Mary Katherine Atnip: Director of NADC - Mary Katherine joined the NADC staff in 2003 and has served as both Associate and Assistant Director. A lifelong NADC dancer herself, she grew up training and performing with the studio before stepping into leadership. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of UAHuntsville with a BA in Communication Arts and a minor in Management and Leadership, and she is certified to teach through written, oral, and demonstrative testing with Dance Masters of America.

A former Radio City Rockette, Mary Katherine performed for three seasons at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and a fourth season at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. During her time as a Rockette, she appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC’s Rachel Ray, Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, and in the nationally televised Radio City Christmas Spectacular on NBC and PBS. She is also a former Miss Dance titleholder for Dance Masters Chapter #33 and was a National Finalist in DMA’s National Miss Dance Competition in 2007.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Mary Katherine has proudly stepped into the role of Director at NADC. She teaches all styles and levels of dance, with a passion that shines through in every class and every interaction with her students. Dedicated to carrying on the tradition of excellence she experienced as a dancer, she loves providing her students with a high-quality dance education while also organizing the studio’s daily operations to ensure it runs smoothly.

Beyond the studio, Mary Katherine enjoys giving back to the community, having choreographed for First Baptist Huntsville’s Living Christmas Tree and for UAH’s theater department on multiple occasions. Her choreography consistently earns top honors at regional competitions. Locally, she has performed as “Annie” in 42nd Street, “Patty” in Grease, and “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz.

Through every role—dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director—Mary Katherine continues to share her love of dance with artistry, dedication, and heart.

Kaitlyn Gokee Atnip : Assistant Director of NADC–Kaitlyn joined the NADC staff in 2010, but her connection to the studio began long before then—having danced at NADC throughout her life, she now finds joy in giving back to the place that shaped her as both a dancer and a teacher. She currently serves as NADC’s Office Manager and Recital Coordinator, while also teaching all disciplines of dance. In addition to her teaching, Kaitlyn helps organize the studio’s daily functions, ensuring that everything runs smoothly while maintaining the tradition of excellence and quality dance education for each student.

She is certified to teach through written, oral, and demonstrative testing with Dance Masters of America. Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Dance and Culture from the University of Alabama and a Master’s in English Education from Alabama A&M. While at the University of Alabama, she was a member of the Crimson Cabaret, the university’s official dance team, from 2006–2009 and choreographed for the team in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2006, the Universal Dance Association selected Kaitlyn as one of only 15 instructors out of 250 in the Southeast to serve as a regional dance all-star, which allowed her to travel the country teaching week-long dance camps to students in grades 4–12.

Throughout her college years, Kaitlyn taught ballet, jazz, and hip hop at area studios while also serving as a full-time dance instructor and choreographer at several Tuscaloosa-area high schools. Following graduation, she taught English at Buckhorn High School for 10 years while serving as the school’s Dance Team Coach. In 2023, she stepped away from the classroom to return to her first love—dance—pursuing it full-time at NADC.

Kaitlyn’s passion for dance shines through in every class she teaches. Whether she is working with a beginner or an advanced dancer, she is dedicated to inspiring her students, fostering their love of the art form, and continuing the legacy of excellence at NADC.

Candace Fanning: Social Media Director - Candace joined the NADC staff as a full-time instructor in 2012, but her journey with the studio began long before then—she grew up dancing at NADC her entire life and now pours that same lifelong love of dance into her teaching. Certified to teach through written, oral, and demonstrative testing with Dance Masters of America, Candace is trained in and excels in all disciplines of dance. In addition to teaching, she now serves as NADC’s Social Media Director, helping the studio stay connected and up to date with the ever-changing market.

Candace graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama Huntsville with a B.S. in Kinesiology, a degree that greatly enhances her knowledge and effectiveness as a dance instructor. She has a diverse teaching background, including time with the Universal Dance Association (UDA), where she traveled across the country—from California to Florida—teaching week-long dance camps for students in grades 4–12.

Her performance experience includes appearing in Mercy Me’s music video Shake in 2014 and attending the prestigious Radio City Rockette Summer Intensive in New York City after a successful audition in Nashville. Candace also served as the Westminster Christian Academy Dance Team Coach for five seasons, leading the Wildcats in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom training. Her choreography is highly respected and consistently earns top honors at regional competitions.

Candace’s passion for dance shines through in every class she teaches. Whether in the studio, on stage, or behind the scenes, she is dedicated to sharing her love of dance with her students and continuing the tradition of excellence at NADC.

Rebecca Stell - Rebecca joined the NADC staff in the fall of 2019, but her roots at the studio go back much further. Having danced at NADC from a young age, she grew through the student demonstrator program, serving for six seasons, and also worked as a substitute teacher during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 seasons before officially joining the faculty.

Rebecca continues to expand her training through master classes and workshops, including the University of Alabama Dance Fest, Troy University Dance Workshop, and Merrimack Hall Guest Teacher Workshops. Her achievements include earning a full scholarship to DC Tap Fest awarded by Chloe and Maude Arnold, recognition as a UDA All-American with Sparkman High School, and being named an NRG Senior Scholarship Finalist. She has also showcased her leadership beyond the studio, serving as North Alabama Public Relations Coordinator for the Junior Civitan organization at Harding University and later being elected Governor for the District of North Alabama at the Civitan International Conference in Washington, D.C.

At NADC, Rebecca thrives in the area of strength and conditioning, with a deep commitment to helping dancers grow stronger in the classroom so they can shine even brighter on stage. She loves performing and pours that passion into her students, drawing on her own stage experiences, which include numerous NADC productions, The Living Christmas Tree, and Sparkman High School’s Singing in the Rain.

Rebecca is currently pursuing her degree at UAH while continuing to inspire and guide NADC dancers with her energy, dedication, and love for the art form.

Megan Hicks -  Megan Hicks joins the full-time NADC staff after serving for multiple seasons as a Solo Choreographer and Substitute Instructor. She holds a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Neuromechanics from Mississippi State University, where her coursework included Contemporary Dance, Strength and Conditioning, and the study of Body Mechanics.

While in college, Megan taught at Boardtown Dance in Starkville, Mississippi, where she instructed dancers of all ages and styles. During that time, she choreographed and directed numerous award-winning routines that competed successfully at both regional and national levels. Prior to college, Megan trained extensively in all styles of dance for 15 years—10 of those at NADC—where she embraced every opportunity to grow in technique and performance. She was selected as a UDA All-American Dancer and also showcased her talents in theater productions including Footloose, The Addams Family, and Singing in the Rain, serving as both dance captain and choreographer.

This year, Megan will also be joining NADC’s competitive choreography team, bringing her creativity and experience to the competitive stage. Her joy for dance is truly contagious, and she shares that joy with her students in every class, inspiring them to work hard, grow with confidence, and love the art of dance.

Holly Adams  -Holly brings both extensive dance training and teaching experience to NADC, as well as a unique professional background as the studio’s first Nurse Practitioner on staff. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing and went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and currently works three days a week at a family medical practice.

Her dance training began in Birmingham at Dale Serrano’s Studio of Professional Arts, where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz for 13 years. She later taught all disciplines to students ranging from age two through adult as a faculty member at 5678 Dance and More for four years.

Although being a wife and mom is her most important role, Holly is thrilled to return to the studio and share her love of dance with a new generation of dancers. The NADC family already knew Holly well before she joined the staff—she has been a featured guest vocalist at the annual recital for multiple seasons.

Holly’s wide range of experience, both inside and outside of the dance world, adds a special dimension to the NADC team, and she is excited to continue pouring her passion into teaching and inspiring students.

Barbara Ellen Smartt -   Mrs. Smartt founded NADC in 1983 and has dedicated her career to shaping generations of dancers through excellence in training and creativity. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is certified to teach dance through Dance Masters of America, where she twice served on the Board of Directors and as Performing Arts Chairman for more than six years.

Beyond the studio, Mrs. Smartt has been deeply involved in her community. She has served on the Board of Directors for Westminster Christian Academy, taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday School for more than 30 years, and held the role of Programming Chairman for Panoply of the Arts. Her choreography credits include work with the Huntsville Community Chorus and the Huntsville Chamber Orchestra, and she is a four-time winner of the Panoply Choreography Competition across all categories—ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. She was also nominated for the Wings Awards four consecutive years for her work with Pointe Station’s Noah and Alabama Jubilee.

At NADC, Mrs. Smartt continues to serve as staff choreographer and member of the office team. She loves the creative process of costume, set, and prop design, and she takes great pride in seeing former students return year after year to recital, finding that NADC’s high standards, skill, and creativity remain strong.

Kaye Gokee - Office Staff-Mrs. Gokee, known to NADC students as “Miss Kaye,” has been an essential part of the NADC family since 2000. With over 20 years of experience in office management and five years of teaching computer skills at Monrovia Elementary School, she brings both organization and creativity to her role.

Miss Kaye has been involved in dance for more than 30 years and has twice served on the Executive Board of Pointe Station, where she was also the Costume Mistress for the ballet production of NOAH. At NADC, she plays a vital role in managing the daily functions of the studio and ensuring the office runs smoothly for teachers, dancers, and families alike.

In addition to her administrative role, Miss Kaye oversees the creation of NADC’s custom-made costumes. As an accomplished seamstress, she carefully selects fabrics and guides the design and execution process to maintain the studio’s tradition of excellence. Her creative talents also shine in the construction of props and scenery for NADC’s annual recital productions, making her an invaluable part of bringing each performance to life.