About Our Company

Our Coaching Staff

Traci Short

Director and Founder

We would like for you to meet our Founder and Director Traci Short. Ms. T found her passion for cheer and dance at a young age. She would dance around the house, do talent shows at school, and put on shows for family holiday parties. She is attending Howard Community College for her Nursing Degree. She has danced for Friendly High School. She also has been cheering since she was 8 for Allentown Boys and Girls Club, Rare Jewel All-Stars, Spirit Force, Trinity All-stars and Friendly High School. After high school she decided to continue to teach young athletes cheer and dance. She has coached for Allentown Boys and Girls Club, Friendly High School, Silver Starlets Dance Team, and Blackout Dance Xenter currently. She is currently CPR/AED certified. She is certified to teach dance and cheer USAF levels 1-3. She lives by the quote "The best preparation for tomorrow is by doing your best today". Traci enjoys reading, traveling, doing hair, and shopping.

Nesha Webb

Assistant Director of Dance

At an early age Coach Nesha developed a passion for dance. She would spend hours learning choreography from videos and taught herself how to dance. She was told she had a raw talent. In middle school she enrolled in dance class to learn the basics and excelled. She continued her journey in dance in high school by continuously enrolling in dance classes, joining the dance ensemble and performing in many dance competitions and showcases. Her dance coach looked to her to be a leader of the class and to also help choreograph a trio dance for an upcoming showcase. Coach Nesha attended Frostburg State University where she studied Political Science and Law and Society and volunteered to help elementary school children after school. Although she no longer had the opportunity to dance, dance remained a big part of her life. Now she is excited to be able to coach dance and work with the students of Golden Glitz.

Stephanie Baxter

Assistant Director of Cheerleading

Stephanie Baxter is an exceptional cheerleading coach with a long history of knowledge and passion for the sport. As a young girl, she started cheerleading at 4 years old for an allstar team in Waldorf Maryland up until the age of 18. Throughout her years of college at the University of Maryland College Park, she decided to take a short break from cheerleading and focus on her studies. Her love for cheer leading brought her back to the sport but not as a cheerleader, she quickly began coaching a DC high school cheer leading team in 2014. She naturally played a motherly leadership-role for a large group of growing young women. During this time she was able to uplift and teach experienced, and inexperienced cheerleaders how to be the best they can be to be successful in the sport. Presently, Stephanie Baxter is a cheerleader for a level 5 international open coed team at Cheer Extreme Maryland.

Candace Penn

Coach & Choreographer of Dance

CandaceErin Penn was born in the District of Columbia, Ms. Penn explored dance at an early tender age of 3. CandanceErin fell in love with the art of dance and continued to achieve monumental milestones that provided her with a diverse background in the art of dance, theater and creative movement. Ms. Penn began her dance training in Washington, DC at the Duke Ellington School of the arts where she was introduced to many styles of dance. In 2002 Candace relocated to Los Angles California, to train with Debbie Allen, at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California. She moved back to the District of Columbia and participated in several programs, classes, events, and performances. Ms. Penn has provided choreography and technical training to students and programs. In 2013 all of Ms.Penn’s training and her true passion for the art of dance led her to develop the idea to provide fundamental dance education. This program is geared toward providing technical and creative training to the community. Ms. Penn is currently sharing her creative gifts throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Taila McKenzie

Coach & Choreographer of Cheer

Coach Kcenzie has been coaching cheer leading for 9 years, 6 of which have been at Potomac High School. She has experience cheering at the recreational, scholastic, and all star level. She is CPR/AED and heat acclimatization certified; and, is recognized as a nationally certified cheer leading judge. She believes that “This is your moment; make it count, because it is only mental. Once you control the mind you have control over everything.” In her spare time, Coach Kcenzie enjoys reading, painting, shopping, and trying new foods.

Araya Bennett

Dance Coach

Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Coach Araya received majority of her training from the Rhythm Alley Dance Academy. She is trained in jazz, hip hop, and majorette style. In her teenage years, she danced with multiple dance companies including Elite Dance Team, based out of Maryland. While in high school, Araya continued her passion of dance with the Lady Divas Dance Team of Friendly High School. Since graduating, she has continued to assist various dance teams with choreography and is excited to begin this new chapter with Golden Glitz.

Breana Washington

Cheer Coach

Coach Bre’ has over 6 years experience in both dance and cheer. A former Crimson Heat and X’quizite Allstars cheerleader. She was also on her high school varsity cheer leading team, both CPR and first aid certified. Enjoys working with kids and fellow cheerleaders. She is currently in school to become a medical assistant.

Brianny Edwards

Cheer Coach

Coach Brianny has been cheering since age 4. She have cheered all-star since age 11 for teams such as Maryland Cheer Explosion, Elite Cheer Action, and Crimson Heat All-stars. After graduating from Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr High School, she pursued Collegiate cheer at Morgan State University for two years before transferring to Bowie State University where she currently cheers. Her passion is children and plans to pursue a career in education after graduating college. During her free time she enjoys giving back to her elementary school in Washington, DC, by assisting with the cheer program, shopping, and creating cheer and dance routines.

Kanaye Millard

Tumbling Coach & Cheer Choreographer

Kanaye has cheered all star for 8 years. She cheered with the Maryland Twisters. After cheering she decided to give back to the community and coach cheer and gymnastics. On her free time she enjoys seeing other children take on team work, bond with one another, and set goals.

Kapria Millard

Tumbling Coach

Kapria better known as Coach Pria attends Bowie State University. She has been cheering since she was 5 years old. She is very talented at tumbling and cheering. Pria has cheered for Maryland Twisters, Fredrick Douglass High School, and now Bowie State University. She has taught and coached gymnastics. During her free time she enjoys dancing and shopping.

Company: Dance Company