MDS Fall 2025 Staff

Rachel Morris

Rachel Morris grew up in Mathews, Virginia and began dancing at age four at Diggs School of Dance. She was an original member of Bayside Youth Ballet (1992) and danced with them until graduating from Mathews High School in 2000. She attended Longwood University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Rachel has taught dance for over 20 years at studios including Five Pointes Dance Center in Farmville, Virginia where she worked with their competition team, the Emberz; and Diggs School of Dance in Gloucester, Virginia. Rachel currently lives in Mathews County where she teaches art at Mathews High School. In 2015 she opened Mathews Dance Studio and continues to serve as Director and Instructor. ​

Haley Beatley

Haley Beatley has been with MDS since the fall of 2018. She was born & raised in Mathews, Virginia and began dancing at age four at Diggs School of Dance. She joined and performed with the Bayside Youth Ballet from 2006 until 2010. After graduating from Mathews High School she attended Radford University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. While in college she had the privilege of performing in school productions including The Nutcracker, Fall Dance Fest, Dancing on The Edge, The Shadow Waltz, and many more. She also was chosen to perform with d a n a h b e l l a DanceWorks, a contemporary modern dance company, in many states across the country. Haley also teaches Pre-Kindergarten Four at Ware Academy where she also serves as the Admissions Associate.

Kaylee Jones

​Kaylee Jones recently graduated as Valedictorian from Gloucester High School and earned her associates degree through Rappahannock Community College. Throughout her childhood, she studied dance at Diggs School of Dance for 15 years, where she earned her teaching certificate. She also performed with the Bayside Youth Ballet for 10 years. Kaylee began performing with Mathews Dance Studio in 2018 and began working in 2023. She enjoys traveling to New York City for dance classes and to watch hockey games and musicals. In the fall, she will continue dancing at William and Mary.

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Meet Our Summer Staff!

Kat Murphy & Morgan Stearns

Kat and Morgan are at the studio almost every Monday. Kat Murphy (left) teaches our boys classes and Level Two Ballet/Tap. She's been with MDS for about five years, but when she's not at the studio you can find her at the beach. Kat loves working with our younger students and is excited to teach this summer. Morgan Stearns (right) is in her first year assisting at MDS. She loves working with our boys groups and creative movement girls. Morgan also loves spending as much time as possible at the beach during the summer. Morgan assists classes throughout the week and is excited about getting to meet more of the kids and working with different age levels.

Annabelle Morgan & Kaitlyn Ball

Most Wednesdays you'll find Annabelle and Kaitlyn at the studio. Annabelle Morgan (left) has been working at MDS for about 5 years, the last two as an instructor. Annabelle has worked with our very youngest to oldest dancers and loves every age group and dance style. She works a LOT, but during her down time she loves to crochet and play with her new ktitens. Kaitlyn Ball (right) has assisted at MDS for about three years. Her favorite class is creative movement and when she isn't at the studio she loves hanging out with friends and going to the beach.

Kaylee Jones & Addi Griffith

Kaylee and Addi can be found at the studio multiple days during the week but are almost always there on Tuesdays. Kaylee Jones (left) has been working at MDS for 2 years but is just finishing her first year teaching. Kayee teaches our middle school classes and loves jazz and modern. She loves traveling to NYC for shows and shopping but can be found at the pool reading when she is home. Addi Griffith (right) has been assisting at MDS for two years and loves the Duos classes. Addi loves social activity, especially spending time at the beach with her friends and family.

Rachel Morris & Haley Beatley

Thursday nights are Haley's (right) night! Haley Beatley has been teaching on Thursdays for 6 years? 7? We're not really sure because even before Haley was teaching she was helping build MDS. Rachel (left) opened MDS almost TEN years ago (this August!) and is usually around the studio most nights but can always be found teaching on Saturday mornings. Haley and Rachel are both full time teachers during the school year (Haley at Ware Academy and Rachel at Mathews High School) so they both REALLY enjoy summers to spend outside/beach time with kids and friends. Haley prefers high school modern and jazz classes, while Rachel likes all of the age groups but prefers ballet (and is starting to kind of like tap.)