Precision Dance Center
Our Mission
It is the mission of Precision Dance Center to ensure quality professional dance training to children ages 3 and up and to assist in the positive transformation of youth, by instilling the values of Dedication, Determination and Discipline. The Precision Dance Center staff is here to serve the children of Charlotte and surrounding areas, and inspire them to express their artistic abilities to their fullest potential.
Our Staff
A native of Charlotte, NC, Tenitra has been dancing for over 35 years. She has studied various styles of dance including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip-Hop, and has trained with great talents such as Debbie Allen, Jason Samuels Smith, Frank Hatchett, Shelia Barker, Jackie Patterson, Mike Minery, Tommy Retter, and many more. As a young competitive performer, Tenitra received hundreds of first place and championship awards. In 1995, she was the recipient of a “Success America ” dance scholarship to New York City.
Tenitra attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a BA degree in Communications in 1997. During college, she was very competitive in pageantry and won several titles including Miss UNC-Charlotte 49er 1995, Miss Charlotte-Mecklenburg 1996, and she was a semi-finalist in Miss North Carolina USA in 1996. While in college, Tenitra also choreographed routines for several pageants and competitive high school dance teams. She has also done commercial work for Basset Furniture, Harris Teeter, Wachovia and many more.
Tenitra has been choreographing and teaching competitive dance for over 25 years. Some of her students have gone on to become professional dancers in various places such as; Guatemala, Spain, New York City and the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee. Her dances have earned her several ‘Choreography’ and ‘Championship’ awards in the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior age categories at local and national competitions.
Tenitra currently resides in Concord, NC with her husband Carlos and 2 sons, Daylen and Camden. Her motto is to "live by the 3D’s: Dedication, Determination and Discipline." She encourages all of her students to live by this motto and strive to become their very best.
Tenitra Oates
Owner & Director
Competition and Adult Instructor
Kristen Werner was born in Fayetteville, NC where she began dancing at age 5. She is trained in ballet, lyrical, tap, and jazz. When her family relocated to Charlotte, NC she continued her instruction with the acclaimed Paula Mann at Fancy Feet Dance Studios. Years later, her family opened Visions Dance Academy, where she furthered her education. It was here that Kristen had the privilege of working with some of the best names in dance including Nick Bass, Stephanie Campbell, Jason Parsons, Nick Watkins, and Mrs. T herself. She was also a member of their competition team, earning overall honors at the regional and national level.
After suffering a knee injury at 16, Kristen was forced to retire from competition. Refusing to give up her passion, she shifted her focus from performance to teaching. It was here that Kristen found her true gift and an appreciation for educating children that couldn’t be ignored. She instills in her students the values of technique, hard work, and a conviction for doing what you love.
Kristen currently resides in Concord, NC with her husband, Jeremy, and their two sons, Garrett and Dalton. She feels so incredibly blessed to be a part of the PDC Family, and looks forward to training generations of talented dancers!
Kristen Werner
Recreational & Competition Instructor
Carisse Turner
Recreational Instructor
Carisse Turner was born and raised in Charlotte, NC where she began to dance at the age of 3. Carisse is trained in tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical. At the age of 11 she began to dance competitively with Precision Dance Center. So inspired by Mrs. T and her 3D's philosophy; Dedication, Determination, and Discipline, she went on to become a student assistant while in high school at Precision Dance Center.
Carisse graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BA in communications. Soon after college Carisse began teaching dance at Precision Dance Center. Where she teaches Ballet, Tap, and Jazz from the ages 3-8. She is also employed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System where she works with Exceptional Children.
With her years in dancing and teaching she has developed a love and passion for instructing children. Carisse is a mother of an active young daughter who she looks forward to guiding her own dance career.
Carisse Turner
Malcolm Miller
Hip-Hop Instructor
Malcolm "Nice" Miller is originally from Oceanside, California, and has been dancing since the age of 16. He attended Norfolk State University for Music Education while continuing to improve upon and build his dance skills.
Soon after college he started choreographing and performing for local artist and dance groups such as Blackstreet's J-styles, Jada Marie, and Johnson C. Smith's 1st Klass Ent. He left performing to start teaching hip hop dance in 2013. While teaching youth competition hip hop, he has won numerous 1st place, most entertaining, and choreography awards.
His main goal is to uplift kids through the art of dance as well as to teach them the skills and mentality of what it takes to be a performer through dance.