Anna Dauphin began her dancing career at The Dance Centre at Vista Grove at the age of four, training with The Dance Troupe from age 8 to 18. As a young dancer, Anna had the opportunity to perform at many different venues, including performances in Orlando and New York City for competitions, as well as Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World. Anna began her college career studying dance at Georgia College. During that time, she performed with the Atlantic City Ballet in their rendition of “Dracula,” and worked on staff for the American College Dance Festival Association.
Upon her return to Atlanta, Anna continued working as a dance instructor and choreographer for her home studio, The Dance Centre, where she remained for six years. In 2018, Anna began working as a dance instructor for Stage Door Studios in Decatur, Georgia while also serving as Assistant Director for The Dance Troupe. She is proficient in teaching many different styles, such as Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Tap, Lyrical, and more. While teaching dance, Anna attended Georgia State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Arts Administration. In 2020, Anna established Dauphin Dance Center in Atlanta, GA, fulfilling a lifelong dream to own her own dance studio.
In addition to teaching, Anna has also served as choreographer for multiple public and private school events, including the Miss Lakeside Pageant, Henderson Middle School Spring Musical, Marist School Dance Concerts, and more. Anna has had the privilege of working with many students on competition solos, dance auditions, and private technique lessons since 2012. As a teacher and director, Anna hopes to spread the positive influence that dance has had in her life to others.
Maddie Parker grew up in Tucker, GA and began dancing at age six. She and Anna both participated in numerous shows and competitions while at the Vista Grove Dance Centre together. By age thirteen, Maddie knew that she had a passion for dance and decided to audition for DeKalb School of the Arts. Her education from both schools gave her the confidence and proficiency to receive a full time position as a parade performer, post graduation. Maddie spent five and half years making magic at Walt Disney World; dancing and "befriending" several beloved characters. She moved back to Atlanta early 2019 to pursue a career as a wedding planner, and has since been falling back in love with studio life. She hopes to give her students the same level of confidence needed to chase their dreams.
Caroline Sandler began dancing when she was four years old at The Dance Centre at Vista Grove in Decatur, GA. She attended Dekalb School of the Arts where she was able to further her dance education throughout high school. Caroline went on to Adelphi University in New York, where she graduated with her BFA in Dance in 2020. She was the recipient of many talent-based scholarships, as well as the Ruth St. Denis Prize for performing arts. At Adelphi, Caroline took daily technique classes in ballet, modern, pointe, and pas de deux from several accomplished dance professors. She was involved in many dance performances at Adelphi, performing both ballet and modern works from notable choreographers such as Martha Graham and Paul Taylor, among others. She also performed in New York City, dancing in Martha Graham’s Chronicle at the Joyce Theater during the company’s 2019 spring season. In addition to technique classes, Caroline took courses in dance history, functional anatomy for the dancer, dance theory and composition, and classical ballet pedagogy. Caroline centered her focus around classical ballet, leaving Adelphi with an extensive knowledge of the technique.
Fiona Shepherd began dancing in Atlanta, Georgia at The Dance Centre at Vista Grove where she performed with the Dance Troupe and started teaching classes. She deepened her dance education through highschool at Dekalb School of the Arts. Fiona attended college at Denison University as an English Literature major and a Dance minor, where she graduated in May of 2023. She intensively studied modern, jazz, ballet, and dance history and participated in numerous Department performances. Outside of classes she continued her teaching career serving as a Teaching Assistant for Contemporary/Modern courses at Denison, and teaching pre-ballet and tap classes at Granville Dance Academy. She also was awarded a position of Dance Fellow where she helped grow Denison’s dance community by starting organizing dance events both on campus and within the Ohio area. Fiona is excited to bring her love of dance to help build a positive and inspiring community for all DDC dancers.
Katie Watkins (she/her) began her performance and compositional training in Newnan, Georgia with Classical Dance Theatre, Compass Dance Academy, the Legacy Theatre, and Southern Arc Dance. Her early studies centered on Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Tap, also training with Lorraine Casablanca, Paulo Manso De Sousa, and Laurie Clark. She furthered her studies at Brenau University, delving into studies of Jazz, Afro-Modern, Horton, and Release Technique under the mentorship of faculty Madia Cooper-Ashirifi, Jessica Lynch-Oliver, Angela Harris, John Streit, and Michael Jablonski. She holds two Bachelors of Arts degrees from Brenau University in Dance and English. Katie has performed in dance works by choreographers Nicholas Palmquist, Jesse Zarrit, Allyne Gartrell, Owen Scarlett, Jennifer Archibald, Du’Bois A’Keen, Kaitlynn Arena, Joshua Blake Carter, and Xavier Lewis. Katie also has a wide breadth of experience in arts administration and social media working with organizations such as DanceATL, Core Dance, and ArtsATL.
Allison Turner, originally from Loudoun County, VA, has been dancing her entire life. She grew up training at Creative Dance Center, where she was a member of their Performance Troupe and the award-winning Competition Team. After high school, she went on to Longwood University, where she was a four-year member, two-year Captain of the university dance team, Blue Heat. It was there, coupled with her experience working with children, that inspired her to pursue teaching dance. Allison hopes to inspire her dancers to always chase their dreams, and above all, never stop dancing.
Kati Grace Kirby has been working as a professional actor, singer and dancer since graduating from Emory & Henry College's Barter Theatre Conservatory program in 2007. Notable performance highlights include playing Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore at Faulkner Dinner Theatre (AL), Alice in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Flat Rock Playhouse (NC), every young lover, sassy sidekick and brazen leading lady under the sun with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and appearing as a cabaret performer with Remedy Theatre Project. Kati Grace has been directing the yearly Spring Musical Theatre Revues at Henderson Middle School since 2013, choreographing the Sagamore Hills Elementary School Spring musicals since 2017 and has coached private students in acting, singing and audition preparation since 2010. She is thrilled to be able to find a home teaching private voice lessons through Dauphin Dance Center!
Rhetta Weeks joined Dauphin Dance Center in 2022 as a ballet, jazz, and acrobatics instructor. She grew up dancing under the direction of Lovedy Griner at Rose City Ballet in Thomasville, Georgia where she also began assistant teaching. She is a graduate of Elon University in North Carolina where she earned her degree in Exercise Science and Dance while furthering her dance teaching career under the guidance of early childhood dance educator Kim Black of Miss Kim's Children's Dance and Arts in Burlington, North Carolina. In her free time, Rhetta enjoys grabbing coffee with friends, taking aerial silks classes, and exploring her new home: Atlanta.
Gabrielle Stearns was born and raised in Atlanta and is now a senior at Emory University pursuing a double major in Dance and Human Health. She began dancing at the age of 3 at the Dance Center at Vista Grove and was part of their performance company for 10 years. Gabrielle attended Dekalb School of the Arts for high school as a dance major and creative writing minor. Gabrielle is a member of the Emory Dance Company and has performed works by Julio Medina, Angela Harris, George Staib, and more. When she’s not in school or teaching, Gabrielle loves sewing, embroidery, and rock climbing.
Jonathan Bryant is dancer/choreographer/instructor who has worked in the booming entertainment industry in Atlanta for over a decade. He has worked with many celebrities including Ne-Yo, Trina Braxton, Tichina Arnold, Nivea, Queen Latifah and more. He has been in numerous musical productions in the Atlanta area, recently AIDA(Atlanta Lyric Theatre) and MAMMA MIA! (Aurora Theatre). He has worked in the booming television/movie industry in Atlanta including The Originals and Step Up: Highwater and movies like Bessie, Billy Lynn Long Halftime Walk directed by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee. He made his acting debut as “Bubba Knight” in the docu-series American Soul premiering on BET. Jonathan owns his own lifestyle brand Jaybsmoovethebrand that focuses on MOVEMENT, STYLE, and PERSONALITY.
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