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SOUTHSIDE DANCE CENTER INSTRUCTORS
JACLYN RAY
Owner/Director & Instructor
Jaclyn is a Columbus County native and a 2016 graduate of East Carolina University. She holds a degree in Public Health Studies with a concentration in pre-health professions. She graduated from South Columbus High School as Salutatorian in 2012. While at ECU, Jaclyn performed for four years with the Magnolia Belles, the only all female a cappella ensemble at the university. She also served a two-year term as the group’s President and Music Director. While an extremely talented vocalist, Jaclyn also has an extensive dance background. She was a student at Southside for several of her younger years and continued her training with family in Loris, SC. She performed dance competitively for numerous years during her training and has also served as an assistant instructor. In recent years, Jaclyn has served as choreographer for the choral music programs at Loris High School and Aynor High School. Jaclyn is also very involved in her church, Loris First Presbyterian Church where she is chair of their Worship Committee. After nine years on the SDC staff, including four seasons as Studio Manager, in 2026, Jaclyn stepped into the role of studio owner and director. She is so excited to lead SDC for many seasons to come!
SLOAN DEANS
Instructor
Sloan is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Dance and Early Childhood Education. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority during all four of her college years. During her Senior Year, she choreographed for the 2014 Homecoming competition, Spurs and Struts, on behalf of her sorority, leading them to win the small group organization. The annual competition is held between all campus organizations. In the summer of 2014, Sloan taught dance at Arts In Action Music Studio summer arts camp for underpriviledged children in the West Columbia, SC community. The summer camp introduced children to five arts concentrations that included dance, acting, voice, piano, and violin. Sloan is a Southside Dance Center alumni, having trained at Southside during her younger years and graduating from Green Sea Floyds High School. While at SDC, she performed with the competitive teams, and assisted with various ages of classes. In 2017, Sloan served as the choreographer for the Green Sea Floyd’s High School production of “Annie” and became a professional member of the National Dance Education Organization. Sloan is the dance and theatre teacher at East Columbus High School and recently directed “Honk!”, “Annie”, “Moana”, “Descendants,” and “Mean Girls” in previous years and just directed the school’s production of “The Little Mermaid” in May 2026 as the school’s spring musical. Last year, Mrs. Sloan, along with her husband Hackney, welcomed their baby girl, Wesleigh Ann Deans, born in April 2025, into our SDC dance family!
GRAYCE NEALEY
Instructor
Grayce Nealey has been a member of the SDC staff since she graduated in 2019 from South Columbus High School. She has been an assistant instructor since 2014 and has literally grown up in the studio, having taken dance at Southside since she was three years old! Grayce was a member of the SDC Allstars Dance teams for 5 years. She adores all styles of dance, but her favorite styles to teach are jazz, contemporary, and hip hop! While teaching dance, she is also a full time cosmetologist! Last year, Mrs. Grayce married her high school sweetheart, Colton. Her bubbly personality and creative energy are a huge asset to our studio!
BRIANNA BROWN
Instructor
Brianna Brown is the newest member of our SDC staff! She graduated from Green Sea Floyds High School in 2025 and is currently attending Horry Georgetown Technical College. Brianna has been dancing at Southside Dance Center since she was three years old, and joined the SDC Allstar Competitive team when she was seven. Brianna also served as an assistant instructor in many of our younger classes for several years prior to graduating. Brianna has always felt like a member of the SDC staff since she began assisting classes and we are so happy to have her as an official staff member! Our Thursday, Super Star dancers have enjoyed having Brianna, or as they call her “Miss Bri,” this year and love her fun personality.
LORI GELEZINSKY
Instructor
Lori Gelezinsky is the proud founder of Southside Dance Center, which she established in 1997 after earning her degree in Dance Education from East Carolina University and teaching in Columbus County Schools. For nearly 30 years, she poured her heart into building a studio centered on excellence, discipline, and love for dance. A commitment to honoring the Lord Jesus with her life and career has been her highest priority. In 2026, Lori excitedly transitioned ownership of SDC to Jaclyn Ray and is grateful to continue serving on staff. She works with the Allstar dancers, assisting with technique and performance preparation, and enjoys supporting the studio in its continued growth. Outside of the studio, Lori is actively involved at Cherry Grove Baptist Church, where she teaches Sunday School and serves as Director of Missions. She and her husband, Barry, enjoy spending time with their children, Brady (Caroline) and Layla (Caleb), and their grandchildren, Easton and Haizley.