Our Instructors
Alessandra Gironda
Co-Owner, Director of Jazz and Acrobatics
Alessandra Gironda was born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina, and began dancing at the age of four. She received classical training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary dance, building a strong technical foundation and lifelong passion for the performing arts.
Alessandra graduated from East Carolina University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, with concentrations in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations. While at ECU, she was a member of the ECU Dance Team and served as captain during her senior year. She was also recognized as an All-American Dancer by the National Dance Alliance in 2016/2017.
In 2018, Alessandra became an NFL Cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers. She was a Top Ticket recipient, which allowed her to pass the preliminary round of auditions and jump straight into semi-finals. She danced in Bank of America Stadium for four seasons before hanging up her poms for retirement. Throughout her dance career, Alessandra has performed with many celebrities in concert including Brad Paisley, Nelly, Luke Combs, New Kids on the Block, and more.
Alessandra has over 12 years of teaching experience across multiple dance disciplines and currently specializes in Jazz and Acrobatic Arts. She brings a comprehensive approach to her jazz program, blending strong traditional foundations, with today’s evolving movement styles. Whether her dancers aspire to perform on Broadway, join a collegiate dance team, or pursue opportunities in sports entertainment, Alessandra is dedicated to developing well-rounded, versatile performers who are prepared for the next stage of their dance journey.
Passionate about creating meaningful performance experiences outside of the competitive dance world, Alessandra believes the stage is one of the greatest tools for growth and confidence-building. She co-directed a traveling performance team, providing dancers with opportunities to perform at renowned venues including Walt Disney World, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Universal Orlando Resort, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, and more. She is excited to bring this opportunity to Odyssey Dance Company!
As Co-Owner, Director, Choreographer, and Instructor of Odyssey Dance Company, she is passionate about inspiring and developing the next generation through dance. Her mission extends beyond creating strong, skilled performers; she is dedicated to helping young dancers build confidence, character, discipline, and kindness. At Odyssey, the goal is not only to cultivate exceptional dancers, but exceptional human beings.
Today, Alessandra resides in Aberdeen, North Carolina, with her husband, Matt, and their beloved Yorkie, Brantley. Alessandra is also the owner of Soleil Bronze Bar, a luxury spray tanning salon in downtown Southern Pines. In her free time, you can catch her enjoying Mickey-shaped snacks in Walt Disney World.
Leigh Blanton
co-owner, director of ballet and Contemporary
Leigh is a dedicated dance educator and performer with more than 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she trained under renowned artists and educators including Gerri Houlihan, BJ Sullivan, and Jan Van Dyke. In addition to her collegiate education, Leigh has studied under dance giants such as Gregory Hines, Chuck Davis, David Dorfman, Mark Haim, Gus Giordano, Geo Hubela.
Throughout her performing career, Leigh has appeared in prestigious events including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Sugar Bowl Halftime Show, and as a featured soloist for the 1999 Special Olympics World Games. She has performed repertory works by Gerri Houlihan, Paul Taylor, and Chuck Davis and was a member of Nosi Dance Theatre in Durham, North Carolina.
Leigh specializes in contemporary dance and ballet, bringing a thoughtful and dynamic approach to her teaching. Her movement philosophy is influenced by Cecchetti Method, Release Technique, Limón Technique, and Cunningham Technique, emphasizing artistry, musicality, efficiency of movement, and technical excellence. Her passion is dance performance, and she is committed to helping dancers develop strong foundational skills while encouraging creativity, confidence, and individual expression.
Leigh's goal is to bring a comprehensive, non-competitive dance education to Moore County with a strong emphasis on meaningful performance opportunities. She has co-directed a performance travel team whose dancers have performed at Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and aboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia. Through these experiences, Leigh has helped young performers gain confidence, professionalism, and a deeper appreciation for the art of dance.
Through her extensive performance background and years of teaching experience, Leigh strives to inspire dancers of all ages to discover their unique artistic voice and reach their fullest potential. She is excited to share her love of performance with the Moore County community and create opportunities for dancers to shine both on and off the stage.
Leigh lives in Whispering Pines with her husband, Chase, daughter, Natalie, son, Nick, and three much adored and spoiled pets, Jack, Lou, and Winnie. In addition to her responsibilities as Co-Owner of Odyssey Dance Company Leigh loves spending time in the Mountains of NC, reading, and planning her next trip to Walt Disney World!
Morgan Jackson
instructor: combo, ballet, jazz, contemporary
Morgan Jackson has danced since she was three years old and has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and contemporary/lyrical over the years. During her dance career she performed many soloist and partnering roles in her studio’s productions, was captain of her dance team, became a teacher’s assistant, and traveled to perform in venues such as Walt Disney World, Carowinds, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to name a few.
During her senior year of high school, Morgan was hired as an instructor at her studio and continued teaching after high school during the two years she spent at Sandhills Community College pursuing her Associate in Science Degree. After graduating in May 2023, she transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to continue her education and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Biology Degree with a Minor in Chemistry in May 2025. While she was at Chapel Hill she had also continued gaining experience, learning, and teaching ballet, pre-pointe, pointe, tap, lyrical, and jazz classes at a studio in Hillsborough, NC.
As Morgan prepares for the next chapter in her professional schooling career, she continues to share her passion for dance in the cities of Hillsborough, Robbins, and Southern Pines, NC. At Odyssey Dance Company, Morgan plans to encourage and inspire her students to build confidence, find discipline, and discover themselves through the power of dance and expression. She is so excited to be a part of the ODC family and can’t wait to share her love of dance with all of you!
Kristal Kowach
INSTRUCTOR: COMBO, TAP
Kristal Kowach is a passionate and versatile dance educator who has been teaching since she was 17. With a deep love for the performing arts and a special passion for musical theater, Kristal brings authentic performance experience and a broad dance background to her students.
She honed her skills at various studios across Southern California, studying jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet. Kristal has performed in numerous theater productions, including community theater in Southern California and while living in Germany with her husband, most recently with Sunrise Live during the 2021/2022 theater season.
While living in Hawaii from 2023–2025, she discovered the art of hula and continues training in this expressive form today. She is currently a theater student at Sandhills Community College, working toward her theater degree.
At Odyssey Dance Company, Kristal plans to create a fun, structured, and supportive environment where students of all ages build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love for dance. She is thrilled to inspire the next generation at Odyssey Dance Company!