Leadership Team
KYM BUSHMIRE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Director of Operations GDT Board of Directors Kym Bushmire, a Georgia Dance Theatre alumna, received her dance training from Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts, Kris Cangelosi Dance Project, Georgia State University and LaGrance School of Ballet. Ms. Bushmire has been a guest choreographer for Georgia Dance Theatre's productions of In the Spirit of Dance, Sinfonicron Light Opera Company's production of 42nd Street at the College of William and Mary and productions of McIntosh High School Drama Dept. She has been a guest performer with the Cangelosi Dance Project, the Movement Force of Georgia State University and the Centennial Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies of 1996. Ms. Bushmire has been an instructor in various disciplines for Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 10 seasons. Ms. Bushmire is Associate Director and Director of Operations of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. In addition, Ms. Bushmire is a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Dance Theatre. 
NICHOLE MARTIN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Director of Marketing GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Dance Team Educator GDT Board of Directors Nichole Martin has trained with Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for the past 21 years and under scholarship with Georgia Dance Theatre for 18 seasons, including nine seasons under professional contract. She has received additional training from the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet with an invitation to stay for school year program, the American Ballet Theatre, the Montgomery Ballet on full scholarship, the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, & the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education on full scholarship. Mrs. Martin has performed principal roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker Ballet,Mercedes in Don Quixote,the principal role in American Ballet Theatre’s Master of the Puppets by Larry Pech, Delilah in Melony Tribble’s Samson and Delilah,the principal role in Les Sylphides,and in 2008, the lead role of Constance in Sherri Davis’ original ballet, The Three Musketeers. Mrs. Martin’s training led to many professional opportunities including founding & directing the Thunder Girls Dance Team of the Southern Crescent Lighting, coaching the Junior Varsity Chiefettes Dance Team of McIntosh High School, choreographing music videos, and performing in works showcased throughout the nation. Currently, she leads the Dance Team program at GAD & the Performing Arts & choreographs for the Starrs Mill Pantherettes and has won several competitive awards for “Best Choreography” against dance teams across the nation. Mrs. Martin holds a degree from Emory University with a double major in political science & psychology & a minor in marketing & advertising. Mrs. Martin is an Associate Director and Director of Marketing at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Dance Theatre. |
HAYLEY KEIR
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Ballet Mistress GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Early Childhood | Pilates Educator GDT Board of Directors Ms. Keir is a graduate of the Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts where she received training from such notable dance educators as Sharon Dante, Kevin Martin, Eleanor D’Antuono, Alexei Tchernichov, Victoria Mazzarelli, and Joan Kunsch. Ms. Keir also established herself as a rehearsal assistant and dance educator at the Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts. Ms. Keir has received additional training with the North Carolina School of the Arts, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Met, The Rock School of Pennsylvania and the Russian Ballet in Edenburgh, Scotland. Ms. Keir was a professional company member of the Atlanta Festival Ballet for five seasons and held the position as Classical Ballet Educator and Summer Intensive Coordinator for the school. She has performed such lead roles as Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop and Arabian in the Nutcracker and Tiger LIlly in Peter Pan. In June 2012, Ms. Keir danced the lead role of Giselle in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts’ production of Giselle to a sold out audience. In 2015, Ms. Keir danced the coveted role of Odile in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Swan Lake. In 2016, Ms. Keir danced the lead role of Jane Eyre in an original ballet by Artistic Director Sherri Davis to rave reviews. Ms. Keir was a member of the professional company of Georgia Dance Theatre for 6 seasons. Ms. Keir is an Associate Director & Ballet Mistress of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. In addition, Ms. Keir is a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Dance Theatre. 
DEELANA STYRON
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Director of Early Childhood Program GAD Contemporary | Early Childhood Educator Ms. Styron has been involved in the performing arts for the past 30 years. Her professional credits include performing with the professional jazz company, Souls of the Feet, under the direction of Wade Smith. As a former children’s counselor and director of many early childhood dance programs, Ms. Styron has achieved a quality of instruction that has afforded her the opportunity of co developing and overseeing all aspects of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts early childhood program, as well as implementing outreach programs in the community. Ms. Styron has developed the Early Childhood Program of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts as one of the largest and most innovative programs in Georgia. Ms. Styron has assisted in creating age appropriate classes intertwined with introducing the technical aspects of dance – in a fun and positive atmosphere. In addition, Ms. Styron has co-created and directed all of the Early Childhood productions at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and with that has ensured a positive experience for the young dancer in each performance. Ms. Styron believes in presenting the joy of dance with structure and encouragement to each beginning level dancer from age 3-6 – to foster their joy of movement and to recognize their talents and gifts. Ms. Styron is the Early Childhood Program Director and Associate Director of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. |
Artistic Staff
GRAY DAVIS
Artist In Residence | GAD Classical Ballet & Conservatory Educator | GDT Board Member Gray Davis, a Georgia Dance Theatre alumnus, began his training at the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts under the directorship of his mother, Sherri Davis. Davis continued his dance education under full scholarship with the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, graduating in 2004. During his training Davis danced principal roles in La Bayadère, Chopiniana, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, La Fille Mal Gardée, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, La Sylphide and the pas de deux Diana and Acteon, Grand Pas Classique and the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. In 2004, Davis was named Grand Prix winner at the Youth America Grand Prix finals in New York. He joined American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company in April 2005, the main Company, as an apprentice, in January 2007, and the corps de ballet in December 2007. His repertoire with American Ballet Theatre includes Wellington in Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, the Duke in Giselle, the Spanish Dance in The Nutcracker, the English Prince and a Fairy Cavalier in The Sleeping Beauty, von Rothbart (Lakeside) and the Spanish Dance in Swan Lake and roles in Baker's Dozen, Black Tuesday, Continuo, From Here On Out, Gong, The Leaves Are Fading, as well as roles in all of the full-length ballets. He created roles in Everything Doesn't Happen at Once and Private Light. For American Ballet Theatre's 2017-2018 season, Mr. Davis carried lead roles in various ballets including Christopher Wheeldon's Thirteen Diversions, with Principal Dancer, Misty Copeland, and the role of Paris in Kenneth MacMillian's Romeo & Juliet. In 2017, Mr. Davis was awarded the Liberty Medal, the highest civilian honor in the state of New York, by State Senator Hoylman for heroic actions in the New York Subway where he saved a man's life. Additionally, Gray and his wife, Cassandra Trenary - a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre - presented at the NY Dance and Performance Awards - The Bessies - New York City’s premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, announced the complete list of the 2017 award recipients tonight at the 33rd annual Bessie Awards ceremony. Mr. Davis joins Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts as the Artist In Residence and will be assisting in overseeing the GAD Conservatory Program and Pre-Professional Levels of the school. Mr. Davis is a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Dance Theatre. 
NATHAN GRISWOLD
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary Educator Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Nathan Griswold began his dance training with Kay Englert in Tacoma, Washington. After finishing his formal dance training at the Ben Stevenson Academy in Houston, Texas he danced professionally with the Houston Ballet, Alberta Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet. He has been a guest artist with the Los Angeles Chamber Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater. During his time at Alberta Ballet, Nathan toured extensively through the US, Canada and China. In 2010 Nathan moved to Europe where he danced for Ballett Augsburg and the National Theater Mannheim. His performance repertoire includes works by Itzik Galili, Leo Mujic, Emily Molnar, Christian Spuck, Kevin O’Day and Alejandro Cerrudo among others. In the summer of 2011 Nathan began choreographing stage works in Germany. He created his first piece “Something Serious” for Ballett Augsburg and later restaged the piece for the State Theater of Ulm. Atlanta Ballet’s “Wabi Sabi” invited Mr. Griswold in 2012 for the creation of “Two and a Half Songs”. This work premiered in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and is currently being toured to communities in and surrounding Atlanta. Mr. Griswold’s last work in Europe, “Fliege Fliege”, was critiqued as the “highpoint” in Ballet Augsburg’s Destillation #3 evening. Nathan worked numerous times with the Opera department in Theater Augsburg to create elaborate, collaborative pieces for the theater’s annual Opernball. Returning to Atlanta in 2014, Nathan guests regularly with the Atlanta Ballet, teaches dance locally, and has founded a physical theater and installation company with local dance, music and theater artists. Nathan's wife, Kelly Tipton, (formerly with the Atlanta Ballet) is a guest instructor with the Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts in her spare time as she pursues a degree in medicine. 
ALISON CASPERSEN
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Early Childhood Educator Alison Caspersen grew up in Edwards, Colorado and began her training at Vail Valley Academy of Dance under the direction of Anne Powell and Karen Samuelson. She received additional training from The Rock School for Dance Education of Pennsylvania, Milwaukee Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Kaatsbaan. In addition, Ms. Caspersen was part of the Helen Pickett Choreographic Essentials Workshop in 2014. Ms. Caspersen received professional trainee status with Ballet Austin and performed with the company in The Nutcracker, choreographed by artistic director Stephen Mills. Ms. Caspersen continued her training with Atlanta Ballet as both a Conservatory dancer and contracted Fellowship artist. She has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and Pinnochio and danced the featured role of the Evil Queen in Snow White. Ms. Caspersen taught Early Childhood, Ballet and Contemporary classes at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and as a ballet educator at Ballet Austin. Ms. Caspersen is in her 2nd season as a professional company member of Georgia Dance Theatre. In the 2016 season, Ms. Caspersen danced the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of the Nutcracker Ballet. In the 2017-2018 season, Ms. Caspersen held several lead roles in Georgia Dance Theatre's production of the Nutcracker Ballet as well as demi-soloist roles in the upcoming production of La Bayadere. 
KELLY DORNAN
GAD Classical Ballet Educator Kelly Dornan received her dance training under scholarship from the Washington School of Ballet led by Artistic Director Kee Juan Han and under scholarship with the Texas Ballet Theater led by master teacher and choreographer Ben Stevenson. In addition, Ms. Dornan was a scholarship recipient to the Milwaukee Ballet and trained under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Pink. For three seasons, Ms. Dornan has danced professionally with the Colorado Ballet Studio Company under the direction of American Ballet Theatre’s former Principal dancer Gil Boggs. During her time with the Colorado Ballet, Ms. Dornan had the opportunity to work with various prestigious choreographers and perform in multiple classical and contemporary repertoire. These prestigious works include performing in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Michael Pink’s Dracula, Anthony Tudor’s Pilar of Fire, Twyla Tharp’s Brief Fling,Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker. Additional classical repertoire that Ms. Dornan had the honor of performing include Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, Marisu Petipa and Leve Ivanov’s Swan Lake and Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet. Ms. Dornan has been a classical ballet dance educator for the Colorado Ballet and will be joining Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts as a dance educator. Additionally, Ms. Dornan will be making her debut season as a professional company member of Georgia Dance Theatre. 
ABBY CALDWELL
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Early Childhood Educator Abby Caldwell has trained with Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 15 years and was a scholarship company member of Georgia Dance Theatre for 5 seasons. Abby has received additional training from prestigious companies such as Richmond Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet – all under scholarship. She was accepted to and attended such prominent companies such as Miami City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Abby has danced professionally with Milwaukee Ballet II under the direction of Michael Pink and had the privilege of performing with Milwaukee Ballet in Michael Pink’s La Boheme, The Nutcracker, & Momentum, Swan Lake Pas de Trois and Momentum, Napoli. Additionally, Abby has performed in Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Snow White and Miami City Ballet’s Noire in which she performed the Soloist role. In addition, she has performed with American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program as Soloist in Le Corsaire. Abby received several Soloist roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre member. She danced as a French Immigrant in Director Sherri Davis’ original ballet of West Side Story. In addition, she performed the Cinderella pas in GAD’s production of The Sleeping Beauty and the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake. In Georgia Dance Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker Ballet,Abby danced the lead roles of Dew Drop Fairy of Waltz of the Flowers and as the Ribbon Candy. Abby is excited to be returning to Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts to continue her passion for dance and assist in educating the next generation of GAD dancers. Abby makes her debut season as a professional company member of Georgia Dance Theatre for the 2018-2019 Season. |
JENN RITORTO
GAD Contemporary Educator | GDT Board Member Jennifer Ritorto spent 5 seasons under contract as a professional company member of Georgia Dance Theatre. She received her early training at the Academy of Ballet Arts in Marietta, GA and then went on to the University of Georgia where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and a Minor in Dance. At the University of Georgia, she danced with companies such as Dancefx, UGA’s Ballet Ensemble, and Core Concert Dance Company. She continued her dance education with such well-known companies as Broadway Theatre Project, Pointe Park Intensive, and Charleston Ballet Theatre. Ms. Ritorto went on to dance with other prestigious dance companies such as Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company, and Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Ritorto was chosen to dance the principal role of Anita in Georgia Academy of Dance and the Performing Arts’ and Director Sherri Davis’ world premiere production of West Side Story in June 2011. For the 2012-2013 Season, Ms. Ritorto danced the lead role of Esmeralda in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts Director Sherri Davis’ original contemporary ballet of the Hunchback of Notre Dame to a sold out audience. Ms. Ritorto teaches the contemporary intensives and is a guest choreographer for Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and Georgia Dance Theatre. Ms. Ritorto is a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Dance Theatre. 
BRANDON NGUYEN-HILTON
GAD Classical Ballet Educator Brandon is a native of Fort Worth Texas and began his formal training with Margo Dean School of Ballet. At 15 he was chosen to study at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy on full scholarship where he was also invited to dance with the second company. He received his first professional job with Orlando Ballet under direction of renowned Bruce Marks and later Robert Hill. While in Orlando he was also invited to dance with Cirque du Soleil as there lead male dancer in the show La Nouba. He also performed with Mariah Carey in her Christmas Disney Day Parade. In 2012 John McFall asked Brandon to join the Atlanta Ballet where he performed many diverse roles from choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Christopher Wheeldon, Helen Picket, Anabelle Lopez Ochoa, David Bintley, Gustavo Ramirez, Sean Hilton and Robyn Mineko. He most recently performed in Seoul South Korea for the Pyong Chang Winter Music Festival, celebrating the olympics. Brandon is extremely happy to have performed both Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet with Georgia Academy of Dance. Sharing his history and knowledge with his GAD students and watching them grow artistically and technically is an absolute joy. Brandon would like to thank his family and his past, present and future teachers! 
MADISON SCHRAMA
GAD Marketing Assistant | Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Early Childhood | Dance Team Educator Madison Schrama began dancing at the age of 6 at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts and was a member of Georgia Dance Theatre for 8 seasons. As a member of Georgia Dance Theatre, Ms. Schrama has performed in multiple classical and contemporary ballets dancing soloist roles as Dew Drop in The Nutcracker Ballet and Peasant Pas Des Deux in Giselle.Additionally, she performed with Georgia Dance Theatre in Artistic Director Sherri Davis' original contemporary ballet of West Side Story and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. During her senior year of high school, Ms. Schrama was selected to participate in the work study/mentorship program of GAD & the Performing Arts in conjunction with the Fayette County Board of Education. In addition to GAD, she also received training at the American Ballet Theatre and Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet Summer Intensive. Ms. Schrama holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Georgia with experience in production, dance training in technique and academia, and choreography projects. Additionally, she was a member of the UGA Ballet Ensemble Company for 2 years and led student choreography projects on dance majors at UGA. She has a certification in Dance Education for K-12 with additional educational courses in special education and early childhood development. After graduation, Madison taught various dance disciplines at North Atlanta High School and has been on staff with the Joffrey Ballet School of New York as an Arts Administration Intern. In addition, Madison held the positions of Rehearsal Assistant, Dance Educator and Stage Manager at the Joffrey Ballet School Summer Programs. In addition to being a Dance Educator for GAD & the Performing Arts, Madison will be assisting our Directors in Marketing & Arts Administration for the academy as well as a guest choreographer for Georgia Dance Theatre. 
GRACE KOURY
GAD Classical Ballet Educator Grace Koury, a native of Altoona, PA, joins us from Rochester, New York. Ms. Koury was a member of the Rochester City Ballet of New York. Ms. Koury attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music on The Dean’s Scholarship. There she had the pleasure of performing many works by renowned choreographers ranging from Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies, Paul Taylor’s Musical Offering, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Emeralds, Western Symphony, Four Temperaments and Divertimento No. 15. As a part of Jacobs School of Music, Grace also had the opportunity to perform as a featured dancer in the operas La Traviata and The Last Savage. Through the Charlotte Ballet at Chautauqua Institute, Ms. Koury had the opportunity to perform Western Symphony which was taught my world-renowned ballerina, Patricia McBride. In addition to Indiana University Ballet Theater, Grace has received dance training from Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Chautauqua School of Dance, and Allegheny Ballet Company. As a dance educator, Ms. Koury has conducted classes in classical ballet and contemporary as well as Early Childhood instruction. Ms. Koury is also a pre-professional level ballet dance educator and was a rehearsal assistant for the Allegheny Ballet Company. Ms. Koury holds a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance and an Outside Field in Arts Management from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. 
CARSON SEELEY
GAD Contemporary Educator Carson is a professional dancer with over seven years of experience in television, film, and live performance. She has worked in the major production films such as Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son, Footloose, and Disney’s Let It Shine, danced on the television shows including Nashville, Glee, and Drop Dead Diva, and has performed live with Beyonce, Luke Bryan, and Kellie Pickler. Carson has also appeared in Step Up: HIghwater, Alvin & the Chipmunks: Road Chip, Million Dollar Arm, the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, the Country Music Awards Christmas Spectacular in 2011 and 2013, the 45th Annual Country Music Awards, the 47th Annual Country Music Awards, and more. In addition to her professional dance experience, Carson is a passionate Costume Designer with over 3 years of experience in collaborating with choreographers to make their vision come to life. Carson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Environmental Science with Concentration in Apparel Design and a Minor in General Business from the University of Alabama.Minor: General Business Carson is excited to join the Artistic Staff of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts as a dance educator as well as a guest choreographer for Georgia Dance Theatre. |
KELLY O'SHAUGHNESSY
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary Educator Kelly O’Shaughnessy began dancing at the age of 4 at Georgia Academy of Dance and the Performing Arts and became a member of Georgia Dance Theatre in 2010. As a member of Georgia Dance Theatre, Ms. O’Shaughnessy has performed in multiple classical and contemporary ballets. She performed with Georgia Dance Theatre in Artistic Director Sherri Davis' original contemporary ballet of West Side Story and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In addition she has performed classical repertoire of Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake and various roles in The Nutcracker Ballet. Outside of Georgia Dance Theatre, Ms. O’Shaughnessy has been accepted into nationally renowned programs including Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. During the summer of 2014, she attended the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, D.C., where she received Vaganova training from Elena Tenchikova, Stanislav Issaev, and Adrienne Dellas.Over the summer of 2015, she attended The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City where she received individualized training from Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov and was invited to their year-round training program. In edition to being a Dance Educator, Ms. O'Shaughnessy is in her 3rd season as a Professional Company Dancer of Georgia Dance Theatre. |
JENNY VAN METER
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary | Early Childhood Educator Ms. Van Meter has trained at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for the past 21 years. She has been under scholarship for the past 15 seasons with Georgia Dance Theatre with six seasons as a professional company member. Ms. Reynolds has received additional training from American Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Burklyn Ballet Theatre and The Lines Ballet of California. Ms. Van Meter has received apprenticeship contracts with Alvin Ailey American Dance Center of New York and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet of California. In addition, Ms. Van Meter has been a guest performer with Burklyn Ballet Theatre as the company toured Edinburg, Scotland and a member of the professional touring company of Angela Whitehill’s Paradise Ballet Theatre. Ms. Van Meter has danced various soloist and principal roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre company member. Among these roles include Snow Queen in Georgia Dance Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker Ballet. In 2010, Ms. Van Meter performed the lead role of Swanilda in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts production of Coppelia. Ms. Van Meter's extensive training in various genres has afforded her the opportunity to be a dance educator of all dance disciplines at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts. 
REBECCA PATSALOS
GAD Classical Ballet | Contemporary & Early Childhood Educator Rebecca Patsalos received her training from the Hudson Vallet Conservatory of Fine Arts, American Ballet Theatre, Carolina Ballet, The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Pushing Progress Contemporary Dance Program of New York. Ms. Patsalos has a broad education of dance and movement with additional emphasis in Pilates, Pedagogy, Laban Movement Analysis, Improvisation and Classical Ballet Forms. She has taught Ballet and Contemporary dance for the Newburgh City School District of New York, Dekalb School of the Arts and Dancefx of Atlanta & Athens, GA. As a performer, Ms. Patsalos has danced and choreographed in various genres including working with Silks, Lyra, Trapeze and Sling elements. In addition, Ms. Patsalos has studied abroad in various forms of dance in Costa Rica, Monteverde and San Jose. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Georgia graduating Magna Cum Laude. Ms. Patsalos holds a Teaching Dance Certificate (edTPA certified) in areas of various dance forms including Dance for Children, Dance Pedagogy, Educational Psychology, Special Education and Sociocultural Education. In addition to being a Dance Educator for GAD & the Performing Arts, Rebecca will be choreographing for Georgia Dance Theatre. |
Resident Physical Therapist
DR. MEGHAN MORALES
GAD Resident Physical Therapist | GAD Pilates Tech Educator
Dr. Meghan Elizabeth Morales earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With a desire to blend her two passions of dance and physical therapy, Meghan completed an internship/ clinical rotation at Agile Physical Therapy in 2014. With her eye for proper dance technique complemented by her extensive knowledge of biomechanics and anatomy, Meghan is an asset to dance students and professionals rehabilitating from injury, preventing future injury, and promoting the longevity of their careers.
Meghan focuses on movement analysis, body mechanics, and a hands-on-approach. She has helped patients rehabilitate from stroke, brain and spinal cord injury, trauma, amputation, and other neurological impairments. She has helped patients of all levels with a diversity of neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions. She utilizes Pilates in her physical therapy practice and specializes in using it with all orthopedic injuries, including her specialty of dance medicine. She is currently employed full time at First Step Physical Therapy in Fayetteville.
Ms. Morales trained at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 15 years. She was under scholarship for 8 seasons with Georgia Dance Theatre. She received additional training from the Atlanta Ballet, the Milwaukee Ballet, Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory. In 2007, Ms. Morales was chosen for the Atlanta Ballet Professional Ballet Intensive where she was featured in Graduation Ball , a pas de deux staged by Jose Vieira, and Vivaldi Violin Concertochoreographed by Roger VanFleteren.
Ms. Morales has danced various soloist and principal roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre company member. She danced the principal role as Wendy in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts original production of Peter Pan. Additional roles included a pas de deux with Jonah Hooper of the Atlanta Ballet in Georgia Academy of Dance’s production of Romeo and Juliette, Dew Drop Fairy and Arabian in Georgia Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker,and she was featured in the Bluebird variation from The Sleeping Beauty in Georgia Dance Theatre’s In the Spirit of the Dance.She also performed Corps de Ballet roles in The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, a Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,and Le Corsairewhile a Senior Company Member of Georgia Dance Theatre.
She continued her dance training on scholarship at Birmingham Southern College where she holds dual degrees—Bachelor of Science in Biology /Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While part of the Birmingham Southern College Dance Department Meghan appeared as a Guest Artist in the Montgomery Ballet’s production of Le Corsaire.Additionally, she choreographed and performed in a piece selected for the Alabama Dance Festival.
Dr. Meghan has recently decided to pursue Pilates instructor certification through Balance Body leading to a PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher certification. As a dancer and physical therapist, Dr. Meghan has special knowledge of the specific issues of dancers and performers and how to adapt to their needs within the Pilates environment. She has developed an approach that addresses preventative, restorative, and maintenance based Pilates.
GAD Resident Physical Therapist | GAD Pilates Tech Educator
Dr. Meghan Elizabeth Morales earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With a desire to blend her two passions of dance and physical therapy, Meghan completed an internship/ clinical rotation at Agile Physical Therapy in 2014. With her eye for proper dance technique complemented by her extensive knowledge of biomechanics and anatomy, Meghan is an asset to dance students and professionals rehabilitating from injury, preventing future injury, and promoting the longevity of their careers.
Meghan focuses on movement analysis, body mechanics, and a hands-on-approach. She has helped patients rehabilitate from stroke, brain and spinal cord injury, trauma, amputation, and other neurological impairments. She has helped patients of all levels with a diversity of neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions. She utilizes Pilates in her physical therapy practice and specializes in using it with all orthopedic injuries, including her specialty of dance medicine. She is currently employed full time at First Step Physical Therapy in Fayetteville.
Ms. Morales trained at Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts for 15 years. She was under scholarship for 8 seasons with Georgia Dance Theatre. She received additional training from the Atlanta Ballet, the Milwaukee Ballet, Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory. In 2007, Ms. Morales was chosen for the Atlanta Ballet Professional Ballet Intensive where she was featured in Graduation Ball , a pas de deux staged by Jose Vieira, and Vivaldi Violin Concertochoreographed by Roger VanFleteren.
Ms. Morales has danced various soloist and principal roles as a Georgia Dance Theatre company member. She danced the principal role as Wendy in Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts original production of Peter Pan. Additional roles included a pas de deux with Jonah Hooper of the Atlanta Ballet in Georgia Academy of Dance’s production of Romeo and Juliette, Dew Drop Fairy and Arabian in Georgia Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker,and she was featured in the Bluebird variation from The Sleeping Beauty in Georgia Dance Theatre’s In the Spirit of the Dance.She also performed Corps de Ballet roles in The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, a Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,and Le Corsairewhile a Senior Company Member of Georgia Dance Theatre.
She continued her dance training on scholarship at Birmingham Southern College where she holds dual degrees—Bachelor of Science in Biology /Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While part of the Birmingham Southern College Dance Department Meghan appeared as a Guest Artist in the Montgomery Ballet’s production of Le Corsaire.Additionally, she choreographed and performed in a piece selected for the Alabama Dance Festival.
Dr. Meghan has recently decided to pursue Pilates instructor certification through Balance Body leading to a PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher certification. As a dancer and physical therapist, Dr. Meghan has special knowledge of the specific issues of dancers and performers and how to adapt to their needs within the Pilates environment. She has developed an approach that addresses preventative, restorative, and maintenance based Pilates.