Jane's current workshops/classes at Lee:

Wanderlust Jr.
In this one-week session, your child will learn about multiple cultures and travel destinations through dance, games, and crafts. Click here to learn more about Wanderlust Jr.

Belly Dancing
On-going class for beginners and also for intermediate/advanced belly dancers. 

Zumba Gold
A fitness program that brings the Latin and international dance rhythms to the beginner or an active older adult.

Check the Class Information page for specifics on registering for these classes as well as available dates, times, and fees.

Instructor Bio

Although originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Jane Etheridge has called Paris her home for over 35 years.  She and her husband, John, raised their four children in Paris.  Before completing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology and going to work at Murray State University, Jane developed and taught SEARCH, the program for the Gifted and Talented in PSSD.  

Jane worked for twenty-two years at MSU as a mental health counselor and Director of the University’s Women’s Center.  Although she primarily worked with college students and faculty/staff at Murray State, she also worked for 10 summers with high school students, serving as Counseling Director for the Commonwealth Honors Academy and Governor’s Scholars Program.  During her tenure at Murray State, Jane created a mentoring and leadership development program that paired college women with middle-school girls.  The G.R.O.W. (Growing into Respected Outstanding Women) program continues to exist and is about to complete its 17th year. 

In 2012, Jane retired to pursue other interests.  Shortly before retiring, she began running and to date has completed 35 half marathons in 25 different states.  Jane also enjoys belly dancing and since retiring, she has started teaching this dance and also Zumba.  She loves being active and strives to inspire others to move and engage in enjoyable forms of exercise.  Ms. Etheridge has been blessed with five grandchildren and “Yaya” is a name she loves to hear.  Yaya and her husband, known as Pop to their grandchildren, travel to Knoxville and Houston at least bi-monthly to spend time with the grandchildren.   Speaking of “travel”, that is something Jane really loves. Retirement has given her more time to travel in the U.S. and beyond—more time to fulfill her own “wanderlust.”  Last year, Jane found a way to combine her love of children, dance, and travel by getting certified as a Zumba Kids instructor.  She is excited to offer the inaugural “Wanderlust Jr.” summer experience at Lee Academy for the Arts and hopes this will be the beginning of something fabulous for children in our area.  She also hopes the children who participate this summer will motivate their parents to want to be a part of adult Zumba classes that she teaches at Lee Academy and also Flex Fitness.