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Dance Instructors

All of our instructors are professionals. They have performed professionally, are graduates of professional schools, and/or have degrees in dance.
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Caroline Beverly has a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography, with a minor in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. She also studied at the Institute of Arts – Barcelona, in Sitges, Barcelona, Spain and is a certified 200 ytt yoga instructor. Caroline danced with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra annually for 10 seasons. She has also performed with Windsor Symphony Orchestra in Windsor, Canada, and Cincinnati Ballet. In her senior year, Caroline’s choreography was chosen to represent her University at the American College Dance Association – South Eastern Conference. Caroline has been an intern and administrative assistant for Joffrey Ballet Scool in NYC and remotely, respectively, and is still currently working in this field. She has danced with contemporary companies Yuhas and Dancers (Columbia, SC) and Baran Dance Company (Charlotte, NC). Since graduating, Caroline has been teaching pre-ballet, combo, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and pointe for ages 2-18 as well as yoga classes for kids.
Arianna Boatright has lived in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She began dancing with Lawrenceville School of Ballet when she was just three years old, where she discovered her love of ballet. Arianna joined the North East Atlanta Ballet Company when she was 12 years old, and continued to dance with the company through high school. After high school, Arianna attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN, where she graduated in July 2013 with a Business Management degree. Arianna has taught ballet since she was 15 years old – she has taught at Lilburn School of Ballet since 2005, and Grayson School of Ballet for since 2008. While in college, Arianna taught ballet for Cleveland City Ballet School. She was also heavily involved in many different volunteer organizations, as well as a middle school ministry program. Her passion for ballet has increased year by year, since the age of three. Arianna is passionate about her students, and their dreams of becoming a ballerina. She is excited about becoming a part of Creative Movement and Dance, and is looking forward to being able to share her love of dance with her students.  
“Miss Bernie” – A child prodigy at the age of four, Berneta was sent to study under the direction of Tensia Fonseca with the Maryland Youth Ballet. She performed with the Atlanta and Bristol Ballets throughout her youth and graduated with a double major in Performance and Education of Ballet from Virginia Intermont College. With over 25 years of excellence in teaching, Berneta is very well known throughout Gwinnett county. Miss Bernie has been with with CMD over 15 years, and is among our finest!          
Jamie Bubb began her dance training at the Northeast Atlanta Ballet, under the direction of Jennifer Byokawski- Gordon. Here, she was given extensive performance opportunities around Georgia. Jamie danced principal rolls with the pre-professional division of the company including; The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Peter in Peter Pan, Cinderella in Cinderella, and Ariel’s sister in The Little Mermaid. She danced in an outreach performance for the Atlanta Food Bank at the Rialto Theater, with Atlanta Ballet and Full Radius Dance Group. She attended summer intensives with the Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of New York City, and Dance Theater Of Tennessee. Jamie has trained with notable teachers and choreographers such as Shamil Yagudin of the Bolshoi Ballet, Franceska Corkle, Tattianna Ledukoski, Mira Popovitch of the Serbian National Theater Company, Roger Van Fleteran of the Alabama Ballet, and Poliana Ribero of the Boston Ballet. In 2011, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Dance from Birmingham Southern College on scholarship. She then moved to Nashville, Tennessee to dance professionally with the Dance Theater of Tennessee. While with the company, she danced in The Nutcracker on tour throughout Tennessee. She teaches ballet technique, pointe, women’s variations, contemporary, modern dance, jazz dance, children’s tap dance and the occasional hip hop class. She has taught for Rythmic Moves Dance Studio, Nashville School of Dance and Music, Lilburn School of Ballet, and the Grayson School of Ballet. Jamie has been teaching for Creative Movement and Dance since 2012, and has a deep love and appreciation for what the company offers its students as well as its instructors!  
Tia began dancing at the age of 7.  She began cheerleading in middle school, and was on her high school dance team.  While in high school, she performed with the dance team, and began practicing contemporary, majorette and hip hop.  In college, Tia is minoring in dance, while continuing to work on ballet and modern dance.  She is continuing college part time, while working on a bachelors degree in Social Psychology, while minoring in dance, in the hope of one day becoming a Dance Therapist.  Tia loves children, and has worked as an Assistant Teacher for a child care company, for ages 6 weeks – 5 years old- which is how she actually found CMD.          
Jessica began her training at The Ballet School of Fellowship Christian Academy under the instruction of Eleanor Rogers (NC Dance Theater, Atlanta Ballet, La Compagnie de Danse Entre-Six) at five years old. She continued her education under Lisa Marsh (Eastside School of Ballet & Tap), Rhonda Oltjenbruns (Praise In Motion), Barbara Hancock (“Finian’s Rainbow” as Susan the Silent), and Capezio Diamond Award recipient Sharon Druzbanski. Jessica began assistant teaching at the age of fourteen, and by seventeen was leading Master Classes in Modern, Hip Hop and Jazz throughout the metro Atlanta area.  In 2005, she was selected to be a senior performing member of the Generation: Dance! Performing Arts Co. , and from 2007-2010 owned and operated Authentic Dance Studio in Marietta, Ga. Since 2010, Jessica has been teaching ballet, tap and hip hop for Creative Movement and Dance, as well as ballet, tap, jazz and modern for The Performer’s Warehouse.    
Keisha Laren Clarke Gray is of Jamaican descent from Brooklyn, N. Y. She graduated from CalArts with a BFA in Dance, and is a Performing Artist, Choreographer and Instructor. She was Dance Captain/ Swing with The Lion King on Broadway and The National Tour. She toured worldwide w/ Garth Fagan Dance and Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Keisha’s other training includes London Contemporary Dance School, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Gotta Dance Inc. She is the Director of Shine Your Light dance ministry. She thanks God, her Husband, her Mom and Dad, & family for all that she is. Proverbs 3:5-6 & Isaiah 60:1.        
Karrin began dancing at the age of ten with A&A Dance Company in Blakely, GA. During her eight years with the company, she was a member of the competition team as well as a teaching assistant. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from Valdosta State University in 2011, receiving the Dance Department Academic Excellence Award. Karrin began her professional teaching career after graduation at Steps Dance Studio in Headland, AL. She taught Ballet, Jazz, and Modern to ages 6 through 13. She then moved back to Valdosta to accept a position at Dance Arts, Inc. She taught Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Modern to ages 3 through 15. Karrin also worked at Christ Episcopal Preschool during her three years in Valdosta. She was the Parents Morning Out director as well as the teaching assistant for the 4 year old class. After moving to the Atlanta area with her husband, Karrin wanted to continue working with children and teaching dance. When she was introduced to Creative Movement and Dance, she knew that it was the perfect opportunity. Karrin is passionate about the art of dance and she is exited to continue teaching and inspiring a new generation of dancers.  
Originally from Massachusetts, Kaitlyn has studied with various studios and teachers inNew England and New York. A notable experience was her time with the David ParsonsDance Company in NYC. She studied dance at Jacksonville University, where shecollaborated with guest artists and trained in different dance styles. During herundergraduate years, she taught and performed on the island of Curacao, participated inthe American College Dance Festival, and was a member of the Braided Light DanceProject in Jacksonville, FL. After college, Kaitlyn returned to Massachusetts for a while.There, she danced with companies like Forty Steps Dance Company, In Noon DanceCompany, Shadows Dance Art Experience, and Endearment Dance Company. She alsotaught and created choreography for various studios and teams in the area. Later, shemoved to Atlanta, teaching at multiple studios and dancing professionally with FuertaDance Company. Kaitlyn’s passion for educating dancers grew, leading her to pursue aK-12 state licensure in dance and health/PE. Once certified, she taught at Kay PaceSchool of the Arts, guiding her students toward success through the arts. Kaitlyn isexcited about joining Creative Movement and Dance, where she can continue to shareher love for dance.
Lindsey is a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she is studying art and political science.  Originally from Kentucky, she has been dancing since she was two years old. Lindesey has taught dance for many years.  She has a love for working with children, and has worked in school aftercare, as well as taken care of children as a nanny.  Lindsey is excited to be sharing her love of dance with the children, as part of the Creative Movement and Dance team.            
Jennifer Cyran was born and raised, in New Jersey, where she began dancing at the age of three years old.  She was invited to join her studio’s competition group, at age seven, and went on to win many top awards over the next 10 years.  In high school and college, she taught dance classes, choreographed award winning routines for her studio, attended master classes, workshops and conventions, and choreographed and performed in musical theater productions.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia; after earning her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University, Jennifer began working with special needs children in Atlanta.  As a special needs parent herself, she understands the unique challenges associated with neuroatypical children.  Recently, she began teaching Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theater at North Georgia Dance and Music Factory, where she specializes in joyfully giving beginners a developmentally appropriate, excellent education in fundamentals, while building confidence and a love of dance.   
Ashley Freeman is a performing artist and entertainment manager from North Carolina. She graduated from Oklahoma City University’s nationally recognized Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment with her degree in Dance Management. While there, she trained in the styles of tap, jazz, and ballet, studying under ballet legend Jo Rowan. While at Oklahoma City University, Ashley performed with the Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company. She was a company member with the American Spirit Dance Company, performing in their Home for the Holidays and Broadway Revue productions. Currently, she performs onstage and works behind the scenes in the theatre and theme park industries in Atlanta.
Carleigh began her dance training in hip-hop at age 9, and realized her love of dance when she took her first modern class at 15 years old. She then when on to receive a BFA in Dance Performance with a Concentration in Modern Dance at the University of South Florida in May 2014. During her senior year at USF, she performed in Bliss Kohlmyer’s Picture in a Frame/let go let go let go, performing it both at USF and in the ACDFA Southeast Conference Gala. Carleigh has also performed in works by Jeanne Travers and Ben Munisteri, as well as in excerpts from Rosie Herrera’s Pity Party and Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16. In June 2013, she attended the USF Dance in Paris Program under the direction of Michael Foley and Colleen Thomas, where she choreographed, performed, and trained in all styles of dance for an immersive four weeks. Her first post-graduate performance was of her original solo work, To Deviate, in Moving Current Dance Collective’s NewGrounds 2014. Recently, Carleigh performed at The Ritz theater in Ybor City as a part of Tampa Modern Dance Company’s premiere show, Transitioning Through Loss. She has also performed the works Where Thou Art, That Is Home and Debussy’s Delight, both choreographed by Kellie Harmon. She is currently a company dancer with Tampa Modern Dance Company and ROGUEdance, and is also a faculty member for The Studio Dance Company in Clearwater, Florida.  
Maggie began dancing at the age of four. She studied ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical under the instruction of Laura Soles in Dublin, Georgia. After high school, Maggie attended Valdosta State University, where she graduated in 2009 Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. She then moved to Orlando and worked at Disney World and Universal Studios as a performer and dancer. While in Orlando, she was an instructor at Kidzdance Inc., and served as Director of Dance at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. Maggie was then hired by Feld Entertainment to perform for Disney Live, which gave her the opportunity to perform in nine countries. After Disney Live, she moved to New Jersey and held the position of Managing Director of Dance New Jersey. Her recent move to Decatur, Georgia with her husband and son has brought her back to her home state. She is excited to join the teaching staff at Creative Movement and Dance.
Chyna began her dancing career at the age of four at Bloomingdale Performing Arts Elementary School. She began her training in ballet, and then added modern to her repertoire a year later. She was baptized at the age of seven at First Union Missionary Baptist Church, shortly after her praise dance ministry was born. Her anointing bloomed under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Sister Dorothy Brown and a praying mother and grandmother. Chyna then attended Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts, where she began taking her dance career more seriously. She received her formal dance training at Kelly and Co. Studios in Savannah, GA. It was there that she started dancing en pointe and integrating into competition dance. Chyna attended Savannah Arts Academy under the direction of Cristin and Jay Jernigan. She performed in many full length ballets such Cinderella & Sleeping Beauty and, is most notable for Hocus Pocus. During her time at SAA, Chyna had lead roles in various stage works and also choreographed and performed in musicals. It was under her artistic direction that both the dance and theater shows were sold out and broke record sales. Chyna was rewarded for her service at Savannah Arts by receiving the Friends of Dance Scholarship. She attended Point Park University from 2019-2021 and performed in many shows. Following COVID-19, she transferred to Kennesaw State University, where she joined KSU’s Dance Company. Chyna performed at many events such at the COTA Gala where they endowed a 10 million dollar scholarship. She was also selected to participate in the National American Dance Conference. Before completing her degree, her choreographed piece “Remnant” was selected to be in the final showing of the dance department for that year. Chyna thanks God and her family for the person that she has become, and is an advocate for following your anointing and leaning into your God given purpose!
Toemesha has always had a passion for dance and fitness.  She began dancing in middle school, on the dance team, and went on to color guard in high school.  She danced with Impact Dance of Atlanta (previously known as Praise Him with Dance Studio) from 1999-2000, and with Steps of Faith Dance Studio, as a company member and a teacher from 2000-2002.  She went on to train in ballroom dancing, while living in Florida.  When she moved back to Georgia, she was a part of the Dance Ministry at Liberty Church.  Also, she has volunteered as a choreographer for multiple community theatres. Toemesha taught with Teaching Little Children in 2004-2007, then took some time off from dancing, to continue her education in Sports Administration and Management and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees.  She is currently employed as a group fitness instructor at multiple fitness centers.    
Autumn Hill is a native of California where she began her dance training with tap, jazz, and musical theatre. Upon acceptance to the School of San Jose Cleveland Ballet, she was named the Bess Cartwright Scholar recipient. There she trained in the Bournonville technique under the direction of Lise La Cour, former director of the Royal Danish Ballet School. During her time as a student at Ballet San Jose (formerly San Jose Cleveland Ballet) she joined the company as a trainee, performed with the second company in New York, and was invited to join as an apprentice in 2004 by Artistic Director Dennis Nahat. In order to pursue her studies, she attended The Boston Conservatory of Music on scholarship with notable teachers. There she performed soloist roles in an array of pieces including Martha Graham’s Night Journey staged by Yuriko and Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies staged by Donald Mahler. Upon graduating in 2008 Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in dance, she joined BalletRox in Boston, Ma where she rose to be the youngest African-American female principal in BalletRox history. There she served on the faculty of Boston Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education and BalletRox’s official school where she taught tap, jazz, and ballet. In 2009, Miss Hill was invited by William Starrett to join Columbia City Ballet where she currently performs in the professional company and is an instructor for their official school, Columbia Conservatory of Dance. Ms. Autumn joined Creative Movement and Dance in 2009 teaching dance and sports for Little Champs and Soccer Champs classes.
Jasmine Jackson, an Atlanta native, discovered her love for the arts and their power of expression at an early age, and has had numerous experiences in dance,theatre, and choir performance. While pursuing an undergraduate dance degree at Belhaven University, Jackson had the opportunity to perform in a number of historic and new dance works choreographed by Donald McKayle (“Songs of the Disinherited”), Helen Tamiris (“Negro Spirituals”), Ryan Corriston (Doug Verone and Dancers), Steve Rooks (Martha Graham Dance Company), and Vincent Hardy (Complexions Contemporary Ballet). She was a member of the 2013-2014 Dance Ministry Ensemble, which toured various works throughout the Metro-Jackson, MS area, ministering to retirement, special needs, and group homes. She received the People’s Choice Award for Best Original Screendance at the Belhaven University 2013/2014 Screendance Festival, and has used her videography skills to film various dance performances. In the spring of 2014, Jackson received non-profit management experience as an intern with the USA International Ballet Competition; during the 2014 USA IBC, she worked as staff in the Box Office Assistant position. Also in 2014, she was inducted into the National Honors Society of Dance Arts. Jackson recently graduated from Belhaven University with a BA in Dance, Cum Laude. After graduating, she spent some time training and performing with the artistic directors of Amalgamate Dance Company and DAMAGEDANCE in Italy as a member of the Breakout program. Jackson currently plans to continue her technical and artistic training and performance, while exploring the many working parts of the arts world.
Professional performing & recording artist, songwriter, dancer, La’Toya Princess Jackson began her professional career in the ballet world at Boston Ballet as as teaching faculty for the Boston Ballet School. Additionally, she was responsible for writing the ballet curriculum for the community programs and managing ECI on Location, a program which provided free ballet classes in Boston Public Schools and community centers throughout the city of Boston. Trained by Luciano in the ballet curriculum for the Children’s program at Boston Ballet, she continues her artistic development in classical ballet while teaching others. She began her dance training at Ballethnic Academy of Dance and danced in the Ballethnic Youth Ensemble where she trained in in classical ballet, jazz, African and modern dance under the direction of Waverly Lucas and Nena Gilreath. She joined the preprofessional dance ensemble–Ballethnic Youth Ensemble– and participated in the Arthur Mitchell Project receiving instruction from Mr. Arthur Mitchell in advanced master classes and workshops. She has danced in several ballet productions including Ballethnic Dance Company’s Urban Nutcracker, Jazzy Sleeping Beauty, Flyin’ West, and The Leopard Tale. She is a recent graduate of Harvard University. Intersecting studies in the Harvard Dance Program, the Department of Music, and the Theater, Dance, Media department at Harvard, her interdisciplinary focus includes the study of music, dance and performance. As a graduate student she engaged in performance research under the direction of senior faculty in the Theater, Dance, Media department at Harvard. She was also a company member in the Harvard-Radcliffe Modern Dance Company and a dancer in the Harvard Dance Project, a faculty-led performance company at Harvard University. She has performed in several Theater, Dance, Media department productions including: Wunder, Beauty & Failure, and The Owl Answers. Additionally, she wrote, produced and performed in the original ballet production Vanity Lane: The Ballet with the support of Black C.A.S.T. and the Office for the Arts at Harvard and was one of the lyricists and composers for Black C.A.S.T.’s original musical /underground which premiered on the Loeb Mainstage at the American Repertory Theater.
Born and raised in Atlanta Georgia, Mallory first fell in love with the art of dance at the age of 12, when she joined her middle school dance team. Mallory graduated in May, 2022, with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in Dance (Ballet, Jazz , Jazz Funk , Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Improvisation, Aerial Silks) from Valdosta State University. Her choreography was performed in the Valdosta State Emerging Artist Dance Showcase in 2021. Mallory also taught dance at Vibes in Motion Studio in Stockbridge, Georgia, and Valdosta Early College Academy. She teaches dance to young gymnasts at GymTech Youth Gym in McDonough, Georgia. Mallory is currently a company member of TaShiba Dance Company, where she performs for weddings, birthday parties, fashion shows, local events and dance festivals. Some of her dance goals include dancing commercially, and instructing at performing arts schools. Mallory wants to look for ways to inspire and encourage artists to become the best they can be. She plans to teach others how to have the same passion and drive for things they love.
Katie Jovel found her love for dancing in Edison, New Jersey. Katie has trained in ballet since the age of seven. She then experimented with her different genres and style of dance, and started to find her love for hip hop as well. After many years of dancing hip hop, she was inspired by her older sister to start Latin dance, including Salsa, Bachata, and Samba. She trained at Discovery High School with Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, and Hip Hop dance. She is admired and loved by many. Katie is a true performer, and receives amazing feedback from her solos and choreography pieces. She is amazing with kids and teaches them with true joy, passion, love, and most of all fun! She has been teaching young children how to dance since January 2023. Katie’s true passion of dancing and sharing her knowledge to the world is the greatest blessing she has ever experienced.
Jaclyn has a great passion for dance and a loving heart for teaching children. She knew at a young age that she wanted to teach dance, and worked very hard to pursue that dream. Jaclyn began her dance education at Grayson School of Dance but when that studio closed she followed her teacher, to Lawrenceville School of Ballet under the direction of Phyllis Allen. While there, she performed with the Gwinnett Dance Ensemble performing in such ballets as “The Jungle Book” and many other shows. Jaclyn continued her pursuit of dance by majoring in dance at Brenau University, where she studied under Carol Smiarowski, Vincas Greene and Jolie Long. Plus, she danced with the Brenau Dance Ensemble, performed in student choreographed pieces at An Evening of Dance, as well as worked with the music program to be one of three chosen dancers in an opera. While at Brenau, Jaclyn taught under the guidance of Diane Callahan and others at Gainesville Ballet. She also attended the American College Dance Festival, and worked the festival in multiple aspects when it was hosted at Brenau in 2000. Upon graduating Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance Pedagogy in 2000, Jaclyn continued to teach at dance studios in the greater Atlanta area. She started up classes, such as modern and lyrical and rejuvenated Ballet and Pointe programs and revamped the pre-school program to double the enrollment. She continues to teach at a Dance Academy and directs their performance company. As a mom of two daughters, Jaclyn understands both the teacher and mom sides of watching children develop a love for dance. She is excited to be a part of Creative Movement and Dance and to share her love of dance with all the young dancers!  
Erin began her dance training at the age of two with Atlanta Festival Ballet, and was asked to be a professional company member at the age of 18.  She has taken Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop and Modern throughout her career.  At the age of 15, Erin was selected as one of sixteen students from the state of Georgia to participate in the Governor’s Honors Program for Dance.  Erin recently graduated from Gordon State College with her Bachelor’s of Art Degree in History.           
Jasmine Kobres began her training in dance at the age of three with Susan Chamber’s School of Theatre Dance. From ages six to seventeen, Jasmine was a member of the school’s pre-professional company where she studied ballet, pointe, rhythm tap, broadway tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and modern. During her time as a company member, she trained in several states for various dance intensives and competitions, including Oklahoma, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and New York. During her time in New York City, she attended STEPS and Broadway Dance Center where she trained with award winning chorographers Sabra Johnson, Tracie Stanfield, Michelle Dorrance, Sheila Barker, Brice Mousset, and Ellenore Scott. Starting at age seventeen, Jasmine began choreographing and instructing dance at Georgia Dance Unlimited and has been instructing ever since.      
Jordan Lange is from Kennesaw, Georgia. She graduated with her B.A. in dance with a concentration in Advanced Ballet from Brenau Univesity. Jordan also worked with the Gainesville Ballet company, where she performed many roles such as Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty. At Brenau University, she had the privilege to be selected to perform works by many guest artists, such as Joshua Blake Carter, Jesse Zarrit, Marina Eglevzky, Owen Scarlet, and many more.
Kristi-Ann Lungren-Walker was raised in Miami, Florida with Jamaican roots. Though she would always dance at the family parties as a little girl, she joined her first dance class at the age of five. She began taking classes in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, lyrical and contemporary at Dance Attack Miami. In her high school years she joined the majorette dance team, and taught liturgical dance to young girls in her church. When Kristi-Ann went to college, she became a member of Karizma Dancers, Inc., and is still a member today. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2017 to attend Clark Atlanta University for her Masters in Public Administration. A free spirit at heart, Kristi fuses her degrees in psychology, public administration, and teaching elementary education, with her love of people, on a daily basis. Since finishing school and deciding to pursue dance full time, Kristi has choreographed and danced for local Atlanta artists, hosted kid dance parties, taught privates in her background-styles, and moved with Atlanta dance companies like glo atl and T. Lang Dance. Kristi-Ann spreads positive energy, and encourages everyone to find freedom in movement with her own Caribbean dance fitness workshops and classes hosted each month in the Downtown Atlanta area. Whether it be through dance, teaching, or her other ventures, she intentionally spreads this message of love for life across all her platforms and looks forward to bringing that to her students with Creative Movement and Dance.
Alexis grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and trained in various styles of dance from the age of 4.  She attended studios, such as 5678 Dance, Chambers Performing Arts, and Heather Wayne’s Performing Arts, while also being involved in the Mill Creek HS Dance Department.  In high school, she was on the Mill Creek Dance Team, winning two state championships during her time on the team.  Alexis extended her training to in-studio intensives, as well as intensives across North America.  She has attended five Rockette Summer Intensives and for four of the intensives was accepted into the Invitational Week.  She also attended Joffrey South, where she trained in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.  At the collegiate level, Alexis trained at Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment to achieve a BS in American Dance Pedagogy.  There, she had extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, and rhythm tap.  Alexis was president of the Students of Arts Management organization (SAM) whose mission is to connect students to professionals in the dance and entertainment industry.  She also gained her in-house Moving Light Board certification.  ​In college, Alexis was able to teach around the Oklahoma City area at studios like Victory Dance and Dance Unlimited.  She has also judged for the highly acclaimed organization Dance Masters of America (DMA).  Alexis is excited to be in Georgia sharing her knowledge with the next generation.  
Jennifer Miecznikowski is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Tampa, Florida.  While living in Tampa, Jenn choreographed a production of “The Music Man, Jr.” at the Patel Conservatory, performed in “Kiss Me, Kate,” trained with Tampa City Ballet, taught ages 3-5 ballet and tap, and restaged the student choreography of Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker.”  She graduated from Blake High School with a Master’s Certification in Dance.  She then attended Hillsborough Community College for two semesters as a dance major before taking a job in entertainment at SeaWorld, Orlando.  While living in Orlando, Jenn performed at SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and the Nickelodeon Hotel.  She also danced as an apprentice with Dawn Branch Works for a short time.  Jenn is now back in Tampa to finish her degree program in Speech Therapy.    
Danielle Miller is a Tampa Native and graduate from the University of South Florida with a BFA in Dance.  Her dance training began at the age of 5, and she added competitive gymnastics at age 7.  After several years, she decided to focus her concentration on dance. Danielle started taking classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, pointe and technique and began competing with a team.  In high school, she attended Howard W. Blake High School for the Performing Arts as a dance major and broadened her training to include modern styles of dance such as Horton, Limon and Graham, as well as additional styles of ballet including Vaganova, Balanchine and Cecchetti.  With Blake, she participated in the Youth American Grand Prix regionals in Tampa, and finals in NYC for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.  In NYC, she has taken classes at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, STEPS and Alvin Ailey. Summer dance intensives she has attended include the Patel Conservatory in Tampa, Florida State University in Tallahassee and Modas Dance in Alberquerque, NM.  Danielle currently teaches dance around the Tampa and Oldsmar areas, and is a member of Tampa Modern Dance Company.  Through USF, she was given an opportunity to study abroad for a semester, where she received dance and choreographic training from teachers in Paris, Germany and Amsterdam.  
Olivia Minney is currently a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. She is new to Florida after moving from Ohio after graduation. Olivia has been teaching all styles of dance for five years now. She is looking forward to teaching as part of the Creative Movement and Dance team and excited to build relationships with her students.            
Heather Moffitt grew up in Georgia, and upon graduating high school moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a dancer and to attend college. She spent 15 years working as a performer, teacher, and choreographer in Los Angeles. During her time in Los Angeles, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology Exercise Science from California State University Northridge. She has trained in dance, singing, and acting with top industry professionals all over the world including Joseph Malone, Jackie Sleight, Michelle Elkin, Paula Morgan, Doug Caldwell, Cindy Ricalde, and Adam Parson, as well as Peisha McPhee and Christina Saffran-Ashford. Heather is a triple-threat performer who has performed throughout the country and overseas. Her performance credits include Adam Parson’s Commonality Dance Company, Mandalone Project directed by Joseph Malone, Jazz Dance LA and Mandalone Project with Jackie Sleight, Medidanza Stage in Italy with Paula Morgan and Steven LaChance, The Choreographer’s Carnival at Key Club in Hollywood with Michelle Elkin, Cabrillo Music Theater’s production of The King and I, the musical iChoose, several cultural performances with Joseph Malone, Michelle Elkin, and Terrance Yates, and Heather performed in multiple Cabaret style performances directed by Peisha McPhee. Heather has served as an assistant for Jackie Sleight, Doug Caldwell, and Cindy Ricalde and she has trained teaching assistants throughout her many years of teaching. Heather has taught and choreographed for many studios in the Los Angeles and Atlanta areas. Her students have continued on to perform in musicals and television and film, have obtained scholarships to college for dance, and some have become teachers themselves. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Heather’s versatile teaching abilities span all ages and all levels of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and some acrobatics. Her unique ability to nurture, inspire, and challenge dancers from preschool age to the preprofessional and professional level sets her apart as a dance educator. Heather has also adjudicated for many auditions and national dance competitions. In addition to Heather’s extensive artistic background, she worked in hospitality management for several years for The Sofitel Hotel company and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. With a vast amount of experience in administration, business management, performing, and teaching, Heather is determined to take the dance experience to another level.
Schuyler, born in Fort Worth, Texas, discovered solace and regained confidence through dance after the passing of her father. Since 2010, she has trained extensively in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop at Dance Concept, where she became a member of the competition team, acquiring valuable recital experience. With more than a decade of experience, Schuyler has channeled her passion into choreographing concept videos and offering background dancer and choreography services to artists, brands, and companies. Dance has served as her creative outlet and catalyst for personal growth. After completing high school, Schuyler was led to Atlanta in 2016 to attain her B.A. in Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University. She also spent time exploring African Dance and Movement at Spelman College. She further developed her dance skills as a member of the majorette dance team while also taking classes at local studios. As a firm believer in the transformative power of dance and music, Schuyler is dedicated to supporting the growth of young individuals and nurturing their creative expression. Currently, she holds a position as an Executive Assistant in the media industry, having gained valuable experience at CNN/WarnerMedia and Disney following her college graduation. Guided by the motto, “Do your best, and let God do the rest!” dance remains Schuyler’s guidinglight, enabling her to empower others and spread joy through the art of movement.
Ava has had a passion for dance since the age of 3. She trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop at The Dance Academy, where she also danced competitively for 6 years. She is an accomplished and award winning dancer that has received numerous scholarships, special invitations and top placements. In high school, Ava was actively involved in the theater program and was hired to choreographed dance numbers for the musicals for 3 years in a row. When given the opportunity to assist the director in teaching classes at The Dance Academy, she found a passion for teaching dance that rivals that of her love of performing the art.
Christine Orta, a native New Yorker, raised in Queens, started dancing at the age of five. By the time she was 15, she was performing and competing with a local dance company. Her area of studies included: jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, acrobatics and theatre. Christine continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance in 1988, from Hunter College, City University of New York. It was there, under the direction of Billy Siegenfeld and Jana Feinman, that Christine fell in love with modern dance and was inspired to become a teacher. She always loved working with children and was a natural at creating and directing dance productions. After graduating College, Christine opened her first dance studio, Dance America On the Move, located in Queens, New York. A second studio, On the Move, followed shortly after that. In 1994, Christine moved to Puerto Rico and shared her passion for teaching with a third dance studio for the children of Humacao. After having two children, she became a certified Level 3 gymnastic coach and continued teaching dance and gymnastics throughout Northern Virginia. In 2013, Christine and her family moved to Florida where she became even more passionate and inspired by her own children. Daughter Sasha Rose, a former competitive gymnast became a member of the dance team “HEAT”, at Manatee School for the Arts. Younger daughter, Raina Lynn, is an aspiring ballerina and musical theatre performer. Raina currently trains at the Sarasota Ballet Conservatory and Reflex Arts, Dance & Yoga in Sarasota. Christine’s energetic nature and passion for teaching have granted her a successful track record of improving her student’s knowledge and love of dance and theatre.
Joy Paillet Attended La Roche University, majoring in dance and minoring in education. During her time at LRU, she performed works by Melissa Tyler, Kelly Basil, Gia Cocalano, Callan Newman, and Christina DiMarco. She danced with Bodiography’s second company, BCB 2, for one season. Joy has been educating young dancers for years, and is dedicated to pedagogy. Joy has choreographed numerous pieces, including one that has been performed for the award ceremony of Talk Magazine. She is certified in Bodiography Fitness and Strength. Joy currently dances and choreographs professionally with CityDance Collective. She also is the active Artist Assistant of Atlanta Dance and Music Academy. Her future plans include dancing professionally until she retires, and starting a performing arts school and dance company of her own.
Originally from Athens, Greece, Kelly began dancing at the age of nine at a local dance studio after observing a dance class at her elementary school.  At the age of 14, she received a full scholarship to attend a dance school of her choice, and started to attend competitions.  In 2011, Kelly won first place in the Ladies Styling division at an international ballroom competition, Acropolis Dancesport, in Athens.  In the summer of 2012, she moved to Florida, and started teaching Creative Movement, Hip Hop, and Latin dance classes at a local studio, while continuing her training alongside instructors such as Dave Scott, Laura Edwards, and Brian Friedman.  In addition, she has performed for popular artists, such as Flo Rida, and has danced at several private events.  Kelly fell in love with dance instantly, and even more so after exploring its history and culture.  She has completed her Associates in Arts Degree at Saint Petersburg College and is pursuing a Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education.  Until she becomes a school teacher, Kelly has made it her mission to show others the beauty dance holds by sharing her passion through dance instruction.    
Savannah Porch just recently graduated from The University of Tampa with a major in Applied Dance (Dance Education) and a minor in Dance Theatre. She has been dancing since the age of two and has never stopped! In addition to this, she has been teaching for the past four years. Savannah is formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, improvisation, musical theatre, creative movement and West African. She has performed in every dance showcase at the University of Tampa and was part of the hip-hop team: DIME (Dance Is My Existence). She was a student choreographer for UT’s Dance Happenings and choreographed two pieces of her own. Since moving to Tampa, Savannah has discovered her passion for working with special populations. She has choreographed and performed with students with physical and intellectual disabilities from Pyramid, Inc. She has also volunteered as a teacher at the Macdonald Training Center, Gracepoint Wellness, and various elderly organizations. In addition to dancing, Savannah loves to act and sing. In the past, she was a seasonal performer for Universal Studios in Orlando, and has been best friends with Ariel from under the sea at children’s birthday parties. Savannah is extremely excited to share her passion and she truly cherishes the time she spends with her students.  
Shannel Resto is an internationally based artist, who recently relocated to Atlanta from New York City as a photographer, choreographer, dancer, and artist activist. Resto grew up in Boston, MA, where she graduated from high school as a dance major at Boston Arts Academy, and graduated with her BFA in dance at Rutgers University from Mason Gross School of the Arts. She has also trained at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire for dance and choreography in London. Shannel is currently a rehearsal director and dancer for an Afro-Fusion modern dance company- Nyane Khosi Dance Theater. When she isn’t dancing and teaching, she is running her photography company SJR Photography, founded in 2013. Resto has collided her professions as a performing artist with her photography. Her work has been described as eclectic, storytelling, and detailed in both of her mediums. Resto’s choreography has developed into a unique style, and borrows from ranges of modern techniques. She has performed her work at Rutgers University, Triskelion Arts, Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, Trinity Laban, Pentacle NY, and more. She has also worked with Matthew Bourne, Kevin Wynn, Ronald K. Brown, Randy James, Paul Ocampo, Fernadina Chan, Kieth Thompson etc. The message she communicates through her art is the freedom to explore the possibilities of the impossible. Shannel hopes to broaden different communities’ minds through going back to teaching and helping others explore their artistry.
Precious’ passion for dance surpasses the studio and her community. She began dancing in the West African Movement at 3 years old, and later began liturgical in her church at the age of 7. It was her praise dance-team where she began her love for the arts. Longing to find new ways to express herself through praise and worship, Precious asked her parents to put her into dance classes at a nearby dance studio, and that’s when she never looked back! From there, she began training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe and contemporary. She traveled with her studio’s competition dance team to competitions, but at times she was left behind due to her parents’ financial struggles. Precious has earned an Associates in Dance at Santa Fe College, where she trained under Alora Hynes and Mohammed Da-Costa. She then earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from the University of Florida. After that, Precious accomplished a Masters of Fine Arts at Temple University, with a degree in Dance and a concentration in Production, Choreography and Research. Precious has been fortunate to perform all over the county and dance/work with companies and artists, such as Alvin Ailey, The Philadelphia Ballet, Rennie Harris PureMovement, Marion Caffey, Jennifer Archibald and many more. She’s also been able to bring highly recognized artists to local community dance programs and community centers to assist and inspire young boys and girls in the arts.
Brooke Rogers, from Morehead City, North Carolina, is an alumni from The University of Georgia with degrees in Dance and Political Science. Brooke has trained in jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, tap, and hip hop. She has performed and choreographed in UGA’s Young Choreographers Series and performed in UGA’s Dance Company. Brooke also competed at NDA Nationals with the UGA Red Hotz competitive dance team. She has trained with former Rockettes and attended The Rockette Summer Intensive, and has interned for Joffrey Ballet School. Along with her love for dance, she has a passion for group fitness and teaches barre, cardio dance, and HIIT classes when she is not dancing.
Katarina Salafia, born and raised in Massachusetts, grew up in the dance world from birth. Her grandmother owned Carole Seretto Dance Studio, which was solely run by the family. Being part of the “three generations” they called it, grandmother, mom, and daughter, dance was just what they did. Starting dance at the age of two, it was obvious this was in her blood. Throughout the years, Katarina took ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, all being instructed by her grandmother and mom. Katarina attended dance workshops yearly to take more training herself, and learn new techniques and choreography. She has experience with the competition world as well, being a competitor and instructor. By the age of 12, Katarina became her grandmother’s assistant for the majority of her classes. By the age of 16, Katarina wanted to become a teacher herself. Her grandmother began to delegate the younger classes to her, which she ended up taking over for the years to come. Katarina became the coordinator/instructor for all the children’s programs. As the coordinator, she was responsible for all planning and choreography for the children’s programs, which consisted of ages 13 and under. Katarina went into childcare during these years as well, which she feels really built her relationship with children, and grew the passion for working with them, including the passion for dance; it was just the perfect mix. Katarina has been teaching and dancing her entire life, up until COVID, where she decided to move to sunny Florida. She is more than excited to be getting back into the thing she loves, and beginning a new journey.
Abigail is a former Franchisee of Creative Movement and Dance, and owner of Pirouette, Inc. (2011-2016).  After successfully starting the Columbia, SC territory, she sold that and opened another for CMD in Tampa.  After having children, Abigail decided to sell that franchise.  Due to her love of instructing children, she returned to CMD for that franchisee as an instructor.  Her 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 School of Dance and Studio D, under the instruction of Mitch Flanders.  During her high school years, Abigail was heavily involved in both dance and theater, landing starring roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cats and many other productions.  After graduating high school, Abigail continued studying dance 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.   
Destini Ariel is a dancer based out of Atlanta Georgia. She began ballet and contemporary dance at the age of 15 , and then transferred her technique over to many other forms of dance and movement. She also writes songs and loves dance to them in her free time. Destini loves her students, and has a gift for giving motivating, engaging instruction. Our QC manager notes that “she is fresh, and has the class fully captured with her personality and creative class structure.” Her classes are marvelous for the young dancer, and she was voted Best New Instructor of our Gwinnett team.
Kia J. Street began dancing at the age of three at Norma’s Academy of Dance, and continued her training at Dance with Donna Webb. She decided to pursue a dance career while attending Fine Arts Magnet at Mount Zion High School- now named Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro, GA. Kia graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in May, 2015. While attending VSU, she performed at the annual dance concerts, American College Dance Association, and during halftime with the marching band as a Blazette. She has taken master classes from Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, T. Lang Dance, Staibdance, Zoetic Dance Ensemble, Axam Dance Theatre Experience, and with the instructors of The Pulse on Tour. Kia has choreographed for high school dance lines, the Emerging Artist Showcase at VSU, and for Dancefx adult company members. Currently, she is an instructor at Dancefx Atlanta and Studio Powers for the Performing Arts. Kia is also member of Xtensity Performance Company, and an Apprentice with Sideways Contemporary Dance Company.  
Anari has been dancing for 9 years, 5 professionally, and has enjoyed the opportunity to grace the stage with many industry artists and choreographers. Whilst recently adding pro-NBA dance team experience to her resume, she continues to train in all styles. Anari has always had a love for working with children. She found assisting them to progress through milestones while teaching to be her greatest passion- something she plans to continue far into the future. Alongside her dream to teach, Anari also has a passion for choreographing. She hopes to one day do so overseas and eventually settle down as a studio owner.
Originally from Daphne, Alabama, Hannah began her dance training at a very young age.  She comes from a family of Latin Jazz musicians, so music and dance always seemed like a natural fit.  Hannah began in Ballet and Jazz at Eastern Shore Dance Academy, where she performed as a soloist and principal dancer and was eventually hired on as a dance teacher, teaching there for four years.  She attended Loyola University New Orleans, where she studied performing arts and became a company dancer of the Loyola Ballet.  After graduating college, Hannah moved to Atlanta to further her studies in dance, and pursue ballroom dance training.  She has competed in Latin Ballroom Dance Competitions both professionally and Pro-Amateur with her students.  She also loves to go salsa dancing with the Atlanta social dance community.  As a dance teacher, she loves sharing her passion of dance with her students and helping them find their confidence and style on the dance floor.  Hannah is so excited to teach for Creative Movement and Dance.  She recognizes how important dance was to her at a young age, and is excited to share it with her students!
Anna Tolompoyko was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. She started to dance at age 3 and never stopped.  At age 10, she was admitted to Russia’s finest – Moscow Ballet Academy and started to perform in major theaters including Bolshoi Theater, Great Kremlin Palace, Stanislavskiy Music Theater, and others.  Her favorite parts were in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Notre Damme de Paris, Cinderella, and Le Corsaire.  Miss Anna changed a career path for the undergraduate school and received a bachelor degree in Geography in 2002.  After graduation, she moved to USA and continued her ballet passion.  She worked as a private instructor and dance teacher in different studios and dance companies, as well as a gymnastics coach.  Miss Anna continues to teach Pre-Ballet, Tap-Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. Miss Anna is a very passionate Latin dancer and a triathlete.  She believes that all children have an innate potential to be talented successful adults, and she finds satisfaction in being a positive role model in their young lives.  Miss Anna adores her students and loves any opportunity to teach them dance.  She currently resides in Cumming, GA with her family.  The biggest joy and happiness she has are her daughter Katya, son Andrew, 2 dogs and 2 cats.  
Ms. Stacy has been teaching at ADA since 2019, and has brought an incredible level of ballet technique to all students. She started studying classical ballet technique under Lucia Hatcher of Firethorn Dance Academy in Tampa, FL, with a focus on French ballet technique and Graham contemporary method. At the age of sixteen, she began teaching small children at Firethorn and eventually took on the intermediate levels and company choreography. In 1999, Stacy graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While at USF she studied most notably, under Gretchen Ward Warren, former Ballet Mistress of American Ballet Theater and author for Classical Ballet Technique, and John Parks- former dancer of the Alvin Alley Company. While in college, she broadened her knowledge of Russian and Vaganova ballet methods as well as Limon and Horton contemporary styles. Ms. Wright also had the opportunity to study under internationally renowned David Howard, whose teaching style focused on kinesthetics, imagery and the physics of movement. Ms. Wright has taught ballet technique, contemporary and childrens classes at several dance studios throughout Florida and North Georgia, including the children’s division classes, and youth outreach classes at the Sarasota Ballet Academy. She has focused her career on dance education- developing and refining skills, in order teach the technique of ballet more effectively.
Callista Young is a graduate of Ohio State University, having majored in Strategic Communications and minored in Dance. She was a highly successful competition dancer for 12 years, and also traveled with Hollywood Connection dance convention as a company member for her junior and senior year. Callista has extensive training in jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, and lyrical, and has enjoyed teaching master classes throughout the central Ohio region. She was on the executive board, and the performance chair of Dance Connections through Ohio State. She’s very excited to share her knowledge with the students for Creative Movement and Dance.
Maria began dancing ballet at the age of four, with Duluth School of Ballet.  In high school, she was one of the founding members of Marist Dance Company, where she extended her training to include jazz and contemporary.  While studying at UGA, Maria joined DanceFX, where she performed with contemporary, salsa, hip hop, and heels companies.  This gave her the opportunity to train extensively in these styles and perform around Athens and Atlanta, including the halftime show for Super Bowl LIII.  In addition to performing, Maria has taught and choreographed for adults, children, and senior citizens.  She loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and watching them grow!