Faculty
“Each dance instructor is selected carefully, both for technical skills and their ability to work with children. Our staff consists of trained professionals with extensive backgrounds in all our areas of concentration. All of our teachers have at least 5 years of teaching experience - some as many as 25 to 40 years. They also have a rapport with students and a desire to help them reach their full potential.”
-Andrea Freed-Levenson, Owner
Andrea Barras Govier graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. She is currently enjoying her new role as Studio Manager of Freed School where she has been teaching all forms of dance to students of all ages for the last 30 years. She frequently trains in New York and has performed all over the country. As the acting Artistic Director of the Sumter Civic Dance Company of which she has been a principal dancer for the last 30 years, she is on the prestigious "Artist in Residence Roster" which enables her to teach dance in South Carolina public schools. "Mrs. Andrea" is also USA Gymnastics safety certified.
Tia Robinson graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a preschool teacher at Ruby J. Headstart and has been teaching dance and gymnastics at the Freed School for 19 years. She is a former member of the Sumter Civic Dance Company and is currently the Director of the Freed School Gymnastics program which flourishes under her exceptional coaching style and proficiency in all levels of gymnastics. "Ms. Tia" is also USA Gymnastics safety certified.
Toni McCray graduated from Morris College with a Degree in Recreation Management. She spent several years teaching and dancing at the Alabama Christian Dance Theater. While there, she received elite honors in International Dance Acclaim for two consecutive years. She teaches all styles of dance to children of all ages. She is a Sumter Civic Dance Company alumni who has returned to teach at the Freed School and is now a principal dancer with the Sumter Civic Dance Company. As a member of the Sumter Civic, which is on the "Artist in Residence Roster", she is able to teach dance in South Carolina public schools as well.
Charity Stewart, Office Manager, has a Master of Education degree as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. After 18 years of teaching at the high school and college levels, she took time away from teaching to homeschool three of her four children. She is currently the Office Manager at Freed School. She is also active with the local Anchored Archers Ministry Group teaching archery.
Sensei Terri Jones graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Management and a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management from Troy University. With over 25 years of martial arts experience, she fulfilled her lifelong dream by opening Cross Training Martial Arts. but after the Covid-19 pandemic, she relocated to Freed School of Performing Arts. She also co-owned Dr. Rock's School of Karate Technology. She also teaches martial arts to students in the Jehovah HYPE program. Outside of the dojo, she owns Rivers Property Solutions and is an Asset Manager with an Investment Company. Her love for martial arts continues to be a driving force in her life and she is committed to inspiring others.
Angela Burkett, the newest addition to the Freed School, is thrilled to be our new group fitness instructor. With a backgtround as a former Zumba teacher, she has a deep passion for making fitness fun, energizing, and accessible to everyone. She is excited to bring that same enthusiasm to her classes, which will now include Fierce and Fitness Strength and Condioning and Chair Fitness. Classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning August 5th. Welcome aboard, Angela!
Emily Porter graduated from Logan's School of Cosmetology and currently works in a salon. She danced various places before finding her home with the Freed Spirits in 2023. Porter has a special affinity for tap and has been teaching tap at Freed's for two years now. She started off with just teaching the Freed Spirits but has moved on to taking over the tap program for the entire Sumter Civic.
Caitlin Stewart,