MEET THE LAKE CITY DANCE ARTS INSTRUCTORS
(L-R) Pam Day, Violet Lindo, Cecily Griffis, Laurie Readout-Schmidt,
Beverly Herget, Lisa Browning, Rebecca McCray
Laurie Readout-Schmidt (Owner/Instructor) began dance studies in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Acro at the age of eight in Wauchula, Florida. She continued extensive ballet training in Winter Haven and was a member of the Central Florida Ballet Company. After graduating from high school, she established Studio One-Dance Arts in Avon Park. While attending Newberry College and completing a B.S. degree in Accounting, Laurie taught at the Carousel School of Dance in Newberry, South Carolina. During that time she performed in and choreographed various college and community productions. After moving to Lake City in l980, Laurie choreographed many productions for the community theater, FGC, CHS and community events. Laurie was selected Volunteer of the Year at Summers Elementary & Niblack Middle School and currently volunteers for the Math Superstar program at Summers Elementary. She also received the first Friend of the Arts award which was presented by the Lake City Arts Council. Laurie enjoys working with Dance Alive and the Santa Fe College dance program. Laurie is very proud of her two children, Stacey & Brian. Laurie@lcdancearts.com
Pam Day has been a part of LCDA since its opening in 1995. She handles office duties and supervises our students in the lobby which also makes her a teacher outside of the dance rooms. She encourages the students to get prepared for class, be safe and to have good manners. She has previously been involved in the dance world through family members who owned the Broward County Civic Ballet. Pam has enjoyed raising three children, Melissa, Stephen & Robby who were part of our dance program. We are fortunate to have her ability to promote positive Christian values for our students. She is enjoying being a Grandma to William, Stephen, Brayden, Penelope, Wesley and Jude.
Beverly Herget began dancing at the age of four in Homestead, Florida. Graduating from the University of Florida in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, her dance training includes Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Choreography, and African. Beverly has appeared in: “Quotations” under Alberto Alonso, sections of Paul Taylor’s “Esplanade,” Ric Rose’s Shadow Dance Theatre, Kelly Cawthon’s MOD Project “Vote,” Mohamed DaCosta “Agbedidi,” Neta Pulvamachers “Air,” and multiple student choreography shows. Beginning as a teaching assistant at age fourteen she continued to teach all styles of dance through school to present. Beverly also works at Cambridge Academy. She is married to Ben, an amazing physical therapist, and has three children, Baron, Beckham, and Bella.
Lisa Harris-Browning grew up at LCDA and has danced with us since the age of 4 thru high school graduation in 2010. She was a stand-out dancer in all of our performances including dance competitions, Praise in Motion, The Nutcracker, SRC clog team and various community events. She received her bachelor’s degree in Practical Theology with a minor in Evangelism from Southeastern University in the Spring of 2013. Lisa currently works at Westside Elementary and is the director of LCDA’s “Praise in Motion” team. She is married to Josh and they have a son, Colton.
Violet Lindo has been dancing at LCDA since 2013. Her dance training includes Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz and Hip Hop. Her senior solo as “Robot Girl” won the hearts of many of our students and encouraged them to want to dance. She is excited to share her love of dance, especially Hip Hop, with our students. Violet recently earned her EMT Certification and works for Century Ambulance Services.
Rebecca McCray joined LCDA in 2020 and teaches our adult Tap, Jazz and Clog class. She began dancing at a young age in Live Oak, Fl and opened her own studio “Blush Dance Company” in Live Oak teaching Tap, Jazz, Gymnastics, Ballet, Hip Hop, Pointe and Zumba. She is married to Brandon and they have twin girls Norah and Elsa and a younger daughter Griffin.
Cecily Griffis began teaching at LCDA in August 2021 and teaches Jazz, Tap, and Modern while assisting with our youngest classes. She danced at LCDA since the age of 3 and studied all forms of dance. She was a member of the SRC clog team and just completed two years of extensive training and performing at Santa Fe College. Cecily presented her Musical Theater production of “Cats” in our 2022 recital. We have all enjoyed her enthusiasm and energy as she shares her knowledge of dance and music history with our students