls of the church, Kim started this company to teach all who desired to know, the value of the ministry of the performing arts as well as the skill and training involved. In May of 2006, the name was changed to Katura Productions, Inc. Katura is an African term that means -take a burden off my mind-. We believe that in this ministry, as we worship God and minister to His people through the arts, He will manifest, lift all of our burdens., set free, and deliver. Kim and her Katura staff operated in the summer as a camp offered to ALL ages and as workshops during the year. Kim opened Katura Dance Academy in August of 2011.

Kim, now an award-winning choreographer, taught 8 years at DanceArt Studio, Inc. in Garner, NC (www.danceartinc.com) as the hip hop, tap, ballet, and praise dance instructor. There she is coached and choreographed for over 8 teams. Although it was hard for Ms. Kim to leave her DanceArt family, their support and love constantly encourages her to continue to go for her dreams!

We are so excited to be going to into our 6th year at Katura Dance Academy!! Let’s Dance!

Meet Our Lyrical Instructor, Ms. Amy!!

Amy Marcelino began dancing at the age of 13 under the instruction of Miss Lisa Zola-DeLibero and Miss Sherri DiStefano at The Ballet Studio in Yardville, NJ.  Before long, she began competing in local and regional dance competitions with the TBS Competition Program and assisted in teaching various classes at the studio.  Amy has attended many open and Master classes at various studios, including the Princeton Ballet School. By 16, she was accepted into the elite Dance Performance program at NDHS, allowing her to attend workshops with Disney World choreographers and performers and also the opportunity to perform in Downtown Disney, Orlando, Florida.  Her background and training allowed her to perform in many different roles for musical theatre including Co-Dance Captain for the musical Annie at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theater.  Amy’s job as a full-time Office Manager relocated her from NJ to NC in 2007 and she is so excited to be a part of the KDA family!

Meet Ms. Shannon!! Our Company Jr. and Sr. Jazz Instructor

Shannon Carter started dancing at the age of eight at DanceArt Studio in Garner, NC. Throughout the years, she has studied ballet, jazz, and lyrical; and was a member of the hip hop competition team directed by Ms. Kim. Shannon was also a member of the West Johnston High School award winning dance team under the direction of Mr. Richard Patten and became captain her senior year. At West, Shannon’s favorite aspect of her dance classes was choreography. She has choreographed since her freshman year in a number of different styles including jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, and Bollywood. Last year, Shannon choreographed her first competition jazz routine on the West Dance Team which won first place in their jazz category at Southeast Showdown Dance Competition. She is now at East Carolina University and will be graduating soon with her Dance Education degree!  Since the beginning, Ms. Kim has inspired Shannon to be a humble, hardworking dancer and she is excited that she is able to continue working with Ms. Kim from Garner to Greenville.  

Meet Ms. Jaz!! (Ballet Instructor and Ms. Kim’s Personal Assistant)

Jasmine grew up dancing in local studios and training under Ms. Kim in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop since she was 5 years old.  In High School, she received training and experience in teaching by assisting Ms. Kim.  She is now a student at East Carolina University!  She has performed all over the states for and on the same platform of many including Leandria Johnson, Dorinda Clark-Cole.  She just recently performed at Women’s Empowerment 2013 with rising star, JoceLien!!  We are excited and privelaged to have Jasmine continue to teach and assist at KDA!

Meet Our Office Manager, Mrs. Jones!! (a.k.a Aunt Ninnie)

Meet Ms. Victoria! Our Ballet Instructor!

Victoria Schmidt has been dancing for 16 years. She has always had the passion for teaching and choreographing. She is a future graduate from East Carolina University School of Theater and Dance in the dance education program. She is strongly educated in ballet and has studied in multiple other styles of dance. Victoria was also once apart of a competition cheer team and her high school cheer team. She also was once part of a dance competition team at Copeland Mills School of the Arts in Virginia. She recently placed first in her pointe solo. In the past years Victoria has been a teacher assistant for multiple classes. She has obtained her Junior and Senior Dance Master Association Degrees. She has also performed in the Miss America parade, The Norfolk Grand Illumination Parade, The Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade, Orange Bowl half time show, Downtown Disney World, and The National Cherry Blossom Parade.

Meet Ms. Aleia! Our Pre-Dance & Ballet Instructor!

Aleia Rodriguez was born and raised in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she was three years old her mother gave her what turned out to be an easy choice – go to preschool or dance – she easily gravitated to the latter, and the rest is history! For the past 28 years she has studied ballet, tap, and jazz intensively from everywhere from the Marya Kennett Dance Centre in Goshen, NY to CUNY Hunter in New York City where she received her B.A. in Dance Education. She has performed with the prestigious Hunter College Dance Company. Aleia also found time to participate in the Steps on Broadway work study program and become a class assistant for pre-ballet classes at The School at Steps. From these opportunities she was able to expand her knowledge and appreciation of the art of dance through the study of techniques such as contemporary, musical theatre, lyrical, West African, and Horton. With her Pre-K 12 New York State Certification, Aleia was able to work for the Department of Education, teaching at the Bronx Dance Academy and C.S. 92. Her work in the public school system enabled her to create curriculums for various ages and skill levels with a focus on technique as well as dance history, artistry, and literacy. Aleia has also taught at studios and community centers throughout NYC and upstate NY. In December 2015, Aleia and her family relocated to Eastern North Carolina where she is thrilled to become a part of the dance community! Knowing the benefits dancing provides for EVERY child and seeing first hand that dance can uplift souls, change lives, and take her students places they never imagined, drives her passion for teaching.