Meet our Staff

  Ballet Mistress

Rebecca Fleming has been teaching ballet at the Carolina Strut for over 20 years and serving as the Ballet Mistress for the past 15 years. She began dancing at the age of six and trained in the conservatory program of the Dancer's Workshop in Yuma, Arizona. She has performed with the Yuma Ballet Theatre, Westport Ballet Theater (Kansas City, MO) Carolina Strut, and TAMU Ballet Troupe (College Station, TX) but her favorite and most rewarding role has been that of teacher.
 
When not in the studio, you can find her traveling with her family, attending her children's soccer games and track meets, walking her dog, reading a book, or enjoying the outdoors.

Instructors

Lianda Lynk, a native of Carteret County, began dancing at The Carolina Strut at the age of 4 and continued to perform, compete, and assist. She also earned the opportunity to represent our state as a Carolina Dance Masters Protege’, and perform throughout North Carolina and beyond, including at the Dance Masters of America National Convention at the Marriott on Broadway in New York City.

Lianda also took master classes at STEPS on Broadway, performed Revelations with The Alvin Ailey summer intensive, and performed with The Joffrey Ballet summer intensive.
In addition to attending Teachers Training School at the University of Buffalo, she is a certified dance educator through Dance Masters of America, and a member of Carolina Dance Masters Chapter 15 organization. With more than 20 years of experience in teaching dance to children of all ages, and adults, in both recreational and competitive environments, Lianda has created award-winning choreography, and enjoys passing along her knowledge and expertise. She was a studio owner for 10 years and has taught at several other studios in the surrounding area. Lianda is excited to be back at her home studio and continue to share her passion for the art and education of dance!

Kaitlynn Gaskins discovered her love of dance at just two years old and began competing by age ten, spending over eight years in the dance competition world. Born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina, she has trained in a wide variety of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, modern, and hip hop. Her favorite styles are contemporary and jazz.

Kaitlynn has a deep love for performing and a passion for connecting with other dancers through movement. She’s excited to share her energy, creativity, and love of dance with others through The Carolina Strut.
This fall, she will begin the Radiography program at Carteret Community College while staying rooted in the dance world she loves. When she’s not studying or in the studio, you can find her on a rollercoaster, lost in a good book, or winning game night with her family.

Emi Jo is a recent graduate of West Carteret High School. She started dancing at five years old and has been an active dancer at The Carolina Strut for the past nine years. Throughout her dance career, she has trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and acro. Emi Jo has been competing for nine years and has won improv and bravo awards, showcase dancer, and numerous others, along with many invites to nationals. She had the pleasure of being instructed by Scott Jovovich, Caroline Lewis Jones, Kelly Sammon, Marcea Lane, and Fikshun. She encourages all her students to take pride in themselves and strive to be their best.

Emi Jo is our resident Hip Hop instructor and a choreographer for our competition team.