The instructors who make it a home.

One studio, one shared belief that great teaching is inseparable from great care. Meet the people your children spend their afternoons with.

Founder & Director

Miss Hayley

Hayley Mahaffey is the founder and director of Wakulla Dance Academy. She began dancing at age four at Hope's Dance Center, where she competed in both dance and cheerleading — captaining her cheer squad for six years and going on to judge dance and cheer tryouts across the region. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Psychology while continuing her ballet and jazz training at the FSU School of Dance. Hayley taught for three years at Star Dance Academy in Titusville and for a year at the Quincy Country Club before opening Wakulla Dance Academy in 2004. She is a certified yoga instructor, holds her dance teacher certification from UNLV, and continues her own training each year at national conventions — learning from the best teachers, dancers, and choreographers in the industry. She is endlessly proud of the students and instructors who make WDA what it is.

"Every dancer deserves a room that believes in them before they walk in."

Ballet · Strength · Lyrical

Miss Faye

Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Faye began dancing at age nine and quickly excelled in both competitions and examinations — earning a coveted place at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts in London, where she completed a rigorous three-year intensive under some of the UK's top teachers and choreographers. She holds teaching diplomas and is a proud member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, fully qualified to instruct ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. Her professional career has included performing on Welsh television and collaborating with singer-songwriter Steve Evans in productions across the UK and Europe. Over more than 25 years of teaching, Faye has guided students to Miami City Ballet, New World School of the Arts, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Tisch School of the Arts, and the Philadelphia School of the Arts. She recently relocated to Crawfordville with her husband and two sons.

"Teaching and choreographing are the pinnacle of my career."

Tap · Ballet · Jazz

Miss Shannon

Shannon began her dance journey at the age of three under the instruction of Virginia and Joseph Mazzello at JG Dance Arts Center in Hyde Park, New York. She later earned a full scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she majored in Jazz. She continued her dance training in New York City at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Throughout her dance career, Shannon has received awards at competitions and conventions, including Dance Caravan, Dance Educators of America, Tremaine Dance Conventions, and the Fred Astaire International Dance Competition. For more than 15 years, Shannon has taught tap, ballet, and jazz to students of all ages and skill levels. She is committed to creating a positive, encouraging environment where dancers build strong technique, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the performing arts. Shannon is happy to be part of the Wakulla Dance Academy family and looks forward to sharing her experience, passion, and love of dance with every student.

"Building strong technique, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the performing arts."

Ballet

Miss Jacey

Jacey found her love for dance at the early age of three and has never stopped. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, and competed in both cheerleading and dance on an elite level throughout high school — earning numerous awards. She trained at the Tallahassee Ballet and at World Ballet, performing in many Nutcracker productions and other ballet works. A talent-based dance scholarship carried her to college in Jacksonville, Florida, where she continued to train with the company Dance Works under a range of distinguished professors. Jacey is proud to be teaching in her hometown at Wakulla Dance Academy, and looks forward to sharing her love for ballet with all of her students.

"Dance found me at three, and it has never let go."

Contemporary · Lyrical

Miss Rayna

Hi WDA! I'm Rayna, and I started dancing when I was 12 at BSDA in Tampa, where I trained in jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and lyrical. I'm now a senior at Florida State University and a graduated member of Seminole Dance Force, where I also serve as PR Chair. I've had the opportunity to compete at NDA Nationals, which has been one of my favorite dance experiences. Dance has always been such a huge passion of mine, and I love the way it inspires creativity, builds confidence, and brings people together. I'm looking forward to another great year at Wakulla Dance Academy!

"Dance inspires creativity, builds confidence, and brings people together."

Technique · Lyrical

Miss Alex

Hi, I'm Alex! I'm originally from Tampa, where I grew up in a dance family — my mom is a dance teacher, and all of my siblings dance. I started dancing at 3 years old and trained extensively in ballet, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, acro, and tap. Throughout my training, I received numerous awards at dance competitions and conventions, performed in many roles in The Nutcracker and Cinderella ballets, and was fortunate to be cast in pieces by industry-leading choreographers. From there I was a Florida State University Golden Girl for four years and had the honor of serving as Nationals Captain and Co-captain. I love sharing my passion for dance and helping every student grow in confidence, technique, and a lifelong love for dance. I now live in Crawfordville with my husband and our two daughters, and I'm excited to continue sharing my love of dance with the next generation!

"Helping every student grow in confidence, technique, and a lifelong love for dance."

Contemporary · Jazz

Miss Natalia

Hi, my name is Natalia Moody and I am currently on the Golden Girls Dance Team at Florida State University. I have been dancing since the age of two and was a competitive dancer for 11 years. I grew up training in all styles — contemporary, jazz, ballet, and more — in Boca Raton, FL. I am so excited to continue teaching and sharing what I love most at Wakulla Dance Academy.

"So excited to share what I love most with Wakulla Dance Academy."

Hip Hop · Acro

Miss Shalyce

Hi WDA! My name is Shalyce and I am from Tampa, FL. I started dance at just 2 years old and have practiced almost every single style of dance at my home studio, TBDA. I am going into my second year at Florida State University and also becoming a 2nd-year member of Seminole Dance Force, where I am serving as PR Chair for the year. Growing up, I attended many competitions and conventions and I even had the opportunity to compete at NDA Nationals last year with my amazing team. I have always loved to dance because I am able to express myself, build a community, and learn discipline. I am so excited for this upcoming year at Wakulla Dance Academy!

"Dance lets me express myself, build community, and learn discipline."

Dance

Miss Charlei

Hi! My name is Charlei Warren and I am from North Carolina. I started dancing at 6 years old and began competitive dance at 9 years old. Most of my competitive career was spent at Renner Dance Company in Chapel Hill, NC. I also trained heavily in ballet for 5 years under the direction of the International Ballet Academy. In summer 2022, I became a proud Florida State University Seminole with a double major in dance and communications. More recently I have enjoyed being Co-Captain for the FSU Golden Girls & Co Dance Team! I have been teaching dance for 6 years and I cannot wait to continue this career with Wakulla Dance Academy and all the amazing dancers!

"I cannot wait to continue this career with Wakulla Dance Academy and all the amazing dancers."

Cheer

Miss Lani

My name is Lani Abasial and I am from Palm Harbor, Florida. My parents have owned a cheer gym called Florida Top Dog All-stars all my life and I started cheering there at the age of 4, up until I graduated high school. Throughout my years I have also helped teach classes, private lessons, and coach teams. Since then, I have continued to do so here with the Wakulla All Stars at Wakulla Dance Academy. I am now going into my 5th year as an FSU Cheerleader. During my Freshman season, my team and I won college nationals and I was even awarded rookie of the year. I am so excited to continue meeting people and cannot wait to continue teaching!

"So excited to continue meeting people and cannot wait to continue teaching."

Co-Owner · Dance Administrator · Afterschool Director

Coach L

Miss Lauralyn is the Co-Owner of the studio, Dance Administrator, and Afterschool Director. She brings a unique blend of creative, technical, and leadership experience to every aspect of the studio. A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Media Production, Lauralyn began her professional career in television and media before transitioning into dance education and administration. Throughout her career, she has worked with several prestigious organizations, including Dick Clark Productions, ESPN, The Florida Channel, and the Florida Attorney General's Office, specializing in video production and editing. Her diverse professional background has equipped her with exceptional organizational, communication, and project management skills that now help support the studio's continued growth and success. She is committed to creating a welcoming, organized, and nurturing environment where students can grow in confidence, creativity, and character. Lauralyn is passionate about supporting every dancer and family who walks through the studio doors and is dedicated to providing an outstanding experience both in and out of the classroom.

"A welcoming, organized, and nurturing environment where students grow in confidence, creativity, and character."