Making Waves and Lighting Up Stars Since 2005.

savannah GA dance school

Originating as a humble studio with just five eager students, we’ve grown exponentially over the years to become a cornerstone in the dance communities of Pooler, GA, and Springfield, GA. Under experienced mentorship, our academy has flourished into a haven offering a diverse curriculum, including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, and more in both Academy and Competitive formats.

Our commitment goes beyond just dance steps; we see dance as a tool for personal growth and a platform for every dancer to shine. Whether you’re taking the first timid steps or ready to captivate audiences, Coastal Performing Arts Academy is your second home, fostering self-confidence, personal development, and pure joy in the art of dance.

We’ve been making waves and lighting up stars since our inception. 

Meet Dawn Kuster, the heart and soul of Coastal Performing Arts Academy (CPAA) in Pooler, GA, and Springfield, GA. With an impressive 43 years of dance experience in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, Dawn has trained under industry legends like Frank Hatchett and Ray Hollingsworth. As a young competitive dancer, she toured the East Coast, winning numerous titles, including America’s Little Star and National Miss Super Star. Mentor Carol Colson sparked her passion for teaching, refined through years of seminars, workshops, and multiple teaching certificates.

Dawn founded the academy with just five students, and now, 30 years later, she has shaped it into a dance community cornerstone in the Coastal Empire. A dedicated wife and mother of three, she balances family life with a thriving dance career. Known for her award-winning choreography, Dawn delights in nurturing both recreational and competitive dancers. For her, the greatest reward is being a mentor and instilling a lifelong love of dance in her students.

Owner & Artistic Director

Dawn Kuster

Coastal Instructors

Hip Hop Instructor

Maceo Harrison

Instructor

Eliza Youmans

Instructor

Christine Shawl

Instructor

Nina Paletta

Instructor

Jane Yaklin

Instructor

Meg Porter

Ballet Instructor

Angela Lukas

Instructor

Grace Anna Mitchell

Instructor

Brittany Teston

Student Instructor

Lillian Kurczak

Student Instructor

Jaina Hernandez

Student Instructor

Kayden Clayton

Meet Christine Shawl, a key instructor at CPAA in Pooler, GA, and Springfield, GA. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Christine is well-versed in various dance styles, including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Tap. Before joining our team, she served as an adjunct professor at both Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and the University of Michigan, where she taught various dance-related courses. In addition to her academic roles, Christine was the Director of Education for Eisenhower Dance and has performed professionally in renowned dance works like Lar Lubovitch’s North Star. Passionate about sharing the joy of dance, Christine is excited to bring her extensive knowledge and love for dance to Coastal students.

Instructor

Christine Shawl

Meet Liza Youmans, a dedicated and multifaceted dance instructor at CPAA in Pooler, GA, and Springfield, GA. Starting her dance journey at Coastal at just nine years old, Liza excelled in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and more, eventually competing with our Coastal Starz Dance Company and earning numerous awards. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Dean College, she returned to her roots, enriching our dance community with her innovative choreography and teaching. Besides contributing to Coastal’s academy and competitive classes, Eliza also serves as the Dance Instructor and Content Creator at Calvary Day School. From student to teacher, Liza embodies the spirit of Coastal, making her a cherished part of our dance family.

Instructor

Eliza Youmans

Meet Maceo “Mace” Harrison, our vibrant hip-hop instructor and choreographer at CPAA in Pooler and Springfield, GA. Beginning his dance journey at age 7, Maceo quickly advanced through the ranks, participating in hip-hop battles and auditioning for America’s Got Talent. His dance education expanded when he joined his first studio at 17, diving into ballet, jazz, and contemporary genres and accumulating multiple awards for his hip-hop solos. A full scholarship recipient to Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, Maceo brings a unique blend of tricks, musicality, and showmanship to his teaching style. When he’s not igniting the dance floor, you can find him showcasing his moves as the Dancing First Base Coach for the Savannah Bananas baseball team.

Hip Hop Instructor

Maceo Harrison

Meg Porter, an accomplished instructor and choreographer with a broad dance background, joins the CPAA team in Pooler, GA. Hailing from Scarborough, Maine, Meg made a name for herself as a competitive dancer, racking up numerous regional and national titles. After graduating Suma Cum Laude with a BA in Dance and Business from Springfield College, she went on to co-coach their Nationally ranked Pride Dance Team and served as a choreographer and judge for collegiate competitions. Meg’s versatile training spans ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. She's had the privilege of learning from renowned choreographers like Frank Hatchet and Yanis Marshal. No matter the style, Meg can’t wait to share her love for dance with students of all ages at Coastal.

Instructor

Meg Porter

Meet Jane Yaklin, a Savannah native with over 15 years of teaching experience, who is thrilled to join the CPAA team in Pooler, GA. From tap and ballet to acro and jazz, Jane has trained in various dance styles and earned numerous awards from prestigious dance conventions and competitions. She made her mark as 1990 Savannah’s Junior Miss, placing in the top 10 in Georgia’s Junior Miss with tap as her talent. Continuously honing her skills, she has taken classes at Broadway Dance Center under renowned choreographers like Mandy Moore and Frank Hatchet. When she’s not dancing, Jane serves as an Occupational Therapist but is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with the Coastal community.

Instructor

Jane Yaklin

Nina Paletta, a dance instructor with over 20 years of training, is thrilled to bring her expertise to CPAA’s Springfield location. Starting her dance journey at age 3 in Pittsburgh, PA, Nina quickly rose to win numerous titles in local, regional, and national competitions. A former Coastal Star trained under Dawn Kuster, she honed her teaching skills while attending Savannah Christian Preparatory School and the University of Georgia, where she was also a part of the UGA Red Hotz dance team. Now back in Savannah and balancing a career in medicine, Nina specializes in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. Rekindling her love for dance and choreography, she looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers at Coastal.

Instructor

Nina Paletta

Brittany Teston’s love for dance began at the tender age of 2.5 and transitioned into competitive dancing at age 12, after spending her early years twirling baton competitively. A CPAA veteran, Brittany both danced competitively and taught at the academy from 2008 to 2012. With a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, she brings a rich blend of academic insight and practical experience to her teaching approach. A dedicated homeschool mom of three, Brittany is thrilled to rejoin the Coastal family and share her lifelong passion for dance with a new generation of students.

Instructor

Brittany Teston

Grace Anna Mitchell brings 15 years of dance experience at CPAA to her role as an instructor. A senior at Georgia Southern University majoring in Health Nutrition and Food Science, Grace Anna continues to blend her academic pursuits with her love for dance. When she’s not mastering the art of Musical Theater Tap, her all-time favorite dance style, she’s volunteering with the Sports Dietician at her university or expressing her creativity through fashion. As a fourth-year teacher at Coastal, Grace Anna takes immense pride in watching her students grow both in their dance skills and as individuals. Inspiring elegance inside and out, Grace Anna truly embodies her favorite quote: “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” - Coco Chanel.

Instructor

Grace Anna Mitchell

Angela Lukas, a Savannah native, brings a wealth of classical ballet training to CPAA’s Pooler, GA location. With a Ballet major from Savannah Arts Academy and a Bachelor of the Arts degree focused on Ballet from Kennesaw State University, Angela offers a highly specialized education in ballet. She has trained under the prominent Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company and Atlanta Ballet, working with esteemed instructors Finis Jhung and Lauri Stallings. Angela combines her ballet expertise with her French Language minor, providing students with a well-rounded learning experience, including ballet terminology and strength training. Thrilled to start her second year at Coastal, Angela is committed to inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Ballet Instructor

Angela Lukas

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Instructor

Kayden Clayton

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Instructor

Jaina Hernadez

Lillian Kurczak, a Richmond Hill High School senior, has been dancing since the tender age of three and competing on the dance circuit for eight years. With six years of experience in both teaching and assistant teaching, Lillian brings a wealth of knowledge to her dance classes. She has completed the Early Childhood Education pathway at her high school, equipping her with the skills to engage and educate young dancers effectively. Passionate about sharing her love for dance with the next generation, she specializes in creating a nurturing and dynamic learning environment.

Instructor

Lillian Kurczak

"This studio is amazing. I want the thank Dawn and all the staff for such a warm welcome. We were instantly treated like family here. Rachael is learning so much. The quality of technique and variety of choreography offers a new level of experience and excitement at each class she attends. Loving this studio more and more. Their competition teams have proven to be the best by reputation and awards. Anyone seeking a dance studio that will start where ever you are and take you beyond the next level, this is the place to be!"

- Tonya Jones

"This studio is amazing. I want the thank Dawn and all the staff for such a warm welcome. We were instantly treated like family here. Rachael is learning so much. The quality of technique and variety of choreography offers a new level of experience and excitement at each class she attends. Loving this studio more and more. Their competition teams have proven to be the best by reputation and awards. Anyone seeking a dance studio that will start where ever you are and take you beyond the next level, this is the place to be!"

- Tonya Jones

coastal performing arts academy is recommended 100% of the time according to 40+ reviewers

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