mEET OUR team!
Meet the dedicated individuals who make Express Yourself Dance Academy a place where dancers of all ages can thrive and grow!
Brittni Rea
Owner/Director
Brittni Rea is a passionate, experienced dance instructor who whole heartedly embraces the art of movement and expression through dance. With over 30 years of dancing experiencestarting at the early age of three, Brittni has immersed herself in the world of dance, both on stage and behind the scenes with stage and costume design creations. Over the past 14 years, Brittni has dedicated herself to teaching dance, with a love for inspiring dancers of all ages to embrace their unique artistic creativity.
Brittni's personal and professional background in competitive and non-competitive dance venues has shaped her into a well-rounded dance instructor. Using her humble experiences she has had through her own competitive dancing, introducing dance in the public school system, receiving choreography awards, and watching her students’ excitement receiving overall placements at regional and national competitions, has set the stage to guideher students to feel confident in achieving their own success. Her diverse skill set includes training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, hip hop, and ballroom dance styles. Working with all age groups from toddlers to adults has been an added resource for Brittni to ensure everydancer finds their niche.
Brittni believes in nurturing creativity from the youngest ageand has enjoyed obtaining her certifications in toddler/preschool dance, as well as primary and elementary ballet. As a strong advocate for mental health in the dance community, she is looking forward to beginning her certification in mental health and dance through the NDEO. The driving forces for her teaching philosophy are her deep appreciation for the art of dance; combining the importance of technical proficiency; and creating a fun, all-inclusive dance environment where dancers can be themselves and let their creativity take center stage.
Brittni is excited to share her vision for Express Yourself Dance Academy where every step tells a story, and every dancer is encouraged to explore their individual artistry, discover their interests, and share their passion with the world!
Grace Byars
Ballet / technique
Grace Byars, Born and raised in Lexington, KY, began her ballet training at Bluegrass Youth Ballet under the direction of Adalhi Aranda.
She has attended summer programs such as Cincinnati Ballet, Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, American Ballet Theatre's Collegiate Summer Intensive, Alonzo King LINES Ballet and Newport Contemporary Ballet’s (formerly Island Moving Company) summer dance intensive.
She holds a BA in Dance and Spanish from Goucher College where she performed works by Jessica Lang, Karole Arimtage, Iyun Ashani Harrison, and Elizabeth Ahearn. She also got the opportunity to study and dance in Córdoba, Argentina during her time in school. Currently, Grace is in her fifth season with Newport Contemporary Ballet.
Joshua Thake
Technique / conditioning / ballet
Nathan Crewe-Kluge grew up in La Grange IL, a suburb of Chicago. He received formal dance training in the Lou Conte Dance Studio Scholarship Program, Jofferey Ballet Academy, and in programs by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, and DanceWorks Chicago. He performed in Chicago as an apprentice with Chicago Repertory Ballet, and Winifred Haun & Dancers.
Nathan then studied at SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Dance, where he received his BFA in Dance Performance and Composition in 2022. There he performed works by Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, José Limón, Jerome Robbins, Doug Varone, and others. Nathan also had the privilege of studying classical ballet abroad at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts via Purchase College’s exchange program.
After graduating, Nathan joined Missouri Contemporary Ballet as a company member for four seasons, performing works by Sean Aaron Carmon, Joshua Blake Carter, Colby Damon, Autumn Eckman, Kristopher Estes-Brown, Noelle Kayser, Joshua L. Peugh, Kameron Saunders, and others. He also choreographed his own works on the company. Nathan is now dancing in his first season with Newport Contemporary Ballet. He is excited to be joining the EYDA family!
Kayla jones
Tap / Stretch / Recreational
A native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Josh Thake received comprehensive training at Brae Crest School of Ballet (Home of The State Ballet of RI) with Herci Marsden; Boston Ballet School with Cecilia Marina and Franco DeVita; and San Francisco Ballet School with Parrish Maynard, Jorge Esquivel, Jean-Yves Esquerre, Jeffrey Lyons, Pascale LeRoy, Shannon Bresnahan, and Gloria Govrin.
Josh has toured to Japan and Southeast Asia with Les Ballet Grandiva (Now Les Ballets Eloelle) and all over North America, Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Thailand with Les Ballet Trockadero. Having both ballerina and danseur perspective, his professional career has given him the experience to navigate through ballet’s traditional gender norms and create an encouraging environment that allows students to shine with their natural potentials.
He has choreographed parody works for State Ballet of RI including Réchauffé Brillante, Western Hyperbole, and Fantasie Valse; as well as a Cinderella Departure for the Ball. Currently he is a company dancer with Newport Contemporary Ballet. Josh is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique™ and is looking forward to sharing his passion for the art of ballet with any and all that wish to learn and grow.
Nathan crewe-kluge
Contemporary / ballet
Kayla grew up dancing in Rochester, NY and has been dancing for more than 20 years and has trained and competed in styles such as Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Pointe, Lyrical, and more. She has attended numerous regional competitions and conventions in and out of New York State as well as at the national level.
Kayla has been teaching dance for 8 years and has continued to advance her personal dance education through taking dance classes offered in college as well as other online classes and resources.
She has continued her education as a dance teacher by completing the Level 1 iTap Teacher Certification Program, The Karida Griffith Tap Teacher's Lounge Training Program, and is currently completing the mUvmethod Level 1 Teacher Certification Stretch & Conditioning Training Program.