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Meet our Staff !

Mrs. Christina 

Christina McGhee has been dancing for 33 years and competing since she was 5

Years old. Throughout her dance years, she has performed in many different places; the Bahamas, on the Big Red Cruise Line, in Downtown Disney, on the Tomorrowland stage in Walt Disney World, Six Flags over Georgia, local nursing homes, Relay for life events, Mobile Revelers games, the Tap and

Jazz festival in Atlanta and many more. Throughout her dance years and career, she has studied: tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, gymnastics, Irish step dancing, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theatre, hip-hop, baton and cheerleading. By the age of 10, Christina became a teacher's assistant.

She began teaching her own dance classes at only 14 years old. By the time she was 18, she was awarded over 15 regional and national titles. In Columbus, Ohio, Christina won the national title "MISS JUNIOR DANCE AMERICA" at age 12. At age 17 she was crowned "Senior Miss KAR" at the Kids Artistic Revue National Dance Competition.

At age 18, she was crowned "Miss DMI" at the Dance Makers Inc. National Dance competition.

Aside from dance, Christina was also involved in competitive cheerleading, the fitness industry, modeling, and pageants. She cheered from the 6th-12th grade, where she was co-captain of her JV squad. She was part of the UCA and FCC winning team at both Faith Academy and Mary G. Montgomery High School. At UCA and FCC, she was an All-American All-Star for 6 years in a row. She now choreographs for many local middle and high school cheer squads and judging tryouts at many of the same schools.

As a young girl, dance opened many different avenues. Christina was a child model for Gayfers and Mason Blanche. Her pictures appeared in stores, papers, and magazines. Modeling led her to beauty pageants, where she competed in hundreds all over the United States. She holds numerous local, regional, state, and national titles.

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One of her biggest titles was being named "Little Miss Alabama." Christina won a talent scholarship in Mobile's America's Junior Miss, now known as Distinguished Young Women. She has judged pageants all along the gulf coast. Since she has been in the pageant systems for over 20 years.

At age 18, Christina became the manager of Core Fitness for Women in Mobile for three years. She was the first person in the Mobile area to be certified in ZUMBA fitness. She is also fitness certified in Yoga, pilates, tai chi, and kickboxing and is also certified in the Les Mills programs such as Body Jam and Body Flow.

Upon graduating, Christina studied business at Faulkner State and Bishop Community College. At 18 years old Christina opened up her first branch of Rising Stars. Soon after that, she opened her second location. She is now the proud owner of Rising Stars Studio of Dance in Atmore & Citronelle, Alabama.

Mrs. Christina believes that constant education is essential, which is why she is currently finalizing her certification in acrobatic arts. She is also a certified CLI Dance Instructor. CLI educates dance instructors across the U.S. on the ever-so-changing dance styles, techniques, terminology & news. Along with her extra educational certifications, she is also a certified "Princess Ballerina instructor." Princess Ballerina specializes in proper ballet

& jazz training for ages 3-7 years old.

Christina has a 7-year-old daughter, Brinkley, who is a member of the Super Stars Dance Company, and a stepdaughter, Aiyannah, who is a member of the All-Stars Dance Company.

Lauren began dancing at the young age of 3. She was a competitive dancer for 13 years. While in the midst of her competitive years, Lauren won many Regional and National titles at the following competitions: KAR, DMI (Dance Makers Inc.) Celebrity Dance, and more. Her favorite styles of dance are Ballet, Tap, & Jazz! Lauren was also a cheerleader for the Varsity and JV squad at Mary G. Montgomery High School. After high school, Lauren attended the University of South Alabama, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She then received her Masters's degree in Special Education from the University of West Alabama. Lauren has been teaching dance at Rising Stars for 13 years. Ms. Lauren enjoys sharing her love for dance with everyone at Rising Stars & is excited for the 2024-2025 dance season!
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Ms. Leslie Green

Instructor/Choreographer

 

     Ms. Leslie Green has been involved with dance since she was 3 years old and has studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe and hip-hop. She first started as an assistant teacher at The Danceworkshop in Buffalo, NY in 1998 and became a teacher in her own right in 2004. She has also done choreography for Medaille College's production of "Rent" and directed and choreographed their production of "Bare: A Pop Opera" in Buffalo, NY as well. Before this she has been in and choreographed shows such as, "Little Shop of Horrors," (playing Audrey) "The Rocky Horror Show Live," (playing Columbia) "Nunsense, Amen," and "Menopausitive the Musical," in St. Catharines, Ontario. In Toronto, Ontario she was priveleged to be able to take acting classes at the Cindy Tanas Studio, and to be involved with Diva Girl Fitness. She also has her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and put together this website. Ms. Leslie has moved back to her hometown of Buffalo NY, but hopes to come back and visit at least once a year.

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Miss Deianeira Hagler

Instructor/Choreographer

 

     Miss Deianeira started dancing at the age of 4 at Melinda Leigh. There she took cheerleading, clogging, and hip hop. She took dance there for 5 years. Afterwards, she moved to Turning Pointe Dance Academy for 3 years. She also took clogging from One Step Ahead Dance Studio. Now she is currently at Rising Stars Studio of Dance. She has assisted for 3 years and has been a teacher for 3 years.

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Miss Shelby Mais

Instructor/Choreographer

 

     Miss Shelby has been a student with Rising Stars since she was a small girl. She has been assisting with classes for the past 4 years, and started teaching classes for us 2 years ago.

Coach Connor Shepherd (Gymnastics & Cheer Coach)

Instructor

 

    Coach Conner Shepard is a student at Citronelle High School. He is a member of the Citronelle High School Varsity Cheerleading team. His love for cheerleading and gymnastics began about 5 years ago with All Star Cheerleading and then carrying on into his High School years. Upon graduation Conner will be attending the University of Mobile. Conner is now officially a University of Mobile Cheerleader! He has enjoyed teaching everyone this year and cant wait to do it all over again this coming year!

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Coach Jay Mason (ymnastics & Cheer Coach)

Instructor

 

   Coach Jay David began All Star competitive cheerleaing at 8 years old. Throught his younger years and high school years he cheered and took gymnastics at AXA and Cheer Force One. He was also a Varsity cheerleader on his high school team. Jay is a graduate of Saraland High School. Over the years of tumbling and gymnastics he has gained advanced skills and techniques that have helped him become the Coach he is today. Mr. Jay is excited to see everyone in Summer Gymnastics camps!

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Coach Delanie Lambert (ymnastics & Cheer Coach)

Instructor

 

   Coach Delanie Lambert is a graduate of Citronelle Highschool, and has been on the cheer team there for the past 3 years.

Miss Lily Powell

Student/Teacher

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Miss Julie Reid

Student/Assistant

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Mrs. April West

Citronelle Secretary

Mrs. Kristi Mais

Atmore Secretary

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