Faculty/Staff

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Dance

ipulinka@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6023
KH 4429

Dr. Ivan Pulinkala
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Dance

Ed.D. Higher Education Administration, Univ. of Alabama
M.F.A. Dance, Mills College
B.Com (H), Delhi University
Areas of Emphasis: Choreography, Contemporary Technique, History/Theory, Kinesiology
E-mail: ipulinka@kennesaw.edu

Ivan Pulinkala is the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kennesaw State University. Pulinkala founded the Program in Dance at KSU in 2005, serving as the Director until 2012 and as the Chair of the Department of Dance from 2012-2018. Pulinkala was named the Interim Dean of the College of the Arts in 2018 and appointed as the Dean of the College of the Arts in 2019. He served as KSU’s interim provost from July 2021 until he officially assumed the role of Provost and SVP of Academic Affairs in December 2022. He received his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama, his M.F.A in Dance from Mills College, Oakland, CA, and his Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Hindu College, Delhi University.

Pulinkala is credited with developing Georgia’s largest collegiate dance program at KSU, building the program’s state-of-the-art studio facility at Chastain Pointe and creating Atlanta’s only discipline-specific Dance Theatre on the Marietta Campus. KSU Dance has received regional and national attention for Pulinkala's choreographic work, with three successive Kennedy Center selections at the National American College Dance Association (ACDA) and five ACDA Regional Gala selections across the Southeast. Pulinkala’s choreographic commissions include works for The Israel Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Fresco Dance- Israel, the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, Georgia Shakespeare, City Lights Youth Theatre, as well as collegiate commission at Washington University at St. Louis, Shanghai Normal University, Brigham Young University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of South Carolina, Western Kentucky University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee at Martin, Vanderbilt University and Spelman College. 

Serving as Dean of the College of the Arts, Pulinkala developed the first graduate degree in the arts at KSU, facilitated the naming of the Bailey School of Music, and re-branded the arts to create the ArtsKSU identity and virtual platform. Under his leadership, the College of the Arts enrollment grew by 41%, national accreditation was pursued in all four disciplinary units, structures were created to advance external peer-reviewed research, and the Virtual Masterclass Series was established in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education. 

Pulinkala was selected for the Accelerated Leadership Academy at the University System of Georgia in 2017, the Executive Leadership Institute at the University System of Georgia in 2013, awarded the KSU Foundation Award in 2011, the Clendenin Graduate Fellowship at KSU in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the NEA American Masterpiece Grant in 2010, the Cobb Symphony Orchestra Award for Artistic Excellence in 2010 and the Board of Regents award for Teaching Excellence from Murray State University in 2005. Originally from New Delhi, Pulinkala was the artistic director of his own dance company for three years in India, served as choreographer-in-residence for Delhi Music Theatre for five years, and was named among the 25 Indian artists of the Millennium by the India Today Magazine in their December 1999 issue. 

Guest Artist Residencies
Pulinkala has choreographed and taught for a number of professional companies, colleges and arts organizations:

Henny Jurriens Foundation (2016), Israel Ballet (2015) Atlanta Ballet - Wabi Sabi (2014) FRESCO Dance Company, Israel (2013) Rialto Center for the Arts (2010, 2011, 2013) Washington University in St. Louis (2009, 2012) Brigham Young University (2011, 2013) Georgia Shakespeare (2011) gloATL (2010) Shanghai Normal University (2010) Atlanta Ballet (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010) University of South Carolina (2008) Nirvana Films (2007) Governor's School for the Arts, Tennessee (2006, 2008) The Dancer's Studio (2007) Middle Tennessee State University (2005-2007) Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (2007, 2008) Spelman College (2006) Modern Atlanta Dance Festival (2006, 2007) Decatur Arts Festival (2006) Shanghai International Theatre Festival (2005) Shelter Repertory Dance Company (2005) Full Radius Dance Company (2005) Murray State University (2001-2005) Western Kentucky University (2004) Danceworx (2004, 2009) Vanderbilt University (2003, 2004) U.C. Berkley (2004) Mills College (2004) Contemporary Dance Exchange of Nashville (2003-2005) University of Tennessee at Martin (2003) American College Dance Festival (2004-2012) City Lights Youth Theatre (2001) Delhi Music Theatre (1994-2002) American Embassy School (1997-2002) St. George's College (1994, 1995)

Grants/Awards
Clendenin Graduate Fellowship 2010, 2011, 2012 KSU Foundation Award 2011 KSU College of the Arts Distinguished Research and Creative Activity Award 2011 Cobb Symphone Orchestra Award for Artistic Excellence 2010 NEA American Masterpiece Grant 2010-11 Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award 2005 (Murray State University) KSU Faculty Incentive Grant 2006-07 Faculty Teaching Development Grant Faculty Professional Development Grant Committee on Institutional Studies and Research Grant Individual Artist Fellowship Program Grant at the Kentucky Arts Council Middle Tennessee State University International Guest Artist Grant

Choreography
Original choreographic works include: Forest (2021), Moon Dust (2020), Road Kill (2018, 2012), Metamorphosis (2017), 2.0 (2016), 1.0 (2015), Hypnophobia (2015), Ipomoea (2015), Rinpoche (2014), PYROMANIA (2014), TOUCHDOWN (2013), Rhizome (2011), Cocoon (2010), Lost (2010), Chakra (2009), Succubus (2009), Magnetic Fields (2009), Metastasis (2009), Incubus (2008), Hyperspace (2007), A Dream Discarded (2007), Cloud Burst (2006), Firestorm (2005), Migration (2004), No Way Out (2003), Inside My Twisted Mind (2004), Mock Abduction (2002), Touch Down (2004), Secret Garden (2003), To Be Baptized (2003), Passages (2003), Coffee Break (2003), As Time Moves On (2003), Popcorn Suite (2002), Dirty Business (2002), Offerings (2003), A New World (2002), Cycle (2002), Geometric Relationships (2001), Second Construction (2001), Slow (2000) among others.

Professional musical theatre choreography/ performance credits include: Tommy, The Music Man, West Side Story, Grease, Best Friends, Evita, Fame- the musical, Me and My Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat among others.

Publications
Student Development Through a Professional Arts Presenting Series (Journal of Performing Arts Research in Higher Education)
Partnering for Change in Dance Higher Education (2014) (Research in Dance Education)
Integration of a Professional Dance into College (2011) (Research in Dance Education)  
Polyphonic Dynamics as Educational Practice (Co-authored with Karen Robinson and Ming Chen) Theatre Topics (2010)

Professional Affiliations
ArtsATL.com Board, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund Board, Community Committee at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center Educational Board, artsATL Advisory Board

Chair of the Department of Dance and Professor of Dance

mbarsky@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7620
CP 306O

Marsha Barsky is Chair and Professor of Dance at KSU with over 20 years of experience fostering and implementing creative and educational programs for both the public and private sectors. She is a lifelong learner who continues to hone her craft by engaging widely with contemporary approaches to dance, somatics, and holistic wellness for dancers and non-dancers. She brings insights from her ongoing research to awaken creative well-being and enliven mindful movement practices.

From 2008-2018, she served as director and choreographer for Nashville-based Company Rose. The company presented works at the Frist Art Museum and performed in venues throughout the Southeastern region. In 2019, she received a Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Fellowship Award for her choreography. As a dancer, she has performed with the Desert Dance Theatre and Shelter Repertory Dance Theatre and in works by Isadora Duncan, Stefanie Batton-Bland, Sean Currently, Bill Evans Pat Graney, Gabriel Masson, Ana Baer, Kim Neal Nofsinger, Ivan Pulinkala and Katherine Duke. 

Previously, Marsha was an Associate Professor and Director of Dance at Middle Tennessee State University, where she developed Tennessee's first bachelor's degree in dance. Before that, she was the Director of the Vanderbilt University Dance Program. Marsha has taught at numerous venues, festivals, and conferences throughout the US, Canada, France, Switzerland, and Spain. In 2017, she was named Foreign Expert in Dance at Chengdu University, China. In May 2020, she was a visiting scholar at the Kroeger College of Public Affairs at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.

Marsha received her BFA in Dance from Arizona State University and her MFA in Performance, Choreography, and Somatics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2002, she was certified at the ShambhavAnanda Eldorado yoga teacher training in Boulder, Colorado. In 2011, she graduated from the North Carolina Alexander Technique Program (under the direction of Robin Gilmore), and in 2019 she completed her Gyrokinesis certificate.

Associate Professor of Dance

dokelle4@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7682
CP 306K

McCree O'Kelley is an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University. He began his ballet training with Ann Brodie and the Carolina Ballet in Columbia, SC. At 16, he moved to New York City, accepting a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet. He furthered his dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts studying with Duncan Noble, Melissa Hayden and Warren Conover.

His versatile career as a professional dancer included performing with the Atlanta Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and the Broadway National Tour of Cats as Mr. Mistoffelees. His vast repertoire includes Balanchine's Serenade (Waltz Man), Allegro Brillante, Rubies, Who Cares, Stars and Stripes, Western Symphony, Lila York's Celts (Green Man) and Gloria, Kevin O'Day's Viola Alone...(with one exception), Lynne Taylor-Corbett's Great Galloping Gottschalk (Men's Duet), Twyla Tharp's Deuce Coupe, Alan Hineline's Twist and Thresholds, Martha Graham's Diversion of Angels (Red Man), Val Caniparoli's Open Veins, Lew Christensen's Con Amore, Ben Stevenson's Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland and Michael Pink's Dracula and Hunchback of Notre Dame.

As a choreographer he has created works for the KSU Dance Company, Pacific Symphony, Alliance Theater, Trainees of Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Spartanburg, Carolina Ballet, Ballet Southeast, Atlanta Dance Theater, Dance Converse, Theater Converse, Center Stage and Workshop Theater of South Carolina. In 2016 he was selected as one of four finalists for Ballet Arkansas's choreographic competition, Visions. In 2016 and 2018 his works were selected to be performed in the New Voices Concert at the Alabama Dance Festival. In 2019 his work Pariah was selected for Off the EDGE and was performed by the KSU Dance Company at the Rialto Center for the Arts.

McCree recently served as Interim Chair of the Department of Dance at Kennesaw State University. Previously, he was an assistant professor of dance at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, where he was the artistic director of Dance Converse. He has served on the faculty of the American Academy of Ballet, the University of South Carolina Conservatory of Dance, the Atlanta Ballet Summer Program, Ballet Spartanburg and the University of California, Irvine. He holds a BA in Dance from the University of South Carolina and an MFA in Dance from the University of CA, Irvine.

Assistant Chair of the Department of Dance and Associate Professor of Dance

agisekno@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Andrea Knowlton is a Choreographer, Educator, and the Artistic Director of DANCE AEGIS, a movement based creative platform. Knowlton creates for both stage and screen in concert and commercial realms. Her work often integrates dance with film, media, and interactive technology. She has presented choreography in venues all over New York City, and Los Angeles. Her dance films and music videos have received national and international screenings. Knowlton's focus as an artist is on process, collaboration, and interdisciplinary conversation. Her choreographic work is inspired by the living body and its relationship to science and technology. She is interested in media, and its ability to diminish or magnify our innate human qualities. She has worked extensively as an Arts Integration Specialist, using dance to teach academic subjects to K-12 students across Los Angeles. As a teaching artist, she works with students of all ages in studio environments. She has been on faculty at Pasadena City College, and California State University Long Beach. Knowlton is a certified Yoga Instructor.  She holds a BFA in Dance/Choreography from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, and an MFA in Choreography/Integrated Media from California Institute of the Arts.

Assistant Professor of Dance

aeckman1@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 305F

Autumn Eckman (MFA in Dance, University of Iowa) is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Kennesaw State University. Prior to KSU, she served as an Assistant Professor at The University of Arizona and as an Instructor at Northern Illinois University. An Atlanta native, she received her formative training from Tom Pazik, Susan Bebee, Kathryn MacBeth, Patricia Bromley and Gary Harrison.

Her creative activity is driven by collaborative endeavors that enrich the processes of choreography, performance, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary arts exchanges. Upon graduation from the Houston Ballet Academy, Autumn joined Giordano Dance Chicago where she also served as Assistant Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer and Director Giordano II.

Over two decades, she performed internationally with companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, Lucky Plush Productions, Ron De Jesus Dance, State Street Ballet and The Cambrians. During this time, she had the privilege dance works by renowned dance makers Ohad Naharin Twyla Tharp, Alejandro Cerrudo, Toro Shimuzaki, Jim Vincent, Alice Clock, Benjamin Millepied, William Soleau, Doug Varone, Martha Graham, Liz Imperio, Mia Michaels, and Randy Duncan.

Her choreographic commissions include works for State Street Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, Vitacca Ballet, Chattanooga Ballet, Kit Modus, Big Muddy Dance Co., Wylliams-Henry Dance Company, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, The University at Buffalo, Washington & Lee University, Stephens College, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and The University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Recognized by Dance Magazine’s Wendy Perron as a Top Choreographic Pick of 2012 for JOLT (Giordano Dance Chicago), Autumn's choreography has been presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bates Dance Festival, Performática (Mexico), Solo Duo Dance Festival (NYC), Detroit Dance City Festival, Charlotte Dance Festival, Blackbox International Theatre & Dance Festival (Bulgaria), Dance Gallery Festival (TX), Men In Dance Festival (WA), the McCallum Choreography Competition (CA) and with JUNTOS Collective (Guatemala).

Limited Term Assistant Professor of Dance

salvis@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Originally from Greenwood, Indiana, Shannon received her training at Butler University and the University of Utah. She had her professional career with both Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Nederlands Dans Theater, performing around the world for over twelve years and dancing works by many world renowned choreographers such as: Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Jorma Elo, and Crystal Pite. After returning from Europe, Shannon rounded out her stage career with seven productions at the Lyric Opera Chicago including Rob Ashford's Carousel and Francesca Zambello’s West Side Story. Through this concert dance and musical theater experience, Shannon integrates a rich exposure and knowledge into her teaching, creating, and being.  
 
She has choreographed for Visceral Dance Chicago, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theater 2, Ballet Des Moines, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Ballet West II, and was also a recipient of the Joffrey Ballet’s Winning Work’s Choreographic Competition. Her choreography not only explores the meeting of interior and exterior worlds as we place ourselves within the everyday, but is also a celebration of the immense beauty of nature itself.  
 
Shannon has mentored many dancers throughout the Chicago area and has been on faculty at the Joffrey Academy, Interlochen School for the Arts, and Visceral Dance Center. Most recently, Shannon completed an MFA in Dance from the University of the Arts with a continued commitment to the revealing of the power of dance as a communicative language that transcends the tangible and inspires hope toward the creation of the future through art.  

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Dance

nberry2@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

M.F.A. Ballet, University of Oklahoma
Areas of Emphasis: Ballet, History, General Education

A native of Arkansas, Natalie Berry received her Master of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Ballet from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. Upon graduation, Berry was honored with the OU School of Dance White Buffalo Mask Award. Since then, she has taught for Winthrop University and Brenau University and has been on faculty at Kennesaw State University since 2009 and Reinhardt University since 2022. She has been a guest teacher at Coker College, Middle Tennessee State University, Cary Ballet Conservatory in Cary, N.C. and York County Ballet in Rock Hill, S.C. among others. Berry was invited by the Dekalb County School of the Arts to teach and stage original works and continues to have an ongoing relationship with the program. She has taught at various summer programs including the Summer Wind Youth Ballet, Kennesaw State Summer Dance Clinic, Sawnee Ballet and many more. She was co-director of the Summer Wind Youth Ballet for one season and helped choreograph and stage the mainstage production. She was the Ballet Mistress for Dancentre South in Woodstock, Ga. where she staged the annual production of The Nutcracker as well as choreographed original works that were performed throughout the southeast. She was commissioned by Ballet Arkansas to create a work on their pre-professional dancers and her work garnered acclaim. Her choreography has been awarded honorable mention for two years at the Panoply Choreography Contest. She currently teaches at Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock and serves as their Ballet Director. Berry is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She has been trained in Balanced Body Mat Pilates teacher training and holds certification in Progressing Ballet Technique.

Berry has performed with Ballet Arkansas, Oklahoma Festival Ballet and the Alex Spitzer Dance Company. She has studied with such notable teachers such as Dennis Marshall, Dennis Poole, Robert Weiss, David Howard, Alonzo King, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Bill Evans and Miguel Terekhov. She has danced in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Gaite Parisienne, Carmina Burina, The Sleeping Beauty, Postmark Graceland and Serenade among other original works.

Production Coordinator

gbuckle1@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2021
CP 306K

Grace Buckley is a multifaceted professional serving as the Production Coordinator for the Department of Dance at Kennesaw State University.  

Aside from her administrative duties, Grace is deeply immersed in the world of dance as a performer, teacher, and choreographer. She is a company member with SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance and teaches students alongside Tammy Everhart at Great Gig Dance Co. Grace grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where she trained with Northeast Atlanta Ballet for the entirety of her adolescence.

In May 2022, Grace graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance focusing her concentration on modern dance. Grace performed with the KSU Dance Company four times, one of which was for Sean Nguyen-Hilton's original piece “Slang.” While exploring different dance techniques at KSU, she worked under the expertise of David Tatu learning all the details surrounding dance productions. 

Outside of the dance community, her dedication extends to fitness, where she leverages her expertise as a personal trainer to empower others to achieve their health and wellness goals. This passion stems from her dedication to cross-training to take better care of her dancing body. She is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach through NASM and is an experienced Group Fitness Instructor through AFAA with strong skill sets in dance fitness formats.  

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Dance

adunn78@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Anna Dunn has worked as the DeKalb School of the Arts' Ballet Mistress since 2006. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Dunn directs the school's annual Nutcracker in a Nutshell and the Spring Ballet. She has set excerpts of several classic works on DSA's students including Coppelia, Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Cinderella, The Firebird, and Raymunda.   She also serves the school as the Community Arts Liaison connecting DSA with opportunities in the broader community and working with students and staff to advocate for the arts.

Ms. Dunn received her Master's in Arts Administration in 2014 from Goucher College and her Bachelor's in Dance Education in 2005 from Winthrop University. She is proud to be a registered teacher with the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London, England, allowing her to teach anywhere in the world. 

In addition to teaching at DSA, she is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Dance Canvas, connecting the public and private schools in Metro Atlanta with dance curriculum to resources in the community.  Ms. Dunn was the founding president of the Dance Educators of GA Society, Inc., the state affiliate chapter of the National Dance Education Organization, creating networking and professional development opportunities for dance educators across the state. Still addicted to the adrenaline of live performances, she also enjoys stage managing productions for local companies several times a year and has been known to make a cameo appearance on stage in recent years. 

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

teverha3@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

B.S. in Journalism with a minor in Dance from the University of Florida. Tammy Everhart has been teaching dance and movement for more than 30 years. She received her early dance training in Clearwater, Florida with Gayle and Phyllis Tutterow, Nilo Toledo and Peggy Wallace. Tammy earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Dance from the University of Florida, where she danced with the UF Dance Company under the direction of Dr. Rusti Brandman. After college Tammy began working in Journalism in Florida, and later in Sales and Marketing in Georgia, while continuing to teach Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Modern dance several days each week. By 2000 she finally gave in to her passion, gave up her corporate job, and opened a successful dance studio in Kennesaw, Georgia. Since then, Tammy has trained many successful and now professional dancers.

Tammy has produced original shows at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina for more than 10 years, and recently collaborated with the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra on 3 works including an original composition by GYSO Philharmonia Director Dr. Steven Eric Hawk. She directs a local youth performance company that provides a creative outlet for dancers who want to serve their community by performing in a non-competitive environment. Her dancers can be seen on festival stages and charity fundraisers throughout Cobb and Cherokee Counties, making dance accessible to all members of the community.

Tammy currently focuses on training and educating Tap dancers of all ages. She continues to share her passion for dance with her students at Great Gig Dance Co., and is thrilled to be teaching Tap at Kennesaw State University!

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

cgray80@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Area of Emphasis: JazzBorn in NYC, Caitlin Gray's diverse background, which includes dance, gymnastics and circus arts, has made her a much sought-after teacher and choreographer. She believes that teaching is an integral part of giving back to the dance community and has taught master classes all over the U.S. and abroad, including South Africa, United Kingdom, U.A.E., Turkey, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Canada and Australia.

Caitlin has most-notably worked with director Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winner Catherine Martin on both the World and Australian premieres of their film "The Great Gatsby", earning rave reviews. She has also choreographed for the CBS show, "Reckless", featuring Cam Gigandet ("Twilight", "Burlesque") and Anna Wood. Caitlin has worked extensively with Sony Music, choreographing live performances and music videos for many of their artists, including The Veronicas ("You Ruin Me'" Australian Grammy Winner, Best Video of the Year) and Bonnie Anderson ("Blackout","Rodeo"). Additional credits include the BMW Series 5 Launch in Singapore, featuring activist Lewis Pugh, Marina Bay Sands "Beyond Expectations" in Tokyo, featuring David Beckham, NBC Kids, Miss USA, Speedo International's Olympic Product Launch, featuring Michael Phelps, Liberty Bowl Halftime Show, featuring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, and several music tours, including performances on the Big Time Rush Tour.

Caitlin has been on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC for 13 years.  She is also resident choreographer for the NCAA Division 1 Nationally-ranked University of Denver Gymnastics team. 

Since moving to Atlanta two years ago, Caitlin has choreographed "The Moors," "Eurydice", "Spring Awakening"' and created an original, immersive, site-specific experience, called "The Haunting" which successfully ran at Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah for 7 straight months.  She is also currently on faculty at Kennesaw State University and Oglethorpe University, and represented as a choreographer with Xcel Talent. 

For more information, check out Caitlin's website or on instagram @caitlingraycreative.

Website

Office Manager

mharr128@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7673
CP 306P

Margot Harris graduated cum laude with a B.A in Dance with a concentration in Ballet in 2017 and graduated cum laude with a B.B.A in Management in 2018.

Margot received the majority of her dance training from the Cartersville School of Ballet and later joined the Cartersville City Ballet's Professional Ensemble. She has performed notable roles such as Odette in Swan Lake, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Dew Drop Fairy in Nutcracker. She also was a guest artist with Addereth Contemporary Ballet for its first season. 

While earning her education, Margot performed with the Kennesaw State University Dance Company. She had the honor to perform Swan Lake Act II set by Reiko Kimura Coltek, excerpts from Coppelia and variations by Marius Petipa set by Christine Welker, as well as Lisa Lock's Moondust. She had the opportunity to be the finance intern with the Atlanta Ballet. She additionally had the opportunity to be a part of the study abroad program in Israel with the Batsheva Dance Company. Her senior project, The Tutu, was selected for the 2017 Spring Student Dance Concert.

After graduating, Margot began working at the Georgia Ballet as an Administrative Assistant and teaching dance at local studios. She also earned her yoga certification through the Yoga Alliance. Margot loves sharing her passion for dance as an instructor and choreographer. 

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

jhayes78@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Johnny "Barago" Hayes a native of East St.Louis, holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education. He is a certified school teacher and has been a professional percussionist of African drums for over forty years. He performed with the Katherine Dunham School of Performing Arts for twenty years, and continues to provide African pPercussion instruction to students in Atlanta and surrounding cities. Johnny "Barago" Hayes has been a percussionist at Kennesaw State University since the year 2013, and was music director for fourteen years at the Uhuru dance company in Atlanta, Georgia. He performed in the 1996 World Olympics, Dance Africa, National Black Arts Festivals, and has toured throughout the United States with several dance companies. He currently performs with Ballethnic, Uhuru, Manga, Total, and Edeliegba Dance Companies.

Johnny "Barago" Hayes is a recipient of the Katherine Dunham Legacy Keeper Award, and the African Dance Community Seed Setter Award in recognition for contributions to the community. As an educator and percussionist of African drums, Johnny "Barago" Hayes is determined to preserve and promote the culture of African percussion music, by providing classes and workshops to adults and youth.

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Dance

thowar20@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Ed.D. Instructional Leadership, Argosy University
M.S. Dance Movement Therapy, Hunter College
B.F.A. Dance Theater and Education,  Herbert H. Lehman College
Area of Emphasis: African Dance

Theresa M. Howard is an enthusiastic professional that has combined expertise in Health and Human Services and the Arts. Ms. Howard has committed over 40 years in a career in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Prevention, Aging Services, Dance and Education. She has a unique balance in her work, by blending the Arts and providing supportive services to those in need. She has worked in a variety of Healthcare, Government, and Education settings. Her strength comes through her passion of bringing out the best in people.

Ms. Howard is a native of New York and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Theatre and Education from Herbert H. Lehman College, Master of Science in Dance Movement Therapy from Hunter College, and a Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University. She is a registered Dance Movement Therapist, Certified Preventionist iV, Certified Addiction Counselor II, and a Certified Yoga instructor.

Theresa M. Howard is an accomplished professional dancer and dance educator, proficient in African dance, classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, and belly dance techniques. Ms.Howard has performed and been a guest performer with many prominent dance ensembles for over 40 years. These included: Chuck Davis African-American Dance Ensemble, Joan Miller and the Chamber Arts Players, Eleo Pomare, Rod Rogers Dance Company, Giwayen Mata, Barefoot Ballet, Manga African Dance Ensemble, Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" at Herbert H. Lehman College, and has performed in several of Ballethnic Dance Company's signature dances: Urban Nutcracker, Leopard Tale, Flying West, and Jazzy Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Howard performed in several DanceAfrica events, the 1996 Summer Olympics and Para Olympics, and has danced in several music videos, and performed as an extra in the movie "Remember The Titans." Ms. Howard was the choreographer for several plays, including the award winning play "Ruined" which was performed at Kennesaw State University. She has performed for dignitaries such as Andrew Young, Desmond Tutu, The King and Secretary of Travel for Oshogbo State, Nigeria, four-time defensive player of the year Dikembe Mutumbo, Fulton County Commissioners, and mayors for the City of Atlanta, East Point and College Park, Georgia.

Ms. Howard is a part-time Assistant Professor of Dance at Kennesaw State University and has conducted dance classes and workshops at Gwinnett Technical College, Emory University, Georgia Tech University, Swarthmore College, Pace Academy, The Lovett School, Trinity School, Gate City Elementary School and has choreographed Coronation Events for Clark College. Ms. Howard has been a guest artist and dance educator for artist in residency programs throughout the United States. She also instructs African dance classes at Ballethnic Academy of Dance, Lilburn School of Dance, Fulton County Aviation Cultural Community Center, and Dance Canvas Summer Intensives.

Ms. Howard's community involvement includes providing dance and African drum instruction to Youth Enrichment Programs, Senior Citizen programs, and Fulton County Drug Court. Ms. Howard is founder, director, instructor, and choreographer for the M.O.D.E. "Edeliegba," Senior Dance Ensemble, a traveling dance troupe comprised of male and female senior citizens aged 60 years and older.

Ms. Howard has travelled to West, North, and East Africa as a cultural exchange dance instructor/educator and has shared her knowledge both in Africa and in the states.

Theresa M. Howard is the recipient of the Ballethnic Academy of Dance 2017 Service Award, 2012 Legacy Award, 2012 Fulton County Focus Award, 2008 Pinnacle Leadership Award, 2007 Winterfest Volunteer Angel Award, and 2006 W.O.M.E.N Award.

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

tirving2@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Tamara Irving was in the premiere casts of both the Hamburg Germany Company and the Cheetah US National Tour of Disney’s The Lion King.  She has also been a featured dancer with The Atlanta Opera. Mrs. Irving trained with Cubie Burke, Teri Axam, Gary Harrison, Roscoe Sales, Shen Wei and others. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. After graduating from Howard University with a Marketing degree, she was a dancer with the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team and resident choreographer for the Atlanta Hawks Jr. Dance Team. Mrs. Irving recently completed 12 years as the dance director at her alma mater North Atlanta High School where she was the 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year. She received her Master of Arts in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2017. Tamara is the owner of TMI Design & Consulting LLC servicing fine and performing arts educators. In addition to being a professional dancer and choreographer, Tamara is also a proud wife and mom of 2 beautiful daughters and a son!  Tamara believes that her gift is to inspire others through dance and that movement can come from anything!

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Dance

nmacphe1@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

N’seeka earned an MFA in dance from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a Master of Science from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. Currently, she is a member of  Giwayen Mata (“an all sista, dance, percussion and vocal ensemble”) and teaches dance at local dance studios and Universities in Georgia.

N’seeka trained at the Harlem School of the Arts on scholarship for seven years and continued her dance career as an instructor, dancer, and choreographer throughout undergraduate and graduate school. As a resident of Memphis, TN she was a company member of Kindred Spirit and member, choreographer and rehearsal director for Bridging Souls Productions, a supervising choreographer for a Debbie Allen Tribute and a performer, choreographer and director of an original musical production entitled "Musical, Memory in Motion”.

Past projects include designing and implementing a privilege movement exercise as a pedagogical tool to discuss social justice as the assistant and associate director of Connecticut College's multicultural center. While there she taught in the dance department, advised and choreographed for various student dance organizations, taught dance at a local studio and directed the ‘Writer’s Block Inc. - Girls on the Block Program’ in New London Connecticut. While in New York City, N’seeka choreographed for independent dance companies such as Jewels of the Nile, Umoja, and Ayende Dance Company. N’seeka believes in the power of movement to preserve culture and enhance lives.

Theater Technician

cnordber@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2021
A 225

Live theatre and the collaborative production process have always been a passion of Colby's. Over the years, he has been part of dozens of productions and events in a variety of roles and venues that have challenged him and broadened his experience.

It began in high school when he signed up for Stagecraft to fulfill an elective and ended up pointing his career life in that direction. After high school he attended California State University Long Beach, and upon graduating with a BA in Technical Theatre, was already working in the live events world. His experience includes theatre, television, theme parks, events, and more, in the realms of lighting design and programming, video projection design and programming, audio design, stage technician and backstage work, system design, lighting direction, and more.

Much of his design experience includes lighting over seventy-five dance pieces across several years. Before moving to Georgia in 2021, Colby worked at Disneyland in California, and got to program lighting for special event fireworks shows and oversee lighting installs and maintenance for a park-wide lighting system.

Any member of a production team will tell you that it takes effective collaboration and willingness to make adjustments to create a successful show or event. Finding a way to ensure that every member of the cast, crew, and artistic team of a production is successful is what Colby strives to do, whatever role he plays. He looks forward to using his skills to serve the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists to the KSU Dance Theater, using his broad experience to understand the needs of everybody involved, while continuing to learn and grow every day.

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

cperry33@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

B.F.A. Dance, Brenau University; Area of Emphasis: Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz

Carolyn Crumpton Perry has been member of the adjunct dance faculty at Kennesaw State University since 2006. She teaches all levels of Ballet as well as Musical Theatre dance.

Ms. Perry began her formal dance training in Wilmington, NC with the Wilmington Civic Ballet where she studied with many professional dancers from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Raleigh Dance Theatre, and most notably her mother, Annette Crumpton. She pursued dance in her collegiate years at Brenau University where she graduated summa cum laude in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts Management and Dance Performance. She later returned to Brenau and received her certification in Dance Education for both public and private school systems.

Ms. Perry moved to New York City immediately after graduation from Brenau to further her dance training and perform. While in New York, she was a manager of the Broadway Dance Center and performed with the New York Dance Ensemble's tour of the "Firebird." Her time in NYC gave her the opportunity to study ballet with legendary dance instructors, such as Finis Jhung, Madame Darvash, Nenette Charisse, and David Howard, to name a few. At that time, she also studied musical theatre, tap, and jazz with Chet Walker, Robert Tucker, Crystal Chapman, Germaine Goodson, Frank Hatchett, and Sheila Barker.

Upon relocation back to Georgia, Ms. Perry danced for the Georgia Ballet Professional Company for eight years under the direction of Iris Hensley. At the Georgia Ballet she had the opportunity to perform many signature roles: Serenade as Dark Angel; Where the Wild Things as Dream Max; The Nutcracker- as Arabian Pas de Deux, Spanish, Waltz of the Flowers, Snow; Swan Lake as Neapolitan Variation, corps de ballet; Five Guys Named Moe as Pas de deux; Giselle as Friends, corps de ballet; and Carmen in corps de ballet.

Ms. Perry's ballet performing repertoire also includes leading roles staged by marina Levasheva for the Bravo Dance Center: Paquita, Les Slyphides, Don Quixote, and Sleeping Beauty.

In addition to ballet, Ms. Perry also performed for Bacchus Productions under the direction of Ginny King. With Bacchus, she danced for many industrial shows, and corporate events in the Atlanta area and other states. Most notably, she was one of sixteen featured dancers for the 75th Anniversary of the Fox Theatre.

Ms. Perry discovered her true passion of teaching at the Bravo Dance Center with Director/Owner Janet Rowthorn. She has been teaching students of all ages and all styles in dance for eighteen years. Ms. Perry continues her position as Program Coordinator and Company Director for Bravo Dance Center. She has proudly conceived, directed and choreographed several outstanding children ballets for the students at Bravo such as: Dancing Happily Ever After (2011) Whimsical Wistful Wiz (2010) Bravo Backyardigans (2009) Peter Rabbit (2008) (2005) Angelina and the Four Seasons (2007)

Ms. Perry's name is also often associated with winter guard programs, and Drum and Bugle corps in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. She spent many years training dancers and choreographing prestigious programs to perform across the country. She choreographed for the award-winning Pride of Cincinnati from 1999-2005. She worked with other programs such as Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, and Cavaliers. In Marietta, she instructed dance and choreographed for Lassiter High School's band and winter guard program. In 2000-2001, Ms. Perry implemented the first, and only dance program for Harrison High School.

Ms. Perry continues to share her love of dance and her expertise at Kennesaw State University, Bravo Dance Center, and now Mount Paran Christian School's Performing Arts department. 

Part-Time Assistant Professor of Dance

cperry44@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

MFA in Dance, The University of OklahomaMFA in Narrative Media Writing, The University of Georgia

BFA in Dance (Scholar), New York University Tisch School of the Arts

Areas of Emphasis: Dance in Society, Dance Kinesiology

Cynthia Bond Perry seeks dynamic connections between several paths of dance inquiry. Her background spans from performance and choreography to the teaching of ballet and modern dance techniques as well as dance kinesiology, Laban movement theory, dance history and dance criticism. Such pursuits in the studio, theater and archive continue to inform her teaching and research.

As contributing writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Atlanta arts website ArtsATL.org, where she served as Dance Editor, Perry has written more than 300 articles and reviews for these publications as well as Dance Magazine, Atlanta Magazine and Dance International. She has published historical research on choreographer Valerie Bettis and Dorothy Alexander, founder of Atlanta Ballet.

Perry trained under New York City Ballet artists Conrad Ludlow and Joy Feldman and earned a bachelor's degree in dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She completed graduate work in modern dance at the University of Oklahoma while earning certification in Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Analysis.

Influential teachers include Lawrence Rhodes, Maggie Black, Betty Jones and Ko Yukihiro. Lorn MacDougal and Doris Rudko helped shape Perry's approach to dance improvisation and composition, while Laban Movement Analysis teachers Peggy Hackney, Pam Schick and Carol-Lynne Moore gave her tools to analyze and describe movement in its many layers of meaning.

As a New York-based student and freelancer, Perry presented several choreographic pieces and performed in works by MacDougal, Danny Buraczeski and Rosalind Newman. New York Times critic Jennifer Dunning described Perry's dancing in Newman's Untitled White as "a highlight of the evening."

Perry subsequently toured and presented choreography in venues across the South Central United States as an independent artist and as a member of the University of Oklahoma's Modern Repertory Dance Theatre, appearing in works by Yukihiro, Margarita Banos-Milton and Takako Asakawa. In 1993, Perry was selected to perform sections from Paul Taylor's Aureole and Esplanade at the American Dance Festival under direction of Sharon Kinney and Cathy McCann.

Before joining the KSU dance faculty, Perry served on dance faculties of the University of Oklahoma, Brenau University and the University of Central Oklahoma. She is also a certified teacher in Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique and STOTT Pilates Essential Matwork. 

Perry has served on panels in connection with KSU College of the Arts, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Council for the Arts and Emory University. She is a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Finalist in Dance (Choreography) and recipient of the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts Faculty Peer Recognition Award.

Accompanist (Temp)

psteven9@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

A native of Atlanta, Paul Stevens obtained a music performance degree in 2012 from the University of Georgia where he studied percussion with Timothy Adams, former principal timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Although solidly grounded in classical music, Paul remains versatile, moving fluidly between jazz, rock, electronic, and experimental contemporary styles. He maintains a busy schedule as a freelance musician, composer, and educator, playing anything from vibraphone to musical saw. Paul has given concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, including world premiers at the 2011 and the 2012 soundSCAPE Composition & Performance Festival in Maccagno, Italy, the 2015 South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, and the 2015 So Percussion Summer Institute at Princeton University. Current projects include the Albany Symphony Orchestra, corporate keynote ROC Ensemble, and electro-pop duo Moloq. As a composer, Paul's works have been performed in Spain, Israel, and throughout the United States.

Assistant Director, Production & Part-Time Instructor of Dance

dtatu@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2378
CP 306N

B.F.A. in Technical Direction, UNCSA

David J Tatu is the Production Manager and Resident Lighting Designer for the Department of Dance and teaches a course in Dance Production.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Technical Direction, David spent a large part of his early career on the road with both Dance and Theater companies. He was the Master Carpenter for North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and spent over thirty weeks a year traveling with North Carolina Dance Theater for three seasons. With Ballet Metropolitan, he toured the Midwest, The Rocky Mountain States and as far north as Thunder Bay, Ontario. He has also toured Internationally from South Korea to London, England.

He was the Director of Production and Lighting Director for Atlanta Ballet for over 15 years. A few of his original lighting design credits include: Alice in Wonderland, Carmina Burana, Divertimento #15, Il Distratto, Intermezzo, Pastoral Dances, Rite of Spring, Troy Game, Coppelia, Prisma, La Bayadere Act II, Cinderella, Con Amore, Allegro Brilliante, Madame Butterfly, Nutcracker and most recently he created the lighting for John McFall's final work with Atlanta Ballet: Sleeping Beauty. He has also designed for Ohio Ballet, Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, Nevada Opera, Gwinnett Ballet and Robert LaFosse's Dancers from New York and he is the Resident Lighting Designer for Dance Canvas.

As the Production Stage Manager and assistant lighting designer with Ohio Ballet, he worked closely with Tony Award winning lighting designer, Thomas R. Skelton. During that time, he recreated Skelton's work for two seasons at the Joyce and designed the lighting for Ohio Ballet's In Full Swing, A Person and The Exiles.

At KSU, David has created the lighting for a score of works. Some of his favorites: Rebuild, Alice, Winergy, Touchdown, Con Moto-Mosso, Derivative, Hyperkinetic and Table Manners 10.5. He has lit the Company at various festivals such as American Collage Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center and has Production Managed Department of Dance events around Atlanta.

David has worked as a Facilities Manager, most recently for Atlanta Ballet, and a Project Manager and consultant for multiple construction projects and renovations of arts facilities. He is an LEED Accredited Professional, has project managed a LEED Gold certified renovation, worked on the KSU Department of Dance's Phase Two expansion and the Third expansion of the dance studios located in Chastain Pointe along with working on the renovations to the Dance Theater on the Marietta Campus.

While at Kennesaw State University, David has joined the Crisis Coordinator program, is one of KSU's first cadres of certified CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) instructors and achieved both Coined and Pinned status in the Crisis Coordinator program for his training and work in emergency preparedness. He is also a member of the Fulton County CERT program.

Part-Time Instructor of Dance

athakurt@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Dancer. Choreographer. Teacher. Student. Artist. Exponent - of the traditional and classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam in the Tanjavur style. All these six titles can describe Anupa Guha Thakurta. Well respected in the dance circles in the US, UK, and India, Anupa brings her own uniqueness as an artist and a teacher at the same time.

Anupa was introduced to Bharatanatyam at the age of 6. Under the tutelage of world-renowned Padmabhushan Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan of Ganesa Natyalaya, New Delhi, Anupa grew her love for the dance form and eventually completed her Arangetam (solo dance concert after completion of her basic training) in 1998. She began her dance career after her debut and performed extensively all over the world. As her expertise continued to grow in the dance form, Anupa received the title of ‘Natyashree’ and then “Kalashree” from her guru for demonstrating mastery over movements, grace, balance and faultless sense of rhythm. In pursuit of her dance journey, she developed a passion for infusing dance, fitness, and discipline into her regimen. Anupa believes there is no end to learning - the more we learn the better we evolve as dancers. A lifelong learner, she still continues to sharpen her skills and techniques by attending various workshops and master classes conducted by Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan and Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan.

Anupa has given recitals, concerts and lecture demonstrations of BharataNãtyam in India and a host of other countries and has choreographed a number of BharataNãtyam dance items for group and solo presentation. As a part of her dance repertoire, she has choreographed, directed and produced a number of productions: Sanskriti (2009), Chitrangada - The Warrior Princess (2009), Aakriti (2014), Prakriti (2017), Prayas (2019), Serenity (2022). She and her troupe have performed in various prestigious festivals in the US like Folkmoot/NC (2021), Rocky Mountain Thyagaraja Utsavam/Denver (2022) and various community fundraisers. Her repertoire of performances range from the traditional ‘Nataraja and dance festivals’ in India to ‘Festivals of India’ across the globe. Known for her bold, modern themes and strong choreography, Anupa is equally at home presenting a traditional Bharatanatyam margam for the ‘season’ in Delhi or Chennai or experimenting with form and style for performances in the US. Anupa was also in the Fellowship program of Indian Raga in 2020 and collaborated with Indian Classical dancers from all over the world to produce 2 videos - “Tarana Thakkita” and “Swagatham Krishna” which have generated acclaim on YouTube.

Anupa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in English from the University of Delhi in the year 1998. She then took up a post-graduate course in Mass Communications at YMCA, New Delhi. She has attended and successfully passed numerous arts and dance related courses offered by the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (University of Dance and Music) in Bombay, India and Prayag Sangeet Samiti (Indian Association of Renowned Dancers and Musicians) in Allahabad, India.

Anupa continues her journey through the world of dance and music with intensive training and rewarding teaching experience as a pioneer in the Indian American Cultural Scene of the United States. She founded the Deeksha School of Performing Arts in 2007. To date, she has 15 Arangetrams to her credit as a dance guru. More than 230 of her students in India and abroad represent the true universal appeal of the Dance form of BharataNãtyam across barriers of race, profession and background.

Accompanist (Temp)

kzollits@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-2852
CP 306

Kyla Cummins Zollitsch earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Portland State University. She toured extensively through out the west coast and accompanied for Portland State, Reed College and Lewis and Clark. Kyla has accompanied for the Atlanta Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet and Kennesaw State University. Kyla also played for numerous guest ballet companies including, but not limited to, Alvin Ailey, Lines Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.Kyla currently owns a full-time piano studio where her students have won many local competitions and festivals. She resides in beautiful Rome, GA with her husband Matt and two dogs Zoey and Xena.