The Pixie Pods Squad!

Owner/Founder

venmo: @Porsha-Putney

Hey! I'm Teacher Porsha! (She/her). Due to the Pandemic, I became an unemployed professional dancer with little hopes for the future. In October 2020, I created Pixie Pods! I LOVE teaching kids and wanted to offer a way for kids to play, imagine, and dance safely during this Pandemic. I'm looking forward to teaching, dancing, and having fun with your little one!

I was born in Rota, Spain and raised in Abingdon, MD. At a local studio, I took my first ballet class when I was 7 years old. I quickly fell in love with movement and never stopped dancing! I furthered my dance training at Baltimore School for the Arts. In 2014, I graduated from The Ailey School/Fordham University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. I'm grateful to have had a 7 year Professional performance career! Truly a dream come true! My favorite credits include: Disney Cruise Line, SNL, FX's Pose, Memphis, and "Tiger Lily" in Peter Pan 360.  

Lead Instructor/Operations Assistant

venmo: @mikaylla526

 MiKayla Young, a Baltimore native, took her first dance class at the YMCA. She then began training under the tutelage of Stephanie Powell. She has performed at the International Associations of Blacks in Dance Conferences. She has since obtained her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University with a minor in Social Welfare, studying under artists like; Trebien Pollard, Scott Puttman and, Sinclair Emoghene. Throughout her time at VCU she performed work with artists such as Dr. E. Gaynell Sherrod, MK Abadoo and Christine Wyatt. Now a Brooklyn-based artist, she has recently performed works with The Dynamite Experience and has been in residency with MODArts Dance Collective. MiKayla is a former apprentice with Urban Bush Women under the guidance of Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Spies. She looks forward to continuing finding her voice as a mover and choreographer to serve and advocate for her community. Additionally, MiKayla loves teaching and believes engaging and empowering our youth is like sending a message to a future we will never see from the wise words of Elijah Cummings. MiKayla believes dance should be fun, engaging and for everyone! 

Lead Instructor

venmo: @AlexisDawkins510

Hi! I’m Teacher Alexis or you can also call me Teacher Lexi!  (she/her). Based in Sunnyside, Queens. Raised in Buffalo, NY, I recently moved to NYC to further my career. I started dancing at the age of 6 at a local dance studio taking classes in tap, jazz, ballet, acro, hip hop and lyrical. I participated in numerous musicals and ballets such as “Annie” and “The Nutcracker” while in high school. I then went onto college and graduated from The College at Brockport with Bachelor’s degrees in Dance and Childhood Education. While in college I got to perform in North Carolina, NYC various venues around Rochester, NY. I was also on my school’s dance team: “Brockport Dance Team Emeralds” and performed at football and basketball games throughout the year. I competed regionally and nationally with the team placing 1st -3rd at regional competitions and 4th in the nation at National Dance Alliance Collegiate Nationals.

After college I began teaching at Studio J, a studio based in Buffalo, NY. For 8 years I taught toddler classes, pre-ballet, ballet and acro classes. I specialized in teaching most of the children who were under the age of 6. I was frequently known as everyone’s “First dance teacher”. I have also taught dance at numerous after school programs and have been fortunate enough to teach dance classes for the Girl Scouts of WNY to help girls earn their dancer badge. When I’m not teaching dance, I’m a full time Preschool teacher during the week. I’m so excited to now be with Pixie Pods and bring my love of dance to children all over NYC! Can’t wait to meet and dance together soon! 

Lead Instructor

venmo: @Kelley-OMalley 

 Originally from Fishers, Indiana, Kelley began her dance training at the age of three and went on to study various styles of dance through high school. She attended the University of South Florida where she earned her BFA in Modern Dance, along with a BA in Communications. Kelley also studied abroad in Paris, France under the tutorage of Michael Foley. Some highlights of her performing career include dancing at the Colt’s Half Time show, Kings Island and Walt Disney World. Kelley is also a graduate of the Broadway Dance Center’s professional semester program. Kelley began working and choreographing for local studios in high school and fell in love with teaching