Faculty

Maggi Schulteis

Maggi grew up dancing in Myrtle Beach, SC. She started ballet at the age of three and continued with jazz, tap and later modern and hip hop. She attended the Academy for the Arts where she studied with companies such as: Alvin Ailey, Brosseau Danceworks, and Catawba Indian Tribe. Maggi started teaching dance in 99 and moved to ATL in 2002. The club scene in Atlanta was overwhelming and offered positions for dancers to perform with world renowned djs. Dominating the dancefloor with passion and finesse, Maggi evolved into a freestyle, breakdancer. Her hip hop style is a unique blend of street and technique. In the summer of 2006, Maggi toured with Diana Degarmo from American Idol. She is studio manager at Dance 101 and teaches Hip Hop Underground and Clubbin 101 and has been with them since day 1.

 

 

Helen Noviello

I have had the pleasure of sharing my love of exercise and movement with so many wonderful people for the past 30 years always coming from a place that the fitness part of our lives should be one we look forward to and enjoy!.I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Health and Physical Education. During my college breaks and for the first few years after graduation, I traveled to so many wonderful places working on cruise ships as a fitness and social director.When returning to Atlanta, I started an exercise business called Shape bringing exercise and wellness programs to corporations, churches and apartment complexes.During this ten year period, I was a Body Elite Representative for NIKE having the pleasure of being dressed in their wonderful apparel and shoes and also produced and starred in an exercise show for cable TV. I then became fitness director of a local gym where I hired and managed the teachers and class schedule for eight years. Because of my more holistic approach to exercise, I naturally evolved into yoga and Pilate's leaving the gym and becoming the yoga director at an Atlanta yoga studio.It was during this time I started leading yoga retreats that have become a yearly tradition for my friends and students. Over the years ,I have had the pleasure of teaching in Atlanta, Amelia Island and Europe while raising and home schooling my three daughters. I strive to pass on to my students the joy of being fit,not as much for vanity,but more importantly for health and a wholeness of body, mind and spirit! I am so very grateful my journey has brought me to Dance 101!

 

 

Casey Noblett

Casey began dancing under the direction of her mother, Toni Noblett and Jacques d’Amboise in NYC. She continued her classical training at the North Carolina School of the Arts and New World School of the Arts as well as STEPS, BDC and The Edge Performing Arts Center. Her stage credits include performances at the White House and Kennedy Center for President Bill Clinton, America’s Junior Miss, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and shows under the direction of Terrance Mann, Bubba Carr, and David Norwood. She has performed internationally at Tokyo Disneyland, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and at the NBA’s Jam Session in Caracas, Venezuela as Captain of the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team. Her television credits include work with artists such as Gloria Estefan, Will Smith, and Chayanne, as well as performances on Extreme Home Makeover, MTV, CBS, and the Latin networks Univision and Telemundo. She has also been involved in the launch of new artists Third Phaze, Sixx Carter and Ayanna. Throughout the year she is a regional and national judge for Spotlight Dance Cup and Talent on Parade. Casey is the owner and director of N-House Productions and teaches and choreographs at studios and universities across the US and Canada year-round. Here in Atlanta, Casey is the jazz director for Atlanta Dance Theatre.

 

 

Christen Weimer

With an extensive background in rhythmic gymnastics, Christen began her dance training at the age of 16 as a student at the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education. During high school, Christen spent her summers training at the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and the Juilliard School. After graduating, she attended Indiana University as a ballet major. While at Indiana University, Christen received training from Violette Verdy, Suzie Pillars, and others. But after just a year, realizing Bloomington, Indiana was not the place for her, she transferred to Barnard College, Columbia University, in New York City and danced under the instruction of Mary Cochran, Allegra Kent, Barbara Sandanato and others. While in New York, Christen trained with the second company at Dance Theatre of Harlem. During her junior year at Barnard, ankle reconstructive surgery forced her to take a two-year hiatus from dance. During that time, Christen focused on her psychology major and studied theatre. She also choreographed as much as possible. Before ankle surgery, college summers were spent in the south of France dancing at l’Ecole Superieur de Rosella Hightower as well as at home in Atlanta with Atlanta Ballet. Since graduating with a psychology major and a dance minor from Barnard, Christen has spent time in Chicago training at Rivernorth, and in New York with Paul Taylor. Outside of the studio, Christen has been featured in Outkast’s Trans DF Express and she has had the opportunity to work with Dennis Rodman and others. Christen is currently dancing for Brooks and Company.

 

 

Christine Zaarour

Christine’s dance career began at the age of six in her native homeland of Lebanon, when she began performing in television commercials. Her involvement with television and dance grew as she began directing and choreographing children’s dances and activities on a weekly program called Noah’s Ark.

Moving upward in her career, she began performing for Caracalla Dance Theatre of Lebanon, the most renowned dance theatre in the Middle East and has risen to international standards touring and performing in Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East. Christine performed with Caracalla in London, Montreal, Jordan, Paris, Oman, Tunisia, Syria, Dubai, Lebanon, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait,
Malaysia and Italy for well over ten years.

Christine has trained extensively in Classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Flamenco, Middle Eastern Dance and Dabke. She furthered her training with many years of performing experience for Georghe Anghelus at the Body Wave Dance School. While performing for such renowned organizations as Caracalla Dance Theatre and Body Wave Dance School, Christine also trained with other companies, such as The Temple Of Fine Arts, Geothe Institute of Beirut, Retourament Dance Company, and Libanel Technical Institute- among others.

Having over 25 years of extensive dance experience, Christine has a tremendous amount of passion and will to offer anyone who is interested in the art of dance. Her love for the performing arts can only be surpassed by her interest in the development of each individual student of the performing arts.

 

 

Eva Corpus

Eva has only been dancing for 3 years. She began taking ballet classes at the Atlanta Ballet and later at Dance 101 which she now calls her second home. She has a passion for dance and always wanted to study it professionally but her circumstances directed her differently. She definitely has a love for the arts which she spends a lot of her time auditioning for films, plays, commercials and print. Eva believes that life should be lived to its fullest potential so she lives by her motto "be fearless! Do everything and anything you want".

 

 

 

 

Jessica “Phoenix” Brundidge

After overcoming serious injuries in an automobile accident, Jessica rediscovered her continuous love for dance. After relocating to Atlanta, GA from Washington, D.C., she has quickly begun to make a name for herself around the city as a great performer, choreographer, and instructor. Starting at a young age, her dance experience lies in lyrical, tap, african, dancehall, and hip hop. Therefore, these different influences give her a unique energy and creativity in her movement. Her credits include Cici Kelley's Phazes of Love, Rapper Lil Zane, Glenn Jackson's Golden Scissor Awards, Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center, Annual DC Hip Hop Festival, R&B artist Monica, and much more. Currently Phoenix is a member of Swagger Kings dance crew, background dancer for Micah Kiyo, choreographer and dancer with X-Factory Music, and choreographer in Dance 101's showcase and other upcoming showcases. Jessica "Phoenix" Brundidge is part of the exciting new wave of talented, creative, driven individuals in Atlanta. Lookout for her and remember the name, ATL's got some new flava!

 

 

Kevin Tyson

Kevin Tyson, born in Decatur, GA began dancing in high school in the band as a Drum Major. It was not until 1997 where he wanted to explore dancing to the next level. His dance career started at Ga State University, where he danced with the hip hop dance team during halftime at the basket ball games for one year. He then joined Culture Shock Atlanta in 2001 where he not only danced at many events but occasionally taught classes as well.
During his four year dance career with Culture Shock Atlanta, Kevin has traveled and performed in California, South Carolina and all over Georgia. Kevin then went back to Ga State and joined D.O.P.-Dancers On Pointe! This phenomenal hip hop dance troupe allowed him to explore his wild side. This group has opened up for the Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, and danced on the Apollo Theater. This opened up many opportunities for him to dance with up and coming local artists. Kevin has also performed with gospel artist Deitrick Hadden. Kevin's dynamic dirty south shakin' moves will surely leave you breathless.

 

 

Melody Smith

Melody Smith started dancing and teaching with the Cartersville City Ballet. Soon after she began teaching ballet, tap and jazz at The Cobb Dance Academy, and Dan and Company dance studios. She has been the company ballet and lyrical teacher at Daystar Dance Academy, and has choreographed several competition pieces for their company. In addition to Daystar, Melody has also taught and choreographed ballet and tap pieces for Dan and Company and Tinker-belles. She has also judged the Tri-State dance competition and performed several ballet roles such as Arabian in The Nutcracker and Coppelia in Coppelia. Melody has been teaching ballet at Dance 101 for almost 3 years now and is really excited about expanding her experience while helping the Atlanta dance scene reach its potential.

 

 

Terry Slade

Terry Slade began his dance training at Pebblebrook High School ( Cobb County Center of Excellence in the Performing Arts) where he performed musical theater works by Kenneth Green and original Modern pieces by former Alvin Ailey dancers Asha Thomas and Christopher Story. After graduating from Pebblebrook High School Terry received a presidential scholarship to attend The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. While attending The University of the Arts Terry was featured in Modern and Jazz works by Milton Myers, Ron Koresh, and a Bob Fosse reconstruction by Scott Jovovich. In 2002 Terry performed with legendary recording artist Lou Rawls in “Me and Mrs. Jones”, and also danced in the castle show “Disney Mania” at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Terry graduated from Univ. of the Arts in 2004 with a B.F.A. in Dance, and since has performed at The National Black Arts festival honoring Lou Gossett Jr. and the 2005 Trumpet Awards broadcasted on TVONE. Terry is currently the Founder of Redemption Dance Theater and is very excited to be working along side the talented staff of Dance 101. For more information about Terry Slade please visit www.redemptiondance.org

 

 

Kathryne Van Assche


Kathryne Van Assche began her training with Beatrice Alzana at the Royal School of Ballet in Winter Park, Florida. She continued on to study at the professional school of Southern Ballet Theatre, currently known as th eOrlando Ballet. While she was there, she studied with legendary artists of the ballet world, such as Mme. Nathalia Karisnka (Ballets Russe), Fernando Bujones, Gelsey Kirkland, Vasile Petruitu, Irina and Vadim Fedotov, and Marianna Tcherchassky. Upon graduating from high school, Kathryne attended the Florida State University, and was contracted as soloist and principal with the Tallahassee Ballet, where she performed lead roles in the Nutcracker, Coppelia, The Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. She also studied with great names like Suzanne Farrell, Richard Sias, Ric Rose, John Gardner, and Geri Hoolihan. After recieving degrees in writing and psychology, she moved to Atlanta to be a principal dancer with the Atlanta Festival Ballet, performing lead roles in the Nutcracker and the Little Mermaid, as well as having roles created on her by Jay Jernigan and his wife, Cristin. She teaches on a touring convention circuit, all over the united states, using elements of classical ballet and contemporary dance.

 

 

 

Amber Owens

Amber Owens serves as the founder, technical dance teacher, and choreographer for the AAC Dance School , and presently organizes and teaches Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Pilates workshops across Northeast Georgia . With an extensive background in Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Cardio Dance, she has been producer/choreographer of various Hip-Hop and Modern dance shows for over 3 years and has been performing for over 20 years. Her performances have been with company’s including Southern Strutt Studios and Georgia State Dance Ensemble, and she has also served as the Assistant Artistic Director of the CHWC Dance Team.

 

 

 

 

Miki Tornabene

A native of Atlanta, Miki Tornabene trained at the Academy of Ballet Arts under the tutelage of Marina Levasheva before joining the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre (RMDT) Company in 1998. While dancing with RMDT Company Miki trained with Ruth Mitchell, Anthony Parkes, Lisa Toups, and Kathryn MacBeth among others. She performed many supporting roles in the Company’s annual ballets. She is best known for her role as the Arabian Solo in The Nutcracker. After graduating from high school, Miki attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned a BS in International Affairs and Modern Languages (French concentration) with high honors. While studying for her undergraduate degree Miki continued to work with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre in their Young Audiences program, which brings dance performance and education into local schools. After graduation Miki spent time in France honing her language skills. Upon her return she began teaching ballet and contemporary Jazz at Dance 101 in 2006. Miki continues to train in classical dance on a freelance basis. In August 2007 she attended the summer program with the River North Dance Company in Chicago and took professional classes at the Lou Conte Dance School. At the beginning of 2008, Miki began the Master of Arts program in Linguistics and French at Georgia State University.

 

 

Monica Noble

Originally from Augusta, GA, Monica "Mo." Noble began training in Modern and Ballet at John S. Davidson Fine Arts School. It was not until the move to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University was she introduced to hip-hop while dancing on Dancers On Point Dance Team. She later choreographed many of DOP's dances and performed at various Atlanta venues and events, at the same time earning a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. She was a dancer for David Banner on Ludacris's "Chicken and Beer Tour" and co-choreographed the "Crank It Up" video. She performed on the CW Network Macy's Fashion Show, Juanita Bynum's "Threshing Floor" conference, '06 Laugh-a-palooza Aftershow, choreographed state and national fitness competition routines, and has 3 years of dance instruction under her belt, including teaching for the American Dance Projekt Convention. Ever-evolving, humble, and hungry, "Mo" has only scratched the surface of her dance career.

 

 

Monique Latalladi

Since I was 4 years old, I have been involved in gymnastics and Latin dance, participating in several national and international competitions. Just before graduating from high school, I told my dad that I wanted to attend a performing arts school or study the culinary arts; I either wanted to be a really good dancer or prepare a monster soufflé. He said, “Um…no. You need a ‘real’ career. You are going to be an engineer.” So I am, Ph.D. and all, just like he wanted. Suffering from the endless boredom of life in a cubicle (living the movie “Office Space” for real), my energy, my creativity, and my life zapped from me, until one day Ofelia, our fearless Dance 101 leader, pulled me from class and offered me the “job” of my life. When not teaching classes, you can find me either managing a troupe of very graceful, shirtless, toothless construction workers, or attending another of the great classes that are offered at Dance 101.

 

 

Cortney Alexander

Cortney Alexander has been dancing since she was four, and as a child could be found at numerous studios and dance conventions throughout the west coast. After high school, she danced with the the Alice Cooper International tour before going to college in Arizona. As a dance major at the University of Arizona, she discovered a new found love for modern dance. In addition to her ballet and jazz training, she received training in modern by Amy Ernst (Bella Lewinsky Dance Company) and Sam Watson (Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago / Chicago Repertory Theater) in release, Horton, Graham, and Limon techniques. After moving to Atlanta two years ago, she was involved in numerous Modern dance projects such as: Duende Dance Theater and Immerse Dance Company. She now dances with Zoetic Dance Ensemble (voted best dance company '07 by Atlanta Magazine) and loves it! She looks forward to revealing modern dance to Atlanta more and more each day.

 

Lindsay Thiel

Lindsay Thiel danced with the Atlanta DanceWorks under the direction of Barry Thomas and J. Patrick McCann from ages 3-18. While at UGA, Lindsay Thiel founded and led the UGA Tap Dawgs, danced with the UGA Red Hotz Competitive Dance Team, took classes and performed with UGA's Dance Department, and performed with the DanceFX Company and taught tap at DanceFX. She was a featured tap dancer at a CD release party for REM in Athens. She has also worked with physical and occupational therapists to teach dance and creative movement to children with special needs. She joined the Dance101 staff in August 2007 and was a guest performer with Project 7 in January 2008.

 

 

 

Arian Keddell 

Arian Keddell comes to Atlanta from Elmira, NY. Arian trained exclusively with Rafael Grigorian from age 8-18 and continues to both take and teach class with the Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre. Arian enjoyed many featured roles in various ballets including Arabian in the Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and Esmeralda in the Esmeralda Pas de Deux. In high school Arian developed a love for Musical Theatre as well and performed with local theatres as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Anita in Westside Story and Titania in A Midsummer Nights Dream in the straight theatre genre. Additionally Arian's early training was supplemented by a summer in New Jersey with Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre and master classes with national and international dance artists. Upon graduation, after spending a year at Point Park University, Arian went on to Mercyhurst College where she graduated with a B.A. in Dance with a concentration in Musical Theatre. In college, Arian was featured in various ballets as well and in her senior year, was featured in a world premiere ballet that included elements of acting. Arian had the opportunity to work with wonderful instructors and guest teachers such as the late Madame Natalia Krassovska, Margo Sappington, Laura Alonzo and Judith Fugate to name a few. She performed with the Musical Theatre department as Sister Leo in Nunsense under the direction of Dr. Steven Porter. Arian began to refine her vocal studies as well and was trained in the Classical and Musical Theatre genres by Robert Frankenberry and Lisa Layman-Weber. Arian moved to Atlanta to dance with Ballethnic Dance Company and performed with them for two seasons. Arian performed featured roles in the ballets the Urban Nutcracker and Epiphany 2. Currently, Arian is the Ballet Mistress of Renaissance International School of Performing Arts and teaches around the Atlanta area. Arian also, has done guest work with Atlanta Ballet. Arian's latest venture was choreographing Revival 2008 for Pecan Pie Couture designer Clint Zeagler and acting as both a model and singer in the show.

 

Peter Poulos

As a young gymnast, Peter began his dance training at an early age. His technical training began in the school of Houston Ballet which led him to competition dancing with various groups in Texas and Georgia. Peter studied dance performance/choreography at the University of Georgia and was a member of Core Dance Company, and choreographed extensively with the Young Choreographer's Series as a student. Peter traveled from Athens to Atlanta frequently taking classes at the original Gotta Dance and performed with 7Course Theater, a local entertainment group, which led to performances with Blondie and Bare Naked Ladies. He toured for a summer with Bud Fest, headlined by TLC and Mary J. Blige. Corporate events helped pay the bills as he performed industrials with T-Mobile, Nike, Reebok, People Soft, and BellSouth. He joined Kris Cangelosi Dance Project and traveled over the south with this cutting edge performance group. Peter has also given his talents to charitable organizations such as Gay Pride and Joining Hearts. Recently Peter was voted "Best Pilates Instructor" of Atlanta by Creative Loafing magazine and opened his very own Pilates studio in the midtown area.

Bethany Doherty
A Georgia native, Bethany began her dance career at the age of 7 performing with a musical theatre tap company in the Metro Atlanta Area, and trained in ballet and jazz technique as well. She is now finishing her 8th season as the Assistant Dance Director at the North Georgia Dance & Music Factory, Inc. in Dacula, Georgia, and is very enthusiastic about her teaching opportunity at Dance 101! Bethany has completed teacher training courses with master instructors such as Finis Jhung and Al Gilbert; and has studied under the instruction of Lyn Cramer, Peyton Royal, Rick Twombley, Jonnie Kelly, and Stephani Kammer, among many others. She looks forward to continuing her teaching career for many years to come!
 
 
 
Micheal McDonough
 
Micheal began his dance career at age 13 with tap dance. A graduate of the Pebblebrook High School performing arts program, he continued his dance education as a scholarship student in the musical theatre department at the University of Cincinnati. Leaving school to begin his professional career with the Theatre of the Stars tour of "South Pacific", Micheal went on to work with Anita Bryant and Lee Greenwood in Tennessee, the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, and Holland America cruise lines. Upon returning home to Atlanta, he began teaching and choreographing for local studios and companies, including Atlanta Jazz Theater, Cobb Dance Academy, and the Cartersville Ballet. Regional credits include in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ (Joseph), ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ (J. Pierrpont Finch), ‘Fame’ (Nick), ‘A Chorus Line’ (Don), and ‘Crazy for You’ (Lank), as well as being a feature performed in the Miss Georgia Competition. Micheal is currently Associate Artistic director for Dance 101, and continues to perform and teach around the Southeast.

 

Destiney Lewis 

Destiney has been dancing for 25 years and has done so at the collegiate level as well as in the NBA and NFL. Originally from Lorain, Ohio about 20 miles west of Cleveland and she attended the University of Cincinnati where she was a Communications major & a member of the UC Varsity Dance Team for 4 years. She began her professional dance career with the Chicago Bulls in 2002. After bearing with the cold for 24 years of her life she decided to fly south to become a dirty bird cheering for the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons. As a Falcons cheerleader she had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo, Japan, become a spokes model for companies such as Reebok, Crunch Fitness, Home Depot, and Verizon Wireless, also making appearances on UPN's RU the Girl, Inside Edition, ABC's Extreme Home Makeover and local Toys For Tots Commercials. In 2006 she decided to make her return to the NBA and began dancing for the Atlanta Hawks and is also signed with bloc South dance agency. A few other places you can check her out..."The Gospel" starring Boris Kodjoe, MTV's Sweet 16, Daz Dillenger Album Cover, Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rockstar" Video, BET awards, strutting the catwalk for Ed Hardy, the Russell Athletics catalog and in the Power Systems DVD.

Outside of dance she's covered some of the hottest events locally, nationally and internationally as a reporter. Just to name a few, Hot 107.9s birthday bash, Boost Mobile's RockCorps, Alonzo Mourning's All Star Weekend 8-ball tournament, The World Series of Poker and Bodog's Battle of the Bands in London and Dubai. She spends her days researching sports and entertainment news, and evenings dancing at a Hawks game, rehearsing for one, or teaching at Dance 101.

 

Dakota Hinson 

A creative “tank of energy”, Dakota tramples over all boundaries set by traditional dance regulations, and has created her own way for loving, and living in, the beautiful and self-expression moments of “fluid movement” (which she has tagged as her own way for describing what the world refers to as dance). Her “fluid movement” career began [ironically] just shortly after her confidence was found while [in reality] trying to find her inner-dancer. She went to all of the studios in Los Angeles; including Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds, and The Edge. She went to several auditions, and booked a few small gigs; including work with artists such as Rome, (up and coming artist) Jordan, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. She performed in many local dance and artists shows, entertaining on stages in venues such as The House of Blues Hollywood, The Knitting Factory, and Several Orange County venues; also performing at many parties and corporate events with CP Enterprises (an entertainment and dance company). She was, what many would consider, a dancer; yet, Dakota felt otherwise. Although she had been part of some huge productions, most of what she booked came through who she knew, or who had known her well enough to know what type of dancer she was. She had never booked anything through her agent, which at the time was DDO (Dorothy Day Otis). Her agent signed her (in 2001), after watching her in a class at Millennium Dance Complex, and was confident she would start booking immediately. The only problem… it isn’t ability that creates a dancer. It is the confidence of an already existing dancer that creates ability. With this in mind, Dakota continued her education in the studios, while attending fewer to none of the auditions she was called for, and removed herself [entirely] from the performing dance world, and left her agent. She began to focus more on the movement without the compensation, directing her energy and efforts towards her naturally-born, love for dancing. She began to narrow her teachers and inspirations to Jayson Wright, Teresa Espinosa, Janet Langer, and (strangely enough) herself. She began exploring her own natural movement through freestyle, and club dance floors became her newest form of classroom, with the music becoming her greatest teacher. Her inspirations and former teachers became her inner-drive to compete creatively, and she began teaching and instructing (with her own choreography), so as to push herself to create movement at the levels of those she had admired and learned from. She found her passion in creating “fluid movement”, for dancers to embrace and perform, more so than performing the creative likings of another dancer. As her common speeches about her style of instruction always include, “I am not a dancer. I am a choreographer who depends on her dancers,” she always exudes contentment when relaying her answer to the question, “So are you a dancer?” Her Answer: “I am the movement within every dancer.”

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