Tara Beebe
Owner/Competition Team Director
Tara is a proud Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio (now Diamond State Dance) Alumni and graduate of the University of Arkansas. She began dancing at age 2 and has been a part of the dance industry ever since as a dancer, coach, choreographer, and competition judge. As the new owner of Diamond State Dance, Tara’ s vision is to honor the studio’s legacy while bringing fresh energy, and a renewed commitment to excellence. Dream Big!
Addie Grace Coleman
Instructor
Addie Grace began dancing as a toddler at Diamond State Dance (formerly Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio) and was a member of the MKDS nationally recognized competition team. She is a graduated of Mississippi State University where she was a member of the MSU Dance Team. With years of dance training, Addie Grace loves inspiring dancer to pursue their dance dream while creating a positive and encouraging love for the sport.
Allie Spellman
Instructor
Allie began dancing at age 2 where she trained in several different genres. She is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas where she was a member of the UCA Dance Team. Allie loves being a part of the Diamond State Dance staff. She is passionate about encouraging our dancers to strive to pursue their dance goals while helping to create a confidence that helps then shine on and off the stage.
Aly LaBanca
Instructor
Aly began dancing at Diamond State Dance (formerly MKDS) at just one year old and continued for 17 years. She spent 10 years on the competitive team and served as a student assistant for several years before officially joining the teaching staff in 2008.
Aly earned her degree in Mass Communication and Graphic Design from Ouachita Baptist University, where she was a member of the OBU Dance Team. She now shares her love for dance with students of all ages and believes that the lessons learned in the studio—creativity, discipline, and teamwork—carry far beyond the dance floor. Outside the studio, Aly is the Digital Marketing Director at Flex360.
Andrea Arias
Instructor
With about four years of dedicated training at the dance studio, Andrea has developed a deep passion for movement, creativity, and performance. She is Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and Acro certified, combining strength and flexibility. Andrea’s training has helped her grow as a mentor to younger students, sharing the joy and discipline. In addition to her background, she also cheered at the collegiate level and proudly won a national championship at the NCA Daytona Nationals.
Brooklyn Pennington
Instructor
Brooklyn has over ten years of experience in cheerleading and tumbling and has taught at DSD for four years. She is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts, and recently began teaching beginner ballet and tap. Brooklyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Central Arkansas, and is currently on staff with the college ministry Cru at UCA. In her free time, she enjoys running, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her husband and friends.
Camryn Ross
Instructor
Camryn began dancing at age 2 and is a Diamond State Dance (formerly Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio) Alum. She graduated from Arkansas State University where she was a member of the ASU Dance Team. Camryn is excited to back at her home studio where she can share her love for dance with the next generation of Diamonds. In her spare time, Camryn can be found advocating for domestic violence victims through her platform: The Fight To End The Fight.
Gabi White
Customer Care/Enrollment Coordinator/Instructor
Gabi has been involved in the dance industry for over twenty years, both as a performer and an instructor. As a proud military spouse, she and her family moved to the area in 2022 and quickly found our studio to call home! Her children also tumble at DSD, adding to the fun! Gabi loves connecting with families, providing excellent customer service, and is passionate about inspiring young dancers to develop confidence and a lifelong love for dance.
Jozi Henson
Student Assistant Teacher
Jozi is a current Diamond State Dance student with 5 years of dance experience. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary because it’s of how much fun she has while participating in that style of class. Jozi loves her dance teachers and hopes to be a teacher herself in the future….a first grade elementary school teacher.
Kaley Cole
Student Instructor
Kaley is senior at J.T. Robinson with 10 years of gymnastics experience and 7 years of cheer experience. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Her favorite color is green. After graduating, Kaley’s dream job is to be an occupational therapist. She is planning to attend college at Florida Atlantic.
Katie Robinson
Director of Curriculums/Instructor
Katie began dancing at MKDS at the age of 5 and is proud to have been a member of the very first competition team. She attended Ole Miss where she was a Rebelette and received a degree in Education. Katie has a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology and is the Director of Academic Technology at Episcopal Collegiate School. Her two daughters Abby Grace and Payton are members of the competition team.
Lauren Throneberry
Mini Team Director/Instructor
Beginning before age 2, Lauren grew up training in many genres of dance. She attended the University of Central AR & was a member of the National-Finalist UCA Dance Team. Lauren worked for the Universal Dance Association and continues to choreograph for HS and JH teams around the state of Arkansas. Lauren taught dance and coached all-star cheerleading, tumbling, and gymnastics at Sonshine Academy in Conway. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors in Education and her Masters soon after. She currently works as an administrator for Arkansas Virtual Academy. Lauren is thrilled to share her love for dance with the students of DSD, including her daughter Kinley, DSD Team Member.
Lily Pace
Instructor
Lily is proud Diamond State Dance (formerly Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio)Competition Team Alum. She has a passion for teacher and inspiring all levels of dancers from beginner to advanced. Lily enjoys being a part of the staff and the very studio that she called home. She is currently attending college at Hendrix University.
Madeline Langston
Instructor
We're thrilled to have Madeline as part of our faculty! A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), Madeline honed her skills in the college dance program and competed with UDA. She teaches full-time high school art at Pottsville High School, and her commitment to education shines through in the studio. Madeline genuinely loves working with children and finds immense joy in celebrating their big and small accomplishments in dance!
Olivia Gosser
Instructor
Olivia began dancing at the age of three at Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio, where she spent over a decade as a dedicated member of the competitive team. During those ten years, she trained and competed both regionally and nationally, developing a deep passion for performance and precision. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Olivia was a proud four-year member of the Arkansas Razorback Pom Squad, performing at collegiate events and perfecting her skills in both technique and team leadership. She went on to gain four years of experience teaching dance camps and choreographing for junior high and high school dance teams through B2 Cheer & Dance, helping young dancers refine their craft and stage presence. Before returning home, Olivia served as the Recreational and Preschool Dance Coordinator at Kim Massay Dance Productions in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she shared her love of movement with the next generation of dancers. Today, Olivia is honored to teach at her home studio — the very place where her lifelong love of dance and competition began. As an instructor for the Diamond State Dance Competitive Dancers, she takes pride in helping her students achieve excellence, with a strong emphasis on precision, performance quality, and “cleaning” routines to make them competition stage ready. Olivia enjoys being a proud dance mom to her daughter, Mary Jack, continuing the family tradition of passion and love for dance.
Skylair Black
Instructor
Skylair is a talented new instructor and Diamond State Dance (formerly Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio) Alum. She is excited to back where she has the opportunity to share her talents with the next generation of dancers. With year of dance experience, she brings not only technique but a fun energy to the classroom while encouraging dancers to pursue their dance dreams.
Tawny Carter
Instructor
Ms. Tawny is a dedicated dance educator and choreographer with a lifelong passion for dance. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Secondary Education. Ms. Tawny was a member and captain of the UCA Honeybear Dance Team for four years and later served as their Head Coach for two years. Having competed in studio dance her entire life, she has been choreographing since 2012. Ms. Tawny has been a valued member of Diamond State Dance (formerly Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio) since 2015, where she finds her creative home. Her favorite genres to choreograph are Jazz and Musical Theatre, which reflect her dynamic and expressive style.