Meet Our Staff

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Owner/Artistic Director

Danielle “Mrs. Dani” Smalls is the proud owner and founder of Dani's Dance Dynamics, a passionate educator, and a native of St. Helena Island, South Carolina. With a lifelong love for dance that began at the age of seven, Mrs. Dani brings over two decades of experience and dedication to the art form.

By age 13, she was dancing competitively, earning numerous awards and scholarships across a wide range of dance genres, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, and modern. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Business Management from Winthrop University and has trained under esteemed professional dancers throughout her career.

Following her graduation, Mrs. Dani returned to her hometown to share her passion with the next generation. She began teaching at local studios and in public schools, earning her South Carolina Teaching Certificate through the PACE program. She currently serves as the full-time dance educator and director of the dance program at Whale Branch Early College High School.

In addition to her teaching credentials, Mrs. Dani holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. Her commitment to personal growth and excellence in dance education is the foundation of her studio’s mission.

A devoted wife to Demetrius Smalls and proud mother of seven (four biological and three stepchildren), Mrs. Dani embodies resilience, creativity, and community leadership. Owning a dance studio has been her lifelong dream—and now that dream is a reality, one she passionately brings to life every day through her work with young dancers.

Master Class Instructor 

Eric Freeman, was born in Beaufort, South Carolina where he began dancing at age nine. He loved dancing. When he was eleven, Eric started competing at dance competitions and knew that his heart was in dancing. While competing he attended dance conventions, even winning many scholarships and “Dancer of the Year” awards. Eric credits his family as they inspired him to purse dance as a career. At age 16 he started teaching dance classes and at age 20 got booked for his first professional dance job. Later at age 21 Eric moved to Los Angeles, California to further purse his professional dance career.

He has performed at the Grammys, danced at the Apollo with Debbie Allen, opened for Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled for the AIDS Foundation, trained with the Cuban National Ballet School, was featured in ABC’s Modern Family and appeared in children tv series such as, “Chorals Tales.” Eric now teaches and choreographs for different dance companies  and is also an Artist at Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Eric prides himself in embodying strong principles learned from former teachers while influencing young minds and souls during his travels as a performer, choreographer and master teacher around the world. 

Recreational & Competition Team Instructor

Kaiya Washington is a native Beaufort, SC and a 2019 Beaufort High School graduate, currently attending the Technical College of the Lowcountry to study Criminology. Starting off as a gymnast at the age of 8 she quickly progressed in tumbling, but didn’t love it as much as dancing. She began her dance career at the age of 9, and her competitive dance career at 10. Kaiya danced competitively for 7 years, and had been awarded numerous awards and scholarships. Her senior year in high school she choreographed Beaufort High School’s “Matilda the Musical.” She also was apart of IMMABreathe dance company, Season 2. Kaiya hopes to one day make it big but until then she will continue to share her love for dance.

Recreational Dance Instructor

Kierstyn Wildy, is a gifted young woman who truly has a passion for the performing arts. She was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and started her dancing career at the age of 2. At 7 years old she began dancing competitively and exploring the world of dance a little more. She is currently a student at Whale Branch Early College High School and The Technical College of the Lowcountry. 
 Kierstyn has been a part of the Dani's Dance Dynamics family for  5 years now. She is the studio's first Dancer of the Year and does not take the title lightly. At such a young age, she has already made such an impact on the lives of the children she has taught, by shaping their minds, hearts, and character through the art of dance. 
 Dance is not the only passion Kierstyn enjoys. She also loves modeling and acting. She has acted in numerous roles in plays including the character Annie. She is also a graduate from the Barbizon modeling and acting school where she won 1st runner up from their regional competition and placed top 10 in their national competition. 
 After graduating highschool, Kierstyn plans to attend Spelman College and Clark-Atlanta University to double major in a cross education in dance and business. She would also like to continue her dancing, modeling, and acting career. One day she hopes to own a studio of her own, and create a performing arts school. She hopes to spread her love for the performing arts and help children embrace their natural talents.

Recreational Dance Instructor 

Meet Ms. Vanessa Valdez! Originally from Charleston, SC, Ms. Valdez began her dance journey at the age of 5, training in ballet, tap, hip hop, and jazz at her local studio. In high school, she competed for 7 seasons in color guard, where she built her performance skills and discipline.

Ms. Valdez earned her BA in Dance Education from Columbia College SC and was a member of the Columbia College Dance Company, focusing on contemporary dance. Along with her studio experience, she is highly skilled in social Latin dances and has even choreographed for Latin social events throughout the Lowcountry.

Now, she shares her passion for dance as the dance teacher at Lady's Island Elementary School, continuing to inspire students of all ages with her broad expertise and love for the art.

Recreational Dance Instructor 

Recreational Dance Instructor 

Azaria Owens, also known as Ms. Z, is an exceptionally talented young dancer and an emerging professional in the field of performing arts. Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, Azaria has cultivated her passion for dance from a young age, channeling her energy and creativity into her art. As a proud graduate of Beaufort High School, Class of 2024, she has made a significant impact in her community and the dance world. 

At Dani’s Dance Dynamics, where she has been a dedicated member for over three years, Azaria has established herself as a standout performer and mentor. Her commitment to excellence was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded the prestigious Senior Dancer Of The Year (DOTY) title. This accolade highlights her artistic expression but also underscores her role as a leader among her peers. Azaria made history as DDD's first official Senior in May of 2024, paving the way for future dancers and setting a standard of excellence that inspires others.

Beyond her accomplishments in dance, Azaria is also focused on her academic and professional pursuits. In the fall, she plans to attend the Technical College of The Lowcountry, where she will study to become a paramedic. This decision reflects her dedication to serving her community and her desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Azaria believes that the skills and discipline she has honed through dance will complement her career in healthcare, allowing her to approach challenges with grace and resilience.

As she prepares to embark on this new journey, Azaria Owens remains a shining example of hard work, dedication, and passion. With her remarkable talents and commitment to both the arts and emergency services, she is poised to make a lasting contribution to any endeavor she undertakes. The future holds exciting possibilities for Ms. Z, and she eagerly anticipates the opportunities that await her on and off the stage.