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Academy Office Hours: Mon.-Thur. 4pm - 6:30pm
Academy Faculty
Brantley Arrington
Director - Owner
Brantley moved back to Columbus after spending over 10 years in Chicago and Texas dancing professionally. While training at the Academy of Fine Arts under the direction of Patty Taylor, he completed his first degree in Early Childhood Education and Teacher Certification from Columbus State University. To further his dance education, Brantley was awarded the Nordan Fine Arts Scholarship from Texas Christian University in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. At TCU, he was a member of the Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Honor Society and earned his second degree graduating Magna Cum Laude in Ballet. While in Texas, Brantley danced with the Ballet Concerto Dance Company and trained under the late Fernando Bujones, of the American Ballet Theatre and Orlando Ballet.
To continue his dance career, Brantley moved to Chicago and was a scholarship recipient for Lou Conte-Hubbard Street Dance School and apprentice with River North Dance Chicago. For over 5 seasons, Brantley performed professionally throughout Chicago and toured both nationally and internationally to Japan. He is a former company member of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Inaside Chicago Dance, and Joel Hall’s Dial Dance Company. Brantley’s diverse stylistic performances in Chicago include various works with Chicago Crash, Dance Chicago, Lyric Opera Works, Alliance Dance, and soloist with Ballet Arts-Scholastica.
While performing in Chicago, Brantley completed his Master of Arts degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Education and Dance from North Park University, graduating with honors. He is a current member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America where he is certified, through rigorous testing, to instruct classes of all levels in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Tap.
For over 20 years, Brantley has been on the faculty of numerous dance studios where he instructs classes, intensives, master classes, and choreography workshops. His classes include Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Partnering. Brantley’s span of choreography includes Ballet & Contemporary dance companies, musical theatre productions, and competitions nationwide. Since 2006, he was the resident choreographer for the Lane Theater in Chicago and has received countless Platinum, Overall, and Top Choreography honors and awards. Along with dance instruction, Brantley has served as Jazz Director, Competition Team Coordinator, and Dance Curriculum Advisor for several dance studios.
In addition to his dance career, Brantley is a certified Group Fitness Instructor. He leads a variety of classes including Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, and Conditioning.
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Leah Stewart
Assistant Director
Leah and her husband have relocated back to Georgia from Illinois. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgia College and earned a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Troy University. Her passion for working with children and adolescents is reflected both in her experience as a School Counselor as well as 15-plus years as a dance instructor.
Leah serves as the Assistant Director for the Academy, Teacher Assistant Program Coordinator, and Competition Coach/Choreographer, where her routines have received numerous Choreography, Judge’s Choice, and Overall Category Awards. Her teen/senior hip hop large group routine was selected in the top 5 out of 300+ routines at International Dance Challenge 2014.
Leah trained for 14 years at the Academy of Fine Arts Dance Center in Columbus, where she was a member of both the Apprentice Dance Company and competition team. She was a 4-year member of the Hardaway High School Dance Team, where she had the opportunity to travel to Miami, FL and perform in the 2007 Orange Bowl Halftime Entertainment show. During her years at Georgia College, Leah was a member and head choreographer for the award winning dance team, The Sassy Cats. There she trained with numerous Hip Hop and Jazz choreographers including Stephen Jones, star dancer in the ‘Step Up’ movie series. Leah is a former dance instructor with the Universal Dance Association (UDA), where she traveled the southeast instructing Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Pom, and Kickline technique and routines to dancers of all levels.
Before moving back south, Leah served as the lead community outreach dance instructor for multiple dance studios in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Leah loves working with dancers of all ages and abilities and is excited to spread her knowledge, professionalism, and fun to dancers in the Valley area! She is the School Counselor at Gentian Elementary, and she and her husband, Kyle, have a 3-year-old daughter, Lillie Kate, and are expecting a little boy this fall!
Cope Vinson
Artistic Director
Cope Vinson is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in General Business. During her time at Alabama, she was a member of Dance Alabama!, performing and choreographing works for the student organization. She also served as an instructor at Ballet Arts and Fitness in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she taught a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, adult ballet to students of all ages. She worked directly with the studio's competitive soloists, helping them build strong technique and confidence. Outside of dance, Cope was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority and the University of Alabama.
Coming full circle, Cope is thrilled to be back at ADC, the studio where she began her dance education 18 years ago. She is passionate about teaching dance and helping dancers shine both in and out of the studio. She is excited to inspire, challenge, and celebrate every student as they grow in their dance journey.
Pam Averett
Operations Manager
Pam has been a part of the Academy in different roles for over a decade is now part of the Academy's Business Staff. She is a graduate of Columbus State University with a B.S. degree in Science and minors in both Computer Science and Mathematics. Besides her regular presence at the Academy, she also volunteers with numerous church, school, and community activities. Pam and her husband, Anthony, have three children - Ashlyn, Alana, and Nicholas.
Ann Flynn
Instructor
Ann is an Academy faculty member veteran. She was the Academy Office Manager for over 20 years and Mini-Motions Coordinator and instruction Specialist with over 25 years of dance & teaching experience. She is a Troy University alum, taught public school in Florida & Columbus. She has 5 granddaughters participating in classes at Academy Dance Center this season!
Laura Stokes
Instructor
Laura has over 20 years of experience in dance and teaching. She currently teaches at Academy Dance Center, where she also trained with the Patty Taylor Contemporary Dance Company, and has performed and competed locally, regionally, and internationally. Laura is a former member of the Columbus State University Cougar Heat Dance Team, where the team won the Peach Belt Conference championship. She previously taught elementary school in Muscogee County and remains passionate about investing in the next generation through the arts. She is an active member of MidTree Church where she volunteers with kids’ ministry alongside her family. Laura lives in Cataula, Georgia, with her husband, Ryne, and their two children, Luke and Nora.
Emily Green
Instructor
Emily is thrilled to return as an instructor at Academy Dance Center. Emily originally started dancing at the Academy of Fine Arts when she was 5 years old and continued to dance throughout college. She has over 20 years of teaching, choreographing and coaching experience and has worked with numerous camps, schools and fitness centers in the southeast. After graduating from Columbus State University with a bachelor's in science, she started working as an Exercise Specialist at the St. Francis Wellness Center. Currently, she works fulltime as the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Intake Coordinator for St. Francis Hospital. During after hours, she enjoys spending quality time at home with her husband, Matt, and two girls, Maddie Jo and Evie.
Berkley McGee
Instructor
Berkley is a proud Columbus, Georgia native and Academy Dance Center alum. She is a graduate of Kennesaw State University holding a Bachelors in Science in Integrated Health Science. She began her dance training at ADC at the age of three and spent 15 years growing as a dancer, performer, and student within the Academy family. The Academy has always been a special place for her, and it played a major role in shaping Berkley's love for dance and the performing arts.
Berkley is a returning ADC faculty member, as she had the opportunity to share her passion for dance as a teacher at the Academy her junior and senior years of high school. Working with younger dancers quickly became one of her favorite parts of being in the studio. Berkley loves helping students build confidence, develop their technique, and discover the same joy and passion for dance that she found at a young age.
While attending college at KSU, Berkley continued to pursue her love for dance by participating in Greek Week performances, where she enjoyed choreographing, performing, and being part of a team that celebrated creativity, collaboration, and the performing arts.
Berkley is so excited to return to Academy Dance Center and continue sharing her love for dance with the next generation of dancers. Teaching young students and watching them grow both inside and outside of the studio is something she truly cherishes. ADC will always hold a special place in Berkley's heart, and she feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to the studio that means so much to her!
Leslie Ginn
Instructor
Leslie has a B.F.A. from Valdosta State University in Interior Design. She trained at Academy of Fine Arts, instructed, and performed throughout the southeast collectively for 20 years. She is a former instructor of the Universal Dance Association. In Valdosta, she coached and choreographed for Winnersville Elite Cheer & Dance. While at VSU, she danced on the nationally ranked Red Hots. Leslie has previously coached and choreographed with the Academy’s competition team staff. She is the head Interior Designer with Bee Smart Building in Pine Mountain, GA. Leslie is married to Reverend Andy Ginn, and they have two children, Coleman and Charlotte.
Courtney Mitchell
Instructor
Courtney is an accomplished dancer who has been dancing for 20 years. She has been trained by some of the best choreographers in the industry, such as Sean Bankhead, Kiki Ely, and Beyonce’s choreographer, JaQuel Knight. She’s organized various Summer Camps and After-School Dance programs where she’s been a head instructor and choreographer since an early age. Courtney has held a Captain leadership position throughout her dance career, such as on her middle school, high school, and competitive studio teams. She’s a 2-time UDA All-American winner and was invited to dance abroad in Rome and London. She has been named Dancer of the Month by Black College Cheer and Dance Magazine and was featured in their December 2016 issue. She is an accomplished performer, winning many 1st place awards in both solo and group divisions throughout the US. Most recently, she has taken on the role of head dance coach for Hardaway High School’s Hawkettes dance team. Courtney specializes in various dance styles, including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Majorette, Contemporary, Modern, and Ballet. She continues to train and perfect her skills by taking dance classes nationwide in Atlanta, San Diego, and New York. She is excited to return to the Academy's teaching faculty this season!
Savannah Albright
Instructor
Savannah Albright is a rising freshman at Columbus State University, where she will major in Elementary Education and minor in Dance. She has trained at the Academy for 5 years, where she has performed in multiple shows, most recently Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Savannah has been a member of the ADC teaching faculty for the past year, where she has enjoyed teaching during the fall and summer. Savannah is so excited to continue her teaching journey this year!
Kaitlynn Gill
Instructor
Kaitlynn is a 12th grade student at Northside High School. She is a member of FCA and Sisterhood. She has danced at the Academy for 12 years, while spending 11 of those on the competition team. She recently played Scuttle in The Little Mermaid and Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Academy Dance Center. Kaitlynn has showcased her choreography in a variety of pieces for the Academy has been a member of the Academy's Teacher Assistant program. She is looking forward to the opportunity to join ADC's teaching faculty this season.
Virginia Moody
Instructor
Virginia is a senior at Northside High School where she is a member of the Advanced Northside Singers chorus group. She is an avid participant at the Academy taking classes, is a competition team member, and has been involved in the Teacher Assistant Program. In the Academy's most recent Holiday Production of The Year Without a Santa Claus, Virginia performed the role of Ice. She is excited to continue her dance education and embark on her teaching journey as a faculty member this season at Academy Dance Center.