OUR CORPORATE OFFICE

	Gina Burton, president and founder of Creative Movement and Dance, Inc., began her training at the age of 8 with Dan & Company Studios of Tucker and Dunwoody. For 15 years she performed as a principal dancer with the Atlanta Jazz Theatre under the direction of Dan and Ronda Youmans. There, she studied with nationally renowned teachers and choreographers. Gina also studied in New York under such notables as Charles Kelly, Frank Hatchet, Don Farnsworth, Patricia Dickenson, Luigi, and Phil Black. Gina has achieved numerous and extensive professional credits beginning at the age of 14. Her professional credits include: The Atlanta Jazz Theatre, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, Cumming Ballet Company, Georgia Governor's Honors Dance Program, Athens Dance Academy, Lead dancer - 1981 Emmy Awards, Starlight Productions, Six Flags Over Georgia, TV commercials, and modeling. North Carolina credits include The Ballet School of Charlotte, Gaston Dance Center, and Gaston Dance Theatre. Gina operates her company and oversees six licensee territories at over 250 on-site locations in Georgia and South Carolina. She is noted as a genius with her outstanding program for the young dancer throughout the Southeast. Gina authored her first Ballet CD "Ballerinas on the Move" in 2005. She is working on authoring another CD for “Tap-Ballet” to be released in the spring of 2009.  Gina created CMD's newest sports and fitness program called "Little Champ Sports", and is working with her program directors to introduce another program titled “Mother Goose” for early movement.  This program is already in existence at a few of our Atlanta locations.  She is also registered as a national recipient of the prestigious D.A.R. award
	Sally Jenkins - Accounts Receivable Sally is originally from Tennessee and moved to Atlanta in 1974.  She is from a very large family of seven children who all participated in sports growing up. Sally was a swimmer and diver throughout school and later coached a diving team. She has worked in accounting and sales for over twenty-five years. Sally has three children and resides in the Dacula area. She has a passion for all animals, and especially loves horses. Sally works closely with Stephen Murray (The Accounting Department) overseeing the corporate office accounts, as well as overseeing AR and training the Licensee territory Owners in Georgia and South Carolina.
	April Fowler – Office Manager and Executive Assistant April is a Florida native but moved to Buford in 1992. She is married with two children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and college football. April has her Associate’s degree in Business Management. She has an extensive background in childcare management. It is in the childcare industry 10 years ago that she first interacted with Creative Movement and Dance when Gina was her niece’s dance instructor.

Kimberly Akins - Human Resource and Marketing Director Kimberly Akins hails from Dallas Texas but considers GA her second home.  She was trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Gymnastics for 15 years at Dixon’s Dance Studio out of Indiana.  She was born in Washington Indiana and raised in Connersville but moved to Dallas Texas at age 22 where she began to build her business life.  Kimberly’s successful business background is in Sales, Sales Management and Marketing but due to the many hours her corporate position took her from her family she gladly gave it all up to be more of a role model for her daughter.  Always wishing to go back to dancing, her dream was realized when CMD hired her to teach in 2007.  She believes that the joy, discipline and self-confidence dance can bring to a young child is something they will carry with them throughout their lives as she has always done.  Now she is even more blessed by being able to combine both loves by becoming Human Resource and Marketing Director for CMD.  She says she keeps thinking “ This has got to be a dream” and dreams do come true.   Outside of her passion for dance and business is her other great love, her beautiful family.  She lives in Sugar Hill with her husband and little girl Jordan Dallas.

LICENSEE TERRITORY OWNERS 

Robyn Owens-Donaldson,  licensee territory owner/director of Creative Movement and Dance, and owner of Flick Flack Productions, Inc., began her training at the age of 7 with the Druid Hills Dance Centre in Atlanta under the direction of Coby Richardson. She performed for 10 years with the Performing Ensemble studying ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and modern with nationally renowned teachers and choreographers such as Gary Harrison, Angela Provine, and Delayne Meaders. Robyn also graduated from North Atlanta School of the Performing Arts with a specialty in Dance Studies.  Robyn's professional credits include: Simply Dancing, Dance Centre at Vista Grove, Druid Hills Dance Centre, Coca-Cola Olympic City - singer/dancer, Pocahontas Summer Spectacular - Fox Theatre, and Showchoir's Theme Park Performers Workshop - Walt Disney World. Robyn assisted Disney choreographer Robbie Mackey through-out the southeast in several dance workshops and seminars as well. Robyn began teaching for Creative Movement and Dance, Inc. in 1996 under the direction of founder Gina Burton. She is loved throughout the Atlanta Metro area for her exceptional patience and joy she brings to her classes. Robyn is ideal for a licensee of Creative Movement and Dance and is excited about expanding her involvement. Her territory includes Atlanta, Decatur, Tucker, Lilburn, Grayson, Stone Mountain, Snellville, Loganville, Conyers, Covington, and Monroe. Robyn is a newly wed and resides in Snellville.

Allison L. Kiley, licensee territory owner/director of Creative Movement and Dance, and owner of Shim Sham, Inc., began her dance career at the age of three in Illinois. While dancing with Ballet West in Utah, she had the opportunity to perform in the Nutcracker. Allison continued her studies of dance at the Svalander School of Ballet in Northern Illinois. She trained with the Lawrenceville School of Ballet under the direction of Phyllis Allen in ballet, tap, jazz, point and modern. She was a member of the Southern Ballet Theater, formally know as the Gwinnett Dance Ensemble as a Senior Company member for nine years. She has been in such productions as Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, International Celebration, Big City Lights and Enchanted Doll Shop. Allison was also a performer in the Georgia Olympics. For several years, she was a staff member of MADD Week (music, art, dance and drama) at Mckendree UMC in Lawrenceville and was the lead instructor for dance and drama. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. She began teaching for Creative Movement and Dance, Inc. in 1998. Allison’s desire for teaching is driven by the ability to share her love for dance and seeing the pure excitement in the child’s eyes. She is excited to be a larger part of Creative Movement and Dance, Inc. Allison resides in Buford with her husband Dan.

Heather Pace - Heather Pace, licensee territory owner/director of Creative Movement and Dance, and Jitterbug Productions, Inc., began dancing in Alabama at the age of three and received her early training in ballet, tap, and jazz at Jane Kohl School of Dance and Huntsville Community Ballet School. She also spent many years studying music and theater. Upon graduating from high school, Heather continued studying dance at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated with a BA in dance choreography and pedagogy in 2001, then completed state teaching certifications in dance in Alabama and Georgia in 2002. She also completed Dance Masters of America's Teachers Training School and is a member of Dance Masters Chapter #33. After teaching in Alabama, Heather moved to Atlanta in 2002, and currently lives in Kennesaw. Heather has also completed her certification to teach the Lebed Method, a unique movement therapy program for breast cancer patients. Her territory includes Kennesaw, Acworth, Woodstock, and Canton.

Abigail Smith - A licensee territory owner/director of Creative Movement and Dance and owner of Pirouette, Inc., Abigail’s love of dance began at age four under the direction of Kim Ozier’s School of Dance. She later went on to train and study with Nancy Robinson’s School of Dance and Studio D under the instruction of Mitch Flanders. During her high school years Abigail was heavily involved in dance and theater, landing such starring roles as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cats” and many other productions. After graduating high school Abigail continued studying dace at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In 1999 her teaching career began at the Kim Ozier School of Dance. Abigail began teaching for Creative Movement and Dance in 2003 and now resides in Columbia, SC with her husband Jeff. Her territory includes Irmo, Columbia, Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes, and Richland.

Oksana Viers - A licensee territory owner/ director of Creative Movement and Dance. Extensive training in gymnastics, sports, acrobatics, choreography and dance in the former Soviet Union with internationally renowned coaches and instructors. Performance: Received level 10 in Artistic Gymnastic and have been chosen for Olympic Reserve Boarding School of Uzbekistan, 1984-1986 with the head coach S.M. Kuznetsova. 1988-1990 Oksana continued training in Sports Acrobatic in elite of National Uzbek Team as a flyer in women’s double. Dance was a part of all her sports carrier as a regular class in Choreograph school in Tashkent. Education: 1991-1994 has completed Bachelor's degree from Tashkent Constructive College. Oksana always wanted to be around kids and working with Creative Movement and Dance for 8 years made her dream comes true. Oksana has a sweet and gracious approach and she has captured the hearts of her students. Her territory includes Roswell and Duluth.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Ginger Sausmer - A Southern Crescent native, Ginger has an extensive dance background that includes both teaching and technical training in creative movement, ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and modern dance. Ginger has instructed and choreographed for the Dance Academy of Fayetteville, Clayton Festival Ballet, Dance Clayton, Mt. Zion High School, Dance & Arts Showcase, Cumming Dance Academy, and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance. Ginger first entered the world of dancing at age 3 at the Dance Academy in Fayetteville, where she trained for 17 years. After leaving the Dance Academy, she was Artistic Director of Atlanta South Dance Company, which toured greater Atlanta, from 1992-1993. While at Georgia State University, she was a member of GSU's performing dance company, Movement Force. Ginger's professional performances include the Atlanta Ballet's 1998 production of "Spring Fever" and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, the 1996 Tenth Paralympic Games and the 1993 Georgia Games. Ginger is a 1999 graduate of Georgia State University, holding a BA in Sociology. She and her husband currently reside in Roswell, Georgia, with their two children. Ginger is thrilled to share her enthusiasm and creativity with Creative Movement & Dance.

QUALITY CONTROL

	Robin Hillyer - Teaching experience: Lawrenceville School of Ballet and Walton School of Ballet - Monroe, GA. En Pointe Dance Studio - Lilburn, GA. Performance: 1996 Olympic Ceremonies, Gwinnett Ballet Ensemble, Grace In Motion, and Performing Dance company. Training: Cherrilane School of Dance, University of Georgia, Lawrenceville School of Ballet, Dan & Co. Studios, and Walton School of Ballet. Education: B.S. Fashion Merchandising - University of Georgia. Robin is married and the mother of a 9-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy. She brings a true joy of dance into her class and continues her own studies in dance. Robin is in her 9th year as a lead instructor for Creative Movement and Dance and manages Quality Control.
	Kim Burke Miles - Born in Barbados, started dancing at the age of 5 with the Barbados School of Dance. The lead role in many school and island produced plays, in dance, drama and music, Kim successfully completed with honors and distinction, examinations held by the Royal Academy of Dance, London, children as well as professional level examinations. She took this passion to England, where she studied and graduated in 1986, from the London College of Dance with a Diploma in Dance Education and Drama- Classical ballet, modern dance, National dance –European, ballroom and tap. She is an Associate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (London). Upon return to Barbados, she helped inaugurate Dance and Drama courses/programs in Barbados’ primary and secondary schools. She was a teacher, dancer, choreographer with The Barbados Dance Theatre and Barbados Dance Experience. She studied under Pearl Primus and Mary Waithe in African dance. Kim moved to the US in 1988, where she has taught ballet, jazz, gymnastics, sports and culinary arts for the past 18 years in various schools, community centers and Yeshivas. She brings with her a vast experience in teaching children of all ages, from 12 months through adults, in small classes and Master Workshops. Kim moved to Atlanta with her family in 2006, she has a 12 year old son, Justin, and looks forward to continue imparting her vast experience in dance to aspiring young dancers.

OUR TALENTED STAFF 

	Trishia Batterson - Trishia, “Miss Trish”, began her dance training at the age of five at Carol Walker Dance Studio in Snellville, GA, studying in the areas of tap, ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and hip-hop. Joining the competitive performing arts company at the age of 8, Trishia made her way to be a principal member of the company and has won many awards and National Championships and also was led to many opportunities to learn from a wide range of dance styles and chorographers, including Wade Robson from So You Think You Can Dance. Beginning with her teachers assisting at 10 allowed her to start teaching on her own at the age of 16 to children ages 3 and up. Trishia is now going into her 3rd year teaching at Suwanee Academy of the Arts, where she has begun her training in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Trishia enjoys being able to teach children her life’s passion and to love the art of dance and hopes with her help, they can grow to love dance as much as she has. Trishia lives in Suwanee and when not teaching, she is playing with her 7 month old son, Zachary.
	KC Cherie Bennett - KC entered the world of dance in a roundabout way, after first making her mark as a national ice skating champion at the age of 7. Since then, she has competed in and won countless dance competitions and scholarships, earning a reputation as a passionate and natural performer. Still early in her career, KC has already danced five seasons as a Radio City Rockette. She has also choreographed the touring stage musicals Rewind, Masquerade, and Beneath the Surface, and is scheduled to work on a brand new show in 2004. Along the way, KC has made numerous television and film appearances (including two on Dawson's Creek), and taught all styles of dance to people of all ages. KC has experienced many exciting things in the world of dance, including tap dancing with Gregory Hines, appearing on Jay Leno, and performing for such legends as Natalie Cole, Dustin Hoffman, and Leann Rimes. To this day, KC teaches, choreographs, and conducts master classes both in LA and throughout the southeast. Also a dynamite singer, KC has recently released her debut CD as a solo artist, entitled Fllen Angel. It is quickly gaining attention and shows KC to be truly multi-talented. She will also be featured during 2004 in Dance Spirit Magazine. After living and teaching for 2 years in Los Angeles, California, KC is thrilled to be teaching her home town again.

Berneta Bock-Davis "Miss Bernie" - Education: Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Ballet, and Bachelor of Arts in Performing Ballet - Virginia Intermont College. Teaching Experience: Berneta has been a ballet instructor for several studios, including Kingsport Guild Ballet, Bo Wagner Dance Studio, Southeastern Dance Company, and Total Performance. Berneta has also danced professionally with the Southeastern Dance Company, The Bristol Ballet and The Atlanta Ballet. Berneta brings seventeen years of experience as a dance instructor, she was the director of the Children's Program at The Studio Atlanta Dance from 1989 to 2002. She is now co/owner of Suwanee Academy of the Arts. Berneta is very well known throughout Gwinnett county starting her 3rd year with CMD. She is a remarkable teacher!

Dana Boheen - Miss Dana is a native of upstate New York, and recently moved to the Atlanta area. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, mime, hip hop and has trained with Garth Fagan Dance of Rochester, NY in modern/contemporary. She began teaching students of all ages in 2001, at Dance 22 in Webster, NY under the direction of Kathy Coon and DMA Master jazz teacher Patty Flowerday, where she was given the title Director of Children's Program. Miss Dana toured with PUSH Physical Theatre in 2005, and was on staff for PUSH Pins. During this time, she worked with many inner city and at-risk children while doing in school residencies and workshops at many inner city and suburban schools. She was also the director of two separate outreach programs in local churches. She has studied under Dance Masters of America, and has completed grades one and two of their Teachers Training School. Miss Dana just adores her students, and loves any opportunity to teach a young ballerina. She believes to influence the life of a child is by far one of the greatest gifts one can be given. Dana resides in Marietta, with her husband Matt and their rambunctious cat, Lulu.

	Nicole Wells Dullaghan - Nicole, an Atlanta native and mother of two sons, has studied classical ballet and tap dance from the age of five, first through JoAnn Kane's School of Dance and then continuing with the addition of pointe, jazz, and modern dance at Hutchison Dance Academy, under the artistic direction of Ruth Mitchell. Nicole performed with Gloria Duncan's youth, dance troupes known as Mass Production and Ubiquity. Nicole was later a member (as well as co-captain and choreographer) of the Forest Park High School drill team, a precision dance auxiliary of Forest Park's award winning marching band. Nicole continued to perform as a dancer, choreographer, and vice-president of the Oglethorpe University Dancers.    Most recently, Nicole had just begun her second year teaching dance and drama at Pulse Performing Arts Center in Suwanee, when she was offered the chance to join the Creative Movement and Dance organization. Nicole is thrilled and honored to be part of such a well-respected, dynamic, and amazing company.
	Tavia Edwards - Tavia is a native of New Jersey. Her dancing/modeling began at the Dee Martin dance studio at the age of 9. Tavia came to Atlanta in 1998 and graduated from the Performing Arts Magnet program at North Springs High School with honors. She studied under a number of dance veterans from all over the U.S. Tavia has choreographed a number of dances and one of the dance groups performed their show, “A Mini Broadway Show,” at the Roswell Recreation Center in 2005. She continues training in ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop dance at a number of studios in the Metro Atlanta area. Tavia has trained with John Casablanca Professional Models and modeled and performed for Retro Magazine (a South Atlanta entrepreneur). Tavia is a junior at Kennesaw State University majoring in elementary education. She also spends 70 hours each month doing a Bible education work in English and Spanish. Tavia’s love for dance, education and children has brought her to CMD.

Jude Gregoire - Jude Gregoire is listed in the 2006 - 2007 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, taught high school Cosmetology for many years where she won the honor of Teachers as Leaders and Teacher of the Year for her school. A former platform artist for MTV and international print model, she currently is featured around the state as a guest artist for many venues. A former Miss Wake Forest in the Miss America circuit, she was also the North Carolina State Mascot. Jude was the director of Inspirations, a Christian Dance troupe. She and her troupe had the privilege of dancing for numerous churches, nursing and children’s homes, Toys for Tots, the Red Cross, the Atlanta Arts Ball, Relay for Life, Disney, the Gator Bowl, and on the Fantasy Carnival Cruise. They collected over 50 blankets for Gwinnett County’s homeless as ticket price for their performance. Her biggest joy is her family and daughter, Danielle, who often assists her in class.

Jillian Hanes - Jillian, a native of New York, is an accomplished performer, choreographer and teacher. The holder of two national and numerous regional dance and performing arts titles, Jillian has studied dance, vocal, and drama extensively. Her performance credits include Star Search, Fiesta Texas, Opryland USA, Opryland Hotel, The General Jackson Showboat, as well as numerous music videos, television pilots, commercials and industrials. She has been associated with the Atlanta Workshop Players for many years and has appeared in many of their productions as well as choreographing shows such as “West Side Story”, “Grease” and “Once Upon A Mattress”. A published journalist, Jillian has also written a column in Dancer Magazine.

Whitney Hanes – Whitney is a seasoned dancer/ singer/ actress. She trained extensively with the Barbara Bramble Dancenter from the age of 4 and continued her training with the Atlanta Ballet, Rhythm Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center (New York) and Pebblebrook High School (Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts). She has won numerous dance scholarships and titles, including those from Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Starpower, and Rising Star. Whitney has appeared in many professional theatrical productions, including the national tour of The Will Rogers Follies, movies, industrials and commercials and has sung the National Anthem multiple times for the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks. She is also an experienced dance teacher and choreographer.

Heidi M. Hernandez - Heidi is a performer and dancer whose emotional range and technique have been shaped by twelve years of performance, study, and life experience in the southeastern United States. She trained extensively with traditional French ballet in Miami at the Elena del Cueto Dance Academy, then later at the Miami City Ballet School. Moving to Atlanta in 1995 she continued to study ballet, modern, jazz and tap under the direction of Anna D’Antonio at Brookwood High School. The most notable of her experiences was studying the modern dance Dunham technique with Gathering Wild Dance Company. It was here where she co-founded Georgia State University (GSU) Dance Ensemble while branching into specialized genres that included Broadway style character dances. Today she seeks her Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish Literature at GSU and feels privileged to pass her dance styles and traditions onto your children.

Brooke Hicks - Brooke began her training at age 4 with Dolores Werner Studios in Tucker, Georgia. She further continued her training with the Atlanta Ballet, Edge and Tremaine Studios in Los Angeles, and Broadway Dance Center in New York. She has competed in several dance competitions over the years winning many awards, scholarships, and titles. Brooke is the 1997 Chapter #33 Dance Masters of America Miss Dance. She has performed with the Atlanta Ballet, danced in industrial shows, and judged at National Talent Competitions. Currently she resides in Duluth with her husband and two children, Chase and Gage. Brooke is blessed to share this gift with her students.

 

Rebeccah Keeton - Rebeccah Keeton has loved dance since starting lessons at the age of three in Buffalo, NY. While in Buffalo, Rebeccah performed in nursing homes, hospitals and at civic events. Upon moving to Jacksonville, Florida at the age of eleven, she began performing with the Starlight Dance Company, The Bambi Philips Dancers and The Jacksonville Nutcracker. To further her dance education, she has studied from Al Gilbert, David deMarie, and Debbie Dee among others. As a teen, she also attended summer intensive dance camps and workshops.   Upon moving to Atlanta in 1988, Rebeccah began her childhood dream to become a dance instructor. While teaching, she earned her Nursing degree from Kennesaw State University. In 1990, Rebeccah tested and was certified to teach by Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America. Both are nationally known dance organizations whose membership is limited to those who are certified to teach. During college, she continued to perform around the Atlanta area including being named a dance captain for the Georgia Games and at the 1996 Olympic Celebration. Throughout the years, her students have won many prestigious awards at regional and national dance competitions. Some of her students have held regional and national titles as well. Many of her former students are currently performing, acting, and teaching . She has trained in and teaches all areas of dance, with tap being her favorite. Rebeccah hopes to develop the love and appreciation of dance in her students that was given to her by her first dance teacher, Helen Louise Peters.   When not teaching, she works as a registered nurse at Dean Rusk Middle School in Canton. Rebeccah resides in Woodstock with her husband Brian and their beautiful daughter Emily.

Edwina Lowe  - Dancing since the tender age of four, Edwina Lowe has always loved and appreciated the world of dance. Throughout the years, she has trained under the best choreographers in all aspects of dance, from hip hop choreographers Marty Kudelka and Gil Dulado, to jazz legends Mia Michaels and Dee Caspary, and Hope Boykin, an african dance instructor who is a member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre.    In high school, she was a part of two dance companies; a liturgical dance company where she was the principal dancer in an opening dance for renowned Gospel artist, Donnie McClurkin, and a hip hop studio company, Dance Empire, who won 1st place in competitions like the New York Dance Alliance and West Coast Dance Explosion. As a graduate from Florida State University with a degree in Finance, she learned her true passion of teaching and choreographing when she joined Kollage Dance Troupe, a student organization. She became their co-choreographer and treasurer using both her financial and choreography skills to strengthen the group. Her high-energy choreography helped bring the organization 1st place prizes city and statewide.    Now she is here, in Atlanta, making her dreams come true and turning her passion for dance into a full-time job. Edwina has appeared in many music videos and has worked with some of today’s hottest entertainers, such as R&B sensation Ayanna, Tori Alamaze, DJ Unk, Whodini and opening for artists such as Bow-Wow, Jibbs, Llyod, and Crime Mob on the Price of Fame Tour. Edwina does not limit herself to only one genre. One of her most notable attributes is her versatility. From ballet to hip hop, from jazz to african, she has studied, performed and choreographed them all. Now, Edwina wants to share her talent in another way. She receives great joy from instilling the love and passion of dance in others. She is looking forward to expanding her work as a choreographer and an instructor, and to teach all of her students that “a dancer is not great because of their technique, but because of their passion.”

Becky Newmark - Becky Newmark began her dance training at the age of 3 with Gotta Dance Studios in Elmwood Park, New Jersey and remained there through age 12. She moved to Atlanta in 1991 where she continued to train and dance with the Junior Company at Dance Stop Studios. Becky then became part of the competitive Senior Jazz Company at Dancentre South Studios in Woodstock, Georgia where she trained under Marcus Alford. Education: Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, Minor in Business Law. Teaching experience: Kennesaw Parks & Recreation/The Dancers Studio – Kennesaw, GA; The Academy of Ballet - Norcross, GA; Dance Stop Studios - Roswell, GA; Dancentre South Studios - Woodstock, GA; America's Leaders (Dance/Cheerleading camps) – Fort Lauderdale, FL. Training: Gotta Dance Studios – Elmwood Park, NJ; Dance Stop Studios - Atlanta, GA; Dancentre South Studios - Woodstock, GA; Kennesaw State University - Kennesaw, GA. Her love for dance and music has given Becky the drive to teach young children about the arts. "Miss Becky" helps represent the North Metro Atlanta area for CMD. This is her 5th year teaching for Creative Movement & Dance.

Brandy Parker - Brandy has been involved in everything from karate and sports to theater and chorus. She started to focus on her dancing at the age of eleven at the Tammy Zachary School of Dance in Louisiana. She began competing her sophomore year of high school in tap, jazz, and pointe. In college, Brandy began teaching ballet and liturgical. She choreographed numerous dances for her church and Elite Dance Academy. In 2005, after running the dancing program for two recreational facilities in Baton Rouge, Brandy and her family moved to Lawrenceville, Ga. She's been working for Creative Movement & Dance since 2006.

Jennifer Plumley - Jennifer is a teacher, choreographer, actor, singer, and dancer originally from Huntsville, AL. She began her dance training at Performing Dance Arts, and was a member of their Danz Artz Company for many years. She continued her training at the University of Alabama as a dance minor and a company member of Dance Alabama. She also lived in NYC for a few years and continued to study dance at Steps, Broadway Dance Center and New Dance Group under many dance greats, such as Frank Hatchett, Stephen Harding and Brenda Bufalino. As a choreographer and dancer, her work has been presented in various productions in New York, Hawaii, Atlanta, Texas, Connecticut, Colorado and Alabama. As an actor, she has performed with The Gallery Players (NYC), Alliance Theatre Company (Atl), Theatre in the Square (Atl), Theatreworks (National Tour), Atlanta Lyric Theatre and many others all over the country. In NYC, she co-coordinated Behind the Scenes Broadway, an education program through which students workshop material with Broadway performers and choreographers. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Theatre from The University of Alabama, and she is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. She resides in Kennesaw with her husband, Brad.

Amanda Schneider - Amanda graduated from Ohio University in 1998 with B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography. She was the Dance Coordinator and Instructor of the Dance Department at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh for five years. Schneider co-produced the Pittsburgh Dance Connection’s presentation Rewind. Rewind was supported, in part, by the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Heinz Endowments Small Arts Initiative, The Grable Foundation, and Artists And Cities, Inc. (fiscal sponsor). In New York City, Schneider was a member of the Rosa Mei Dance Company for two years and worked with choreographers Stephan Koplowitz and Doug Elkins. Her choreography toured most of Ohio and New York and was presented at Judson Church in New York City. Most recently her work has been presented through the Pittsburgh Dance Connection, Labco, H2O Contemporary Dance Company and Attack Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 Jacki Snow - Jacki's love for dance and performing started before she could talk. She started dancing and performing with Sacramento Capital City Kids at age two. When she turned four she started training with Miss Darcy at Sierra Dance Academy. Her focuses were Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. She danced with SDA competitively for over eleven years. While taking classes at SDA Jacki was a part of the Sacramento Kings Jr. Fast Break. At fifteen Jacki started dancing with her high school, Granite Bay. There she choreographed her Junior/Senior team performance. Also at fifteen, Jacki started teaching at Tricks Dance studio. There she taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Pre-Gym ages one to twelve. After high school Jacki continued dancing while at Santa Monica College. Jacki moved to Atlanta in 2004 and married Brooks Snow April 1, 2005. She is now majoring in Journalism at Georgia State University and loves teaching with Creative Movement and Dance.

Anna Tolompoyko - Anna studied dance at the Moscow Ballet Academy in Russia. She performed at the Bolshoy Theatre, Great Kremlin Palace, Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre performing various parts in “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, “Notre Damme de Paris”(“Esmeralda”), “Cinderella”, “Le Corsaire” and others. Anna is a 2002 graduate of Moscow State University where she majored in Geography. Upon graduation she moved to the United States and became a private ballet instructor for various Gymnastic Centers in the Metro Atlanta area. Her biggest joy and happiness is her family, daughter Katherine and son Andrew.

Emily Finn - Emily began dancing at the age of 5 in Orlando, FL. After moving to Marietta, GA in 1994, she danced at Centre Stage for 7 years until she entered high school. Emily is a graduate of Lassiter High in Marietta, GA.While at Lassiter, she participated in the color guard of the marching band and also the winter guard. She was a member of the 2002 Grand National Champion Lassiter Marching Band. In 2004-2005 she marched in the Macy’s Parade in New York and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. Emily is currently a senior at Kennesaw State University majoring in early childhood education with a minor in dance. While in college she has been a member of the KSU Dance Team going to the NDA national competition in Daytona Beach. Currently Emily enjoys taking dance classes at KSU and various studios around Atlanta. Her love for teaching children and dance makes Creative Movement and Dance the perfect place to be. Emily is very happy to be part of the CMD family

 Monica Daniels Truluck - Monica has worked with the Roswell Recreation dance department for five years. Her last full year was as supervisor for the Kinder dance program. She also worked with the kinder, youth and adult programs as well as the performing and competing companies. She has a background in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Creative Movement. Mrs. Truluck also was the director of the Dance program at Riverwood High School.  Previously, Ms. Truluck taught in Athens, Georgia, were she was the jazz and tap director of Athens School of Ballet and an instructor at Free to Dance. Ms. Truluck graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Art History and a minor in Dance Education. She was a member of the UGA modern dance company, CORE and danced in the Young Choreographer' s Series. Through the university Ms. Truluck was able to dance and work with many important people in the dance community; such as taking class with the Alvin Aliey Company and with Pilobolous' founder, Jonathan Walker. She was a member of The Springer Ballet Company for ten years before going to the University. Ms. Truluck enjoys teaching as well as performing and choreographing and hopes to continue her dream of dancing for a l ifetime.  

Amy von Borstel - Amy, a Georgia native, grew up with a great love for dance. She trained in ballet, tap, and jazz with a dance company near McCaysville, Georgia. She also chose ballet as an elective course of study at Kennesaw State University. Along with dance, Amy trained in non-competitive gymnastics. Amy has over twenty years experience working with children. Her teaching experience began in 1999 as a non-competitive gymnastics instructor, working with children ages three to ten years old. The poise and grace needed in gymnastics inspired Amy to use her dance experience for teaching children. Her genuine love of children combined with her love of teaching, brings enthusiasm to her classes. Amy’s desire is to be an exceptional role model and to have a positive impact by building self-assurance, confidence, and a love for dance in the hearts of her students. She is currently enjoying teaching sports and pre-ballet classes. Amy resides in Woodstock with her husband and two children.

	Laurin Trudeau - Laurin received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Brenau University where she was a member of the Brenau Dance Ensemble and choreographed for the American College Dance Festival. She has been dancing since the age of three and has technical training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and acrobatics. She has performed and taught for Atlanta Ballet's Outreach Program, Gainesville Ballet, Firespark! Brenau University's Performing Arts Camp, Fleetwood Dance Center, Dance Theater North, and 7 Course Theater.  Since college Laurin has been performing as a featured dancer for Disney Entertainment in Orlando, FL. where she remains a seasonal cast member. Currently, Laurin lives in the Atlanta area where she plans to continue a career of dancing, choreographing, and teaching.

Maggie Walls - She is a mother of three, with a 5-year-old, 4-year-old, and 18-month-old. A dancer since childhood, she has been teaching dance and fitness classes for more than 10 years. She is trained in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and gymnastics, and is an award-winning soloist and choreographer. Maggie is certified through the American Council on Exercise as a Group Fitness Instructor, and is certified in Pre- and Post-natal Instruction through SCW Fitness. Maggie is the owner of Studio Dance and Fitness, which is committed to providing quality dance and fitness classes to adults throughout the Atlanta area.

Frances Gilbert - Fine Frances Gilbert- Frances began dancing at the age of 10 in Arlington, Texas. She began competing at age 14, and has danced in competitions across Texas, Alabama and Georgia and is an award-winning soloist and group competitor. She began teaching and choreographing for competition her senior year of high school, and continued as she moved to Auburn, Alabama for college. In Auburn, she danced as a part of the Auburn dAUnce theatre performance with Adrienne Wilson and Bill Evans, and taught all ages and styles at Make Your Move Performing Arts.  Frances moved to Atlanta in August of 2007, and taught at DanceSouth while continuing her own dance training under many talented choreographers in the area. She performed in Dance101's Transformotion under Bubba Carr, in pieces by Micheal McDonough and Jessica "Phoenix" Brundidge.  Frances is currently at North Georgia College and State University to continue her education in Athletic Training, and is also studying for a Primary Group Fitness Exercise Certification through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

	Courtney Foster is a dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and director originally from Mobile, AL.  She began dancing at the age of 2 in various dance studios, performing arts schools, competition dance teams, and theatre conservatories along the Gulf Coast.  When she was 7, she also began singing and acting in musicals and plays at various theatres in Mobile, in addition to doing voice over and commercial work with production companies in Mobile and New Orleans.  She moved to Atlanta in 2000, where she continued performing, and she graduated from Brookwood High School in 2003, and went on to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance at Shorter College in Rome, GA.  During her time at Shorter, she had the privilege of performing at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region IV) for Shorter’s productions of West Side Story, for which she dance captained and played the role of “Velma.”  Two years later, she returned to KCACTF to perform in Into the Woods, where she played the female lead (“Baker’s Wife”) for which she had earned an Irene Ryan nomination for acting.  While performing in college, she also began to choreograph and direct on the collegiate and professional levels.  Her work has been seen on the stages of Shorter College, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Playhouse-in-the-Park, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Stone Mountain Park, as well as with various performing arts camps and masterclasses for  productions, including: Honk the Musical,  A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  Into the Woods,  Babes in Toyland,  The Fantasticks,  Pippin, Some Girl(s),  Fresh Air,  Mere Mortals,  Seussical, and The Good Doctor, which was invited to participate in The Director’s Project with KCACTF.  She has performed professionally as an actor, dancer, singer, or combination of the three, with many companies, including Aurora Theatre,  Northpoint Productions,  Kidstuf,  Unto These Hills,  TellTale Theatre,  Stone Mountain Park,  Sight and Sound Theatres,  IO Productions,  and Stage Door Players.  When she is not teaching classes with Creative Movement and Dance, she works with Gwinnett School of Dance (Grayson, GA), and serves as choreographer, assistant director, and performer for TellTale Theatre’s educational tours, Fabulous Fables and Fresh Air, a Clean Air Campaign musical.
	Shari Smith, a native Detroiter, was introduced to dance at the age of 4 at her daycare and kindergarten.   She began formal training at age 6 at Diane Bland’s School of Dance where she studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Gymnastics, Baton and African Dance.  Shari studied at DBSD for several years in addition to taking classes at Marygrove College, Cass Technical High School, Tuskegee University, Harvenger Dance Company, and others.  As a teenager, she taught Creative Movement and Beginner’s Ballet to children 11 and under and became Captain of her high school Majorette team.  With a natural knack for Hip-Hop, she choreographed and danced background for local hip-hop artists and participated in several talent competitions and showcases.  Shari strayed away from her initial love, obtained an Electrical Engineering Degree from Tuskegee University and went into corporate America, where she began to feel empty. After several years, she left corporate America and established her own companies including 20/20 Entertainment, I Am Dance and a non-profit, Shut Up N Dance. She began to teach dance, provide choreography, artist development, and show development for several acts, and offer dance workshops featuring celebrity choreographers. The goal of her companies is to create opportunities for dreams to come true for those interested in performing arts.  Shari moved to Atlanta in January 2008 where she is growing her business and sharing her love of dance with any and everyone that will allow her.  She is looking forward to her first year with CMD and working with all the new little ballerinas.
	Laura Branch, began dancing at the age of 2 at Corky Bell School of Dance in Birmingham, Alabama. She continued her training under Johnnie Spina, Angela Tower Walker, & Angie Denton for the next 16 years, focusing on classical ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She participated in numerous tap competitions, including The Panoply Arts Festival, where her team earned a finalist position. Laura has attended many conventions and events across the southeast, contributing to her ability to dance, as well as instruct. After attending Auburn University, she relocated to Atlanta, and is excited to be a part of Creative Movement and Dance.
	Cristina Abboud - is an American of Cuban descends from Miami, Florida.  She started her training at the age 5.  Her training experience includes Univ. of Florida, New World School for the Arts, Miami Dade Community College, Norland Performing Arts and Mirochink Ballet and Ballet Etude.  She has been a teacher and a choreographer for more than 18 years in Ballet, Modern, and Latin Styles.  She was a former owner/director for Behind the Scenes Dances Studio in Norcross, GA for five years. She has also choreographed for the Atlanta Cuban Club Dance group, Sweet 15’s and performances for several Hispanic Festivals in the Metro Atlanta. She has participated in various competitions and Dance Productions including Super Bowl XXIX.  She also has 13 years of piano and graduated as a member of the National Guild of Piano as well as 7 years as a vocalist.
	Lyllian “Lilly” Mahana- At the age of nine, Lilly began her dance training at The Studio Atlanta Dance where she studied ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop. In 2001, Lilly competed in dance at the Atlanta JCC Maccabi Games. In 2004, she graduated from the Performing Arts Magnet program at North Springs High School. At North Springs, Lilly participated in a number of musical productions, was a member of the North Springs Dance Theatre and competed on the first competitive dance team. She went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she spent every school break working with children. Lilly continued her dance training at UMass by taking advanced dance classes. She graduated from UMass with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Education in May 2008. Lilly is very excited to be teaching for her first season with Creative Movement and Dance!
	Tiffany Moore - Tiffany began her dance training at the age of 3. Her training includes ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip- hop, and African. She's trained at College Park School of Dance, Ballethnic Dance Academy, and Price Performing Arts Center. While at Ballethnic Dance Academy, Tiffany performed in the annual productions of The Urban Nutcracker and Leopard's Tale for 3 years. Tiffany began her dance instructing career at Price Performing Arts Center and was a member of the performing and competition ensemble. In 2000, Tiffany had the privilege of performing in the Super Bowl XXXIV Pre- Game Show with Tina Turner. Tiffany also, participated in the High School Dance Festival in Miami, Florida and received a scholarship to attend Bates Dance Festival in Maine.    Tiffany is a graduate of North Atlanta High School where she participated in the dance magnet program. She is also a graduate of Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida where she was a member of Mahogany Dance Theatre and received a B.S. Degree in Accounting. Tiffany is currently a dancer for a recording artist and teaches at a number of dance studios around the metro Atlanta area. Creative Movement and Dance is the perfect place for Tiffany because of her love for children and passion for dance.

Site Navigation