Little Dancer Program Instructor

Jalena Diaz hails from Greenville, SC, and currently resides in Arlington, VA. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Psychology from Clemson University. Jalena has an extensive teaching history, serving as a Dance Instructor and Choreographer at Clemson Elite Dance Center in Seneca, SC, from August 2021 to May 2024, where she taught students ages 2-18 in various styles including Acro, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz Technique, and Lyrical. Additionally, she has been a Guest Dance Instructor at Shock Dance by Lindley, participating in their summer intensive as a pom instructor, and she has also been a tryout instructor and judge for the Southside Christian School Varsity Cheer program, where she is an alumna.

Her dance performance history includes being a member of the Clemson Rally Cats Dance Team from May 2021 to May 2024, where she performed at all home Clemson football and basketball games, engaging with crowds of up to 86,092 fans. She also competed in several categories at the National Dance Association Collegiate National Competition and has experience teaching at various camps for younger dancers. Before that, she was part of the University Dance Company at Clemson University, where she auditioned and performed routines at an end-of-year recital from August 2020 to May 2021.

This year, Jalena will be based in McLean, teaching the Little Dancer program. In her classes, dancers can expect to have fun while challenging themselves, building confidence, and improving their technique in a supportive and energetic environment. Jalena’s advice for dancers as the year begins is to have fun, try new things, and embrace mistakes—every little step contributes to learning and growing!