Teachers

Assistant Director

Kristen Harts:

Kristen Harts, daughter of Gail Harts, has studied dance since 19 months old. Kristen was a Dance and Choreography Major at Virginia Commonwealth and now a returning student at Old Dominion University. She has also been teaching at GHDC for ten years. Ms. Harts has won numerous Dance Competitions from Virginia to Las Vegas. Ms. Harts was the Dance Director at Port Norfolk Recreation and has choreographed winning routines for the Miss. Indian River, Miss Great Bridge, Miss Western Branch, Miss Chesapeake and Miss Virginia pageants. Ms. Harts teaches all dance areas, however her specialty is Modern Dance. She is presently the Assistant Director of GHDC.

Associate Instructor

Demetria Petty- Manes:

Ms. Dee started gymnastics at the age of three followed by dancing at the age of four. She became a member of the Ballet Guild of Sanford-Seminole at age nine. Ms. Dee taught and choreographed for Taijiri Performing Arts School from 1988-1992. She also taught gymnastics at Sanford Gymnastics Associations from 1990-1992.

Ms. Dee's experience includes:

• Invitation to the Summer Intensive Program at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

• Member & one of the choreographers of the Terpsichorean Dance Company(Hampton University, Hampton, VA)1992-97,

• Held President and Treasurer positions, Artistic Director 1997-2001

• Dance Instructor for the Hampton University Community Dance Program,1993-96.

• Toured with Company to Philadelphia, Cleveland, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Savannah and other major cities where my choreographed pieces have been showcased at the Zora Neele Arts Festival, Black College Dance Exchange and National Dance Association

•Dance Instructor for Gail Harts performing Arts 2007-present,

•Participated in several workshops and national dance conventions and master classes with Dallas Black Dance

•Company, Alvin Ailey Dance Repoitore, Philadanco Dance Company and many more.

Mrs. Harts has thirty five years of teaching. A native New Orleanean, migrated to New City to pursue her dance career. After doing some professional performances realized her passion was in teaching. She moved to Portsmouth, Virginia in 1978, and decided to open Gail Harts Dance Company. Mrs. Harts has served on committees and taught dance in the Portsmouth Schools, Newport News City schools, Poquoson and Norfolk City Schools. Mrs. Harts was the Magnet Dance Director for Churchland High School for five years. In 1994 Mrs. Harts was selected to be the American host for the Moscow Ballet. She directed a Gospel and Liturgical dance for Calvery Christian Schools and many other churches. Mrs. Harts is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Alli Award presented at The Contempory Arts Center in Virginia Beach. Many of Mrs. Harts students have pursued professional careers in the dance and arts field, from performing with Brandy, Usher, Mariah Carey to dancing on Broadway in Fame, Little Shop of Horrors and Smokey Joe's Cafe. At age 60, Mrs. Harts has returned to school at Old Dominion University, persuing a degree in Dance Education.