Instructor Stacey Blakeman has been involved in the world of dance for over 20 years. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she received training in several dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet, musical theater, and modern and character dance. While earning her Bachelor's Degree in Humanities at the University of Louisville, Ms. Blakeman taught dance to children throughout Louisville. Later, she honed her skills as an educator as a substitute teacher in the Boston public school system. While there, she continued to develop as an artist educator and mentor, teaching dance in an after-school program and working as a private nanny. Ms. Blakeman is very enthusiastic about working as the Dance in Schools and Communities Coordinator for the Center for Dance Education and helping the children of her community discover dance and the arts.

Established in 1979, Dance in Schools and Communities was created in response to an expressed need for arts instruction in the public schools that would also provide a means of access, education, and opportunity for students of diverse cultural backgrounds. DISC currently provides a free interactive movement program to over 3,500 students in 36 San Francisco Unified School District Elementary Schools. Students learn the fundamentals of dance movement as well as authentic classical and folkloric dances from around the world appropriate for children. Specific learning goals are set in accordance with both California and national standards for learning in the arts.