Meet Our Instructors
Kara Gilliam
Kara Gilliam is the Founder of the Gilliam Dance Project in Smyrna, Delaware. Kara has been involved in dance since the age of 4. She started in tap and ballet as a young child, continuing her education through college, and started teaching after graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in Chemical Engineering. For almost 2 decades, Kara has shared her love of dance with students in Smyrna. Her competitive dance teams have won multiple National Championships, as well as Entertainment and Choreography awards. Kara continues to build on her knowledge of dance as a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Dance Teachers, Dance Masters of America. She’s beyond excited about the opportunity to continue to educate and share her passion.
“It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason. “Give it a try,” whispered the HEART.
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Laila Gilliam
Laila has been dancing since she could walk. She hit the competitive stage starting at the age of 8, winning numerous team, trio, duo, and solo awards in lyrical, jazz, hip hop, tap, and contemporary dance. Her crowning achievement was being named Miss Premier Believe at the National Believe Talent Competition in Ocean City, Maryland in 2022. Although she is no longer competing, Laila still routinely participates in dance intensives, frequently on scholarships, to broaden her exposure to different genres and styles. Although she is currently a student at Old Dominion University in Virginia, Gilliam Dance Project will always be her home. You'll often see her in the studio choreographing solos for the competition team, leading rehearsals, or teaching classes during school breaks. Laila’s love of dance was formed at a young age and she’s eager to “pay it forward” opening other’s eyes to the joy of dancing.
Gabbie Glean
Gilliam Dance Project's resident ballerina, Miss Gabbie, has been dancing since the age of 3. From a young age, ballet became one of her favorite pastimes, and she grew to excel in it! Her passion for ballet still shines today, and she loves to share it with her students. Even though ballet will always be her favorite dance style, she also has trained extensively in lyrical, tap, and jazz. She has years of group and solo competition experience and was even the captain of the Unionville High School cheer team her senior year! After graduating from the University of Delaware with a bachelor's degree in political science and public policy, she returned "home" to Miss Kara and the Gilliam Dance Project. She loves to teach the "babies," help our older students develop a strong ballet foundation, and choreograph pieces for our competition team. There isn't much Miss Gabbie won't do for "her kids," and we are so honored to have her on staff here at GDP!
Kaitlyn Heverin
Jumping into dance at the age of 6, Kaitlyn immediately knew the studio was the place for her to be! She is a natural performer and loved the stage, where she competed and won many awards in musical theater, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. Now that she's no longer competing, she spends her time mentoring and guiding our younger students. When she isn't in her college classes, you'll find her teaching multiple days a week and choreographing award-winning pieces for our competition team. As one of Miss Kara's first competitive students, having Kaitlyn at Gilliam Dance Project feels like she's home. The students and staff love Miss Kait, and the positive energy in her classes is contagious!
Ryleigh Dillion Long
You haven't seen a lyrical dancer quite like Miss Ryleigh! Ryleigh fell in love with dance as a child and it's so easy to see her natural talent and incredible passion every time she performs on stage. Also a long-time student of Miss Kara, she is now a valued member of the GDP Senior Team and shares her love of dance with her many students in our younger classes. In 2023, Miss Ryleigh was crowned Miss Premier Starpower in Oaks, PA and hopes to win another crown or two before she hangs up her competition jacket for good. Ryleigh is kind, smart, and talented - the perfect role model for GDP's younger students!
Mia Gilliam
Tumbling, tap, lyrical, or hip hop - Miss Mia can do it all! Following in her mother and sister's footsteps, Mia has also been dancing since she was a baby. Friendly, outgoing, and always willing to step in and help, Mia is someone you want on your team! Whether she's dancing with the GDP Senior Team, cheering with the Smyrna High School Varsity Cheerleaders, swinging a softball bat, or teaching babies how to tap, she does it with heart and a huge smile. She's an incredible tumbler and many of our "babies" want to be just like Miss Mia when they grow up!
Sayanni Shaw
If you want a master class on leaps and stage expression, watch Miss Sayanni perform! Whether she's effortlessly flying through the air or telling a story with her face, she is a joy to watch. She is also an accomplished competitor, having won many solo and group awards during her time with the GDP Company. She is always having fun and making jokes, which makes her the perfect person to teach our younger dancers. We are thrilled to have her as a member of the GDP teaching staff and can't wait to see what she achieves during the rest of her competition years!
Our Staff
Michala Messick
If you ever stop into the studio, it's probably Miss Michala's smiling face you'll see at the front desk! As a previous student of Miss Kara's, she is thrilled to watch a new generation grow up under her guidance and instruction. When she isn't making balloon arches for recitals or painting masterpieces on the studio walls, she is an Art Teacher in the Smyrna School District. So many of our students love to see Miss Messick at school AND at dance!