Meet the KJSD Staff

Keely Jardell (Director/Founder of MPAC) is the owner of Keely Jardell's School of Dance, which she has owned and operated for 32 years. Keely received her BS Degree in Dance and Special Education from Lamar University. Her choreography has received many Regional and National titles throughout the years. Keely's dancers have been invited to perform all over the United States and in Spain. Many former students now are studio owners, choreographers, and have been dancing professionally around the United States. Keely is married to Bill Jardell and they have two beautiful children, Will, who is a graduate of Texas A&M University and recently named 1st runner-up on America’s Next Top Model, lives and works in Los Angeles, CA; and, Mackenzie, a former Rangerette Officer, graduate of North Texas University, and presently a missionary with Focus, in Vermont. She would like to thank her family, staff, and friends for always supporting her love of dance and for remembering “we are family"

Kim Hawkins (Assistant Director/Choreographer) has been a teacher at Keely Jardell's School of Dance for 22 years. She received a BS Degree in Education from Lamar University. Kim has choreographed many tap and clogging routines. Her choreography has been awarded many top Regional and National awards, including a clogging routine for KJSD Competition Team, which won 2006 National Champions in San Antonio. She brings her expertise to the stage in Whimsical. She performed with the team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and at the Dallas Cowboys' game during the pre-game and halftime show while dancing at KJSD. She is married to Reagan Hawkins and they have a beautiful daughter, Isabelle, and a precious son, Joseph. Kim is a kindergarten teacher at Langham Elementary School in Nederland. 

Shelby Day (Assistant Director/Choreographer) is a graduate of Lamar University where she received a BS in Communications. She is currently a Marketing Manager for Diagnostic Health. This is her 24th year with KJSD and 9th year teaching. She received a choreography award for her work with the Nederland Westernaire Officers and an Elite Dance Cup Choreography Award along with her co-choreographer Miss Alaina Cole. She was a student at KJSD for 15 years and a member of MPAC for 11 years. Shelby has played the roles of Smucky Lucky, JoJo, Snow Queen, Sour Kangaroo, and Mayzie. As a student, she received the Outstanding Student Award in 2003, Dance Achievement Award in 2008, the Senior Scholarship in 2011, and MPAC Patsy Castille Smith Scholarship in 2012. Shelby was a member of the KJSD Competition Team for 5 years in which they won several National and Regional titles. Shelby has danced with the Competition Team in Disney World and on a cruise ship to Mexico. She has also received a scholarship to take dance classes in New York City. She is married to Taylor Day and they reside in Nederland. 

Marlee Garrison (Assistant Director/Choreographer) is a graduate of Nederland High School where she was the Varsity Head Cheerleader and the Student Body Vice President. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Terrific Nederland Teens. Marlee was a 3 year UCA All American Cheerleader and she was invited to be on the UCA Staff after Graduation. Marlee was awarded several College Scholarships and awarded the title of Miss NHS 2016. She was chosen to be a member of the Youth Leadership of Southeast Texas. Marlee was awarded the title of Miss Nederland 2016 and was the Miss Nederland Talent Winner. She attends St. Charles Catholic church where she was involved with the conformation retreat team for two years, an Altar Server for 3 years and a Master of Ceremonies for 3 years. Marlee was a member of MPAC for 8 years. She has played the role of Horton, Gertrude, and Thing 1. She was a dancer at KJSD for 8 years and this is her fifth year teaching. She was enrolled in ballet, pointe, Jazz, lyrical, hip hop and competition team. As a dance student at KJSD, Marlee received the Outstanding Dancer Award and the Dance Achievement Award. She was a member of the KJSD Competition Team for 6 years. Marlee is 22 years old and recently graduated from Lamar University with a Marketing degree. 

Chelsea Clack (Assistant Director/Choreography) is a graduate of Nederland High School where she was a member of the Nederland Westernaires. During her three years of Westernaires, she held the titles of social officer Vice President and President. Chelsea was also a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She attends St. Charles Catholic Church and served on the retreat team in 2017. Chelsea is 21 years old and is entering her third year of teaching at KJSD. She attends Lamar University where she is majoring in Pre-Nursing. As a dance student, she received the Outstanding Student Award, Dance Achievement Award, the Patsy Smith Scholarship, and the competition team award. Chelsea was also a member of MPAC for eight years where she played the roles of Sour Kangaroo, Court Reporter, General Genghis Kahn Schmidtz, Thing 2, and Mayor’s Wife.

Sydney Morris (Assistant Director/Choreographer) is a graduate of Nederland High School where she was a Nederland Westernaire and the Senior Class Secretary. She was also involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Terrific Nederland Teens. Sydney currently attends Lamar University where she is majoring in EC-6 Education. She is a Smith-Hutson scholarship recipient along with being the historian of the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society and the Vice President of Lamar Young Life. She is 21 years old and entering her third year of teaching at KJSD. Prior to that, she was a student for 12 years, receiving Outstanding Student in 2008 and Outstanding Dance Acheivement in 2012. Sydney was also a member of MPAC for 9 years where she played the roles of General Genghis Kahn Schmitz and the Mayor of Whoville.