OUR MISSION
At THE FIREHOUSE, our mission is to provide professional instruction in dance, voice, guitar and piano in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment in order to expose students to the virtues of performing arts while fostering a sense of confidence and community.
Our Team
TONI BRINKER - Owner & DIRECTOR
Toni is a mom of 4 kids, a military wife, and a lover of dance. Her passion for dance started at the age of 3 and only intensified when she added cheerleading at the age of 12. Pursuing both throughout high school and college, Toni completed both her Bachelor’s of Exercise and Sports Science and Minor of Dance at Southwest Texas State University. After completing her Master of Physical Therapy at Baylor University she served 8 years in the U.S. Army as a physical therapist. She is excited to share all of the things that dance has added to her life with her students.
Classes: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Clogging, and Acro
KASEY IVEY - TEACHER
Originally hailing from Southern New Jersey, where she began dancing at age 4, dance has been a part of every step of her life - from high school to present-day. Kasey received a minor degree in Dance Studies in 2003 from West Chester University outside of Philadelphia where she also was the Captain of the dance team and performed with two other university dance companies. After moving to Virginia Beach in 2005, she began working for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department where her focus expanded to group fitness instruction & fitness management. Throughout her time in V.B. Kasey continued to teach dance and became responsible for dance instructors and curriculum for all 6 city recreation centers.
Now in her 9th season at the Firehouse, Kasey loves being involved in the local community and everything FESPA stands for. She currently works full time for the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department as the Program Coordinator and resides in Eastover. Kasey takes teaching dancers ages 2-4 to heart because she knows how wonderful a life filled with dance can be. But most of all, she LOVES watching her daughter Dailey Lynn grow up dancing at the Firehouse since age 2!
Jennifer Hudson Santos - TEACHER
Jennifer Hudson Santos, a native of Dunn NC, is a graduate of Appalachian State University. Jennifer has a BA in vocal performance and a BA in music therapy.
Jennifer has been teaching for 20 years, specializing in Voice, Piano, Guitar and Ukulele. Talent pageant coaching is another service Jennifer offers.
