MARY MCGEHEE - FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL
MARY MCGEHEE WORKED AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE DOMESTIC PEACE CORPS WHEN SHE WAS ACTING DIRECTOR OF BALLET FOR THE THREE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.
SHE HAD HER UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING AT THE ACCLAIMED BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE DANCE PROGRAM, WHERE SHE JOINED A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY, AND SHE EARNED HER MASTERS OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, GREENSBORO. MARY RECALLS DANCING WITH MADONNA AT THE AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL BEFORE MADONNA BECAME FAMOUS.
MARY RECEIVED FURTHER INSTRUCTION IN NEW YORK WITH DAVID HOWARD (BALLET), LUIGI (JAZZ) AND MERCE CUNNINGHAM (MODERN DANCE).
MARY LEARNED HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS BY BECOMING A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER AND TOP PRODUCER AT BANK OF AMERICA. SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE EARLY RETIREMENT AND PURSUE HER DREAM OF BUILDING A DANCE COMPANY IN THE SUMMER OF 2000. HER STUDENTS HAVE GONE ON TO PEBBLEBROOK, BROADWAY AND MAJOR DANCE COMPANIES. MARY HAS TAUGHT FOR THE CITY OF SMYRNA AND SMYRNA SCHOOLS FOR THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS.
MARY ENCOURAGES HER TEACHERS TO FOCUS ON THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR STUDENTS, AND CLASSES AIM TO ENHANCE SELF CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM IN STUDENTS.
MARY MCGEHEE WORKED AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE DOMESTIC PEACE CORPS WHEN SHE WAS ACTING DIRECTOR OF BALLET FOR THE THREE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.
SHE HAD HER UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING AT THE ACCLAIMED BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE DANCE PROGRAM, WHERE SHE JOINED A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY, AND SHE EARNED HER MASTERS OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, GREENSBORO. MARY RECALLS DANCING WITH MADONNA AT THE AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL BEFORE MADONNA BECAME FAMOUS.
MARY RECEIVED FURTHER INSTRUCTION IN NEW YORK WITH DAVID HOWARD (BALLET), LUIGI (JAZZ) AND MERCE CUNNINGHAM (MODERN DANCE).
MARY LEARNED HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS BY BECOMING A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER AND TOP PRODUCER AT BANK OF AMERICA. SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE EARLY RETIREMENT AND PURSUE HER DREAM OF BUILDING A DANCE COMPANY IN THE SUMMER OF 2000. HER STUDENTS HAVE GONE ON TO PEBBLEBROOK, BROADWAY AND MAJOR DANCE COMPANIES. MARY HAS TAUGHT FOR THE CITY OF SMYRNA AND SMYRNA SCHOOLS FOR THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS.
MARY ENCOURAGES HER TEACHERS TO FOCUS ON THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR STUDENTS, AND CLASSES AIM TO ENHANCE SELF CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM IN STUDENTS.
JULIE SEGAL - ARTISTIC AND STUDIO DIRECTOR
JULIE BEGAN DANCING AT THE AGE OF FOUR, AND HAS FOND MEMORIES OF HER TEACHER, KIP WATSON, BANGING THE FLOOR WITH HIS CANE TO KEEP TIME WITH THE LIVE PIANO MUSIC. JULIE’S DANCE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON BALLET, POINTE, TAP AND JAZZ, AND SHE COMPETED AT DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA AND DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA.
JULIE HAS PERFORMED AT THE FOX THEATER AND ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE IN FILM. SHE CONNECTS AS A TEACHER WITH ALL AGES, INCLUDING ADULTS, AND HER ADULT CLASS JOINS HER CLASSES OF ALL AGES IN PERFORMING IN THE ANNUAL SMYRNA DANCERS RECITAL.
JULIE BEGAN DANCING AT THE AGE OF FOUR, AND HAS FOND MEMORIES OF HER TEACHER, KIP WATSON, BANGING THE FLOOR WITH HIS CANE TO KEEP TIME WITH THE LIVE PIANO MUSIC. JULIE’S DANCE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON BALLET, POINTE, TAP AND JAZZ, AND SHE COMPETED AT DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA AND DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA.
JULIE HAS PERFORMED AT THE FOX THEATER AND ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE IN FILM. SHE CONNECTS AS A TEACHER WITH ALL AGES, INCLUDING ADULTS, AND HER ADULT CLASS JOINS HER CLASSES OF ALL AGES IN PERFORMING IN THE ANNUAL SMYRNA DANCERS RECITAL.
AIDAN ALFORD - STAFF INSTRUCTOR & PRIVATE LESSONS
SMYRNA DANCERS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF AIDEN TO OUR FACULTY. ORGINALLY FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, AIDEN DANCED WITH THE BIRMINGHAM BALLET AS WELL AS BEING INVOLVED WITH THE RED MOUNTAIN THEATER. SHE RECALLS HER FAVORITE ROLES IN PRODUCTIONS SUCH AS FIDDLER ON THE ROOF AND BAND GEEKS.
AIDAN RECEIVED A B.F.A. IN MUSICAL THEATER FROM RIDER UNIVERSITY AND SPENT OF YEAR TEACHING IN FRANCE. SHE JOINS SMYRNA DANCERS IN THE POSITION OF MASTER CLASS DIRECTOR.
SMYRNA DANCERS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF AIDEN TO OUR FACULTY. ORGINALLY FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, AIDEN DANCED WITH THE BIRMINGHAM BALLET AS WELL AS BEING INVOLVED WITH THE RED MOUNTAIN THEATER. SHE RECALLS HER FAVORITE ROLES IN PRODUCTIONS SUCH AS FIDDLER ON THE ROOF AND BAND GEEKS.
AIDAN RECEIVED A B.F.A. IN MUSICAL THEATER FROM RIDER UNIVERSITY AND SPENT OF YEAR TEACHING IN FRANCE. SHE JOINS SMYRNA DANCERS IN THE POSITION OF MASTER CLASS DIRECTOR.
CYNTHIA PRYOR - PRIVATE LESSONS
Cindy started tap and ballet lessons at the age of 3 at the Mary Hiatt Dance Studio in Dayton, Ohio. Adding jazz, baton, and hula to her studies at the age of 8, she joined the dance company and drill team, traveling as far as Hawaii for competitions.
Cindy began teaching at the age of 17. She attended the 3-year Dance Masters of America Teacher Training Program graduating with certification to teach tap, ballet and jazz. Cindy opened That's Dancing, a Professional Technique Studio, in Florida at the age of 26 which she owned and managed until she moved to Atlanta.
Cindy started tap and ballet lessons at the age of 3 at the Mary Hiatt Dance Studio in Dayton, Ohio. Adding jazz, baton, and hula to her studies at the age of 8, she joined the dance company and drill team, traveling as far as Hawaii for competitions.
Cindy began teaching at the age of 17. She attended the 3-year Dance Masters of America Teacher Training Program graduating with certification to teach tap, ballet and jazz. Cindy opened That's Dancing, a Professional Technique Studio, in Florida at the age of 26 which she owned and managed until she moved to Atlanta.
KEELY OGBURN - STAFF INSTRUCTOR
Keely is thrilled to be back with Smyrna Community Dancers! Keely began her dancing career at the age of three at Becky Jones School of Dance in Smyrna. In 2005 she began teaching under Mary McGehee with Smyrna Community Dancers. She attended the University of Richmond where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Dance and Rhetoric and Communications Studies. While at UR she had the privilege of working with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Doug Varone, Billy Siegenfeld and Jessica Lang through her time with University Dancers. In 2011 and 2012 Keely received research grants to travel to the Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Association Festivals. When not in the studio you can find Keely volunteering at her children’s school, reading her latest book for book club or in the kitchen cooking and there is a high likelihood she'll be dancing there.
Keely is thrilled to be back with Smyrna Community Dancers! Keely began her dancing career at the age of three at Becky Jones School of Dance in Smyrna. In 2005 she began teaching under Mary McGehee with Smyrna Community Dancers. She attended the University of Richmond where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Dance and Rhetoric and Communications Studies. While at UR she had the privilege of working with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Doug Varone, Billy Siegenfeld and Jessica Lang through her time with University Dancers. In 2011 and 2012 Keely received research grants to travel to the Mid-Atlantic American College Dance Association Festivals. When not in the studio you can find Keely volunteering at her children’s school, reading her latest book for book club or in the kitchen cooking and there is a high likelihood she'll be dancing there.
Tara Heimberger -Staff Instructor
Originally from Northeast Georgia, Tara has been dancing since the age of four and is trained in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, pom, and musical theatre. Tara has trained, taught, and choreographed at studios including Dance-a-Lott and Elevate Performing Arts Center, where she worked with dancers of all ages and levels to help them grow in both skill and confidence. In addition to her dance background, Tara has years of experience teaching English, Film, and Theatre in both public and private schools, and she strives to bring that same creativity and care to her dance classes. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Film & Media Studies at Georgia State University.
Originally from Northeast Georgia, Tara has been dancing since the age of four and is trained in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, pom, and musical theatre. Tara has trained, taught, and choreographed at studios including Dance-a-Lott and Elevate Performing Arts Center, where she worked with dancers of all ages and levels to help them grow in both skill and confidence. In addition to her dance background, Tara has years of experience teaching English, Film, and Theatre in both public and private schools, and she strives to bring that same creativity and care to her dance classes. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Film & Media Studies at Georgia State University.
Priscilla Ghansa - Staff Instructor
Originally from Ghana, west Africa. Priscilla has been dancing since she was born as it is part of the culture but Started taking classes at the age of 12 at Huntsville Ballet School when she arrived in the United States. Seeing her fast progression , the instructor moved her from the beginner classes to the intermediate Classes. By the end of the year she was in the company as part of the advance dancers at Huntsville Ballet company.At this time she also attended a performing Arts school. She is trained in Ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, African, Afro beats, yoga, Pilates, Cheer and heels choreography.
She obtained a B.S in Psychology in 2016 which helps her understands people of all ranges of backgrounds, races and genders.
She started teaching dance after graduating college.
She spent a few years teaching at Rocket city dance before moving to Atlanta.
In her free time she enjoys traveling and brining the happiness of dancing to the world.
She obtained a B.S in Psychology in 2016 which helps her understands people of all ranges of backgrounds, races and genders.
She started teaching dance after graduating college.
She spent a few years teaching at Rocket city dance before moving to Atlanta.
In her free time she enjoys traveling and brining the happiness of dancing to the world.