Neta was able to combine her love for teaching and dance when she and her husband (guitar teacher Erwin) founded Dance and Music Academy in 2008. She minored in dance at Penn State University and competed nationally on the Penn State Dance Team while earning dual degrees in Spanish and Bilingual Education.
She has trained coast to coast, at Alvin Ailey in New York City and as a scholarship student at The Edge in Hollywood, CA. After college she went on to have a professional dance career including 2 seasons dancing for the NBA Atlanta Hawks and 5 dance contracts aboard Royal Caribbean cruise lines. She was selected to perform the aerial pas de duex aboard the Radiance of the Seas and appointed Dance Captain on the Enchantment of the Seas. She returned to Atlanta to cheer for 2 seasons for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and was awarded Rookie of the Year after her first season. One highlight of her time with the Atlanta Falcons was being selected for the Show Troop which performed for U.S. bases in the Mediterranean and Cuba. Under representation of Xcel Talent Agency, Neta can be seen in Tyler Perry's film I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009), in commercials for the Travel Channel's Man V. Food, Georgia Lottery, Ace Hardware, and in print ads for Mitsubishi Electric. Her passion lies in teaching and helping children to improve their lives with the skills developed through the study of dance. Building DMA has been a dream come true.
A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Virginia has lived in the Woodstock area for over 30 years and trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Acrobatics. Continuing her education, Virginia received certifications in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique. With her technical and creative background paving the way, her choreography won top awards at regional and national competitions. Virginia has been at DMA since 2009 and as the Director it is her goal to provide well rounded training for students in a supportive and inspirational environment. She hopes that each year that a family chooses to spend at DMA is enjoyable, seamless, and memorable.
Cynthia has been with Dance and Music Academy for eight years. Cynthia is from Carrollton, Ga and has been dancing since she was 4. So far, she’s trained with the Drake School of Dance for Irish dancing, various studios in the West Georgia area, Southern Union State Community College’s dance company, Kennesaw State University’s dance company, and Broadway Dance Center. She started her teaching career at the age of 16 and she graduated from KSU with her Bachelors in Dance. She also has her Associates in Science and Fine Arts from Southern Union. Cynthia is a fun, loving, and caring instructor to every dancer she encounters.
Kelsey began her dance training at the very early of 5 at Universal Dance Academy in Port Charlotte, FL. She was a member of the Premier Dance Team and competed through out Florida for approximately 8 years . Kelsey’s family relocated to Dallas GA where she continued her dance career and training at CK Danceworks in Acworth, GA. under the direction of Artistic Director Christina Wigington . Kelsey was a member of Dance Elite for 4 years before going to Valdosta State University
She has trained under professionals such as Andrea Donza, TOKYO, Jessica Starr, Tyce Diorio and many more. She is credited with a bachelor’s degree in Dance, of which she obtained from Valdosta State. Kelsey has a high dregree of expertise in areas of Ballett, Jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop.
Kelsey has achieved numerous awards over the years including the Stiletto Entertainment Award, L.A. Lakers girl award, Overall Senior Soloist for Starbound, Bravo most Photogenic, Miss Paulding County Talent first place, to name a few.
Kelsey enjoys waking up each day and being able to share her love and passion for dance.
Kristen is from Raleigh, North Carolina where she trained with Pierrette Sadler Danceurs under the direction of Christy Curtis. She has worked with choreographers such as Jason Parsons, Mia Michaels, and Dee Caspary. She was also involved in the pageant world where she held numerous titles, including Miss Heart of Carolina in 1998. Upon graduation, Kristen trained at Gotta Dance Atlanta where she was a part of their professional contemporary company – Gotta Dance Contemporary under the direction of Rachel Truitt. She has had the privilege to perform at showcases like Mad Expressions and the 2012 Destined to Dance Awards. She has most recently been part of productions dancing with The Mad Violinist and Bridge to Grace at the King Plow Arts Center. Kristen has furthered her passion for dance by teaching various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary for the past 12 years. She enjoys setting competition pieces and has received numerous choreography awards for several works she has created. Kristen has been a part of the DMA family for many years and cherishes the relationships she has built with dance families and fellow staff. She now resides in Canton, GA with her husband and three sons.
Monica began dancing at age 3 under the direction of Kim Haight at Studio 1 Performing Arts. She specializes in tap, but also has extensive training in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical. She has professionally performed at numerous events as a member of “Atlanta Tap Project” including Dance Canvas 2016, and several performances with “ViZion Dance Company” including Gospel Superfest 2013. Her pre-professional performances include Jazz on Tap, Ballet Fest, Atlanta Hawks half time shows, the Carnival Cruise Line, several lead roles in Studio 1 Ballet Productions, and 10 years of regional and national dance competitions. She has studied under the current biggest names in tap such as; Chloe Arnold of “Syncopated Ladies”, Sarah Reich of “Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project”, Mark Goodman Director of “Totally Tap”, Ayodele Casel “While I Have the Floor”, Mark Yonally of “Chicago Tap Theatre”, Jumaane Taylor of “M.A.D.D. Rhythms”, Melinda Sullivan of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “La La Land”, Jason Kalish of the “Tap Dogs”, Ted Levy, Lisa La Touche of Broadway’s “Shuffle Along”, Derick Grant, Bril Barrett of “M.A.D.D. Rhythms”, and many many more. She has also spent time studying at “The Georgia Ballet”, “Broadway Dance Center” in New York, and “The Edge” in LA, California. Monica began teaching as an assistant to Kim Haight at age 12; and has been teaching on her own since she was 16 years old. Monica has taught, choreographed, and judged for dance studios all throughout the metro Atlanta area and north Georgia.
A native of Arkansas, Natalie received her Master of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Ballet from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Upon graduation, Berry was honored with the OU School of Dance White Buffalo Mask Award. Since then she has worked for Winthrop University and Brenau University, and has been a guest teacher at Coker College, Middle Tennessee State University, Cary Ballet Conservatory in Cary, N.C. and York County Ballet in Rock Hill, S.C. among others. Since 2009, Berry has been a member of the Dance Faculty in the Department of Dance at the nationally recognized Kennesaw State University. There she has designed the Dance in Society course and taught the first Dance Pedagogy course at KSU. She has also taught Dance History, several levels of ballet technique, created a hybrid version of Dance History and has served the university on the Part Time Faculty Council and the General Education Committee.
Berry has been invited by the Dekalb County School of the Arts to teach and stage original works. She has taught at various summer programs including the Summer Wind Youth Ballet, Kennesaw State Summer Dance Clinic, Sawnee Ballet, Giselle DiBlasis School of Ballet and many more. She was co-director of the Summer Wind Youth Ballet for one season and helped choreograph and stage the mainstage production. She was commissioned by Ballet Arkansas to create a work on their pre-professional dancers and her work garnered acclaim. Her choreography has been awarded honorable mention for two years at the Panoply Choreography Contest. Berry has performed with Ballet Arkansas, Oklahoma Festival Ballet and the Alex Spitzer Dance Company. She has studied with such notable teachers such as Dennis Marshall, Dennis Poole, Robert Weiss, David Howard, Alonzo King, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Bill Evans and Miguel Terekhov. She has danced in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Gaite Parisienne, Carmina Burina, The Sleeping Beauty, Postmark Graceland and Serenade among other original works.
Aaron, a creative director, choreographer, dancer and actor has been active in the professional entertainment industry for just over 15 years. He got his big break as he was a participant on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew in 2010 with his crew Royal Flush that he created along with his younger brother Jared James. Exposure from placing in the Top 8 on America's Best Dance Crew propelled him into a full fledged professional dancing career that gradually led to many other opportunities in the entertainment world. Aaron has graced the stage with many big names such as Pharrell, Little Big Town, Baby Keem, T-Pain ,Jacob Latimore and more. Aaron has choreographed for many artists such as Jack Harlow and Lecrae just to name a few, as well as balancing an emerging acting career as you can find Aaron in many movies, television series & commercials currently airing on many major networks and streaming platforms. Aaron continues to expand his career as an emerging leader in Atlanta's quickly expanding entertainment industry and loves being able to share what he learns with many young performers who wish to follow in similar footsteps.
Raised in Jonesborough, Tennessee, Gwynn received her training at Johnson City Ballet/CYB in East Tennessee, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, in Carlisle, PA, and various summer intensives. She studied privately under Pat Holden, Christina Fagundes Turner, Marvin Askew, and others. After graduating high school, she joined the Louisville Ballet as a trainee and member of the corps de ballet. She afterwards danced with Columbia Classical Ballet, then as a fellowship dancer with Atlanta Ballet. For the last three years she's been a member of Festival Ballet Providence, where she has danced such works as in The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Allegro Brilliante, Rubies, Rite of Spring, in Christopher Wheeldon's The American, in Up Close on Hope productions and in Viktor Plotnikov’s House of Bernarda Alba, The Widows Broom, and Carmen. Her full repertoire also includes Coppelia, Giselle,The Brown-Forman and Atlanta Ballet Nutcrackers, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Etudes and also works by Tudor, Limon, Helen Pickett and Val Caniparoli.
She has been on staff at numerous ballet and dance schools as well as a guest teacher, ballet coach and guest artist for organizations in New England, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. As a choreographer, she has set original works on both students and professionals. She has recently married and moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be with her husband, Trevor Wolford, a guitarist, composer and producer. She continues to dance professionally in Atlanta and the East Coast.
Jayme grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she started her dance training at Pittsburgh Youth ballet under the direction of Jean Gedeon. There she performed Stars and Stripes, Valse Fantaisie, Serenade, and Western Symphony. While in school she also studied at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. After high school she joined North Carolina Dance Theatre under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefeaux and Patricia McBride as an apprentice. While at NCDT, Jayme performed Jean Pierre's nutcracker and Cinderella, Mark Diamond's Little Mermaid, and Balenchine's Ramonda and Union Jack. Before coming to The Georgia Ballet, Jayme danced for a year as a member of the Ballet Theatre of Maryland where she performed many pieces choreographed by the artistic director Diana Cuatto. Jayme has attended summer programs on scholarship to Chautauqua Institute, School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She has been a company member of The Georgia Ballet since 2012. There she has performed Principal and soloist roles in ballets such as Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Carmen, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille mal Gardee, Peter Pan, Sleepy Hallow, Les Sylphides, Hyden Symphony, Pas De Quatre, and Pas de deux’s such as Don Quixote, Rhapsody, and Corsaire.
Cecilia began her love of dance at the age of two when she started dancing in the Atlanta area but it was at the age of 13 when she started training at Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock that she really started to appreciate the true art of dance. She has had the privilege of training under some of the best teachers and choreographers in the Atlanta area at DMA as well as at, The Georgia Ballet, Atlanta Academy of Dance and Ballet, Admix Project, Dance 101, Excel, and KSU. She was a member of both the company and competition teams at DMA, competing at the elite level across the southeast. She has also had the privilege to preform many times including, the Atlanta Hawks halftime show, the Living Proof Live worldwide simulcast, and Dancers for Hope. Once she graduated she began her professional career being a back up dancer for The Miss Mississippi pageant, multiple Atlanta based music videos as well as 1 season dancing for the WNBA and currently on her 2nd season as a member of the BurlappSakk Contemporary Company. Cecilia’s love of dancing is equally shared with her love of teaching and choreographing, she is excited to watch her students grow as well as continuing to still perform herself
Mya is a DMA Alumni and a senior dance major at Kennesaw State University. While at KSU, she’s had the privilege of working with fellow students in productions such as the Student Dance Concert in 2021, and in pieces such as The Light and 24 hours. Mya has also choreographed her own piece, Feminine, performed at KSU. She’s worked with outside choreographers such as Heath Gill, founder of Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, in his piece, Elapse. She has experience in the production of shows such as Slang, performed in 2019 at the KSU Dance Theatre.
Previously, she taught ballet, tap, pointe, and creative movement at Step Up Dance Academy in Cartersville. She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary. Growing up, she trained in different dance studios but began her training at DMA at age 11. She is grateful for the experiences of being a company and competition member as well as performing in recitals and Nutcracker performances.
Cassie, originally from Marietta, GA, is a graduate of Pebblebrook High School CCCEPA and continued her training at Point Park University BFA Program, apprenticed with City Gate Dance Theatre, and then toured the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She has trained in many different styles such as Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, and Tap.
Cassie lived in New York City for 7 years and worked with prestigious NYC based choreographers and directors such as: Brinda Guha (Kalamandir Dance Co), Vivake Khamsingavath, DoubleTake Dance Co, Yusako Komori, Seth Gerstacov (Ballet Verite), and more. Some of Cassie’s NYC dance credits include performances at The Gramercy Theatre, The Highline Ballroom, Symphony Space, NRG Stadium, The Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Dixon Place, and Alchemical Theatre Laboratory.
Since returning to GA, Cassie has been part of many performances such as: City Gate Dance Theatre’s contemporary ballet performances, “Roses” and “X”, Aurora Theatre’s “Song & Dance”, “Permutations of Humanity” in Dance Canvas’ Showcase, just to name a few. She also had the pleasure of guest choreographing a contemporary ballet piece, “OVERCOME”, for the Governor's Honors Program’s Dance Department this summer. Currently, Cassie is a company member of Kalamandir Dance Co since 2015 (NYC), faculty and guest dance instructor, and choreographer. Cassie is very excited to be back in her hometown and to be a part of DMA faculty where she can share her experiences and passion for dance.
Christina is Dance and Music Academy Alumni. She has always had a love for the performing arts and specifically, dance. Her passion for dance started at age 7 but grew significantly when she begun training at DMA at age 13, with the experiences and performance opportunities that come with being a Company and Competition member. Over the years, she’s trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, and Lyrical.
She then went on to study in musical theatre, dance and acting in Colorado Springs. There, her passion for story telling through the arts was developed as she was part of Legacy Productions’ dance troupe for 3 years, performing in 7 musical theatre productions.
She has gotten the opportunity to train and perform in partner work in the styles of Ballet and Swing and for 2 years enjoyed performing the pas de deux, “Silent Night” in Legacy Productions’ “Heart of Christmas”. She has also performed in the Atlanta Hawks halftime show and the Living Proof Live worldwide broadcast.
She choreographed a children’s piece for the Living Proof Live event in 2019, as well as personal solos and duets for a mission trip, production, and spoken word events.
She is passionate about fostering the love of dance into every student she has the opportunity to teach.
Erwin
Erwin has over 20 years of experience teaching guitar. He is trained in both classical and electric guitar and is proficient in various styles, including Classical, Acoustic Fingerstyle, Blues and Rock. Erwin studied music at the University of Chile and four years of music theory at Vicente Perez Rosales University in Santiago, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sound Engineering. Erwin offers instruction in both English and Spanish.
Alan
Alan has an extensive background in piano, guitar, and violin. Alan was admitted on a Piano Scholarship to the University of Georgia where he studied piano and organ under the direction of Dr. Egbert Bacon. He continued his studies at Kennesaw State University and took private lessons with Joey Hufman, keyboardist for Hank Williams Jr.. For the past 4 years, Alan has been teaching piano and violin lessons at various private studios throughout metro Atlanta. Alan is the former house fiddle and keyboard player for Wild Bill's Atlanta. He has toured or shared the stage with Zac Brown Band, Charlie Daniels, 38 Special, and Hank Williamss Jr.. He has been in the touring band for country star Gretchen Wilson, as well as, Nashville recording artist Josh Gracin. He is currently the praise and worship leader for Church on the Word in Douglasville, Ga.
Rick is a native of Gainesville, Florida and began playing drums in his teen years. While attending Santa Fe Community College, he studied Jazz and Latin style drumming with Billy Bowker and learned stick technique with Mark Speed at the University of Florida. He has also taken a master class with the late, great Jim Chapin.
Rick was a member of several bands who performed mostly in the Southeast U.S. - some of which opened for major groups such as Sister Hazel, Bad Finger, Joan Jett, Nazareth and The Call.
In 2013, Rick moved to Georgia and joined Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock.
Rick has over 25 years of both private and group instruction experience. His teaching approach is tailored to each student and he creates goals for the students based on their individual ability. He specializes in various music styles, including rock/pop, jazz and Latin.
Eva
Eva has 20 years of piano teaching experience. Originally from Riga, Latvia, where she graduated Jazeps Medins music college, she participated in various music festivals and piano competitions. In 2001 she did a piano concert tour in Austria, where she had an opportunity to perform in various concert halls in Salzburg. Meanwhile she was teaching in a private music studio and played for the local worship team.
In 2002 she came to Atlanta, Ga to persue her degree at the GSU. She was a 1st prize winner at the Georgia Teachers Association piano competition, where she represented GA in the Southern states division. Eva was a top performer at the Emmanuel Ax 2005 Master Class and a finalist at the Chamber music competition at the GSU.
Eva’s passion is teaching piano, she currently teaches students ranging from Kindergarten to Adult. Among her students are her 5 children who have taken 1st places in their local school talent shows and have performed in Europe.
She meets students at their individual skill and ability level. She strives to master both technique and artistry. Overall she wants to see her students succeed and use their full potential and ability.
Lindsay is a senior Music Education student at Kennesaw State University. Her concentration is in Choral Education and her primary instrument is voice. While at Kennesaw State, Lindsay has been involved in Chamber Singers, Women’s Choir, and Opera. While studying Classical voice, Lindsay also has had a lot of experience singing and playing guitar in a variety of settings including church Praise Band and playing solo acoustic music. Since her grandfather handmade her very first guitar at 9 years old, Lindsay has played songs ranging from Country, Pop, and Classic Rock.
Video
Kristina has 24 years of piano and clarinet teaching experience. She has earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education (1997) and a Master’s degree (2017) from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. Kristina has previously taught in the Cobb County School District (1997-2001), where she won the 1998 “Sallie Mae First-Class Teacher of the Year Award” for the county. As a clarinetist, she was a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony from 2001 - 2010. She taught general music at Manning Oaks Elementary in Fulton County (2001 - 2017) and was the school winner and top 6 finalist for Fulton County’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2015. Kristina currently teaches music with the Cherokee County School District. She is certified in all three levels of the Orff-Schulwerk music learning process, and has been a featured clinician with the state music educator’s conventions in both Georgia and Mississippi (GMEA, MMEA). Originally from Lilburn, Kristina is a Georgia native, a 4-time All-State participant (band & chorus), and a 3-time All-College participant (band). She has a lot of experience teaching piano to students affected by autism, ADD/ADHD, insufficient executive functioning, and dyslexia. Her current students range in age from 5 to 75! Kristina’s mantra for teaching piano is: “If it isn’t FUN, it shouldn’t be done!”
Justin
Justin has been playing guitar for over 10 years and is proficient in both acoustic and electric guitar. Although he is musically rooted in rock and roll he has a lot of experience in other genres such as blues, folk, and pop. Justin is the lead singer/songwriter of a band called Wisteria which is his passion in life. He also is equipped with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre and Performance Studies giving him knowledge in not only music but in performance as well. As a guitar teacher, Justin wishes to give his students the foundation and guidance in order to begin their own individual musical journey.
Kenzi is a board certified and licensed Neurologic Music Therapist. She studied at Georgia College with her primary instrument as both French Horn and piano. After graduation, she completed her internship in the Fulton County School System working with the special education department. Kenzi plays many instruments including guitar, ukulele, piano (over 20 years!), French Horn, trumpet, steel drums and even the accordion. She offers music therapy services, adapted music lessons and typical music lessons! As a teacher and therapist, Kenzi strives to give her students an exciting and intriguing environment to enjoy music just as much as she does!
Natalie is a student at Kennesaw State University pursuing a degree in Music Education with a concentration in Orchestra and a degree in Music Performance on the viola. During high school, she earned many awards for leadership and accomplishments in her orchestra program and graduated with a Fine Arts Diploma Seal Distinction of Honor. Natalie earned Superior-Rated programs for the Cobb Country Music Teachers Association Solo Festival, National Federation of Music Clubs (solo piano and hymns), and National Guild of Piano Teachers adjudications. She has experience teaching private lessons on violin, cello, and piano, as well as teaching lessons in Cobb County Middle Schools. Natalie currently plays piano for her church and enjoys teaching students the value of music!
Swedish-born Katarina studied voice technique, song performance and music theory at New School University, and has worked as a singer, songwriter and vocal coach for the better part of the last two decades. She began performing as a child and through her teen years furthered her professional training, including at Kulturama, one of the most reputable music academies in Sweden.
Privately, Katarina studied voice under the world-renowned voice teachers Dr. William Riley and Don Lawrence (whose collective client base is a who’s who list such as, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Usher to name a few).
Katarina has worked as a singer and songwriter and collaborated in recording studios with various musicians and producers such as Catalyst (Lady Gaga), Stargate (Katy Perry, Rihanna, Selena Gomez) and guitarist Willie Brown Jr (Alicia Keys). While coaching different singers in the studios of NYC, she discovered her gift for showing others the fundamentals of singing.
Michael has taught drum lessons since 2006. He offers drum set instruction in rock, pop, jazz, Latin, and gospel styles. He also teaches marching style rudimental drumming. He began learning percussion in 6th grade, and developed a love for music while playing in the National Champion Lassiter High School Band program. In college he continued performing in several ensembles with the Georgia Tech Band while earning his Bachelor of Science degree. He performed in the Falcons Band and with the Fabrefaction Theater Company. Most of his drumming in the past two decades has been in various churches, playing a range of styles (contemporary, black gospel, southern gospel, Latin). He recently went back to school and earned a teaching certificate in Middle Grades Education from Appalachian State University.
Phoenix has played guitar since early childhood. He is proficient in electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and finger style guitar with some experience in classical guitar. He has taught students of all ages and has experience with private lessons as well as handling group lessons with up to 15 students at one time. Throughout his career he has performed in multiple local rock bands in Atlanta. He specializes in all genres of rock, from blues to heavy metal. Phoenix also has experience in pop, jazz, country, and funk.
Chad has over 20 years of teaching and performing experience. He has taught children and adults of all ages and is experienced and educated in many different genres including Blues, Rock, Country, Soul/R&B, Funk, Pop. Chad graduated with honors from Atlanta Institute of Music with a Certificate of Guitar Performance. Privately he studied with some of the most respected teachers and performers in the industry. Ben Forehand (Tasha Cobbs), Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy, Phillip Phillips), Shawn Tubbs (Carrie Underwood), Bobby Lee Rodgers (Berklee College of Music, Jazz is Dead, Codetalkers). Chad has also attended Masterclasses from virtuosos Guthrie Govan, Andy Wood, Julian Lage, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Tommy Emmanuel.
As a performer Chad has traveled the country with various recording artists such as actress/singer-songwriter Katelyn Tarver (Big Time Rush, Ballers, American Idol Juniors, Disney Radio), Davin McCoy (GA Rock Vocalist of the Year), and shared the stage as supporting act for bands such as The Jonas Brothers, Drivin N Cryin, and many others.