Carlie Benson, Dance Instructor
Carlie Benson is a Florida native growing up in Navarre, FL. She received her training early at the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie with Todd Allen throughout high school where she accepted scholarships with the Joffrey Ballet School. She later transitioned to the competitive world joining her high school dance team, where multiple state championships were earned. Carlie went on to study at Northwest Florida State College where she joined their dance program and was Captain of the 2016-2017 Raider Rhythms. Some of her appearances include the NWFSC Soundsation ensemble on the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas along with the annual Dance Facets Concert which she had the honor to choreograph for. After obtaining her Associate in Science Theatre Technology Dance and Associates of the Arts from NWFSC, she had the privilege of teaching Kids on Campus at the college for two years. Carlie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Dance Performance and Choreography from Wichita State University in the fall of 2019 where she trained daily with Nick Johnson, Sabrina Vasquez, Cheyla Classen-Chandler, Denise Celestine, and Amy Pollard. During her time at Wichita State, she was honored to work with guest artists such as Darell Grand Moultrie, Jammie Walker, and Kendall Brown. She was a part of Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre while they attended a Gibney Dance Workshop in New York City and performed at the American College Dance Association earning an opening spot in the Gala. She had the privilege of performing with Duo Petrof as a part of WCDT. She has also performed as a guest artist for Wheat State Dance Collective and performed with The Wichita Opera in La Traviata. Carlie has taught at multiple studios in northwest Florida and the Wichita area the past years including, Brite Starz Dance Studio, Alfonso Academy, and Set Free Dance Studios. She recently has become an Acrobatic Arts certified instructor. She has earned many personal awards including Outstanding Student in dance at NWFSC, Outstanding hip hop performance from IHD Dance Workshop and a Teacher Scholarship Award from The Dance Effect. She is excited for her move to Jacksonville and looks forward to working with Campus Dance Academy. Carlie’s mission is to share her passion for dance with everyone she encounters.
