Elyse Schreier
Studio Director and Owner
Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet
Elyse, a south Florida native, has been training for over twenty years, since the young age of three, where she has since trained in all areas of study including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, modern, and musical theater. She has studied under Victoria Smith, Kim Wolfe, Natalie Trees, Barry Youngblood, Nick Bowman, among others. During this time she made her rounds in the competition and convention circuits, where she studied under Justin Giles' , in his summer intensives affiliated with the company "Soul Escape". Elyse continued her education at Florida State University, where she stayed active in their Department of Dance before she went on to earn a Bachelors in Exercise/Rehabilitation Science from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga. During this time, she began teaching and choreographing and hasn't looked back since.
She has taught under the direction of Mary Ann Dewberry in Savannah and Astrid Audet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before becoming the director of The STUDIO Savannah. Her choreography has since won several high scoring places at competitions around the southeast as well as guest instructing at Savannah En Pointe Dance Festival. She is a member of Dance Masters of America and certified by the organization in both ballet and tap. Elyse hopes to bring something new to the savannah dance scene and to spread her passion to her students while providing professional training. Elyse intends to create both a fun and serious place to study dance allowing her students to take their training as far as they want to go!
Studio Director and Owner
Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet
Elyse, a south Florida native, has been training for over twenty years, since the young age of three, where she has since trained in all areas of study including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, modern, and musical theater. She has studied under Victoria Smith, Kim Wolfe, Natalie Trees, Barry Youngblood, Nick Bowman, among others. During this time she made her rounds in the competition and convention circuits, where she studied under Justin Giles' , in his summer intensives affiliated with the company "Soul Escape". Elyse continued her education at Florida State University, where she stayed active in their Department of Dance before she went on to earn a Bachelors in Exercise/Rehabilitation Science from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga. During this time, she began teaching and choreographing and hasn't looked back since.
She has taught under the direction of Mary Ann Dewberry in Savannah and Astrid Audet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before becoming the director of The STUDIO Savannah. Her choreography has since won several high scoring places at competitions around the southeast as well as guest instructing at Savannah En Pointe Dance Festival. She is a member of Dance Masters of America and certified by the organization in both ballet and tap. Elyse hopes to bring something new to the savannah dance scene and to spread her passion to her students while providing professional training. Elyse intends to create both a fun and serious place to study dance allowing her students to take their training as far as they want to go!
JULIANA NOVIK
Assistant Director, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre
For ten years, Juliana trained and competed in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and contemporary all throughout sunny South Florida. Her passion for performing arts led her to teach other dance forms like Hooping and Ballroom Dancing while attending college. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and Digital Media. Juliana started a career in business management shortly after graduating. New to Savannah, Juliana is ecstatic to share her passions and talents with The STUDIO Savannah working along side long term friend Elyse.
Assistant Director, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre
For ten years, Juliana trained and competed in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and contemporary all throughout sunny South Florida. Her passion for performing arts led her to teach other dance forms like Hooping and Ballroom Dancing while attending college. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and Digital Media. Juliana started a career in business management shortly after graduating. New to Savannah, Juliana is ecstatic to share her passions and talents with The STUDIO Savannah working along side long term friend Elyse.
Mary Ann Duffy Dewberry
Classical Ballet , Pointe, Contemporary Ballet
A Savannah native, Mary Ann began her training at Lillian O'Donovan School of Dance. She furthered her training at Ballet South under the direction of Karena Brock and John Carlyle. She has studied under Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Septime Weber, William Starrett, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Patsy Bromley. Further training includes Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Terspicorps. While attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mary Ann performed with the dance team, the Gold Dusters, trained with North Carolina Dance Theater, and received a B.A. in Dance. Professionally, Mary Ann has been a guest artist with Columbia City Ballet since 1998, performed with American Repertory Ballet and its world premiere ballet, Where the Wild Things Are, and danced in many ballets including, the Nutcracker, Dracula, Swan Lake, Snow White, and UNC-Charlotte dance major productions. She has taught master classes at various local dance schools, including Maxine Patterson, Doris Martin, and Ballet Savannah. You have seen her choreography at the Studio performances, YAGP and DTI competitions, Savannah Dance Festival, and at local fashion shows. She has also been a guest choreographer for the Savannah Arts Academy. Ms. Mary Ann is passionate about her family, friends, and making dance the most fun it can be. Dance is bouncing off the walls at the STUDIO before the very first plie and even after grande allegro. She loves all things dance, especially the STUDIO.
Classical Ballet , Pointe, Contemporary Ballet
A Savannah native, Mary Ann began her training at Lillian O'Donovan School of Dance. She furthered her training at Ballet South under the direction of Karena Brock and John Carlyle. She has studied under Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Septime Weber, William Starrett, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Patsy Bromley. Further training includes Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Terspicorps. While attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mary Ann performed with the dance team, the Gold Dusters, trained with North Carolina Dance Theater, and received a B.A. in Dance. Professionally, Mary Ann has been a guest artist with Columbia City Ballet since 1998, performed with American Repertory Ballet and its world premiere ballet, Where the Wild Things Are, and danced in many ballets including, the Nutcracker, Dracula, Swan Lake, Snow White, and UNC-Charlotte dance major productions. She has taught master classes at various local dance schools, including Maxine Patterson, Doris Martin, and Ballet Savannah. You have seen her choreography at the Studio performances, YAGP and DTI competitions, Savannah Dance Festival, and at local fashion shows. She has also been a guest choreographer for the Savannah Arts Academy. Ms. Mary Ann is passionate about her family, friends, and making dance the most fun it can be. Dance is bouncing off the walls at the STUDIO before the very first plie and even after grande allegro. She loves all things dance, especially the STUDIO.
Armando Luna
Ballet Instructor
Armando Luna began his training in Houston, Texas with Margo Marshall then with Soili Arvola and Leo
Ahonen. His professional dance career spans 35 years. He danced professionally with Ballet Austin,
BalletMet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Atlanta Ballet. He toured with Ballet Spectacular, performing
with Rudolf Nureyev and Alexander Godunov. Mr. Luna partnered notable Ballerinas Cynthia Gregory in
George Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 and Marianna Tcherkassky in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great
Galloping Gottschalk. Armando was principal teacher of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education
from 1998 to 2019. Many of his students have moved on to dance professionally with Atlanta Ballet,
New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre. He has created over 50
works for the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and various colleges and dance institutions,
ranging from Classical, Neo-classical, and Contemporary Ballets. Recently, Mr. Luna worked with the
progressive rock band KANSAS, choreographing a pas de deux to their famous song Dust in the Wind as
the band plays live. This work premiered in Atlanta in 2018 on their Point of Know Return tour and most
recently in 2019 in multiple cities in southern California. In the Fall of 2019, Armando choreographed,
world premiere, Jack the Ripper for the Savannah Ballet Theatre. Armando’s latest project was a
commission for the Collin County Ballet Theatre. The work is about the COVID-19 pandemic titled
Expectation of the Dawn which is a collaboration with his son, Dante Luna, who is a musician and
composer in Los Angeles.
Ballet Instructor
Armando Luna began his training in Houston, Texas with Margo Marshall then with Soili Arvola and Leo
Ahonen. His professional dance career spans 35 years. He danced professionally with Ballet Austin,
BalletMet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Atlanta Ballet. He toured with Ballet Spectacular, performing
with Rudolf Nureyev and Alexander Godunov. Mr. Luna partnered notable Ballerinas Cynthia Gregory in
George Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 and Marianna Tcherkassky in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great
Galloping Gottschalk. Armando was principal teacher of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education
from 1998 to 2019. Many of his students have moved on to dance professionally with Atlanta Ballet,
New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre. He has created over 50
works for the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and various colleges and dance institutions,
ranging from Classical, Neo-classical, and Contemporary Ballets. Recently, Mr. Luna worked with the
progressive rock band KANSAS, choreographing a pas de deux to their famous song Dust in the Wind as
the band plays live. This work premiered in Atlanta in 2018 on their Point of Know Return tour and most
recently in 2019 in multiple cities in southern California. In the Fall of 2019, Armando choreographed,
world premiere, Jack the Ripper for the Savannah Ballet Theatre. Armando’s latest project was a
commission for the Collin County Ballet Theatre. The work is about the COVID-19 pandemic titled
Expectation of the Dawn which is a collaboration with his son, Dante Luna, who is a musician and
composer in Los Angeles.
Karen Burns
Ballet Instructor
Karen Burns trained at The Washington Ballet, Joffrey School of Dance and The Ballet Intensive from Moscow. She danced with the Washington Ballet, The Scapino Ballet of Amsterdam, The Tampa Ballet , The Colorado Ballet and The Nashville Ballet, as well as guesting with many regional ballet companies and opera companies. She has been teaching and choreographing for over 30 years.
Ballet Instructor
Karen Burns trained at The Washington Ballet, Joffrey School of Dance and The Ballet Intensive from Moscow. She danced with the Washington Ballet, The Scapino Ballet of Amsterdam, The Tampa Ballet , The Colorado Ballet and The Nashville Ballet, as well as guesting with many regional ballet companies and opera companies. She has been teaching and choreographing for over 30 years.
Lauren Key
Ballet Instructor
Lauren Key joins our studio with over 20 years experience in Classical Ballet. She began ballet training at a young age which she then continued through college and professionally. She was a performing company member with a ballet company based out of Jackson, MS for 4 years. After retiring due to injuries, she opened her own ballet studio which she operated for another 4 years. Her move to Savannah in 2007 opened the door to once again keep ballet training a part of her life. Lauren started the ballet program at The Habersham School in 2013 as part of the Fine Arts curriculum. Ages 4-11 with additional middle and high school students that chose ballet as an elective course. She then became the Director of Fine Arts and oversaw all FA curriculum, faculty and events. She’s excited now be back in the classroom at The Studio. Her passion is education and incorporating Fine Arts into the lives of students. She lives in Ardsley Park with her husband and three girls.
Ballet Instructor
Lauren Key joins our studio with over 20 years experience in Classical Ballet. She began ballet training at a young age which she then continued through college and professionally. She was a performing company member with a ballet company based out of Jackson, MS for 4 years. After retiring due to injuries, she opened her own ballet studio which she operated for another 4 years. Her move to Savannah in 2007 opened the door to once again keep ballet training a part of her life. Lauren started the ballet program at The Habersham School in 2013 as part of the Fine Arts curriculum. Ages 4-11 with additional middle and high school students that chose ballet as an elective course. She then became the Director of Fine Arts and oversaw all FA curriculum, faculty and events. She’s excited now be back in the classroom at The Studio. Her passion is education and incorporating Fine Arts into the lives of students. She lives in Ardsley Park with her husband and three girls.
Linzy Flinn
Ballet Instructor
Linzy Flinn was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she trained at The Studio and Savannah Arts Academy. During her training, Linzy attended summer programs at The Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. For two years, she attended The Rock School for Dance Education year around program. In May 2017, Linzy graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and a minor in business administration. While at the university, Linzy performed original works by Tanya and Thaddeus Davis as well as soloist roles in George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, Who Cares?, La Source, Donizetti Variations, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, Walpurgisnacht, and many others under the training of Stacey Calvert. Linzy has been a classical ballet teacher since 2013, teaching at The Studio, USC Dance Conservatory, and Just Dance Charleston.
Ballet Instructor
Linzy Flinn was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she trained at The Studio and Savannah Arts Academy. During her training, Linzy attended summer programs at The Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. For two years, she attended The Rock School for Dance Education year around program. In May 2017, Linzy graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and a minor in business administration. While at the university, Linzy performed original works by Tanya and Thaddeus Davis as well as soloist roles in George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, Who Cares?, La Source, Donizetti Variations, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, Walpurgisnacht, and many others under the training of Stacey Calvert. Linzy has been a classical ballet teacher since 2013, teaching at The Studio, USC Dance Conservatory, and Just Dance Charleston.
Mindy Wedner Hilton
Acro/Jazz/Tap Instructor
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native starting dancing at the age of two. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre , Hiphop, acting, singing and performed professionally with Pittsburgh Musical Theatre. She then attended and graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. After graduating she performed in various professional performances around the country and began teaching in between productions. Mindy has choreographed musicals in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She also has won numerous Choreography and high placement awards while working in Nashville. Mindy is thrilled to be in Savannah and to encourage the passion, drive and joy she has for the arts into its next generation of performers.
Acro/Jazz/Tap Instructor
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native starting dancing at the age of two. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre , Hiphop, acting, singing and performed professionally with Pittsburgh Musical Theatre. She then attended and graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. After graduating she performed in various professional performances around the country and began teaching in between productions. Mindy has choreographed musicals in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She also has won numerous Choreography and high placement awards while working in Nashville. Mindy is thrilled to be in Savannah and to encourage the passion, drive and joy she has for the arts into its next generation of performers.
Story Dae Pugh
Contemporary, Hip Hop
Story Dae was born in Savannah, GA, but raised in Clarksville, TN. She was a competitive dancer at Acro Dance Express for 12 years under the direction of Deleann Holt. She trained under many other talented instructors like Hannah Easley, Jon Carr, Travis Cooper, Sydney Moss, Tucker Knox, and many more. Story Dae studied contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, lyrical, improvisation, and choreography. Through her years as a competitive dancer, she was a 6-time solo national champion, 8-time solo title winner, and a Radix Core Performer. While in high school she got the opportunity to attend the Royal Flux Factor, where she trained under Jaci Royal, Audrey Case, and Kristen Russel. After graduating High School, Story Dae moved back to Savannah, GA where she is currently attending Georgia Southern University, teaching, choreographing, and working for Platinum National Dance Competition. Story Dae has always had a strong passion for dance and she is lucky enough to show that through her choreography and teaching!
Contemporary, Hip Hop
Story Dae was born in Savannah, GA, but raised in Clarksville, TN. She was a competitive dancer at Acro Dance Express for 12 years under the direction of Deleann Holt. She trained under many other talented instructors like Hannah Easley, Jon Carr, Travis Cooper, Sydney Moss, Tucker Knox, and many more. Story Dae studied contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, lyrical, improvisation, and choreography. Through her years as a competitive dancer, she was a 6-time solo national champion, 8-time solo title winner, and a Radix Core Performer. While in high school she got the opportunity to attend the Royal Flux Factor, where she trained under Jaci Royal, Audrey Case, and Kristen Russel. After graduating High School, Story Dae moved back to Savannah, GA where she is currently attending Georgia Southern University, teaching, choreographing, and working for Platinum National Dance Competition. Story Dae has always had a strong passion for dance and she is lucky enough to show that through her choreography and teaching!
Victoria Menke
Ballet
Miss Vicki started dance at age 3 learning ballet through the Cecchetti technique. She moved with her family to England and was fortunate to attend the Royal Ballet School learning through their classical RAD technique. At 15 she returned to the USA and was an apprentice with the Montgomery Ballet where she was introduced to the Vaganova Technique. It was here she taught her first dance class at 16 years of age. She had found her passion and continued to teach for 40 years before retiring. She attended Southern Illinois University majoring in Dance and World History. After a brief time as a substitute teacher in Idaho she returned to teaching ballet. She has performed with the Royal Ballet, the Montgomery Ballet, St. Louis Muny Opera and Scope a modern dance Company. She has taught in Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, California, Idaho, Virginia, Georgia(twice),Panama and England. Her students have attended Boston Ballet, Joffery Ballet, Ballet West, Denver Ballet and many local ballet companies. She is very excited to return to teaching again( 3rd time in Georgia) and looks forward to spreading her love for this challenging but most rewarding art form that brings such joy to the performer and the audience.
Ballet
Miss Vicki started dance at age 3 learning ballet through the Cecchetti technique. She moved with her family to England and was fortunate to attend the Royal Ballet School learning through their classical RAD technique. At 15 she returned to the USA and was an apprentice with the Montgomery Ballet where she was introduced to the Vaganova Technique. It was here she taught her first dance class at 16 years of age. She had found her passion and continued to teach for 40 years before retiring. She attended Southern Illinois University majoring in Dance and World History. After a brief time as a substitute teacher in Idaho she returned to teaching ballet. She has performed with the Royal Ballet, the Montgomery Ballet, St. Louis Muny Opera and Scope a modern dance Company. She has taught in Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, California, Idaho, Virginia, Georgia(twice),Panama and England. Her students have attended Boston Ballet, Joffery Ballet, Ballet West, Denver Ballet and many local ballet companies. She is very excited to return to teaching again( 3rd time in Georgia) and looks forward to spreading her love for this challenging but most rewarding art form that brings such joy to the performer and the audience.
Guest Instructors
Erin McDevitt
Guest Instructor/Choreographer
Erin McDevitt was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up moving back and forth from the East and West coasts. She has been dancing for 14 years and her primary training happened at CK DanceWorks in Acworth, GA and Westlake Dance Center in Seattle, WA where she graduated from high school in 2015. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she completed the Edge Performing Arts Center scholarship program working with names like Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Al Blackstone, Hamilton Evans, Terri Best, Sabrina Phillip, and many others. Some of her work includes dancing in an American Music Awards commercial in 2016, choreographing for numerous shows and competitive dance routines, working at a theatre-dinner show in Seattle, and most recently teaching at the Spring DanceIt Intensive in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018 before moving to Savannah. She now currently attends SCAD for a Professional Master of Architecture, works with our competitive company, and runs a contemporary company in Savannah, Premise Collective.
Guest Instructor/Choreographer
Erin McDevitt was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up moving back and forth from the East and West coasts. She has been dancing for 14 years and her primary training happened at CK DanceWorks in Acworth, GA and Westlake Dance Center in Seattle, WA where she graduated from high school in 2015. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she completed the Edge Performing Arts Center scholarship program working with names like Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Al Blackstone, Hamilton Evans, Terri Best, Sabrina Phillip, and many others. Some of her work includes dancing in an American Music Awards commercial in 2016, choreographing for numerous shows and competitive dance routines, working at a theatre-dinner show in Seattle, and most recently teaching at the Spring DanceIt Intensive in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018 before moving to Savannah. She now currently attends SCAD for a Professional Master of Architecture, works with our competitive company, and runs a contemporary company in Savannah, Premise Collective.
Athena Flourny
Guest Instructor
Athena Flournoy was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she began dancing at the age
of three. She started her training at the Gretchen Greene School of Dance and later enrolled in
Savannah Arts Academy for her high school years. She has studied various dance styles
including ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, and jazz dance. Athena graduated
Summa Cum Laude from Point Park University%with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance and a minor in
Entrepreneurship. During her time at Point Park, Athena has worked closely with and performed
works created by Martha Nichols, Nacho Duato, Jessica Lang, John Heginbotham, and more.
During her college years, Athena also attended the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of
Dance Intensive where she studied many improvisational and contemporary techniques. She has
worked professionally with the Staycee Pearl Dance Project, a contemporary company native to
Pittsburgh, as well as Island Moving Company, a contemporary ballet company located in Rhode
Island. Athena is thrilled to become a part of the STUDIO family!
Guest Instructor
Athena Flournoy was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she began dancing at the age
of three. She started her training at the Gretchen Greene School of Dance and later enrolled in
Savannah Arts Academy for her high school years. She has studied various dance styles
including ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, and jazz dance. Athena graduated
Summa Cum Laude from Point Park University%with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance and a minor in
Entrepreneurship. During her time at Point Park, Athena has worked closely with and performed
works created by Martha Nichols, Nacho Duato, Jessica Lang, John Heginbotham, and more.
During her college years, Athena also attended the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of
Dance Intensive where she studied many improvisational and contemporary techniques. She has
worked professionally with the Staycee Pearl Dance Project, a contemporary company native to
Pittsburgh, as well as Island Moving Company, a contemporary ballet company located in Rhode
Island. Athena is thrilled to become a part of the STUDIO family!
Colleen Edwards
Ballet Instructor
Colleen Edwards trained at the Boulder Ballet Academy in Colorado, under the founder, Barbra Demaree as well as Jon Prinz, Ana Claire and Lucia Martin. Colleen was a founding member of world renowned choreographer Robert Sher-Machherndl ‘s company Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet as a trainee. After graduating her first choice College the Boston Conservatory and earning her B.F.A in Dance Colleen has performed soloist and principle roles in ballets such as Cinderella, as the Winter fairy and Fairy Godmother, A Midsummer Night’s dream, as Helena, Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and a soloist in Les Sylphides. Colleen has taught in Virginia, New York, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts where she continues to challenge her students in both technique and performance. Ms. Edwards has enjoyed dancing in diverse companies including Urbanity, Baton Rouge Ballet Theater, Portland Ballet, North Atlantic Dance Theatre where she was Ballet Mistress and is currently dancing her first season with Savannah Ballet Theater.
Ballet Instructor
Colleen Edwards trained at the Boulder Ballet Academy in Colorado, under the founder, Barbra Demaree as well as Jon Prinz, Ana Claire and Lucia Martin. Colleen was a founding member of world renowned choreographer Robert Sher-Machherndl ‘s company Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet as a trainee. After graduating her first choice College the Boston Conservatory and earning her B.F.A in Dance Colleen has performed soloist and principle roles in ballets such as Cinderella, as the Winter fairy and Fairy Godmother, A Midsummer Night’s dream, as Helena, Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and a soloist in Les Sylphides. Colleen has taught in Virginia, New York, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts where she continues to challenge her students in both technique and performance. Ms. Edwards has enjoyed dancing in diverse companies including Urbanity, Baton Rouge Ballet Theater, Portland Ballet, North Atlantic Dance Theatre where she was Ballet Mistress and is currently dancing her first season with Savannah Ballet Theater.
Suzannah Forbes
Ballet Instructor
Native of Kennesaw, Georgia, Suzannah Forbes moved to the Savannah area in 2018. Forbes received a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in dance from Berry College located in Rome, Georgia. She has been a dance instructor and choreographer for five years in the greater Atlanta area and has worked as the dance coach for the Atlanta Braves minor league baseball cheer team. She found her love for choreography through the Berry College Dance Troupe in which she received the Adjudicators Choice Best Choreographer Award for three consecutive years. Forbes also enjoyed dancing for halftime shows for the Berry College dance team known as the Vikettes, in which she was captain her junior and senior year. She loves to teach dance because of the creative outlet it provides, the strength it instills, and the community it creates. Forbes is thrilled to be a new member of The Studio team!
Ballet Instructor
Native of Kennesaw, Georgia, Suzannah Forbes moved to the Savannah area in 2018. Forbes received a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in dance from Berry College located in Rome, Georgia. She has been a dance instructor and choreographer for five years in the greater Atlanta area and has worked as the dance coach for the Atlanta Braves minor league baseball cheer team. She found her love for choreography through the Berry College Dance Troupe in which she received the Adjudicators Choice Best Choreographer Award for three consecutive years. Forbes also enjoyed dancing for halftime shows for the Berry College dance team known as the Vikettes, in which she was captain her junior and senior year. She loves to teach dance because of the creative outlet it provides, the strength it instills, and the community it creates. Forbes is thrilled to be a new member of The Studio team!
Kate Lehr
Ballet Instructor
Kate Lehr is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she trained with Maria Caruso of Bodiography Contemporary Ballet as well as Steven and Lindsay Piper of Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University and moved to Savannah in January of 2020 with the hopes of teaching ballet and movement therapy to studios and recreational facilities in the area. She hopes to continue teaching as well as gaining performance opportunities in the low country area.
Ballet Instructor
Kate Lehr is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she trained with Maria Caruso of Bodiography Contemporary Ballet as well as Steven and Lindsay Piper of Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University and moved to Savannah in January of 2020 with the hopes of teaching ballet and movement therapy to studios and recreational facilities in the area. She hopes to continue teaching as well as gaining performance opportunities in the low country area.
LAUREN MCKOWEN
Guest Instructor
A native of Gray, Georgia, Lauren has been dancing for 23 years, and began her formal dance training at the age of seven under Amelia Pelton at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has trained additionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, and the Joffrey Ballet. Lauren is a 2014 graduate of Kennesaw State University,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, with a concentration in Ballet. During her time at KSU, she was a member of the KSU Dance Company for five seasons, during which she performed works by Ivan Pulinakla,Reiko Kimura, Lauri Stallings and numerous student works. While at KSU, she was a member of Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and also traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to study dance at National Taiwan University of Art in the summer of 2013.After graduating, Lauren discovered her passion for dance education, particularly in public education. She served as the Director of Dance at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County for one year, while also teaching ballet at Newton Cheerstarz in Covington, Georgia and at The Madison Studio for Dance Education in Macon, Georgia. In 2015, Lauren joined the faculty of Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts as Associate Director of Dance in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to her role at Garrison, she is currently serving as a faculty member at The Studio-Savannah and A Class Act Dance Center. Lauren is also the Co-Artistic Director of Savannah en Pointe Dance Festival. Lauren continues to develop her love of teaching and choreography. Her choreography has been showcased at BalletFest, Jazz on Tap, Kennesaw State University, Distinguished Young Women of Georgia, and YAGP.
Guest Instructor
A native of Gray, Georgia, Lauren has been dancing for 23 years, and began her formal dance training at the age of seven under Amelia Pelton at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has trained additionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, and the Joffrey Ballet. Lauren is a 2014 graduate of Kennesaw State University,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, with a concentration in Ballet. During her time at KSU, she was a member of the KSU Dance Company for five seasons, during which she performed works by Ivan Pulinakla,Reiko Kimura, Lauri Stallings and numerous student works. While at KSU, she was a member of Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and also traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to study dance at National Taiwan University of Art in the summer of 2013.After graduating, Lauren discovered her passion for dance education, particularly in public education. She served as the Director of Dance at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County for one year, while also teaching ballet at Newton Cheerstarz in Covington, Georgia and at The Madison Studio for Dance Education in Macon, Georgia. In 2015, Lauren joined the faculty of Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts as Associate Director of Dance in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to her role at Garrison, she is currently serving as a faculty member at The Studio-Savannah and A Class Act Dance Center. Lauren is also the Co-Artistic Director of Savannah en Pointe Dance Festival. Lauren continues to develop her love of teaching and choreography. Her choreography has been showcased at BalletFest, Jazz on Tap, Kennesaw State University, Distinguished Young Women of Georgia, and YAGP.
Jamie Failing
Aerial Silks
Jamie Failing is an Aerial artist out of Savannah, Ga. Mainly focused on Aerial Tails, Hammock, and Lyra. She is the founder of the SavannaH-based Circus Performance Arts Troupe, The Stardust Pixxies. She found the world of aerial arts over 2 years ago and fell in love wit being "off the ground". She begn dancing over 30 years ago and has been teaching for over 20 years. A classically trained dancer in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, among other styles. She incorporates her knowledge of dance and love of aerial into a beautiful and dynamic art. Recently featured on WSAV-The Bridge for fitness Fridays with news anchor Courtney Cole, introducing and teaching her the world of Aerial Arts.
Aerial Silks
Jamie Failing is an Aerial artist out of Savannah, Ga. Mainly focused on Aerial Tails, Hammock, and Lyra. She is the founder of the SavannaH-based Circus Performance Arts Troupe, The Stardust Pixxies. She found the world of aerial arts over 2 years ago and fell in love wit being "off the ground". She begn dancing over 30 years ago and has been teaching for over 20 years. A classically trained dancer in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, among other styles. She incorporates her knowledge of dance and love of aerial into a beautiful and dynamic art. Recently featured on WSAV-The Bridge for fitness Fridays with news anchor Courtney Cole, introducing and teaching her the world of Aerial Arts.
