Faculty & Staff

Melissa June

Artistic, Executive, Outreach Education & School Director

Melissa June comes to us from Ormond Beach, Florida where she was born and raised. From there she took her passion for dance and earned her Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance from Florida State University. Melissa has toured internationally and trained and performed with many companies around the southeast including: The Civic Ballet of Volusia County, Tallahassee Ballet, FSU’s Dance Reparatory Theatre, University of South Carolina Dance Department and Columbia City Ballet. Her performing credits include The Nutcracker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Coppelia, Firebird, Paquita, Swan Lake and many original contemporary works.

Rachel Arnold

Executive Director of SGB

Rachel Arnold comes from a strong nonprofit and marketing background with experience in fundraising. Originally from Marietta, Georgia, she attended Auburn University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. She has lived in Thomasville for the last nine years and has developed a deep love for our community. Rachel has been involved in Wildlife Arts Festival, Young Life, and teaches barre and Pilates at The Method! She has a passion for the arts and is looking forward to continuing to advance growth for South Georgia Ballet.

Morgan Rhoden

Office Manager

Morgan Rhoden was born in Warner Robins, Georgia and moved to Thomasville at an early age. She is a 2008 graduate of Thomas County Central High School and received her Business Administration degree from Southwest Georgia Technical College in 2012. Morgan joined the SGB family in August 2013. Morgan loves serving at The Gathering Church, going on Mission trips to help serve others, outdoors & travel baseball with her oldest son. Morgan resides in Ochlocknee with her husband Buddy & sons Carson & Carter Ray.

Kathleen Ewing-Grants

Associate Executive Director, Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Contemporary Teacher

Kathleen Ewing is originally from Valdosta, Georgia where she studied ballet, modern, and jazz dance for 15 years, under the direction of Linda C. Chase at Dance Arts, Inc. Kathleen began demonstrating and teaching at an early age and quickly found an interest in sharing her love of dance. Kathleen graduated from Florida State University with her B.F.A in Dance in 2016. While attending Florida State, Kathleen studied abroad in Paris, France, attended Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Intensive on scholarship, continued teaching, and became interested in Arts Administration. She interned at the American Dance Festival and later returned as summer staff for two summers working in hospitality, event planning, and operations for the ADF School. Kathleen has a passion for education, engagement, and development in the arts. Kathleen received an arts advocacy award from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs in Spring 2019 due to her work during graduate school. She most recently received her M.A in Arts Administration from Florida State University in May 2019.

Rebecca Ross

Ballet Mistress

Rebecca Ross began dancing at the Dance Zone in Melbourne, FL. She attended various summer programs including The Rock School, Jacob’s Pillow, Boston Conservatory, and Sarasota Ballet. Rebecca graduated Magna C Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of Arizona. While in college, she had the honor to perform works by George Balanchine, James Clouser, Susan Quinn, Michael Williams and Melissa Lowe. Rebecca spent two years dancing with David Taylor Dance Theater in Denver, Colorado before moving to New York City. During her 8 yrs in NYC, Rebecca dance with Neglia Ballet Artists, Nomad Contemporary Ballet, Kinetic Works Dance Company, Six Degrees Dance, Felice Lesser Dance and Ellen Stokes Shadle/Danceworks. In addition, she taught for various summer programs and studios including Belvoir Terrace, 92nd St Y and American Youth Dance Theater.

Kaitlyn Christensen Sacco

Communications & Marketing Director and Second Saturdays Teacher

Kaitlyn Christensen Sacco, received her MFA in dance performance and choreography from Florida State University (2014) and her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University (2010) on a full scholarship. While at SRU, she had the opportunity to work with guest artists such as Doug Varone and Dancers, River North Chicago Dance Company, Teena Custer, Ursula Payne and Helanius Wilkins. She also received the “Outstanding Choreographer Award” for the Class of 2010 at SRU. After graduation, she was a company member with MacArthur Dance Project and an intern with Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia. At FSU, she taught in the General Studies Dance Program and performed in numerous concerts; some works by Alex Ketley, Rodger Bellman and Gerri Houlihan. After FSU, she moved to NYC and was the boutique manager and video marketing assistant for Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes, a company member with Megan Lynn Asterial Dance, an apprentice with Ariel Rivka Dance and was a guest performer with iKada Contemporary Dance Co in their NYC International Dance Festival at the famous Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. After NYC, she moved back to Florida and was the Associate Artistic Director of South Georgia Ballet (2015-2018). She was the Wellness Studio Director, Zena Rommett Floor Barre (certified) Teacher and Cross-Training Teacher at FSU in the School of Dance in the Fall of 2018. She was a member of Ircamar Garcia Rodriguez Dance Company (2015-2020) and performed at FAMUs African Caribbean Show, the Monticello Opera House and at the Contemporary Dance Choreography Festival in Orlando. Kaitlyn has had her choreography chosen to perform at the American College Dance Festival at Ohio University, the White Wave DUMBO Dance Festival in NYC, at The Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Game and many more. She currently lives in Tallahassee FL with her husband, son and 2 dogs. She is the Communications & Marketing Director, 2nd Saturday Teacher and Choreographer for South Georgia Ballet, Adjunct at FSU in the Department of Dance and the dance coordinator/a performance member with Camerata South Orchestra.

Ashley Adams

Contemporary/Jazz/Tap Teacher

Ashley’s dance career began in Orlando, FL, competing across the country earning titles such as National Miss Starquest”, “Miss Dance of Florida” & “National Miss Showbiz”. Ashley even had the opportunity of competing on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search”. After graduating from FSU with a BA in Theatre, a minor in Dance & a season with the FSU Golden Girls, she started as a professional dancer at Walt Disney World. After a year with Disney, Ashley became Dance Captain on a ship for Celebrity Cruise Line. After stepping off the ship, Ashley packed her bags for the Big Apple. While in NYC, Ashley worked as a model and dancer for many well-known companies such as MTV & L’oreal. She appeared on The Today Show, The Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, & danced in the Elan Awards (NYC) & BDC 25th Anniversary Show (NYC). While performing, Ashley assisted classes at Broadway Dance Center & Tremaine Dance Convention, as well as judging & teaching Master Classes across the U.S., such as Dance Masters of America. Ashley was chosen to be a Radio City Rockette in 2005 and remained active for 5 years, kicking eye high every holiday season. She currently judges dance competitions around the country, choreographs and guest teaches around the southeast & most recently choreographed Miss Tallahassee’s solo for the Miss Florida Pageant and Miss Valdosta’s solo for the Miss Georgia pageant. The Dance Tallahassee Performance Company is close to Ashley’s heart, as her mission when moving here from NYC was to provide a program for college students that allowed them to affordably pursue their passion for dance while in school. Among these things, Ashley is also a certified Pilates Instructor, a newly chosen Brand Ambassador for Lululemon in Tallahassee & a proud mother of 3 boys.

Taylor Harrison

Golden Steps Coordinator and Second Saturdays Teacher

Taylor Harrison grew up in Whigham, Georgia. She became a South Georgia Ballet company member at 8 years old and danced with the company for 11 years. After graduating from Cairo High School she attended Bainbridge State College and Georgia Southern University. Since graduating from Georgia Southern in 2018 with her B.S. in Kinesiology and majoring in Exercise Science, she has returned to her love of dance as a South Georgia Ballet dance teacher. Taylor also works part-time in the dance office where she helps with the administration of the dance school. Taylor’s future goals include attending graduate school and becoming a physical therapist for a dance company or some other sports group.

Ariel Brock

Step Up Teacher

Ariel Brock received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Valdosta State University. She has trained for over 20 years in dance. She is no stranger when it comes to the stage. She has choreographed many musicals for Bainbridge Little Theater and performed in numerous productions. Mrs. Brock has always had a special place in her heart for SGB”s Outreach Programs. She also enjoys creating designs for her shoe Booby Babies Clothing Co. Mrs. Brock resides in Vada with her husband, Eric Brock, and their three children Emmerich, Briar Rose, and Ezra.

Shelley Kines

Ballet, Creative Movement, Toddlers and Tutus

Shelley Kines began dancing at the age of three under the direction of Alison Bundrick at South Georgia Performing Arts, now known as South Georgia Ballet. At the age of ten, she began shadowing and assisting Ms. Alison in the classroom and at the age of twelve, she began teaching and subbing. Throughout her journey at SGB, Shelley had the opportunity to be trained under amazing choreographers such as Melissa June, Emily Loftiss, Orialis Serrano, Suzanne Ferrell, and many more. She danced many lead roles, including Dew Drop Fairy and Spanish Lead in The Nutcracker, Miss Clavel in Madeline’s Magic Shoes and Cinderella in Sleeping Beauty. Shelley then went on to Valdosta State University where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Since then she has graduated with her Master’s and Specialists degrees in Education and Leadership. She currently teaches third grade in the Thomas County School System. Shelley is thrilled to continue to teach the youngest dancers at SGB and instill a love for ballet in their hearts.

Paige Knuckles

Acro, Strength & Conditioning Teacher

Paige Knuckles is a 2016 Thomasville Scholars Academy graduate and has her Associates of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree. She has participated in gymnastics for 6 years, cheerleading for 10 years, was a Red Hot Danceline member and THS Varsity Cheerleader. She has coached gymnastics & tumbling for 5 years and recently began instructing acrobatics.

Daphne Tuten

Acro, Strength & Conditioning Teacher

Daphne Tuten, a native of Albany, Ga, danced with Pritchett-Pippin Dance Studio for 17 yrs. where she was an acro and tap assistant, then teacher for 7 yrs. She worked for National Cheerleaders Association while in college earning her B.S. in Early Childhood Education. After 5 years in the traditional classroom, Daphne became a stay at home mom of her 3 children, Emily Grace, Jack, and William. She and husband, Scott reside in Cairo, Ga. This is her 6th year as an acro instructor for South Georgia Ballet.

Sam McCoy

Tap Teacher

Sam McCoy is from Gotha, Florida and has been in tap shoes since she was little. Growing up, she studied at Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance in Windermere, Florida for 14 years where she performed in their senior dance company, Nutcracker, and attended Florida Dance Masters. After high school she continued to work as their administrative assistant, backstage manager, and substitute tap teacher for another 6 years. When she graduated from the University of Central Florida for her BFA in painting and drawing, she moved to Tallahassee to receive her MFA at Florida State University. Since then, she has worked in youth arts programming at Thomasville Center for the Arts and The Museum of Florida History and was an adjunct instructor at Florida State University. Currently, Sam works at Thomasville Center for the Arts as their Artist Programs Manager and at her home studio as a contemporary painter. She is thrilled to be a part of the SGB team.

Melody Geiger

Tap & Jazz Teacher

Melody Geiger began dancing in St. Petersburg, FL at the age of 4 and danced competitively throughout her school years. She has been trained in many forms of dance and tap is her passion. She was a choreographer for her high school’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Side Show. During high school she was a member of various tap companies, including the Truth Tap Company, which she has choreographed and taught for, and the Orlando Tap Company. Melody has always loved self-choreography, and has self choreographed several solos that have won scholarships and awards of distinction. She is currently a Junior at Florida State University (FSU) where she is pursuing a degree in meteorology. Melody is also the President of the Seminole Tap Troupe, FSU’s tap company!

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Jami Porter, Chairman

Bunki Arline, Vice Chairman

Julia Singletary, Secretary

Joshua Sharp, Treasurer

EX-OFFICIO

Michele Arwood– Thomasville Center for the Arts

Lisa Billups– Thomasville Community Resource Center

Lee Wagner– Marguerite N. Williams Boys & Girls Club

COMMUNITY ADVISORS

Latoya Davis Craig, FSU School of Dance

Bonnie Hayes, Main Street and Tourism Thomasville

Sarah Doolin Roy, Young Actors Theatre

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rita Amisson

Rebecca Brinson

Tiffany Davis

Sandra Dunbar

Becky Harrell

Ehan Lovett

Laura Miles

Mariam Mirabzadeh

Vanessa Patz

Carmen Salerno

Cleveland Shy

Courtney Williams

Daphne Tuten – Volunteer Parent President

Alison Welch – Volunteer Parent President