MEET OUR FACULTY
Learn all about our talented and experienced instructors at Charleston Dance Center. Our professional dance instructors are dedicated to providing top-notch dance education in Charleston, SC. Whether you’re looking for preschool dance instructors or coaches for competitive dance teams, our faculty’s expertise spans all dance genres and skill levels. Get to know the exceptional dance teachers who make Charleston Dance Center a premier destination for dance classes in Charleston, SC.
![Buffi Whetsell, Founder & Owner](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WordPress-Images-2.png)
Buffi Whetsell
Founder & Director
Founder & Director
Buffi founded the studio in 2000 with her mom, Barbara Campbell Wade, and sister, Kim Wade Roberts. Buffi has 30+ years experience teaching jazz, hip hop, and tap classes. This year, Buffi is teaching various Jazz, Jazz Technique, and Tap classes.
![Lindsey Gentry Charleston Dance Center](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/7-2.png)
Lindsey Gentry
Just Dance! Company Director
Just Dance! Company Director
Lindsey joined the CDC faculty in 2008 and was named Just Dance! Company Director in 2016. Lindsey handles all choreography, costumes and rehearsals for the Just Dance! company. Additionally, this year, Lindsey is teaching various jazz, tumbling and jazz technique classes.
![Barbara Wade Charleston Dance Center](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6-1.png)
Barbara Wade
Co-founder & Administrator
Co-founder & Administrator
![Andrea deVires Snider Charleston Dance Center](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/4.png)
Andrea deVries Snider
Ballet Mistress
Ballet Mistress
Andrea teaches all upper-level ballet classes (Ballet I, Ballet II, Ballet III, Ballet IV, Pointe) on Tuesdays and Thursdays
![Vanessa Henry Charleston Dance Center](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/5.png)
Vanessa Gibbons Henry
Just Dance! Collective
Co-Director, Instructor
Just Dance! Collective
Co-Director, Instructor
Vanessa teaches Together in Motion, all preschool (Preschool I, Preschool II, Preschool III) and pre-program classes (Pre-Ballet, Pre-Jazz/Tap, Pre-Hip Hop, Pre-Tumbling). She is also co-director of Collective, Mini Mini Team and Tiny Tots.
![Kyla White Charleston Dance Center](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3.png)
Kyla White
Just Dance! Collective & KREW Co-Director, Instructor
Just Dance! Collective & KREW Co-Director, Instructor
Kyla teaches hip hop and tumbling classes in addition to co-directing Just Dance! KREW. She has been a studio owner in New England for 20 years and is excited to continue sharing her love of dance in Charleston after relocating.
![](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WordPress-Images-3.png)
Taylor Zandi
Just Dance! KREW Co-Director, Instructor
Just Dance! KREW Co-Director, Instructor
Taylor teaches all hip hop (I-IV) and conditioning (I-IV) classes in addition to co-directing Just Dance! KREW. She is an alumna of Just Dance and attended the University of South Carolina, where she was a four-year Carolina Girl and MVP. Currently she is also a personal trainer.
![](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/346602906_586781470218779_5202856549189199063_n.jpg)
Alexandre Proia
Ballet Instructor
Ballet Instructor
Alexandre has joined the CDC faculty as a ballet instructor for the 2023-2024 season. Alexandre has an extensive professional career including being an instructor at Peridance Center, Joffrey Ballet School, and New Jersey Ballet. Moreover, he has danced with Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance.
![](https://charlestondancecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/200x300.png)
Jean Louisa Steele
Tap Instructor
Tap Instructor
Jean Louisa has touched the lives of thousands of young dancers- including Buffi, who once was her protégé. After running a successful dance studio for many years, Jean Louisa is back focusing on classroom teaching. Currently, Jean Louisa teaches Tap II, III IV classes.