As previously announced, Kinston Community Council for the Arts is excited for its third annual Stars Dance For The Arts event, hosted by Amy Whitfield and Wells Gulledge. The 2015 Stars event features eight superstar couples dancing their way into your hearts to generously raise funds for Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts. Each couple will perform an exciting and elegantly choreographed dance on January 31st for a chance to become the 2015 champion of Stars Dance For The Arts. Each week, some of the eight dance couples will be featured here so you can get to know them a little better. Get your tickets now and start voting for your favorites. Visit www.dancekcca.com/ for additional details.
Stars Dance For The Arts will be held at the Arts Center (400 N. Queen Street, Kinston) on Saturday, Jan. 31. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available by 6:30 p.m., and the dancers perform at 7:30 p.m.
From now through midnight January 30, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your favorite dance couple(s) as often as you’d like. Voting will also take place during the event on January 31.
There are three options for seating this year. All tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, one vote during the event, and star-studded entertainment.
- Premium Reserved Front Row Seating: $100 (please call/visit the Arts Center)
- Premium Reserved Second Row Seating: $75 (please call/visit the Arts Center)
- General Admission Seating: $50 each (available online or by calling/visiting the Arts Center)
Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts (CCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Lenoir County residents experience the joy, promise, and pursuit of artistic excellence. In an effort to raise much-needed funding, staff and volunteers are organizing a fun event which promises to promote the art of ballroom dance, unveil completely unexpected local dance talent, and bring the community together for a special night.
This Week’s Dance Couples:
Dolph Mintz and Nicole Shank
Rudolph Mintz III (Dolph) lives in Kinston with his wife, Heather and newborn daughter. He has been practicing law in Eastern North Carolina since 2011, and now owns Mintz Law Firm in Kinston. Dolph attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then attended the University Of Tulsa College of Law. Dolph is active in the community and serves as a board member for Kinston Community Health Center as well as the United Way of Lenoir and Greene Counties. Dolph is an avid golfer and loves spending time at the beach. Dolph says he is proud to call Lenoir County home and says he is looking forward participating in this event. Per Dolph, “We are lucky to have such a wonderful organization like CCA right here in Kinston.” Dolph is confident that his experience with Mrs. Ann Cherry’s Cotillion and his many years of (vicarious) dance training by attending his sister’s dance recitals will make his performance truly memorable.
Shank is a Winterville resident where she is an instructor, rehearsal director and receptionist at The Greenville Civic Ballet and Sound Partners. Nicole grew up dancing at The Greenville Civic Ballet from ages 6-18 in styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop. She spent her summers training strictly in ballet with The Rock School of Dance, American Ballet Theatre Detroit, American Ballet Theatre New York, Atlanta Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre. In the summer of 2013, Nicole danced with the Radio City Rockettes and was chosen as an alternate for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Nicole’s greatest interest is traveling and states, “I would love to see everything our beautiful planet has to offer, preferably by bike.” Nicole is looking forward to dancing with partner Dolph, and happy to be giving back to the community and furthering her dance experience by participating in Stars Dance for the Arts.
Rod Howard and Misty Murphrey-Brown
Howard was born in Lenoir County and grew up on his family’s tobacco farm. He currently resides in Pink Hill, but before returning home in 2010 he lived in Raleigh, Washington D.C., and Guatemala. Rod earned a A.S. in Agricultural Business Management from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Economics from the University of the District Of Columbia. He is the Director of Marketing and Promotions for NATSN. In his free time, Rod enjoys gardening, art, entertaining friends and spending time with his miniature schnauzer, DC. He has a passion for residential construction, renovations, and refinishing/re-purposing furniture. Rod is proud to be back in Lenoir County and likes the feeling of community here. He is proud of the hard work ethic and strong character of his family, friends, and neighbors. He and DC are able to spend more quality time with his Mom, sister, and brothers, as well as his extended family. Rod states, “I am looking forward to participating in this fun community event, and to meeting people who share my passion for giving back to organizations like CCA that work hard to make Lenoir County a better place to call home.”
Misty Murphrey-Brown is a life-long resident of Jones County, and describes herself as a “country girl at heart.” Misty graduated from FSU with a degree in Criminal Justice, and now works as an administrative assistant at Wallace, Morris, Barwick, Landis & Stroud, P.A. Misty began dancing at the ripe old age of 3. She continued dancing throughout middle school and high school, and spent several years with renowned dance instructor Nora Parker. Misty served as Head Cheerleading Coach at Bethel Christian Academy from 2007-2014. When not working, enjoys hanging out with her daughter, spending time on the water at their Harker’s Island cottage and being involved in her church and community. When asked what she enjoys about Lenoir County, Misty answered: “Lenoir County has that sweet, small-town atmosphere. I like the way the citizens pull together in times of need. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of respected Lenoir County attorneys, paralegals and support staff. They have been my second family for a number of years and I love each and every one of them.” Misty further states: “I’m looking forward to contributing my time and energy toward raising money for a wonderful organization. Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts provides fantastic opportunities for local citizens and I am grateful to be a part of such a fun and fabulous event.”
Ryan Vernon and Lindsay King
Vernon lives in Kinston with his wife of 12 years and their three children. Ryan graduated from East Carolina University, and received a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University. After spending seven years in San Antonio, Texas, and three years in Midland, Texas, Ryan moved back to Kinston in 2010. He now serves as Lead Pastor at 902 Church. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, playing basketball, playing guitar, and church activities. Ryan says he loves Lenoir County because “it’s home” and everybody knows everybody. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Lenoir County is close to the beach! Ryan says he’s looking forward to this event because he wanted to challenge himself and have fun learning a dance. He’s excited about supporting CCA and giving back to the community. Ryan states, “I believe Kinston/Lenoir County is a great place. I want to give back and help our city grow.”
King is a native of Kinston and a graduate of South Lenoir High School. She completed Mitchell’s Hairstyling Academy in 2006 and has worked as a cosmetologist for the past nine years. She has also been a dance instructor at Studio 86 for the past seven years. Lindsay spends her free time volunteering backstage, styling hair for the participants in the Lenoir County Distinguished Young Woman, Miss Neuse, Miss Kinston/Lenoir County and Outstanding Teen programs. She enjoys watching movies with her family and spending time being “Aunt Linny” to her niece and nephew. Lindsay is passionate about tap dancing and looking forward to her second year with Stars Dance for the Arts.
To purchase your tickets and vote for your favorite dance teams: Call (252-527-2517), visit Kinston Community Council for the Arts, or visit www.dancekcca.com.