Dance Faculty Bios
Davileen McNeely
Davileen McNeely began working for a nationally recognized dance studio in Birmingham, AL while pursuing a degree in Studio Art. She began to dance professionally in 1997 and met her husband and competitve dance partner the following year. After relocating to Nashville in 1999 she began working for the largest dance studio in the country. Davileen has tested out of various levels of the American Smooth Style and Rhythm Dances from the DIVIDA syallabus, competed professionally and been a member of the National Dance Council of America. She has also had the opportunity to study ballroom dancing under the coaching of two world class adjudicators; though in her own words, “I sincerely feel my strength in dancing is in my desire to share the benefits and joy I have found with others.” Davileen has been teaching ballroom at The Renaissance Center for two years.
Soraya Parr
Soraya Parr (belly dance) has taught professional strength, fitness and all types of dance for 23 years. She has seven national and international certifications and is an appointed member of The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health for the state of Tennessee. She has performed music and dance in 43 states, England and Mexico.
Philene Trevathan
Philene has been teaching fitness for 21 years, she is certified through AFAA, Fitour, and IFTA and has other various certifications including basic Yoga.
Bryan J. Wlas
Bryan J. Wlas (Resident Choreographer/Adjunct Dance Instructor) Bryan is a native of Woodridge, Illinois, and a graduate of Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Dance minor. He teaches classes in ballet, jazz, tap and musical theatre dance. His choreography has been seen here at the Center, as well as Bigfork Summer Playhouse (Montana), Bearcreek Farms Resort (Indiana), Tweetsie Railroad (North Carolina), Lees-McRae Summer Theatre (North Carolina) and Findlay SummerStock (Ohio). Favorite performing credits Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Meet Me In St. Louis (Lon), and A Grand Night for Singing (Martin/choreographer). As a performer he has traveled all over the country and Western Europe, performing in theme parks, on a cruise ship, and at various regional theatres.
Emily Toopes
Emily Toopes (Elementary Division) is a senior Entrepreneurship major at Belmont University in Nashville. She has been taking dance since age 5. She has done competitive dance for many years and has been awarded regional, state, and national dance awards.
Jennifer Adair
Jennifer Adair (T’ai Chi) Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Texas A&M University, I spent two decades working in the corporate world of construction and facility management. A 1986 class in stained glass started me on the road to rebellion. I was enthralled by what glass does with color and light and loved working with my mind and my hands.
In 1993 I began studying t’ai chi ch’uan with teacher Jean Sullivan. Truly a turning point in my life, t’ai chi reminded me of something I knew as a child-how to just be. As I went further down this path, I also re-learned how to see. During this time I also began drawing, which reinforced the learning from t’ai chi, and was really an introduction to meditation.
By 1994 I quit wearing a watch. In 1996 I ran off to join the circus, leaving behind the comfort of a steady paycheck to run my own studio and sell art glass on the fine craft show circuit. I have made my living with my glass studio ever since. My award winning fused glass is now carried in galleries from Alaska to the Virgin Islands to New England.