Instructors

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With 43 years of dance experience in ballet, tap and jazz, Dawn Kuster has had the opportunity to study under some of the most recognizable top instructors and choreographers in the industry, including the late Frank Hachett, Ray Hollingsworth, Joe Tremainie, and Majorie Perry. 

 
As a child and through her high school years, Dawn traveled the east coast as a competitive dancer representing her studio capturing many regional, state, and national titles; some including: America's Little Star, Ga Miss Teen Talent, Ga Miss Perfect Teen, National Miss Super Star and 4H District and State and Talent winner. Dawn's passion for teaching began under the guidance and direction of Carol Colson. She has attended years of dance conventions, teacher's seminars, and workshops earning numerous teaching certificates, and learning a variety of dance curriculums including Dance Makers Inc. and Music Works Unlimited. Thirty years later she is still sharing, her love of dance with hundreds of students in the Coastal Empire. Dawn prides herself of humble beginnings, starting her studio with only five dance students, it successfully began to grow. 
Dawn continues to balance her dance career with being a wife and mother of three. Along with the demands of owning the business she continues to pour her love of dance into the lives of her students. Her choreogaphy has made a name for itself by winning many prestigious awards in all age levels of competitive dance from solos to productions. While she enjoys teaching recreational and competitive dancers she finds it immensely rewarding to give back to the community. Dawn feels there is nothing more fulfilling than being a mentor and instilling the love of dance in a child. 

Christine Shawl, originally from New York, has an extensive background in teaching dance over the last 20 years including Modern/Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap and Creative Movement. She has taught dance to all age groups and abilities from pre-school to adult, from beginner to professional, in private studios, public schools and college programs. Christine was adjunct professor of Performing Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) teaching Jazz for 4 years. Before relocating to Savannah, Christine was adjunct professor at The University of Michigan and Oakland University teaching Modern, Choreography, Somatic Studies, Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dance, and was Artistic Director of Oakland Dance Theatre. Christine also served as the Director of Education for Eisenhower Dance where she managed and directed their two studio locations. Early in her dance training Christine had the privilege of performing as a feature dancer in famous dance works such as Lar Lubovitch’s North Star and Paul Taylor’s 3 Epitaphs. Christine performed professionally for 10 years in New York City with Mary Seidman & Dancers, Ellen Shadle Dance Works, Pi Dance Theater, Perspectives in Motion and in Michigan with Eisenhower Dance, More Dances Contemporary Dance Company and was a guest dancer for the Peter Sparling Dance Company and Ann Arbor Dance Works.  Believing that dance can bring great joy to anyone who participates in it, she is thrilled to be able to share her passion and love for dance with her students.

A Savannah native, Angela Novelli has been classically trained in ballet since the age of three. She studied under the direction of Veronica Moretti Niebuhr at the Studio until graduation from Savannah Arts Academy, where she majored in Ballet. Along with her Studio training, Angela has studied with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company, The Rock School for Dance Education, Atlanta Ballet, and Virginia School of the Arts. She has worked with instructors such as, Finis Jhung, Adam Sage, Dominique Angel, Ivan Pulinkala, Lauri Stallings, and Reiko Kimura. To continue her dance education, Angela attended Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, where she received her Bachelor of the Arts degree concentrated in Ballet, alongside her minor in the French Language. Angela has recently relocated back to her roots in Savannah to rekindle her love and passion for ballet. She believes the more we dance, the better we feel.