Decatur City Dance Directors and Choreographers

Kathleen Banks Everett, Artistic Director - Kathleen has been associated with Decatur School of Ballet almost all her life. She began her dance training at age six under former owners Hilda Gumm and Marie Roberts, began teaching in 1970, and has been owner and director since 1980. In addition, she has trained and performed in classical ballet, jazz and modern dance. Kathleen is a graduate of Georgia State University.

Leslie Gourley, Associate Director - Leslie started her dance training at age six in Marietta and continued her dance studies in Mississippi and with the Joffrey School of Ballet in New York. At age 16 she came to study with Decatur School of Ballet. After graduating from Texas Christian University as a ballet major in 1986, Leslie returned to teach and dance with our school and company.

Jessica Paget Reese, Associate Director - Jessica began her dance training at the Gainesville School of Ballet at age six.  A professional performer with South Carolina Ballet Theatre, she also taught with the Columbia Ballet School before opening her own studio in Lexington, South Carolina.  In addition to her classical ballet training, Jessica has performed in musical theater productions.  With a BA degree in English and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Columbia College, Jessica taught seventh grade for seven years. 

Toya Willingham Riley, Associate Director - Toya started her dance training at age three and came to Decatur School of Ballet at age 13. She has been a company dancer with Decatur City Dance since 1992. She is a graduate of the DeKalb Center for the Performing Arts. In the summer of 1995, she participated in the Governor's Honors in Dance program. Like many teachers at Decatur School of Ballet, Toya trained as a demonstrator, an assistant teacher, and a substitute teacher in younger children's classes at our school. She has a strong foundation in ballet and has also trained in modern dance, jazz and tap.

Birda Ringstad, Associate Director - Birda began dancing at the age of eight at the Art Linkletter Dance Studio in Chicago, Illinois.  She has studied with some of the great tap dancers of our time, including Brenda Bufalino, Pat Rico, Al Gilbert, Gregory Hines and the "master" Tommy Sutton.  She has been teaching tap to dancers of all ages and levels since 1986.  She directs the Rhythm Keepers and the Junior Rhythm Keepers of Decatur City Dance.  Birda also directs the Rug Cutters, a teen swing performance group headquartered at Decatur School of Ballet.   

Choreographers for the 2009-2010 Season

Bevin Newton, Choreographer - Bevin began her dance training in Virginia and continued in ballet, modern dance and jazz through college. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University with a BA in economics and minors in business and dance. She performed with the Virginia Ballet Company, Center Dance Company, Duke Ballet Repertory Ensemble, Chapel Hill Ballet Company, and now with Decatur City Dance.

Daphanie Scandrick, Choreographer - Daphanie became interested in dance as a young child while attending Davidson Fine Arts School in Augusta, Georgia.  While she spent several years studying dance, she decided to pursue a B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University.  She currently works as a healthcare analysis manager but maintains a strong connection to the dance community by performing with the Atlanta based company StaibDance.  Daphanie also teaches modern dance at Decatur School of Ballet and is happy to have the opportunity to work with the young talents of Decatur City Dance.

George Staib, Choreographer - George began is dance training at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.  After receiving a BA in political science, he pursued his Master of Fine Arts degree at Temple University where he served on the faculty upon graduating.  He joined the Emory dance faculty in the fall of 2001 and teaches all levels of modern and ballet techniques, Introduction to Dance, and choreography.  He recently launched his own contemporary dance company--Staibdance. 

Jerylann Warner, Choreographer - Jerylann has enjoyed a succession of years as a performer, teacher and choreographer. She holds a BA in Dance from Brockport State University and has taught dance at Harvard University, Emory University, Lesley College, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Georgia State University and at performing arts programs at North Atlanta and Avondale High Schools. Jerylann currently directs and choreographs for Gathering Wild Dance Company.  

Heather Yates, Choreographer - Heather began her dance training at Decatur School of Ballet at age eight and continued her study with the Atlanta Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance and the Cleveland Ballet, where she also danced in the company. She also danced professionally with the American Ballet Theatre in New York City from 1988 to 1994, working with such notable artists as Twyla Tharp, Natalia Makarova, Jiri Kylian and Mark Morris. Heather is also a professional chef.