The summer intensive is in full swing at Atlanta Ballet, featuring a standout line-up of 35 talented instructors. Students are enjoying exceptional experiences with classes led by Atlanta Ballet company dancers and repetiteurs, outstanding faculty members, and eminent choreographers. As well as being grounded in classical ballet technique, they are also experiencing tap, hip-hop, contemporary and jazz.

This year, students are taking classes with Atlanta Ballet Company members Jessica He, Denys Nedak and Anderson Souza, and former Company member Nadyne Bispo, who are sharing their passion for the art and stage. They are joined by company repetiteurs Angela Agresti, Rory Hohenstein and Eduardo Permuy, all of whom have staged Atlanta Ballet repertoire on students, including an excerpt from Yellow, a world premiere choreographed by Juliano Nunes as part of Atlanta Ballet's Liquid Motion program in May.

The summer programming also includes a line up of top notch accompanists, including Western-Li Summerton, the Company Pianist and Music Administration Coordinator for Atlanta Ballet. Summerton is joined by accompanists Julia Rice, Avery Jarrard, Kyla Zollitsch Cummins, and Western Summerton; all of whom are invested in helping students develop their musicality and stage presence, which will serve them well no matter where their dance careers take them.

Atlanta Ballet has also been excited to welcome back sought-after teacher and expert coach, Christina Johnson, who has worked with companies and schools such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Ballet Hispanico. Other distinguished guest instructors teaching this summer include Joy Paillet, who professionally choreographs for CityDance Collective; and George Wilson-Berry, who has had his choreographic work featured at Broadway Dance Center, the Young Choreographer’s Festival, Benjamin Briones’ The Round Table, and the Alabama Dance Festival. Also, Centre Alumni, the talented Christina Carlos, is setting a new choreographic piece Ebb on the Professional Program.

Among the summer faculty are also full-time Centre for Dance Education staff members who are invested in Atlanta Ballet year-round. You may recognize some familiar names - Marlena Abaza, Serena Chu, Mia Givens, Jennifer Inman, Andrea Pell, Courtney Johnson, Armoni Moody, Arneshuia Nelson, Kyra Opdyke,Aaron James, Anna Penny, Chantia L. Robinson, Lay'La Kesi Rogers, Calla Vaughn and Natalya Vyashenko, with Amelia Murren stepping up as the new Adult Dance Coordinator. They are joined by new teachers Lay'La Kesi Rogers, Han Myers and Caitlin M. Spencer.

The summer programming lineup isn't just for little ones, either. The Centre for Dance Education is committed to making dance just as welcoming to adult learners of all skill and fitness levels. With passionate instructors such as Kelly Tonina Cooper, Chantia L. Robinson, and Amelia Murren, who is starting a new role as Adult Dance Coordinator, adult learners are invited to enjoy classes specially designed and paced for those aged 18 and up.

Learn more about the talented instructors teaching at the Centre this summer by reading their full 2024 Summer Faculty Bios.

You and your family can experience the art of dance on Sunday, July 21, from 2pm to 4pm at our Open House at the Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in West Midtown. Join free dance classes, shop the Atlanta Ballet Boutique, and participate in fun craft activities.