By Jessica Dillon
Dancing for the Arts will take place March 14 at the Martinsville High School auditorium to raise money for Piedmont Arts.
Eight teams will compete for votes while entertaining the audience throughout the afternoon. Each team consists of two partners who chose to dance together and are coached by a professional dance instructor.
Katie Adkins and Brandon Johnson
Katie Adkins is the region lead at the DBQ Project. A four-time All-American cheerleader, she said she is excited to participate in Dancing for the Arts to raise money for the “wonderful education opportunities” Piedmont Arts provides in the community. She hopes students, friends and family will cheer her on and promises to keep her victory dance humble.
Brandon Johnson is a health and physical education teacher and head football coach at Bassett High School. Though he has no formal dance experience, he said he is excited to participate to “do something different and have a ton of fun.” He hopes his family, friends and football players will support him.
The pair is coached by Victoria Howard and will perform the waltz.
Shan’Tyia Hairston and Maurice Breedlove
Shan’Tyia Hairston is a program director for Piedmont United Family Services and a member of the praise dance team at Bethel Way Church of Christ. She said she was surprised when asked to participate but is excited to have fun and give back to the community.
Maurice Breedlove has been dancing for fun since 1979. He said he plans to compete “to the highest level” as his family and friends cheer him on. He wants the competition to bring their A game because he’s “in to win.”
Hairston and Breedlove are the first daughter-and-father team to compete in Dancing for the Arts. They are coached by Janeka Hairston and will perform the cha-cha.
Tiffanie Hairston and Brian Hairston
Tiffanie Hairston is the chief deputy treasurer at the Henry County Treasurer’s Office. A Zumba instructor, she said she is thrilled to participate because it is “such a great cause.” She looks forward to dancing with her husband, Brian.
Brian Hairston is the senior extension agent for Virginia Tech and Virginia State universities. When asked to participate, he said, “I am here to support my wife.”
They are coached by Stacey Davis and will perform the tango.
Sarah Hodges and Kasey Lucas
Sarah Hodges is the director of tourism and talent development at the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. She took dance classes as a child and enjoys dancing to live music. Though initially hesitant to be on stage, she said she decided to participate to have fun, tone up and support Piedmont Arts.
Kasey Lucas is a live music venue owner and founder of the DJWHAT Music Initiative. He said he has some dance experience and has always wanted to participate in Dancing for the Arts. He hopes to win but primarily wants to “give my all for a good cause.”
They are coached by Catherine Rodenbough and will perform the quickstep.
Elizabeth Huerta and Alfredo Huerta
Elizabeth Huerta is an early intervention program manager at Piedmont Community Services and an aerial coach with Valkyrie Acrobatics. Though she has no formal dance experience, she participated in gymnastics as a child and has performed aerial arts since 2022. She said it was an honor to be asked to participate and hopes to raise funds and awareness for the arts. She also looks forward to dancing with her husband.
The pair recently won first place in the aerial ropes act at the Aerial Olympics.
Alfredo Huerta is a police officer with the Martinsville Police Department and the cross country and girls soccer coach at Martinsville High School. Though he has no formal dance experience, he enjoys competing in races and hopes the running community will support them.
They are coached by Catherine Rodenbough and will perform the salsa.
Margie Price-Savedge and Christopher Janey
Margie Price-Savedge is the wellness director at King’s Grant. She said she has no formal dance experience but plans to have fun and hopes family, friends and the King’s Grant community will support her and Piedmont Arts.
Christopher Janey jokingly describes himself as a “spreadsheet wrangler and cat herder.” He has dance experience from group fitness classes and social dancing. When asked to participate, his first thought was, “Will Heidi call back if I hang up?” He said he looks forward to learning something new and raising “a lot of money and awareness” for Piedmont Arts.
They are coached by Jane Leizer and will perform the swing.
Shatera Robertson and Louis Norton
Shatera Robertson is a registered nurse and owner of Unique Styles & Designs.
Louis Norton works for Valley-Pro Services and performs with the band Pirates of the Piedmont.
They are coached by Stacey Davis and will perform the foxtrot.
Melissa White and Al Herndon
Melissa White is the front desk coordinator at Stateline Aesthetics. She said she has never taken a dance lesson but danced at clubs in the 1980s. She looks forward to having fun and raising money for Piedmont Arts.
Al Herndon is the social media manager for Sarver Properties and floor manager at 3rd Bay Café. Though he has no formal dance experience, he said he was initially “very nervous and hesitant” but chose to participate to raise “as much money as we can” for Piedmont Arts. He hopes customers, coworkers and family will support him.
They are coached by Jane Leizer and will perform the rumba.
Votes cost $1 each and may be cast online at piedmontarts.org.
The show begins at 3 p.m. March 14 at Martinsville High School. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12. Online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. Friday, March 13. Tickets will be available at the auditorium box office beginning at 1 p.m. on the day of the event.
Piedmont Arts will be closed March 14 in preparation for the event.
