What We Believe

Beyond Words Dance Academy was founded in 2017. Our teachers share the passion to educate and uplift students through the art of dance. We love what we do! We are excited to have the opportunity to teach your child the discipline of dance and how to apply it to their everyday lives. Dance encourages confidence and builds self esteem. We encourage you to come in today and find out why we're simply "beyond words"!

Now, Let's meet our team!

Jasmine Edney- Owner & Artistic Director

Jasmine Edney, a Columbia SC native, is the Owner and Artistic Director of Beyond Words Dance Academy and Beyond Words In-House Dance Convention. She's been dancing since the age of 3. There is debate among her family members as to whether she learned to dance before she learned to walk! That life long dancing spirit is evident in her teaching style, which is becoming a popular hit among studios in the southeast. Jasmine has the dance experience that makes her an asset, offering her teaching talents in jazz, tap, contemporary/lyrical, modern, musical theater, and hip hop.

Jasmine graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2011 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Biology. She has been a competitive dancer for the past 23 years which include 11 years of teaching experience.

Jasmine has studied under some of the most well respected names in the dance profession such as: Jason Parsons, Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, “Nappy Tabbs,” Chris Judd, Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Shiela Barker, Justin Giles, William Starret, Debbie Roberts, Kimberly Langley, Angie Baker, Anne Richardson, and Charlie Connolly. In addition, Jasmine has traveled and assisted teaching and helped with choreography with dancers including: Shiela Barker, Kimberly Langley, Charlie Connolly, and Christopher Robbins. Jasmine has been involved in several dance companies, dancing for the following: Carolina Dance Center, South Carolina Performing Arts Center- Company One, and Palmetto Center for the Arts. Through that time, Jasmine received countless special awards and scholarships from dance conventions such as: New York City Dance Alliance, SHOCK the Intensive, Pacific Coast Dance Fest, Apollo LIVE, Ailey II, Savion Glover IMPROV, Jazz Dance World Congress, and Broadway Kids to name a few.

Jasmine continues to judge for national dance competitions and choreograph for studios in the southeast. She looks forward to continuing to share her passion of dance with future students in the upcoming years.

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Dini Tetrick- Ballet Director

Dini Tetrick received her training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. She danced professionally for thirteen years with the The Sarasota Ballet, Columbia Classical Ballet and Columbia City Ballet. Throughout her career she has learned and performed in over 50 different ballets. Some highlights of her professional career have been dancing Clara and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Tinkerbell in Peter Pan and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Dini is also a certified personal trainer and has been teaching fitness and dance classes since 2008 across the East coast. She is passionate about teaching and is thrilled to be a part of the staff at Beyond Words.

Allyson Vasquez- Jazz, Lyrical and Company Teams

Meet Allyson Vazquez! She has been dancing and competing for 10 years at both national and regional levels, and has won regional titles as well as a national title. She is trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Lyrical. Ally is currently a member of The Carolina Girls Dance Team at the University of South Carolina, who recently won a national title at The 2021 National Dance Alliance Collegiate Championship, in Division 1A Team Performance. She is excited to share her talent and passion with the students at Beyond Words Dance Academy.

Joseph Boyd- Tap and Company Teams

Joseph is a senior dance education major from Chester, SC. He grew up competing and has won numerous overall and high score awards. In 2017 he received a full scholarship to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy summer intensive and has trained in many different styles. Currently Joseph is a free lance choreographer and instructor teaching throughout the state of South Carolina. He loves to share his passion for dance wherever he can and lives by the motto that "An artist's duty is to reflect the times."

Erica Vola- Acro/Tumbling Coach

Erica Vola was born and raised in Columbia, SC. Currently she attends the University of South Carolina as a Biological science major. She has been apart of the competitive cheer and dance world since the age of 5. During this time she was able to gain tumbling skills such as backhand springs, tucks, and fulls. Her hard work enabled her to move up in her athletic gym and in she past 5 years she began coaching tumbling. She was mentored by a long time coach and UofSC cheerleader and has undergone coaching skills training by the United States All Star Federation (USASF). This is her first year at Beyond Words as an Acro coach and she is looking forward to advancing our athletes’ acrobatics and tumbling skills!

Justin Tillman- Technique and Company Teams

Justin Tillman is a SC native residing from Miami FL. He is a alumnus of South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. He has trained in classical & neoclassical ballet, contemporary, and various modern techniques. Justin has trained at New world school of the Arts and currently attends Winthrop University. Since moved back to SC Justin travels the Carolinas choreographing, instructing, performing, and training.

Amber Kinard- Recreational Classes

Amber Kinard is a 21-year-old born and raised South Carolinian, currently attending Columbia College, majoring in dance education. She began dancing when she was 2 ½ years old and by the time she was in the third grade, she joined the competitive team at a local studio in Irmo entitled Dance World. Through her years at Dance World, she competed in a duet and many solos, that received various awards ranging from national champion to judge’s favorite performer. Although Dance World is a smaller studio, she values the time spent there because she believes that is where she learned loyalty and was able to cultivate her love for dance. In addition to competing and performing with her local studio for 15 years, she was a part of the Dutch Fork Middle School dance program and dance team for two years and was one of the first dancers to go through the Spring Hill Dance Program while being a choreographer, competitor and performer for the Spring Hill Dance Company for 4 years. After graduating from Spring Hill High School in 2017, she continued to choreograph and assist SHDC, eventually earning the role of assistant coach. Following high school, she received a full dance scholarship to be a part of the Columbia College Dance Company. Throughout her time on CCDC, she served many roles on the board including President. She appreciates Columbia College’s education department as she works to get certified in K-12 dance education. Her studio and dance team background combined with her collegiate education has allowed her to approach teaching with patience and an appreciation of growth while having high and challenging standards. She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and somatic techniques. Teaching is her passion but her love for dance is highlighted through her artistry, athleticism, and performance. She is amongst one of the original members of Yuhas and Dancers, a local professional dance company, and intends to return for her third season in the near future. With Y&D, she was able to perform and travel with their first 5-city tour. She is eager to see what impact she can create within these talented students' lives at Beyond Words Dance Academy.

Shonna Thompson- Administrative Support

Shonna “Sunshine” Thompson is one of our administrative support staff who is available during studio hours to register new students, answer questions about costumes, tuition, fundraisers and to assist students, parents and visitors. Miss Sunshine is here to help you throughout each dance season!

Michelle Alston- Forever in our Hearts #MichelleStrong #LiveLikeMichelle

Michelle was our conditioning coach, dance mom, bestfriend and BIGGEST cheerleader. She unfortunately and suddenly passed away on June 19, 2021. Please continue to pray for her children, Rian (our senior company member) and Juan, as well as our entire dance family. We are selling #MichelleStrong and #LiveLikeMichelle wristbands for $5 each. All profits will go to Rian and Juan. Please stay tuned for an upcoming Zumbathon in honor of Michelle and her contribution to the fitness world. All profits from this event will go to Rian and Juan as well.

Student Instructors

Daionna Smith

Tyrell Mays

Rian McCallum

Laila Blocker