Our Team
All of our instructors & staff have significant history and/or training in their area of expertise here at iAM Dance Center of the Arts. They understand that no two students are alike and will work with your student excel in his/her class at a level of his/her comfort.
Andrea S. McCoy, Director
began training in tap, ballet and jazz at a local dance studio in Lancaster, SC at the age of 6. She ventured into teaching praise dance at the age of 11. In 2002, she formed her first team, LA Dancers that performed, competed and auditioned for various events, television opportunities, talent shows, etc. all over North and South Carolina.
In 2013, she opened her first studio in Lancaster, SC teaching ballet, liturgical and praise dance.
In 2014, she continued to train and build her brand, then Ebony ExpressionZ, LLC., by opening her dance classes in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
In 2016, she graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration - Entrepreneurship.
In 2018, Andrea moved back to Lancaster to re-open and continue building her brand with a revamped curriculum, name & program: iAM Dance Center of the Arts.
In 2021, we launched the official majorette competition team for iAM Dance Center: Red Rose Mafia! During the 21-22 Season, the team scored 7 Grand Champion winnings.
Her favorite styles of dance are mime, lyrical & contemporary!
iAM … You Are … We Are and can be anything we put our minds to!
A’Vionne Richardson, Lead Instructor
A’Vionne Richardson began her journey at the eager age of 11 years old, identifying it as her calling at the age of 16. Following high school graduation, she went on to pursue dance on the collegiate level, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Winthrop University in 2021.
Ms. Richardson has performed & trained with music artists [background dance], an entertainment agency [commercial/industry training], a professional contemporary ballet company [Bodiography Center for Movement], and Charlotte’s Independent Professional Cheer & Dance Team, ProForce Dance Team. Trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop she leads a career dedicated to versatility and longevity. Although she went on to learn and train in those genres, her dance journey began with majorette dance [10+ years of training] and she now pursues it collaboratively with other genres as a coach/instructor.
At such a young age, with only 6 years of coaching experience, the demand and results are outstanding. Some of her choreography and training credits are as follows; South Carolina Dance Association [SCDA] conference, Winthrop University’s Spirit Squad, Allendale-Fairfax High School, Westwood High School, Fairfield Central High School, Northwestern High School, South Pointe High School, Palisades High School, Fuzion Force Entertainment Academy, local music artists, and more.
As a coach and instructor, specializing in choreography and performance, she has collaborated with ownership to assist Red Rose Mafia Majorette Dance Team to 15 grand championships with undeniably unique and showstopping choreography! She has also placed 4 dancers on 4 different HBCU dance lines. She takes pride in assisting young dancers in achieving their goals and becoming their best selves in and outside of the studio.
A quote she models her life and career on is “Average is the enemy, skill is key.”
She is elated to be working with this program. Let the magic happen!!
Catherine Newell, Dance Instructor -Office Personnel
Catherine Newell has been dancing since the age of 5 years old. She grew up in the same studio learning multiple disciplines and styles of dance ranging from ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, lyrical, pointe and hip hop. Around middle school time she started dancing competitively and attended national competitions with groups, solos, and large productions.
Catherine’s specialty is tap dancing. She loves educating others on the history and style of tap dance.
“I love to be able to teach and inspire young adults and children on the art that is dance and become well rounded as a dancer.”
Aaliyah White, Acro/Tumbling Coach
Aaliyah White is a native of South Carolina. She started her journey in tumbling at the age of 6 in Lancaster sc. Aaliyah continued her journey in tumbling and gymnastics all through her elementary, middle and high school years between Lancaster, Rockhill, and Camden, South Carolina. After High school Aaliyah joined a collegiate competitive cheer team at Lime-Stone College where she also began coaching a competitive cheer team in Gaffney Sc. Miss White then relocated to Hilton head Island where she was invited to work at an acrobatics circus performing arts studio where she spent 3 years. Aaliyah has been a current resident of Lancaster, SC for 6 years where she has been an acrobatics and tumbling coach out of Fort Mill and has now become a family member of IADC for her 2nd upcoming season. Her favorite quote is ~If you do what you love you never work a day In your life. Aaliyah’s goal is to spread her knowledge and passion to as many young athletes as possible.
Jameel Creech, Dance Instructor
Jameel Creech is from Columbia, South Carolina. He has been dancing since the age of 7. He began his classical and formal training in 2016. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a Theatre Minor.
Jameel’s strengths are in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. His professional experience began in 2020 while dancing and singing for Cedar Fair Entertainment at Carowinds.
In 2021, he became an NBA Dancer for the Charlotte Hornets Hip Hop Hive Crew. During this year, he joined Fuzion Force Adult Industry team where he had the opportunity to meet, connect and dance with Choreographers from all around!
In 2022, he took the position as, Assistant Coach for Winthrop University Golden Claw Dance Team.
He specializes in developing a dancer’s natural performance qualities from within!
“I am a firm believer that: I don’t need to dance better than anyone else, I need to dancer better than myself.”
Shawon Holston, Tumbling Instructor
Shawon A Holston Jr. also known as “Coach Jay” is the owner of “Eternal Heat Choreography and Tumbling” out of Columbia, SC. Shawon has been dancing & tumbling since the age of 13. He started his dance journey in the genre of majorette back in 2020. He currently attends Columbia College majoring in Dance Education. Shawon’s goal is to help others reach their full potential while inspiring them to go above & beyond in their dance journey.
Jordan Alexander, Dance Instructor
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Dessiree Blackmon,
MUA & Support Staff
Ms. Dessiree began studying dance at a local dance studio in Lancaster, SC at the age of 8. She has been dancing for 20 years and has been teaching for 10 years. In 2013, she assisted Andrea in opening the first studio, Ebony ExpressionZ. In 2014, she joined Andrea in Wahiawa, HI to teach a group over 30 girls and boys. In Hawaii, Dessiree began learning the style of Majorette and taught the style to those students for a few productions held in Hawaii. When she is not teaching, you will find Dessiree in her makeup studio with a client as she is also the head makeup artist for I Am Dance Center.
Ms. Dessiree is also the After School Program Coordinator.
Her favorite styles of dance are jazz, lyrical and majorette.
Nichole Smith, After School Program Coordinator