Elyse Schreier
Studio Director and Owner
Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet
Elyse, a south Florida native, has been training for over twenty years, since the young age of three, where she has since trained in all areas of study including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, modern, and musical theater. She has studied under Victoria Smith, Kim Wolfe, Natalie Trees, Barry Youngblood, Nick Bowman, among others. During this time she made her rounds in the competition and convention circuits, where she studied under Justin Giles' , in his summer intensives affiliated with the company "Soul Escape". Elyse continued her education at Florida State University, where she stayed active in their Department of Dance before she went on to earn a Bachelors in Exercise/Rehabilitation Science from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga. During this time, she began teaching and choreographing and hasn't looked back since.
She has taught under the direction of Mary Ann Dewberry in Savannah and Astrid Audet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before becoming the director of The STUDIO Savannah. Her choreography has since won several high scoring places at competitions around the southeast as well as guest instructing at Savannah En Pointe Dance Festival. She is a member of Dance Masters of America and certified by the organization in both ballet and tap. Elyse hopes to bring something new to the savannah dance scene and to spread her passion to her students while providing professional training. Elyse intends to create both a fun and serious place to study dance allowing her students to take their training as far as they want to go!
Studio Director and Owner
Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet
Elyse, a south Florida native, has been training for over twenty years, since the young age of three, where she has since trained in all areas of study including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, modern, and musical theater. She has studied under Victoria Smith, Kim Wolfe, Natalie Trees, Barry Youngblood, Nick Bowman, among others. During this time she made her rounds in the competition and convention circuits, where she studied under Justin Giles' , in his summer intensives affiliated with the company "Soul Escape". Elyse continued her education at Florida State University, where she stayed active in their Department of Dance before she went on to earn a Bachelors in Exercise/Rehabilitation Science from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga. During this time, she began teaching and choreographing and hasn't looked back since.
She has taught under the direction of Mary Ann Dewberry in Savannah and Astrid Audet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before becoming the director of The STUDIO Savannah. Her choreography has since won several high scoring places at competitions around the southeast as well as guest instructing at Savannah En Pointe Dance Festival. She is a member of Dance Masters of America and certified by the organization in both ballet and tap. Elyse hopes to bring something new to the savannah dance scene and to spread her passion to her students while providing professional training. Elyse intends to create both a fun and serious place to study dance allowing her students to take their training as far as they want to go!
JULIANA NOVIK
Office Manager, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre
For ten years, Juliana trained and competed in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and contemporary all throughout sunny South Florida. Her passion for performing arts led her to teach other dance forms like Hooping and Ballroom Dancing while attending college. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and Digital Media. Juliana started a career in business management shortly after graduating. New to Savannah, Juliana is ecstatic to share her passions and talents with The STUDIO working along side long term friend Elyse Schreier.
Office Manager, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre
For ten years, Juliana trained and competed in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and contemporary all throughout sunny South Florida. Her passion for performing arts led her to teach other dance forms like Hooping and Ballroom Dancing while attending college. She graduated from University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and Digital Media. Juliana started a career in business management shortly after graduating. New to Savannah, Juliana is ecstatic to share her passions and talents with The STUDIO working along side long term friend Elyse Schreier.
Mary Ann Duffy Dewberry
Classical Ballet , Pointe, Contemporary Ballet
A Savannah native, Mary Ann began her training at Lillian O'Donovan School of Dance. She furthered her training at Ballet South under the direction of Karena Brock and John Carlyle. She has studied under Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Septime Weber, William Starrett, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Patsy Bromley. Further training includes Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Terspicorps. While attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mary Ann performed with the dance team, the Gold Dusters, trained with North Carolina Dance Theater, and received a B.A. in Dance. Professionally, Mary Ann has been a guest artist with Columbia City Ballet since 1998, performed with American Repertory Ballet and its world premiere ballet, Where the Wild Things Are, and danced in many ballets including, the Nutcracker, Dracula, Swan Lake, Snow White, and UNC-Charlotte dance major productions. She has taught master classes at various local dance schools, including Maxine Patterson, Doris Martin, and Ballet Savannah. You have seen her choreography at the Studio performances, YAGP and DTI competitions, Savannah Dance Festival, and at local fashion shows. She has also been a guest choreographer for the Savannah Arts Academy. Ms. Mary Ann is passionate about her family, friends, and making dance the most fun it can be. Dance is bouncing off the walls at the STUDIO before the very first plie and even after grande allegro. She loves all things dance, especially the STUDIO.
Classical Ballet , Pointe, Contemporary Ballet
A Savannah native, Mary Ann began her training at Lillian O'Donovan School of Dance. She furthered her training at Ballet South under the direction of Karena Brock and John Carlyle. She has studied under Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Septime Weber, William Starrett, Douglas Martin, Mary Barton, and Patsy Bromley. Further training includes Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Terspicorps. While attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mary Ann performed with the dance team, the Gold Dusters, trained with North Carolina Dance Theater, and received a B.A. in Dance. Professionally, Mary Ann has been a guest artist with Columbia City Ballet since 1998, performed with American Repertory Ballet and its world premiere ballet, Where the Wild Things Are, and danced in many ballets including, the Nutcracker, Dracula, Swan Lake, Snow White, and UNC-Charlotte dance major productions. She has taught master classes at various local dance schools, including Maxine Patterson, Doris Martin, and Ballet Savannah. You have seen her choreography at the Studio performances, YAGP and DTI competitions, Savannah Dance Festival, and at local fashion shows. She has also been a guest choreographer for the Savannah Arts Academy. Ms. Mary Ann is passionate about her family, friends, and making dance the most fun it can be. Dance is bouncing off the walls at the STUDIO before the very first plie and even after grande allegro. She loves all things dance, especially the STUDIO.
Christy Marsh
Acrobatics. Tumblings. Gymnastics
Christy Marsh began dance and gymnastics at the age of 4 in Roswell, Ga where she competed at the state level as a level 9 gymnast. Floor was always her favorite event as it married her two passions, dance and gymnastics, a combination she hopes to unite once again, here at The Studio. Christy graduated from The University of Georgia where she studied Foreign Language Education in French and began her coaching years as an Acrobatics coach in Talulah Falls, Ga. Upon moving to Savannah, it wasn't long before Christy was coaching locally at Summit Gymnastics where her daughter Reese was training at the time. Reese brought Christy to The Studio when she decided to focus her attention toward dance and ballet training. " I believe my love of dance and gymnastics as well as my coaching and education experience will promote me to be a positive and motivating acro coach, I am very honored to be part of The Studio family!
Acrobatics. Tumblings. Gymnastics
Christy Marsh began dance and gymnastics at the age of 4 in Roswell, Ga where she competed at the state level as a level 9 gymnast. Floor was always her favorite event as it married her two passions, dance and gymnastics, a combination she hopes to unite once again, here at The Studio. Christy graduated from The University of Georgia where she studied Foreign Language Education in French and began her coaching years as an Acrobatics coach in Talulah Falls, Ga. Upon moving to Savannah, it wasn't long before Christy was coaching locally at Summit Gymnastics where her daughter Reese was training at the time. Reese brought Christy to The Studio when she decided to focus her attention toward dance and ballet training. " I believe my love of dance and gymnastics as well as my coaching and education experience will promote me to be a positive and motivating acro coach, I am very honored to be part of The Studio family!
Linzy Flinn
Ballet Technique
Linzy Flinn was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she trained at The Studio and Savannah Arts Academy. During her training, Linzy attended summer programs at The Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. For two years, she attended The Rock School for Dance Education year around program. In May 2017, Linzy graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and a minor in business administration. While at the university, Linzy performed original works by Tanya and Thaddeus Davis as well as soloist roles in George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, Who Cares?, La Source, Donizetti Variations, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, Walpurgisnacht, and many others under the training of Stacey Calvert. Linzy has been a classical ballet teacher since 2013, teaching at The Studio, USC Dance Conservatory, and Just Dance Charleston.
Ballet Technique
Linzy Flinn was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where she trained at The Studio and Savannah Arts Academy. During her training, Linzy attended summer programs at The Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution. For two years, she attended The Rock School for Dance Education year around program. In May 2017, Linzy graduated from the University of South Carolina, magna cum laude, gaining a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and a minor in business administration. While at the university, Linzy performed original works by Tanya and Thaddeus Davis as well as soloist roles in George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, Who Cares?, La Source, Donizetti Variations, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, Walpurgisnacht, and many others under the training of Stacey Calvert. Linzy has been a classical ballet teacher since 2013, teaching at The Studio, USC Dance Conservatory, and Just Dance Charleston.
Erin McDevitt
Guest Choreographer
Erin McDevitt was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up moving back and forth from the East and West coasts. She has been dancing for 14 years and her primary training happened at CK DanceWorks in Acworth, GA and Westlake Dance Center in Seattle, WA where she graduated from high school in 2015. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she completed the Edge Performing Arts Center scholarship program working with names like Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Al Blackstone, Hamilton Evans, Terri Best, Sabrina Phillip, and many others. Some of her work includes dancing in an American Music Awards commercial in 2016, choreographing for numerous shows and competitive dance routines, working at a theatre-dinner show in Seattle, and most recently teaching at the Spring DanceIt Intensive in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018 before moving to Savannah. She now currently attends SCAD for a Professional Master of Architecture, works with our competitive company, and runs a contemporary company in Savannah, Premise Collective.
Guest Choreographer
Erin McDevitt was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up moving back and forth from the East and West coasts. She has been dancing for 14 years and her primary training happened at CK DanceWorks in Acworth, GA and Westlake Dance Center in Seattle, WA where she graduated from high school in 2015. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she completed the Edge Performing Arts Center scholarship program working with names like Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Al Blackstone, Hamilton Evans, Terri Best, Sabrina Phillip, and many others. Some of her work includes dancing in an American Music Awards commercial in 2016, choreographing for numerous shows and competitive dance routines, working at a theatre-dinner show in Seattle, and most recently teaching at the Spring DanceIt Intensive in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018 before moving to Savannah. She now currently attends SCAD for a Professional Master of Architecture, works with our competitive company, and runs a contemporary company in Savannah, Premise Collective.
LIZ KRAUSHAAR
Contemporary, Instructor
From Mebane North Carolina, Liz started dancing at the age of eleven and was dancing competitively with Xtreme Dance Academy by age fifteen. She was also a member of her high school’s dance company. By age sixteen, Liz was a teacher’s assistant and an on call sub for all classes at XDA where she held several improvisational workshops and taught partner and contact improv. During her time as a competitive dancer she was awarded several judges awards and was awarded a full scholarship to train with Inaside Chicago Dance at Gus Giordano's studio in Chicago.
She is currently a Sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in Film and television with a minor in Dance. Liz continues to push her creative boundaries as she studies dance and conducts productions at school, with aspirations to become a choreographer.
Contemporary, Instructor
From Mebane North Carolina, Liz started dancing at the age of eleven and was dancing competitively with Xtreme Dance Academy by age fifteen. She was also a member of her high school’s dance company. By age sixteen, Liz was a teacher’s assistant and an on call sub for all classes at XDA where she held several improvisational workshops and taught partner and contact improv. During her time as a competitive dancer she was awarded several judges awards and was awarded a full scholarship to train with Inaside Chicago Dance at Gus Giordano's studio in Chicago.
She is currently a Sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in Film and television with a minor in Dance. Liz continues to push her creative boundaries as she studies dance and conducts productions at school, with aspirations to become a choreographer.
Christian Cooper
Hip-Hop
Christian is a self-taught hip hop dancer from Norfolk, Virginia who has been raised in Savannah, GA for most of his teenage years. Growing up in church Christian started multiple dance groups an all girls praise dance team called “Hearts &Hands of Worship” and also an boys miming ministry called “D.E.M.M Boyz”. Church being the foundation of where Christian’s passion for dance begins to flourish as a dancer and choreographer it was only the beginning.After graduating high school realizing an opportunity to shine light to his love for dance he joined the Dyzerzion Dance Team at Georgia Southern University in 2011. He made the decision to turn his passion for dance into a career. In 2014, he transferred and became a visual and performing arts major with a concentration in dance at Savannah State University, where he became the choreographer for the Officials Basketball Dance Team,a member of Obsidian Dance Repertory a pre-professional dance company. In addition to being a choreographer, he always seeks to ignite a love for dance in his students, regardless of age, background, or experience level. As a frequent performer in the low country, he has gained more and more recognition as one of the most exceptional hip hop dancers in the area receiving scholarships,teaching at many studios and training with world renown choreographers.
Christian titles his choreography as "FEEL'Ography" encouraging his students to release their inhibitions and perform from the heart, allowing themselves to be one with the music. Whether Christian is performing, choreographing, or instructing, his goal is always to inspire those around him to be who you are and the world will see.
Hip-Hop
Christian is a self-taught hip hop dancer from Norfolk, Virginia who has been raised in Savannah, GA for most of his teenage years. Growing up in church Christian started multiple dance groups an all girls praise dance team called “Hearts &Hands of Worship” and also an boys miming ministry called “D.E.M.M Boyz”. Church being the foundation of where Christian’s passion for dance begins to flourish as a dancer and choreographer it was only the beginning.After graduating high school realizing an opportunity to shine light to his love for dance he joined the Dyzerzion Dance Team at Georgia Southern University in 2011. He made the decision to turn his passion for dance into a career. In 2014, he transferred and became a visual and performing arts major with a concentration in dance at Savannah State University, where he became the choreographer for the Officials Basketball Dance Team,a member of Obsidian Dance Repertory a pre-professional dance company. In addition to being a choreographer, he always seeks to ignite a love for dance in his students, regardless of age, background, or experience level. As a frequent performer in the low country, he has gained more and more recognition as one of the most exceptional hip hop dancers in the area receiving scholarships,teaching at many studios and training with world renown choreographers.
Christian titles his choreography as "FEEL'Ography" encouraging his students to release their inhibitions and perform from the heart, allowing themselves to be one with the music. Whether Christian is performing, choreographing, or instructing, his goal is always to inspire those around him to be who you are and the world will see.
Jamie Failing
Aerial Silks
Jamie Failing is an Aerial artist out of Savannah, Ga. Mainly focused on Aerial Tails, Hammock, and Lyra. She is the founder of the SavannaH-based Circus Performance Arts Troupe, The Stardust Pixxies. She found the world of aerial arts over 2 years ago and fell in love wit being "off the ground". She begn dancing over 30 years ago and has been teaching for over 20 years. A classically trained dancer in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, among other styles. She incorporates her knowledge of dance and love of aerial into a beautiful and dynamic art. Recently featured on WSAV-The Bridge for fitness Fridays with news anchor Courtney Cole, introducing and teaching her the world of Aerial Arts.
Aerial Silks
Jamie Failing is an Aerial artist out of Savannah, Ga. Mainly focused on Aerial Tails, Hammock, and Lyra. She is the founder of the SavannaH-based Circus Performance Arts Troupe, The Stardust Pixxies. She found the world of aerial arts over 2 years ago and fell in love wit being "off the ground". She begn dancing over 30 years ago and has been teaching for over 20 years. A classically trained dancer in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, among other styles. She incorporates her knowledge of dance and love of aerial into a beautiful and dynamic art. Recently featured on WSAV-The Bridge for fitness Fridays with news anchor Courtney Cole, introducing and teaching her the world of Aerial Arts.
LAUREN MCKOWEN
Guest Instructor
A native of Gray, Georgia, Lauren has been dancing for 23 years, and began her formal dance training at the age of seven under Amelia Pelton at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has trained additionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, and the Joffrey Ballet. Lauren is a 2014 graduate of Kennesaw State University,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, with a concentration in Ballet. During her time at KSU, she was a member of the KSU Dance Company for five seasons, during which she performed works by Ivan Pulinakla,Reiko Kimura, Lauri Stallings and numerous student works. While at KSU, she was a member of Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and also traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to study dance at National Taiwan University of Art in the summer of 2013.After graduating, Lauren discovered her passion for dance education, particularly in public education. She served as the Director of Dance at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County for one year, while also teaching ballet at Newton Cheerstarz in Covington, Georgia and at The Madison Studio for Dance Education in Macon, Georgia. In 2015, Lauren joined the faculty of Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts as Associate Director of Dance in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to her role at Garrison, she is currently serving as a faculty member at The Studio-Savannah and A Class Act Dance Center. Lauren is also the Co-Artistic Director of Savannah en Pointe Dance Festival. Lauren continues to develop her love of teaching and choreography. Her choreography has been showcased at BalletFest, Jazz on Tap, Kennesaw State University, Distinguished Young Women of Georgia, and YAGP.
Guest Instructor
A native of Gray, Georgia, Lauren has been dancing for 23 years, and began her formal dance training at the age of seven under Amelia Pelton at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has trained additionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, and the Joffrey Ballet. Lauren is a 2014 graduate of Kennesaw State University,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, with a concentration in Ballet. During her time at KSU, she was a member of the KSU Dance Company for five seasons, during which she performed works by Ivan Pulinakla,Reiko Kimura, Lauri Stallings and numerous student works. While at KSU, she was a member of Nu Delta Alpha Dance Honor Society, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and also traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to study dance at National Taiwan University of Art in the summer of 2013.After graduating, Lauren discovered her passion for dance education, particularly in public education. She served as the Director of Dance at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County for one year, while also teaching ballet at Newton Cheerstarz in Covington, Georgia and at The Madison Studio for Dance Education in Macon, Georgia. In 2015, Lauren joined the faculty of Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts as Associate Director of Dance in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to her role at Garrison, she is currently serving as a faculty member at The Studio-Savannah and A Class Act Dance Center. Lauren is also the Co-Artistic Director of Savannah en Pointe Dance Festival. Lauren continues to develop her love of teaching and choreography. Her choreography has been showcased at BalletFest, Jazz on Tap, Kennesaw State University, Distinguished Young Women of Georgia, and YAGP.
Heather Leigh Cahoon
Guest Instructor
Heather began her formal training with John and Karina Brock-Carlyle at Hilton Head Dance Theater. She pent time training at Orlando Ballet, Kaatsbaan in New York, American Ballet Theater's Irvine, California, and Salzburg International Ballet Academy. Heather also attended State University of New York for dance and later North Carolina Dance Theater to train in their dance conservatory. Heather went on to dance with Salzburg Ballet in Salzburg, Austria. The Israel Ballet in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Gyor Ballet in Gyor, Hungary. She is excited to join Ballet Evolution to continue her ballet career. Heather is looking forward to teaching at the studio this fall.
Guest Instructor
Heather began her formal training with John and Karina Brock-Carlyle at Hilton Head Dance Theater. She pent time training at Orlando Ballet, Kaatsbaan in New York, American Ballet Theater's Irvine, California, and Salzburg International Ballet Academy. Heather also attended State University of New York for dance and later North Carolina Dance Theater to train in their dance conservatory. Heather went on to dance with Salzburg Ballet in Salzburg, Austria. The Israel Ballet in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Gyor Ballet in Gyor, Hungary. She is excited to join Ballet Evolution to continue her ballet career. Heather is looking forward to teaching at the studio this fall.
