LINDA DOBBINS DANCE STAFF

The Best in the Business

LINDA DOBBINS

OWNER/DIRECTOR

Linda is the owner and artistic director of Linda Dobbins Dance. She has won numerous awards for her teaching methods and is well known for her national champion competitive teams as well as her pre professional program and having performers receive $200,000 in scholarships and actual job placement with her students.
Named “Best Dance Trainer in Birmingham” by Birmingham Magazine
Her training consists of 35 years of dance education in the fields of jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, funk, lyrical, contemporary, vocal and acting. Starting her career in dance and moving on to acting, Linda has been seen throughout the country in national, regional and local commercials, films and print-work. Linda moved from the professional aspects of dancing and acting to open her own professional dance training studio in 1994. Many of her dancers have moved on to the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Radio City Rockettes, college dance teams, Broadway Bound and LA Bound dancers and actors have been featured in films, television and commercials.
Linda has a husband of over 30+ years, Barry, and two wonderful children, Michael and daughter in law Nanda, and her daughter Anna Marie. Her devotion to God, family, friends and dance is known throughout the Southeast region where she has lived all of her life.

ANNA MARIE DOBBINS

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Anna Marie has been dancing since the age of 5. She has won numerous regional titles as well as National Champion Titles in the fields of jazz and hip hop. She has been trained under the “LDD” program as well as world renowned studios in Los Angeles such as “The Edge” and “Debbie Reynolds”. Anna Marie interned for the world renowned company The Pulse (home of Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Sonya and more superstars of the dance world)
Anna Marie is also a professional actress working the Birmingham, Atlanta, southeast, New York and Los Angeles Markets. She has been signed with MSA Dance Agency, Sovereign Talent, and Real People Talent Agency. Anna Marie is a graduate of Birmingham Southern with her BA in dance and choreography.
She can be seen in numerous feature films and television shows such as: Lifetime Movies, Footloose, Being Mary Jane, Cross, Stalked By My Doctor, My Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Evil Things, and more. She has also danced professional for TLC, Rod Stewart, The Beach Boy, Vegas Shows and more!

Kathleen Davis

Studio Manager

Kathleen has had a huge love for dance since she was about 8 years old! She grew up in Decatur, Al., attended Kim’s School of Dance, where she participated in competitions and performed her first solo. That passion and competitiveness took her to Cheerleading at Decatur High School, and finally was honored to be a 3 year member of Auburn’s Tiger Pause Dance Team. Since college, for many years, Kathleen has been in the fitness & instructor industry leading group fitness classes, cycle classes, personal training, fitness director/management positions, and most recently has found a new love for Contemporary Pilates. She completed her training and has been teaching reformer, mat pilates, weights, rebounder, Bosu, & TRX classes for the last 6 years.

Her heart has always been with dance and was thrilled that her daughter, Abby, was a Competitive Company dancer at LDD! During that time, Kathleen worked the front desk at the studio realizing what a calling she has for the younger generations and strives to always be encouraging for them to work hard and do their best!

She is also a proud mom of another daughter, Ryan, and her son, Flynn. Kathleen met her husband, Tyler, while at Auburn University, lived in Florida for several years, and now calls Birmingham home.

RENEE STREET

Academy Director

Renee grew up in Cartersville, GA. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in education from Jacksonville State, then, went on to get her Masters Degree in Education and Educational Specialist degree at University of Alabama in Birmingham. She has been teaching in the public school system for 35 years. Renee joined our Academy as the Academy Director in 2017 and has really enjoyed the online learning programs as an educational choice for our pre-professional dancers.
Outside of the Academy, Renee enjoy spending time with her growing family. She has been married to her husband, Tommy, for 36 years. She has three daughters and two son-in-laws. She also loves Alabama football. Roll Tide!

SARA CHILDERS

Instructor

Sara is a native to Birmingham, Al. Raised in Hoover, originally trained under Frances Armstrong. As a graduate of Birmingham Southern College she trained under many excellent teachers in the Birmingham area. Some of which include: Mira Popovich, Ruth Henry, Teri Weksler and Monica Smith. She worked under Monica Smith as her assistant artistic director for 10 years. There she was the director of the competition team & a full time instructor teaching all ages. As the head of the competition team they competed with some of the best dancers in the southeast. They achieved many accolades some of which include “Best choreography”, “Judges Pic”, “Most Entertaining” and many more. She has experience teaching Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern & Musical Theater.

Mccall Hundley

Instructor

McCall Hundley is from in Mandeville, LA and has been dancing for twenty-two years. She trained at Northshore Academy of Dance on their Pro Company. McCall was a member of her high school dance team at St. Scholastica Academy and was named captain her senior year. She has trained under a variety of different choreographers including Stacy Boeddeker, Nate Poole, Lance and Daneille Guillermo, and Dee Caspary. While in college she was a member of the LSU Golden Girls, LA Fierce college dance training, a staff member for Universal Dance Association (UDA), and a part of LSU's dance ensemble. McCall has taught and judged all styles of dance at various studios and schools. She has choreographed halftime shows for different high schools across the South. McCall was a company dancer for Of Moving Colors Productions performing in the city of Baton Rouge, LA. She recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Accounting with a minor in Dance at Louisiana State University. McCall just moved to Birmingham and is so excited to be teaching at Linda Dobbin's Dance!

Carrie Nelson

Instructor

Carrie has over 25 years of experience teaching dance, music, and drama to all ages and abilities. Carrie was active in the arts from a very young age, receiving her dance training at Briarwood Ballet, Birmingham Southern College – Conservatory, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Ballet Magnificat, and Indiana University. She has been the director of two large fine arts programs in Baton Rouge, LA, and Charlotte, NC and has choreographed at the collegiate and professional level for over a decade. Carrie combines excellent technique with a fun and encouraging teaching style, always finding creative ways to engage students in their unique learning styles while enriching their lives through dance.

Kaitlin Hatch

Instructor

Kaitlin Hatch is a graduate from Brigham Young University, where she earned her degree in Contemporary Dance. Throughout her time at BYU, she was an active member of multiple dance companies and served as president of one, demonstrating both artistic excellence and leadership. She also held the position of president of the Student Dance Education Organization, where she helped foster community and educational opportunities for fellow dancers.

As a lifelong dancer, Kaitlin is passionate about choreography and is committed to continuous learning in the evolving world of dance. She brings both creativity and dedication to every project!

Janell Rashleigh

Instructor

Janell is a proud New Orleans native whose passion for dance began at the early age of two. With decades of experience both performing and teaching, she brings a deep love for movement and mentorship into every studio she enters. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she also trained in Tap and Jazz through the university’s renowned Dance/Theatre Department.

While in college, Janell taught at a local dance studio, where she quickly became known for her ability to connect with dancers of all ages and help them grow in both skill and confidence. Her performance highlights include dancing as a featured Tapping Toy Soldier for two consecutive years in the City of Natchitoches’ prestigious Annual Christmas Gala.

With over 24 years of experience as a wife and mother, Janell’s nurturing nature extends beyond the classroom. She and her husband Craig have two sons, Brandon and Eli, and a Golden Retriever named Daiquiri. Outside of dance, she enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, and supporting others, whether babysitting, dog sitting, or welcoming new friendships.

Janell is thrilled to bring her energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to LDD. She is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers through encouragement, discipline, and joy.

Malia Robbins

Instructor

Malia has been dancing for over 20 years, beginning her journey at a competitive dance studio in Petal, MS where she trained and competed in a variety of styles. She continued dancing at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and The University of Southern Mississippi before taking her passion to the professional level in Dallas. She had the opportunity to dance professionally as a member of the Dallas Wings Flight Crew representing a WNBA organization. Her experience spans competitive studio dance, collegiate dance, and professional performance, and she is passionate about using everything she has learned to help dancers grow, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

Jeanie Cabaniss

Instructor

Jeanie has been dancing for 20 years starting in a local studio in Birmingham ,AL. I was a member of my studios competitive team and started my love for school dance team in middle school. I continued studio dance while dancing for Pelham high school dance team and was their captain my senior year. I was then offered an early scholarship to attend UAB to be apart of the Golden Girls dance team while getting my degree in Kinesiology. In 2021 I was excited to start teaching dance at LDD while still dancing for UAB. After 3 years, I was offered a spot as a Birmingham stallion’s cheerleader during their inaugural year in 2022 (while also cheering for teams like the Houston gamblers, Michigan panthers as they were located in Birmingham during the inaugural season). I continued dancing professionally for the stallions until 2023! I then graduated from UAB with my degree in 2024 and have been teaching since then!

Melissa Hubbell

Instructor

Melissa Lyons Hubbell is a former professional ballerina with a degree in dance from Birmingham Southern College. She has over twenty years of teaching and performing experience, with ten years of experience training competition and pre-professional level dancers, and highly proficient in training dance team prep as well as cross trained in many genres.

Susanna Yonk

Instructor

Susanna has been dancing for over 20 years and has loved every part of her journey as a dancer! Growing up in Cumming, GA, she trained in a variety of dance styles at a competitive studio, where she was also a member of the South Forsyth High School Dance Team, competing at the state level. Susanna continued her dance career at the University of Georgia as a UGA Dance Dawg for four years. During her time on the team, she trained extensively in gameday, pom, hip hop, and jazz. She had the opportunity to perform at UGA sporting events and throughout the Athens community. She earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her experiences in studio, high school, collegiate dance, and her studies have given her a passion for movement, teaching, and working with others!

Anyia Lynch

Instructor

A’Nyia has been dancing for over 20 years and has loved every part of her journey as a dancer, performer, and teacher! Originally from Millbrook, Alabama She began dancing at the age of two and trained competitively for over 15 years in a variety of styles including jazz, hip hop, contempary, lyrical, and pom at a local studio in Prattville, Alabama. She also spent four years as a Stanhope Elmore High School Varsity Cheerleader, serving as captain her senior year.

A’Nyia continued her dance career at Auburn University as a four-year member of the Auburn University Tiger Paws Dance Team. As a Tiger Paw, she performed at Auburn football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics events, as well as SEC and NCAA tournaments in front of thousands of fans. Throughout her time on the team, she trained extensively in jazz, pom, hip hop, and gameday performance. She was honored as Tiger Paws Rookie of the Year in 2023 and Veteran of the Year for the 2025–2026 season.

Beyond performing, A’Nyia has a passion for using dance to encourage and inspire the next generation of dancers. She was the 2022 Distinguished Young Woman of Elmore County. During her time with Distinguished Young Women, she earned the talent and fitness awards at both the local and state levels. She now serves as a choreographer, judge, and mentor for the Distinguished Young Women of Elmore County program, helping young women grow in confidence, fitness, performance, and leadership.

A’Nyia has experience teaching dancers of various ages and skill levels through private lessons, group classes, choreography, and competition preparation. She especially enjoys helping dancers build confidence, improve their technique, and prepare for high school and collegiate dance team auditions. Her years of studio, cheer, collegiate dance, performance, and teaching experience have given her a true passion for movement, mentorship, and creating a positive environment where every dancer feels encouraged to grow!

Outside of the studio, A’Nyia graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in Marketing. She currently works part time as a sports marketing fan experience intern for the Southeastern Conference covering events such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, and gymnastics. She is excited to bring her love for dance, performance, and mentorship into LDD and looks forward to helping each dancer reach their goals!

PROTEGE PROGRAM

Teacher Assistant Position

To be Eligible:

Competitive Company Member going into their Junior Year
You must have received DOMinator
You must have a A/B average in academics and maintain that average while protégé. If your grades drop below an A/B average while protege, then you go on probation and your protégé duties/title are no longer effective until grades are back up. If you are in our Academy you (as protege) can never be more than 5 lessons behind or Protege will be on probation.
You must have a dance teacher recommendation.
You must not be involved in any other outside activities, as you are expected to be at the studio daily
You must score platinum or double platinum (whatever the highest score is of the competition) in elite and place top 3 overall at a competition. All done at one time (It can not be platinum at one competition and high gold top 3 at another.) There must be at least 10 or more dancers in elite solos division. It must also be a competition we are attending as a studio.

Duties:

Protégés will be assistants in classes and rehearsals for their protege year. They will be the leaders and mentors of the studio. They will be in charge of assisting at competitions and LDD outings.

Their senior year they attend all dance classes for free. A $2,500.00 scholarship and can return anytime after their senior year for free classes. They are also hired as a teacher assistant at $15.00 per hour.

It is the highest honor of our studio.