Our Teaching Staff
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Instructor
Meredith is the Founder and Artistic Director of Modco Dance, where she has led the creation of original performances and dance films recognized for their emotional depth and collaborative spirit. She has taught and choreographed across the Southeast and currently serves on the University of Alabama’s Dance Advisory Board and as an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Reinhardt University. Her choreography has been featured at major festivals and venues including Synchronicity Theatre, DanceATHENS, and FEMMEfest, and she has worked with leading dance organizations and film festivals nationwide.Meredith holds an MFA in Choreography from Reinhardt University, a Certificate in Business Management from Emory University, and a BA in Dance with Honors from the University of Alabama. Her leadership is rooted in fostering creativity, community, and confidence through dance.
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InstructorEmily grew up dancing at various studios in the Alpharetta/Metro Atlanta Area, such as World Of Dance, Allstar Dance with Allison Polaski, and Footnotes Dance and Acrobatics, as well as training in Theater with Christian Youth Theater (CYT) and various school programs. She participated in the Vibe Performance company in Roswell, GA. Emily is a proud advocate for dancers with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). After years learning hypermobility management from professionals at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emily shares a passion for integrating the priority of health into dance. As an adult, Emily returned to dance as an Xtensity Performance Company and Aesthetic Ballet Ensemble member, performing in Wonka: The Last Golden Ticket and The Nutcracker with Dancefx Atlanta.
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Director of Sparks Musical Theater Co.Born and raised in Dunwoody, GA, Hope fell in love with dancing at age three. She continued to dance with the Expression in Motion Dance Company where she began teaching at age sixteen. Hope began her musical theater journey in high school, performing and assisting with choreography. Through over five years of working with youth musical theater camps, most recently, the 2024 DanceFX Atlanta’s Triple Threat musical theater camp, she found a way to share her love of theater with the next generation. She danced with DanceFX Atlanta’s Xtensity, TheatriX, and Elevate companies this past year, and is excited to continue dancing with Metro Atlanta Dance this fall. Hope is a student at Georgia State University, where she is getting her degree in Speech Communications with a minor in Journalism.
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Stella Hansen grew up in Marietta, GA where she trained at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre/Georgia Dance Conservatory ages 3-18. She trained in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, and Swing. Upon Graduating high school, Stella attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where she studied Industrial Engineering. Throughout College Stella took classes at Atlanta Ballet and danced with Georiga Tech’s DanceTech serving as their Membership Director and later their President. Stella began taking classes with Metro Atlanta Dance upon her graduation from college and is greatly looking forward to joining the MAD faculty for this upcoming season!
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Instructor/ Reverie Ballet Company Director
Audrey Crabtree holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. Her performance work includes the theme park stages of Busch Gardens Williamsburg (VA) and Six Flags Magic Mountain (CA) dancing at Howl-O-Scream, Christmastown, Looney Tunes Kids Club, Fright Fest, and Holiday in the Park. Living in Los Angeles, Audrey performed with Amaterasu Dance Company, L.A. Unbound, City Ballet of Los Angeles, the Speak Hill Dance Project, and J Sutta. Returning to Atlanta, she was a company member with Watershed Dance Theatre and Sideways Dance Company. She currently performs as a company member with Atlanta-based Monica Hogan Danceworks (since 2021), ALA Dance (since 2021), and Fuerta Dance Company (since 2016), appearing at Dance Canvas, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, and in seasonal company productions. Professional choreographic works by Audrey have been presented in Atlanta’s Fall for Fall Dance Festival, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, and Fuerta's "Sole." A dance educator since 2012, Audrey is an experienced instructor in a variety of techniques with a passion for pedagogy. Audrey is a mother of two (Penelope & Theodore) who aims to develop each student’s technical skill set alongside a love for the performing arts.
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InstructorJulia began her dance journey in 2012 with Dancefx Atlanta’s first performance company. She studied regularly under the familiar faces of Kia Street and Payton McCarty and later progressed to teach her own youth and adult classes. From 2018-2023, she attended the University of Georgia and performed with Dancefx Athens’ Concert Company in several shows including: DanceAthens, Adventures of Pocahontas, Cinderella: A Modern Fairytale, Mary Poppins, Hercules, Dancing with the Athens Stars, and Xpanse in NYC. During this time, she guest-choreographed for Georgia Dance Team (2020-2022) and Sigma Kappa’s Greek Grind performance (2021). Since 2019, Julia has also translated her passion of dance into film by co-directing numerous projects involving Dancefx companies such as “Fine Line”, “Moon//White Ferrari”, “On the Attack”, and “Oh Ms Believer”. After moving back to Atlanta in 2023, Julia has danced with and guest-choreographed for Xtensity Dance Company, performed at the Emory Performing Arts Center with Divine Dance Studio, and trained with Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company and XCEL Studios.
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Director of Boomboxers Dance CrewTyler Kidd is a multifaceted artist who not only likes teaching dance, but also makes music, does theatre, and creates social media content. He has been trained in a handful of dance styles and is also a vocal coach. As a teaching artist, he has been able to work as a local choreographer for several years. His plan is to soon be able to travel around the country and eventually the world performing in shows!
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Director of Elevate Heels CompanyTricia is an Atlanta native who’s passion for dance grew at Pope High School while dancing with the marching band. While attending Georgia State University, she performed with the Pantherette Dance Team and Georgia State Color Guard. Tricia began dancing professionally as a WNBA Atlanta Dream Cheerleader, an event performer, and as a member of the Gwinnett Dance Project. Tricia is a member of Creatives Company (a professional hip hop team); she directs the Dance and Flag Line at Woodward Academy, and she directs Elevate Heels Company.
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Co-Director of Reverie Ballet Co.Moriah Mattson grew up in Marietta, GA and trained at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre/Georgia Dance Conservatory through early high school. And, she spent summers at various ballet intensives such as American Ballet Theatre, Joffery Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. She then began dancing at Kennesaw State University and Atlanta Ballet. After graduation, Moriah decided to pursue engineering as her career, but continued dancing at Georgia Tech in the DanceTech company where she was the secretary and then was later part of the Johns Hopkins Ballet Company. Post-graduation, Moriah began taking classes at DanceFX and where she was a company member and teacher. She is excited to start this new year at Metro Atlanta Dance where you will find her teaching ballet and pointe as well as still dancing!
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Hip Hop Company Director + InstructorKristen MiKayla is a 24-year-old movement artist, teacher, and creative visionary from Florida. At the University of Florida she emerged as a choreographer and community leader through teaching, film, and creative direction while receiving her BFA. she continues to travel and choreograph worldwide. Kristen is the founder and director of I AM, a creative hub offering weekly dance classes, workshops, and intensives that empower dancers to develop their craft and discover purpose. She has worked in Tyler Perry films, commercials like Sonic, and with influencers such as Kai Cenat. Deeply rooted in the CHH community, she collaborates with artists like Anike (FKA Wande), Ceo Aaliyah, Glo, and BiancaLLove while dedicated to elevating artists across the dance and entertainment industries.
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Instructor
Delighted to be teaching in her hometown of Roswell, GA, Rebekah began dancing at a young age at the Tolbert-Yilmaz School of Dance and graduated from North Springs High School with the Performing Arts Magnet seal where she trained in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Horton, and a variety of modern techniques. Rebekah went on to the University of Georgia earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, focusing on Contemporary and movement theories including Laban Movement Analysis, Creative Movement, and Pedagogy. She has also received foundational training in Dance Movement Therapy principles and loves the role of artistic expression as a source of health and wellbeing for children.
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InstructorMelissa Hoover began her dance training in tap at the age of 13. Since then, she has expanded her technical training to other styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and hip-hop. Though high school, she was a part of several performance dance companies in Arizona. Since moving to Atlanta, Melissa continued her passion for dance and performance as an adult, taking classes and performing with DanceFX Atlanta Studio in the Aesthetic Ballet, Xtensity, and Tap companies. She has also performed with FlexCo Dance company in the styles of hip-hop and contemporary and was featured in the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show in Atlanta. Melissa takes every opportunity to continue to learn and take class, and loves to share her passion for dance with adults and teens whether they have been dancing for years or it is their first day.
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Instructor / Spotlight Musical Theater Company Director
Renee Locher is a dancer, teacher and choreographer with 28 years of experience in the industry. After having trained and danced professionally in Atlanta for most of her life, she moved to NYC to continue her dance career. She has been a part of several professional contemporary dance companies in Atlanta and NYC. She is also an actor, singer, and photographer, as well as owner of Elite Makeup and Hair, a makeup and hair services team comprised of 17 artists that specializes in weddings, and photoshoots of any kind. She is a curious creative who is always working on improving her businesses and crafts, and is very excited to be working with MAD!
Staff + Board
Emily
Brand Manager
Web + Graphic Design
Hope
Social Media Manager
Communications
Margaret
First Vice President
Sophie
Front Desk Associate
Moriah
Treasurer
Kelle
Secretary
Damalia
Board Member
Parent Liason
Elizabeth
Board Member
Jordan
Board Member
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Director of Youth ProgramsAt the age of 9, Jennifer Cooper finally got to realize her dream of a dancing career when Perkins Elementary Performing Arts School was created in her hometown of St. Petersburg, FL. From there, she continued on to performing arts schools for both middle and high school as well as a local studio that offered her a scholarship. She spent every moment possible dancing and training. It was during this time at the studio, that she found a passion for teaching.
Jennifer attended University of South Florida and received a BA in Dance Studies with Education. She started teaching in 2006, working at various locations including studios, a magnet school, day cares and special needs classes. When she moved to the Altanta area, she taught with Creative Movement and Dance for 11 years. She takes every opportunity to learn more as she attends workshops and conferences, such as Dance Masters of America. Jennifer loves teaching students of all ages and levels. She currently dances and performs with several MAD companies as well as takes several classes each week.
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Studio DirectorKia 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 choreographed for high school dance lines, the Emerging Artist Showcase at VSU, Modco Dance Company, and for Dancefx adult company members. Professionally, she has performed with Sideways Contemporary Dance Company, and Modco Dance Company. Currently, she performs in festivals around Atlanta and is in her third season with Fuerta Dance Company.
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Director of Ignite Musical Theater Co.Payton McCarty began dancing at the age of 3, training extensively at the Atlanta Jazz Theatre with a focus on tap, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre. While attending the University of Georgia, she continued her dance training with the UGA Tap Dawgs, UGA Dance Department, and Dancefx, Inc. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in Child and Family Development. Throughout her career, she has performed, directed, and taught at various churches, schools, and community organizations both overseas and in the Athens and Atlanta areas.
Notably, Payton served as the Managing Director for Dancefx Atlanta for 8 years, directed the Xtensity Performance Company and Soundfx Musical Theatre Company, and also choreographed numerous school musical productions. She is passionate about using dance as a form of storytelling and loves helping people find joy in self-expression through dance.
Beyond the dance studio, Payton is an assistant director of a live production team that trains and equips individuals in lighting design, live audio, and live video broadcast. She also works to merge her dance and live production experience to tell the stories of those affected by injustice.
Kia
Studio Director
Adult Program Director
Janet
Executive Director
President
James
Board Member
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer
Youth Program Director
Second Vice President
