About the Dance Studio

Lauren McFarland has been studying dance since the age of three, training in a variety of styles including jazz, modern, and contemporary, with ballet serving as her primary focus. She studied ballet pre-professionally throughout middle and high school, building a strong technical foundation and a lifelong love for the art form. Lauren graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2025 with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and a minor in Human Development. She is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), which she enjoys incorporating into her classes to help dancers develop strength, alignment, and body awareness. She hopes to continue her education by pursuing certifications in Strength and Conditioning (CSCS) and sports nutrition. Having danced alongside Kellyn McMichael since the age of six, Lauren is grateful for the opportunity to step into an instructional role and share her passion for dance with the next generation. She loves helping dancers grow in both confidence and technique while fostering a joy for movement and learning.

Mandi Dale brings a lifelong passion for dance and education to Loganville Dance Academy. She studied dance throughout her childhood and high school years before attending Meredith College, where she pursued studies in dance education for four years. She later earned her degree in Elementary Education and has dedicated her career to helping children learn, grow, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching first grade at a local elementary school, Mandi has taught dance in North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia, working with students of various ages and experience levels. Her background in both education and dance allows her to create a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages technical growth, confidence, and a love for the arts. After stepping away from the studio to focus on raising her family, Mandi returned to dance at Loganville Dance Academy and has enjoyed reconnecting with her passion for teaching and mentoring young dancers. She is committed to fostering a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel encouraged to challenge themselves, celebrate their achievements, and develop both as dancers and individuals. Outside of the studio, Mandi enjoys reading, traveling, and continuing her own dance training. She is excited to share her knowledge, experience, and love of dance with the students and families of Loganville Dance Academy.

René Nesbit is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, poet, painter, and producer. She is also the founder and Director of Cherish Dance. René is a graduate of Fordham University in New York, with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in English. She has danced since the age of 6, beginning at Backstage Dance Studio in Las Vegas, and at 16 years old, attended The Ailey School of Dance, where she trained in Horton, Graham, and Ballet. As an educator, René has lead ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and hip hop classes at many local Atlanta studios, most recently at Peachtree Dance in Buckhead. As a performer, she has brought her unique blend of modern dance and visual arts to a diverse range of venues, including Decatur Arts Festival, Artz'N Park Festival, and Fall for Fall Dance Festival. "I love to create stories through dance--to see people moved and changed by an emotional narrative on stage." ~ RN She brings her passion for music and movement to Loganville Dance Academy and is thrilled to be a part of this new community.

Katherine Dearborn has been immersed in dance since the age of three, training extensively in classical ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary. She studied at Boca Ballet Theatre and attended the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, where she deepened her passion for movement and expression. She also had the opportunity to train at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, further shaping her artistry and technique. As an instructor, Katherine’s greatest joy is seeing dancers experience the love of dance that has been so precious to her throughout her life. She strives to create a class environment where students feel supported and challenged—pushing themselves both artistically and physically. Outside of the studio, Katherine is a wife and mother to three homeschooled children. She lives on a tiny homestead and is also a doula and student midwife, dedicated to supporting women and families in the childbearing journey.

Avery Scott Lee is a dance performer and creator based in Atlanta. She trained for 13 years at Perimeter Ballet and continued her studies with Ballet by Day under Stacey Slichter and Kristi Necessary Loveless. She has attended prestigious summer programs, including Ballet Magnificat, the University of South Carolina Dance Conservatory, Atlanta Ballet, and the International Ballet Intensive. Avery earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and English from the University of Georgia, where she performed in numerous productions and presented her choreographic work at a national conference. She has worked with esteemed artists such as Amelia Reiser (Staibdance), Seyong Kim (Baltimore Ballet), and violist Kenji Bunch. Notably, she performed Steps in the Street with the Martha Graham Dance Company during its 100-year anniversary tour and apprenticed with Kit Modus under Jillian Mitchell. Beyond performance, Avery has received multiple dance scholarships, including the Mark Wheeler Summer Study Award, and has presented her dance research at national academic conferences. She currently teaches dance across Metro Atlanta and performs professionally with the Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company.

Keri Beth Dlearo has been dancing for 50 years and teaching dance for 30 years. She was a member of the Gwinnett Ballet Theater, and went on to graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance after receiving a scholarship from the Florida State University dance department, and the Humana Foundation scholarship. She has traveled with Tallahassee’s Dance Repertory Theater, performing in various venues including the Kennedy Center. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contact improvisation, African, and hip-hop with such dance masters as Lynda Davis, Gwynne Ashton, Richard Sias, Violette Verdy, Lyndon Branaugh, Ron Brown, Doug Neilsen, Ann Reinking, Nia Love, Steve Paxton, and Alwin Nikolais. Since returning to Atlanta, Ms. Dlearo has danced professionally with Lee Harper and Dancers, Core Performance Company, Beacon Dance, and as a founding member of the Miriam Arensberg Dance Company, where she appeared as a dancing fairy in the independent film Claire. Some of Ms. Dlearo’s teaching credits include serving as Ballet Mistress for Footnotes Dance and Acrobatics, as dance director at the Gwinnett School of Fine Arts, the youth director at Studio Dance and Fitness, and finally initiating and directing her own program entitled In Step Dance Academy which later became Soar Dance. She most recently served as both an instructor and director at the Gwinnett School of Dance. Keri Beth Dlearo is the proud mother of two sons, Joey Dlearo, a professional dancer with the Cincinnati Ballet, and Brendon Dlearo, an arborist and student at the University of North Georgia. She is dedicated to sharing her love and passion for dance with both boys and girls of all ages.

Jenny Jones began dancing at the age of four and knew from her very first year of classes that she wanted to become a dance teacher. She trained extensively in ballet and later expanded her studies to include jazz, modern, contemporary, and choreography. Jenny earned an Associate degree in Social Work Assistant from Athens Technical College and a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Studies with a minor in Psychology from Brenau University. During her time at Brenau, she performed in numerous faculty, guest artist, and student works, presented her own choreography, and had opportunities to study and perform alongside renowned choreographers and dance professionals. Her teaching journey began in high school through the Boys & Girls Club and continued through worship dance ministries, workshops, and studio instruction. Jenny has taught students of all ages in ballet, pointe and pre-pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and creative movement, while also choreographing for both students and community performances. After taking time away from teaching to raise and homeschool her children, Jenny is thrilled to return to the studio and the dream she has carried since childhood. She is passionate about creating an encouraging environment where students can develop strong technique while discovering confidence, artistry, and joy in dance.

Melanie Wilson has been dancing for 19 years, with a strong focus on ballet as her primary discipline. For the past 10 years, she has been a dedicated member of the Christian dance ministry, Praise in Motion, where she has had the opportunity to grow both as a performer and an instructor. In addition to her ballet training, Melanie has received foundational instruction in tap, modern, and contemporary dance, contributing to her well-rounded and versatile approach to movement and performance. Melanie is excited to be part of the Loganville Dance Academy family and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students while contributing to the continued growth and success of the studio.

Hayley McKinnon is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College, where she earned a degree in Educational Studies with a minor in Dance Pedagogy. She currently serves as a Theology teacher at St. Pius X Catholic High School while remaining active in the dance community. With a lifelong passion for dance, Hayley received her training at the Northeast Atlanta Ballet in Lilburn, Georgia, performing in productions such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and more. She has extensive experience in various dance genres, including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, African, and musical theater. Hayley has been dancing professionally with the Gwinnett Dance Project for five years and has served on its board for four years, currently holding the position of Vice President. She has also choreographed numerous pieces for the company. Dedicated to sharing her love of dance, she is excited to inspire and mentor the next generation of dancers.

Sara Kate began dancing at the age of three with Northeast Atlanta Ballet, where she trained in a variety of styles through age fifteen. She continued her dance education as a member of the Brookwood High School dance program, performing through graduation. Sara Kate is currently pursuing a degree in nursing, while continuing to nurture her passion for dance and teaching. She especially enjoys working with children, helping them discover not only proper technique, but also the confidence, discipline, and joy that dance can inspire. Sara Kate is dedicated to creating a positive, encouraging environment where students can grow both as dancers and as individuals.

Susan Fernando began her dance training at the age of three at an RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) school in New Jersey. She continued her training at Sawnee School of Ballet where she developed a strong foundation in classical ballet and a lifelong passion for dance before attending Brenau University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. During her time at Brenau, Susan was the recipient of both academic and dance scholarships and performed with the Gainesville Ballet Company under the direction of Diane Callahan. She also trained and performed in Brenau University’s Dance Department under the direction of Madia Cooper-Ashirifi. Susan’s training and performance experience spans classical and neo-classical ballet, jazz, modern, Broadway, and Afro-modern. Her performance credits include the Snow Queen and Spanish Lead in The Nutcracker, Gretel in Into Grimms Woods, the Canary Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, and a Little Swan in Swan Lake. Susan has taught intermediate to advanced ballet and pointe classes and is passionate about sharing her love of dance with the next generation of dancers. She enjoys helping students develop strong technique, confidence, artistry, and a genuine appreciation for the joy of movement. She is excited to inspire her students to grow both as dancers and as individuals while creating a positive and encouraging studio environment.

A Lawrenceville, Georgia native, Addie Linder began her dance training at Duluth School of Ballet before advancing to Atlanta Ballet’s pre-professional program. She has been teaching since 2006, working with various dance schools across metro Atlanta. In addition to her extensive dance background, Addie is a certified yoga instructor and a Pilates teacher in training. She is passionate about integrating her diverse expertise to support her students' growth and well-being. Currently, Addie teaches ballet at Praise in Motion and yoga at Lotus Yoga in Watkinsville. She resides in Monroe, Georgia, with her husband and two daughters.

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Amie is a native Georgian and began dancing at the age of 8 training predominately at the Lilburn School of Ballet and later at Rotaru Ballet School. In 1986, she received a summer scholarship as a dance major to the Governor’s Honors Program for the state of Georgia. She attended Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) conferences during her early training to take classes from renowned teachers such as Robert Joffrey, Richard Englund, Gus Giordano, and Marcus Alford. She performed with Gwinnett Ballet Theater (1982-1986), semi-professionally with Ballet Rotaru (1988-1990), and with Praise in Motion (1996-2002). She performed in classical ballets such as the Nutcracker (annually), Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, The Three-Cornered Hat, Paquita, and Carmen. “Miss” Amie brings 30 years of experience to Loganville Dance Academy. She began teaching in 1992 at En Pointe School of Dance. In 1995, she added Walton School of Dance, and in 2007 assisted in the transition of WSD to the non-profit ministry of Discipleship Through dance in Monroe where she acted as the Assistant Director and Lead Instructor for 4 years. In her years teaching, she has also been on staff at Decatur School of Ballet and at Conyers School of Ballet and has taught at other dance schools in the metro Atlanta area as well.