About Us
About Carla’s Dance Factory
For more than 40 years, Carla’s Dance Factory has been a cornerstone of the Fayette County community. Founded by Carla Gillespie Berry, CDF was built on a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves access to quality dance education and that dance should be joyful. For decades, our studio proudly lived by the motto “something fun for everyone,” introducing thousands of dancers to the magic of movement, the discipline of training, and the confidence that comes from self-expression.
That foundation remains at the heart of who we are. But as we step into the next 40 years, we are also redefining what it means to dance at CDF.
In 2025, Carla’s Dance Factory entered a new chapter when longtime CDF family members Amanda and Jimmy Mullis became the owners of the studio. With deep roots in the CDF community and a shared passion for excellence, they bring renewed energy, thoughtful leadership, and a strong commitment to honoring the studio’s legacy while guiding it forward. Alongside them, A’Leah Burrell stepped into the role of Artistic Director, casting vision for the studio’s creative, technical, and cultural growth while ensuring that every dancer is seen, supported, and challenged with intention.
While Ms. Carla has retired from ownership of CDF, her presence remains deeply woven into the fabric of the studio. She is the heart of our recreational and Showstoppers programs, and you can still find her in the building each week doing what she has always done best: teaching the love of dance to our tiniest movers and our most seasoned performers. Her legacy is not just remembered here; it is lived out daily.
Today, Carla’s Dance Factory is no longer just a studio with fun classes. It is a space with everything a dancer needs: a place to grow, to train, to explore, and to become who they’re meant to be. We serve dancers at every stage of the journey, from our youngest beginners to dedicated artists preparing for competitive, collegiate, or professional paths. Whether a dancer dreams of a tutu at recital or performing on a world stage, they are trained, supported, and celebrated here, not just for what’s ahead, but for who they are right now.
At CDF, we offer a comprehensive range of classes for ages 3 through adult, including recreational programs and an award-winning competition team. Our classes are structured with purpose and taught with intention, blending clean technique, thoughtful progression, and a culture rooted in kindness. We believe in clean technique and kind hearts, in building strong, smart dancers who grow into confident, compassionate people.
What truly sets CDF apart is the feeling you get when you walk through our doors. It’s a place where laughter echoes down the hallways, tap shoes scuff with purpose, and every leap forward — on the floor and in life — is cheered on by a community that feels like family. Dancers are seen. They are challenged. They are celebrated.
Made for every dancer. Built for every dream.
That’s the CDF difference.
Carla’s Dance Factory is more than a dance studio. It’s a place to belong, to grow, and to thrive.
Why CDF?
Whether you’re a parent searching for a first dance class or a dancer whose heart is in competition dance, there’s one question that always lingers: Why this studio? At Carla’s Dance Factory, the answer is built into everything we do.
For over 40 years, our studio has been a trusted training ground for dancers of all levels. Today, we’re proud to be home to one of the area’s most competitive and well-respected programs where clean technique, intentional training, and professional-level standards prepare dancers to thrive both now and in the future.
Our alumni perform on Broadway stages, tour the world with renowned artists, and lead the next generation of dancers in collegiate and commercial spaces. That kind of success doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with a foundation built here, within these walls.
But we also know not every dancer walks in dreaming of that kind of spotlight.
Some come to feel more confident. Some come for the joy of movement. Some just want to be part of something fun. And for them, our recreational program offers exactly that, a home away from home. Thanks to a well-established curriculum built by our founder, Miss Carla, and continually refined by our faculty, we offer high-quality instruction in a welcoming, encouraging environment for every kind of dance from our tiniest tappers to our adult showstoppers.
No matter the path, our dancers are taught to work hard, dance smart, and show up with heart. Because here at CDF, it’s about more than steps. It’s about helping dancers grow into the strongest, most confident version of themselves on the stage and in life.