DANCEFX ATLANTA FACULTY

ALLISON HAYN SMITH

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DANCEFX, INC.

After four years working at Broadway Dance Center in New York City and The PULSE on Tour featuring SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE celebrity choreographers, Hayn-Smith took over as Executive Director of Dancefx Athens in August of 2009.

Atlanta native Hayn-Smith has taught for Broadway Dance Center's (BDC) Children and Teen Program in New York City, and currently serves as Producer of The PULSE DANCE EXPERIENCE. Hayn-Smith brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, cutting-edge innovation and opportunity to the Athens dance community and Dancefx family.

Before moving to New York, Allison spent five years with Dancefx, as a dancer, instructor and choreographer in addition to serving as Assistant Director of Dancefx, Inc. Hayn-Smith was instrumental in the opening of Dancestyle Dancewear and establishing the Dancefx Studio Youth Program. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Georgia's Honors Program with a degree in Public Relations. Email Allison

KIA STREET

MANAGING DIRECTOR, DANCEFX ATLANTA

DIRECTOR, XTENSITY COMPANY

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES/COMPANIES

Kia J. Street began dancing at the age of three at Norma’s Academy of Dance and continued her training at Dance with Donna Webb. She decided to pursue a dance career while attending Fine Arts Magnet at Mount Zion High School, now named Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro, GA. Kia graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in May 2015. While attending VSU she performed at the annual dance concerts, American College Dance Association, and during halftime with the marching band as a Blazette. She has taken master classes from Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, T. Lang Dance, Staibdance, Zoetic Dance Ensemble, Axam Dance Theatre Experience, Emily Cargill and Dancers, Galen Hooks, and with the instructors at numerous dance conventions. She has choreographed for high school dance lines, the Emerging Artist Showcase at VSU, Modco Dance Company, and for Dancefx adult company members. Professionally, she has performed with Sideways Contemporary Dance Company, Modco Dance Company, and is beginning her first season with Fuerta Dance Company. Email Kia

MEREDITH OLIVIA

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

CO-DIRECTOR, XTENSITY COMPANY

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES/COMPANIES

An Atlanta native, Meredith Olivia began her dance training at the age of four and fell in love with the art of dance. She received her BA in Dance from the University of Alabama and her certification in Business Management from Emory University. She is currently working towards her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and has worked with Georgia Tech Arts to continue sharing her passion of the performing arts with the Atlanta community. During her time as an undergraduate, she studied with Trisha Brown Dance Company in New York, Now Next Dance DC, performed with the university's student company, Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre (ARDT), and served on the board for the National Dance Association. After returning to Atlanta in 2016, she interned with The Georgia Ballet and went on to dance professionally with Atlanta Festival Ballet and Komansé Dance Theater. In 2017, Meredith founded her own professional company, Modco Dance Company. Through Modco, she has produced, directed, and choreographed performances and dance films throughout the Atlanta area. Modco has also been featured in FEMMEfest, RAW Artists Atlanta, and Fall for Fall Dance Festival. Meredith has also had the privilege of serving as a judge for the Utah Dance Film Festival. Meredith has been a dance instructor at various studios throughout the southeast for the past eight years where her choreography has earned her students scholarships and highest accolades at national competitions. Dance has had such a positive impact on her life, and she is honored to share that passion with the Dancefx family!

Email Meredith

PAYTON MCCARTY

OFFICE MANAGER

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES/COMPANIES

Payton McCarty began her dance training in tap, jazz, and ballet at the age of 3. For 8 years, she was a company member of the Atlanta Jazz Theatre at Dan & Company Studios in Dunwoody, GA where she intensively trained in jazz, ballet, tap, and lyrical and performed all over the Atlanta area. In 2006, she attended the University of Georgia where she was a member of the UGA Tap Dawgs for 4 years. She graduated in May of 2010 with a major in Child and Family Development. Payton was an active member and choreographer for the UGA Wesley Foundation Dance Ministry where she later became their Dance Program Coordinator and the Director of “Restoration” their annual spring night of worship through dance. In 2011, she became one of the founding directors of “Dance Upon Injustice – A night to help fight human trafficking through dance and multimedia.”

In 2014, Payton lived in Maputo, Mozambique where she spent 6 months learning the language and culture of the locals. She had the opportunity to teach western style dances - like Jazz, Hip-hop, Contemporary, and Tap - as well as learn traditional dances of the Shangaan people.

She has received training at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and served as an instructor at their Dance Teacher Workshop. Payton has taught and choreographed all over the cities of Athens and Atlanta including a number of church and school musical theatre productions. When she is not choreographing, dancing in or directing a show, Payton really enjoys lighting design and singing.

Payton has performed in DanceATHENS Dance Festival since 2007 and has enjoyed being a student, teacher, and company member at Dancefx Athens since 2010. She loves teaching because it is a joy for her to watch kids come alive as they learn to perform and express themselves through dance.

EILENE EPPERSON

DIRECTOR, AESTHETIC BALLET COMPANY

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, FX COMPANY

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES

Eilene was born to a family of musicians and artists and began dancing at the age of three in California. Upon moving to Georgia, Eilene’s training focused mainly on ballet with the Academy of Dance. At the age of 11, Eilene joined the International City School of Ballet Company and there developed an appreciation and devotion for ballet. Upon returning to the Academy of Dance (AOD) at 15, Eilene began teaching ballet to children and adults and never stopped. In addition to dancing lead roles in Sleeping Beauty, The Firebird, and La Bayadere over the course of high school and college, Eilene helped build the beginning ballet program at AOD for students ages four to twelve. While loving teaching, Eilene kept her personal development a priority and was a member of Breaking Walls Dance Company in Warner Robins while continuing to teach at various studios across Middle Georgia. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education, Eilene moved to Atlanta to teach elementary school. Eilene has experience teaching contemporary, jazz, stretch and strength classes, tap, ballet, and pointe and is currently a member of Xtensity Dance Company in Atlanta, and continues her dance education by taking weekly classes and attending conventions.

JENNIFER COOPER

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES

At the age of 9, Jennifer Cooper finally got to realize her dream of a dancing career when Perkins Elementary Performing Arts School was created in her hometown of St. Petersburg, FL. From there, she continued on to performing arts schools for both middle and high school as well as a local studio that offered her a scholarship. She spent every moment possible dancing and training. It was during this time at the studio, that she found a passion for teaching.

Jennifer attended University of South Florida and received a BA in Dance Studies with Education. She started teaching in 2006, working at various locations including studios, a magnet school, day cares and special needs classes. When she moved to the Altanta area, she taught with Creative Movement and Dance for 11 years. She takes every opportunity to learn more as she attends workshops and conferences, such as Dance Masters of America. Jennifer loves teaching students of all ages and levels. She currently dances and performs with DanceFX Atlanta Aesthetic and Xtensity companies as well as takes several classes each week.

JULIAN VALDIVIA

YOUTH & ADULT CLASSES

Growing up Julian was a team member of multiple nationally recognized competitive cheer teams. He didn’t start dancing until 2013 where he was the inaugural male for his high schools varsity drill team in Justin,TX. Once he discovered his passion for dance he immediately began training in all dance styles. He then switched high schools and graduated from the Dallas Fort Worth Performing Arts Conservatory. He has earned many scholarships, DOTY titles, and assisted with top dance conventions like Tremaine, Hype, Streetz, Intrigue, Hollywood Vibe, and more. A few of Julian’s amazing performance opportunities include Walt Disney World, SixFlags over Texas, The Gaylord Texan, Texas Association of School Administrators Convention, and half time performances for The Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas Wings. He has recently trained at Broadway Dance Center where he was a part of a program that trained in all styles with a focus in street styles. Julian has also had the opportunity to receive additional training with legends like Paula Abdul, Derek Hough, Christina Grady, Sean Bankhead, Chaz Wolcott, and more.