Meet our Staff

 ​Amanda Sherrick is the owner and director of The Next Step Dance Studio, Formerly Known and operated as A Step of Class Dance Studio in Beulaville NC.  Amanda began her dance education at the age of 6 under the direction of Lynn D. Raley and Tammy Evans. She has furthered her education under many master teachers. She was trained and excelled in many styles including kinder dance, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, clogging, hip-hop, and pointe' just to name a few. Her love for dance turned into a passion for teaching. When she was 11 she became a teacher’s assistant and by the age of 16 she became an instructor. 

 In 2019 Amanda was certified to teach by Dance Masters of America and became a member of Chapter 15 Carolina Dance Masters, where she is still an active member. While being a dance teacher she also became the mother of 3 beautiful children, modeled for Tara Grinna and other clothing companies, and acted in movies and T.V. shows. Amanda has expanded her dance background with other activities such as sports and horseback riding. Teaching and sharing her love for dance has been such a blessing to her life along with all the wonderful children that God has allowed her to teach.   

 Emily Kennedy was a student in dance for 15 years and danced as a company member for 11 years. She feels as though The Next Step Dance Studio, Formerly Known and operated as A Step of Class Dance Studio in Beulaville NC. is her second home. She has been trained and has excelled in many dance styles including kinder dance, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, clogging, hip-hop, and pointe', as well as trying to broaden her horizons in getting experienced in improvisation. In Emily’s years as a student, she has won many awards in competitive group and solo routines. She was chosen as a Youth Dance Ambassador for Dance Troupe Inc. twice. She has performed in parades, recitals, competitions, skits, fairs, fund raisers, and church services. Emily’s expectations as a teacher are to help her students grow and improve their self-confidence, strength, flexibility, musicality, showing love to others, and working well as a team. Emily has dreamed of being a dance teacher since she was a child and feels extremely blessed to be able to share her love of dance with the children that God allows her to teach.