Amber Cumbee, Owner/Director
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Amber Cumbee began dancing at age two in Charleston, SC. She moved to Aiken, SC at the age of seven and continued studying dance at Aiken Ballet where she soon became a member of the Aiken Ballet’s Performing Company and Competition Team. She has taken numerous master classes and attended workshops taught by professional dance instructors and choreographers from around the world. Ms. Cumbee began her teaching career by assisting dance classes at age twelve. The following year, she gained the responsibility of teaching and choreographing for her own classes. In 2003, at age 15, Amber was accepted and sponsored by Millie Lewis Modeling and Talent Agency in Savannah, GA. While under the tutelage of Millie Lewis, she attended the American Modeling and Talent Convention where she was invited to work for various talent scouts from all over America. Amber continued to attend numerous dance and talent competitions winning many awards for overall scoring. She decided to further her dance education by attending the University of South Carolina where she graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance. In 2008, Amber utilized her degree by joining the faculty of acGATEWAY (Aiken County‘s Gifted And Talented Education With Artistic Youth) as a dance teacher, where she became an integral part of the staff for five years. She then joined the Crosby-Miller School of Dance faculty in 2009 where she teamed up with their owner/artistic director and formed the studio’s first competitive dance team. She led the team to victory for 9 years. Amber has also worked with several schools in the CSRA teaching and choreographing for fine arts and afterschool programs, pageants, dance teams, and school productions of musicals. Amber is also an M2 Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, bringing the Acrobatic Arts curriculum to TT&T since 2020.
“Ms. Amber” joined the Tip Toes and Taps faculty in 2017 as the Performing Company and Competition Team Director. She immediately fell in love with the family-friendly atmosphere and knew she had found her forever studio home. In 2019 she was presented with the opportunity to take over as Director of the studio, which she considered a blessing and dream come true. When she’s not at the studio, Amber enjoys furthering her own dance, tumbling and business education. She loves spending time with family, friends, and her sweet fur-babies. When she has time, Amber thoroughly enjoys traveling and having new experiences. For her next big adventure, she plans to become a certified scuba diver so she can explore the vast underwater world!
Raelynn Broadway, Manager
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Raelynn Broadway was born and raised in Pennsylvania and relocated to North Augusta, SC in 2012 with her husband and two children. Before joining the Tip Toes and Taps Staff as the Office Manager in 2014, Raelynn worked as an office assistant for Green Supreme, Inc. as well as a property manager for a housing community. She has an extensive background in customer service as well as office and managerial duties. Raelynn was promoted to Studio Manager in 2019 and has continued to learn new programs, systems, and processes to better serve her TT&T studio family!
“Mrs. Raelynn” is so thankful to be a part of the Tip Toes and Taps family! She enjoys the family-oriented environment, and feels blessed to be able to get to know so many wonderful people on a personal level. When she is not at the studio, Raelynn enjoys spending time with her family out in nature, playing games and making crafts. Her three grandchildren keep her busy and bring immense joy to her life. On Sunday’s, you can find Raelynn volunteering at True North Church by serving coffee and welcoming other members and visitors. Regardless of where she is, Raelynn loves helping others.
Karis Altringer, Administrative Assistant
Karis Altringer was born and raised in North Augusta and graduated from North Augusta High School in 2019. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina at Aiken majoring in nursing. Upon graduation this Spring, she plans to work in the Women’s Health field. Karis is a member of Phi Mu, a sorority at USC Aiken, and currently serves as her chapters’ Secretary. She has held many other leadership positions within her chapter including Membership Director, Academic Excellence Chair, and President. She is active in supporting her sorority’s philanthropy, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
“Ms. Karis” started dancing at Tip Toes and Taps as a toddler and continued taking classes at the studio for 16 years. She has taught all ages in many classes including ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. Karis is excited about her new role as Administrative Assistant and is ready for a great season! In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends.
Kayla Adkinson, Dance Teacher/Acro-Tumble Coach
Bio coming soon!
Danielle Altringer, Dance Teacher
Danielle Altringer graduated from Winthrop University in 2021 and will soon graduate with her Master’s in Education from Clemson University. She is an English teacher at South Aiken High School, and was named First-Year Teacher of the Year for South Aiken and also named to the Honor Court for Aiken County Public School District. Raised in North Augusta, she danced at Tip Toes and Taps for nearly 15 years before leaving to attend Winthrop University. She has taught dance to all ages, from preschool to company level, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and composition. She is the Stage Manager for our Spring recitals and has choreographed for recitals, concerts, and competitions.
“Ms. Danielle” is so excited to be a part of the Tip Toes and Taps staff, a group of people who she has considered family for many years. She is passionate about inspiring a love of dance in all of her students, and believes in building a foundation of technical knowledge and ability. When she is not at the studio, Danielle enjoys working in her garden, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family.
Bailey Arthur, Dance Teacher/Cheer Coach
Bailey Arthur is one of our Tip Toes and Taps alumni, serving as a former star student, competition team member and assistant teacher. She began dancing with us at age eight and has studied a variety of dance genres ever since. Bailey is a former member of the USC Aiken Dance Team where she performed various cheers as well as pom, hip hop, and jazz routines. She has also helped choreograph routines for middle and JV cheer squads around the CSRA. Bailey graduated from USCA in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and is currently a fifth grade teacher in Edgefield County.
“Ms. Bailey” is so excited to be back in her home studio to continue sharing her love for dance and cheer with her students. When she’s not in the studio, Bailey enjoys going out line dancing, hanging out with friends and family, and exploring outdoors!
Mollie Heale, Dance Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Kristina Mahaney, Dance Teacher
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Kristina Mahaney started dancing at the age of 5 at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Southern California. While training there she attended numerous summer programs at Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, the Rock School For Dance Education and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She received her BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College with a concentration in Ballet in 2017. While at MMC, she performed works by Bill T Jones, Breton Tyner-Bryan, Norbert De La Cruz III and Anthony Ferro. Upon graduation Kristina became involved in the NYC theater scene as a stage manager and an audition team member for the Ballet Tech School. Stage Manager credits include: Into the Woods, The Cradle Will Rock (Theater 2020), Broken Story, The Fire Within (White Horse Theater Company) , Painted Alice, Crushing Baby Animals (CultureLab), Seussical The Musical (The Augusta Players).
“Ms. Kristina” moved to Augusta, GA in 2020 and started teaching ballet and pointe at Tip Toes and Taps. She also works with the Augusta Players, Inc both onstage and off.
Beverlee Nichols, Preschool Dance Director
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Beverlee Powell Nichols graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Dance Education/Technique and Performance in 1990. Since that time she served as choreographer and instructor at Governor’s School East in North Carolina for six years. She worked as a dance artist specialist in the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Arts Infusion program at Evans Elementary in Evans, GA, Aiken Elementary in Aiken, SC and Redcliffe Elementary in Beech Island, SC. She also taught and choreographed for the Aiken Civic Ballet Company, the Aiken Ballet, and Aiken Arts Camp. She has also judged several dance and talent competitions. Now retired, Ms. Nichols served as director of Tip Toes and Taps Dance Studio from 1995- 2019.
“Mrs. Bev” has remained on faculty at Tip Toes and Taps as a Preschool Director. When she isn’t at the studio, Beverlee enjoys cooking, reading, creating custom costumes, community outreach and spending time with her loved ones and dog, Gia.
Iris Nichols, Dance Teacher
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Iris Nichols is a Junior at the University of South Carolina Aiken, pursuing a career in business. She has been dancing since she could walk and has trained formally in all genres of dance for over 16 years. Iris holds multiple titles, including the inaugural “Miss U.S. Armed Forces Teen” and the former “Distinguished Young Woman of North Aiken County.” She was a “Senior Female Best Dancer Finalist” at The Dance Awards in Las Vegas and a “Jump VIP” at the Jump Dance Convention in Greenville, SC. Iris has also been awarded the “National Top Teen Soloist” award at StarLand Dance Productions as well as the “Preliminary Fitness”, “Preliminary Talent”, and “Top 8” awards at the Distinguished Young Women of South Carolina scholarship program.
“Ms. Iris” has grown up dancing at Tip Toes and Taps and is excited to be teaching and choreographing now as well. When she is not studying or dancing, she enjoys watching movies and spending time with her dog, family and friends.
Natalie Nordeen, Acro-Tumble Coach/Cheer Coach
Bio coming coon!
Taylor Robinson, Dance Teacher/Cheer Coach
Taylor Robinson was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and relocated to the Aiken area in 2020 to teach at Paul Knox Middle School in North Augusta. She has been dancing for over 15 years with a background in contemporary, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, ballet, and tap. She attended a performing arts school for grades 6-12, where dance was an integral part of her daily school schedule. In high school, she also began to dance competitively, falling in love with both the art and sport of dance. Taylor continued her dance career into college, where she was able to continue choreographing and growing as a dancer. From senior year of high school to graduating from Bowling Green State University in 2019, she has worked at various studios and coached a high school dance team.
“Ms. Taylor” is beyond excited to have been welcomed into such a loving and talented studio! She is so excited to share her love and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers. When she is not dancing, you can find Taylor coaching PK’s Cheer Team, working out, exploring her new home, shopping, and binge watching the latest Netflix shows!
Lexi Saxton, Dance Teacher
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!
Izabella Black, Assistant
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!
Alexandria Denson, Assistant
Alexandria Denson (Alex) is currently a children’s party performer with Happily Ever After Princess Parties. Her passion for entertaining children has led her to Tip Toes and Taps where she can continue doing what she loves! Alex is also an assistant photographer with Catchlight CSRA, where she loves capturing special moments and memories. Aside from her love of performing and photography, Alex is also an avid animal lover. She is the proud owner of two cats, Cookie and Peep, who bring her endless joy and entertainment.
“Ms. Alex” enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for life and magic with children and always manages to bring a smile to their faces. Her dedication to youth sports safety is evident in her certification in concussion training for youth sports coaches. She understands the importance of keeping children safe while participating in sports and is committed to educating others on the topic.
Marlie Powell, Assistant
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!
Bailee Priester, Assistant
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!
Kindle Danridge, Acro-Tumble Demonstrator
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!
Sasha Whitaker, Acro-Tumble Demonstrator
Photo Credit: Sugar Peach Productions
Bio coming soon!