Teacher/Choreographer : Director & Founder
Ballet Director / Teacher
Dance
Get ready to groove because Chassitie is back for her 8th year with GCDA! This dance queen has been busting moves since the age of seven, and she's still going strong two decades later. At 15, she even hit the road as an assistant teacher with the famous dance convention Company Dance, where she helped classes led by some of the biggest names in the industry.
After graduating from Alma Bryant High School, Chassitie kept her feet moving by joining the dance team at Troy University's Sound of the South marching band. And she didn't stop there - in 2006, she nabbed the National Title of Miss VIP at the National VIP Dance Competition in Panama City, Florida.
Chassitie's passion for dance has taken her all over the place, and she's been a guest choreographer at Tribe Studio in Elba, Alabama, for ten years. As if that's not enough, she's also been responsible for all competition choreography for the Tribe Dance Company.
When she's not busy crafting killer routines, Chassitie is a full-time nurse. But dance is never far from her mind - for twelve years, she's taught and choreographed in all areas of dance, including lyrical/contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, ballet/pointe, tap, acrobatics, and baton.
We're thrilled to have Chassitie back at GCDA, and we can't wait to see what amazing moves she has in store for us this year!
Chassitie Smith
Meet Brooke, the talented teacher and choreographer returning for her fifth year with GCDA! Brooke's love of dance started at just two years old when she began studying ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern and lyrical at Gale's Studio of Dance. She continued her dance journey as a member of Davidson High School's Kinetics Dance Company and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi where she received a BFA in Dance Education.
During her time at USM, Brooke was a member of the Dixie Darlings, Southern Misses Dance Team, and USM Repertory Dance Company. Her passion and dedication earned her the Outstanding Junior and Outstanding Dance Educator awards, as well as co-chair of the NDEO USM student chapter.
Brooke's teaching experience includes Dance Dynamics of Hattiesburg, Nora Davis Magnet School in Laurel, MS, and currently at Dunbar Creative and Performing Arts Magnet School in Mobile, AL. In 2013, she even had the incredible opportunity to present with USM dance faculty at the National Dance Education Organization national conference in Miami.
At GCDA, Brooke is excited to share her passion for dance and inspire her students to reach their full potential.
Teacher / Choreographer
Performance Team Director /
Teacher / Choreographer
Brooke Baggett Eubanks
Meet Meryl Hyderally, a devoted dancer and choreographer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from Southeastern Louisiana University. Her life's work has been dedicated to the study of ballet and related art forms, and she has an impressive resume to prove it.
Meryl has served as the Head Ballet Mistress for the Emerald Coast Ballet and has shared her expertise as a Ballet Teacher at Pensacola School of Ballet. She currently resides in Daphne, Alabama, where she is the proud mother of two talented athletes, Sophia, a college gymnast, and Hunter, a lacrosse player.
At Gulf Coast Dance Alliance, Meryl is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach and share her passion for ballet with the next generation of dancers. With her vast knowledge and experience, Meryl is sure to inspire and challenge her students to achieve their full potential. Join us in welcoming Meryl Hyderally to our talented team of instructors at Gulf Coast Dance Alliance!
Meryl Hyderally
Melissa's journey in the world of dance began in 1981, and she has since grown into a beacon of inspiration for aspiring dancers. With nineteen years of training at Robinson's School of Dance, Melissa became a charter member of the Lynn Robinson Dancers, honing her skills in ballet and modern dance. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was awarded a scholarship to the American Dance Festival in 1999, where she worked with legends like Paul Taylor and Alvin Ailey.
Melissa's passion for dance led her to The University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Psychology. As a member of the USM Dance Reparatory and captain of the Dixie Darlings, she had the opportunity to perform and learn from renowned dance companies like Alvin Ailey Dance Company and Paul Taylor Dancers.
After graduation, Melissa pursued her dreams in New York City and then moved to Raleigh, NC, where she taught classes and worked with dance companies. In 2006, she returned to Mobile, AL, where she taught ballet, tap, and jazz at the Old Shell Road School of Performing Arts, before becoming the Director of Ballet at a dance company in Fairhope, AL.
Today, Melissa is the founder and owner of Gulf Coast Dance Alliance in Spanish Fort, AL. She has also taught at The Summer Jazz intensive in Chicago, where she shared her expertise alongside other renowned dance educators. Over the past 10 years, her choreography has won numerous awards and titles at the elite level, cementing her status as a master choreographer. Melissa has also given back to her community by volunteering to choreograph for the Spanish Fort senior pageant.
Melissa's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and passion. She serves as a shining example to young dancers everywhere that with hard work and determination, their dreams can become a reality.
Melissa Patterson Covo
Instructor Profiles
Dance
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