Classes
K.C. Emberson
K.C. is the founder & co-owner of Dance Academy West which was founded in the spring of 2002. K.C.'s inspiration to open a dance studio in Douglasville came from the strict and professional instruction she received growing up in Cobb County. K.C.'s dream was to bring professional and quality dance education to Douglas County. K.C. has been dancing for 28 years and teaching for 15 years, focusing on ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap. In addition to running the studio. She also works closely with competitive gymnasts choreographing floor routines and assisting in their dance education and awareness. K.C. served as the assistant choreographer for the United Professional Theater Association in 2006. K.C. and her husband Stephen live in Douglasville and have two children.
Kelly Gammill
Kelly joined Dance Academy West shortly after it opened in 2002. After realizing she and K.C. shared the same goals of having a professional studio where students could learn the true disciplines of dance and theater, Kelly became part owner. Kelly has been dancing for 30 years and teaching for 19 years. While at college, she danced with Mississippi: The Dance Company. She played Clara in a modern version of The Nutcracker, Mixed Nuts. She has a BA in Theater Arts from the University of Mississippi and heads up the Musical Theater program at Dance Academy West. Kelly has performed professionally around the southeast, and has been the assistant choreographer for the United Professional Theater Association for the past 8 years.
Sherry Proctor
Sherry Proctor has been teaching locally for 14 years. A Douglasville native, she has been dancing since she was 3 years old and received her initial dance training in the Atlanta area. She then went on to study with several prestigious dance schools around the country on scholarship including the School of American Ballet in New York City, Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, and the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton. While attending various schools, she was chosen to dance professional roles with the Sarasota Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. Sherry specializes in teaching ballet and pointe.
Angela Reagh
Angela Reagh has been with Dance Academy West since 2003. Dancing since the age of 3, she has trained in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. Angela has been teaching for over 15 years and is the Preschool Director for our studio. She has performed professionally in various shows in the Atlanta area and has been a choreographer for the Alexander High School Performing Arts Department since 2008. Angela teaches all levels, but is most passionate about her time with beginning to intermediate students. She instructs her students to have proper technique, but also how to dance with emotion, giving them a strong foundation to continue dancing.
Latonya Wyke
She has been dancing for over 31 years and teaching for 20 years. Tonya has a BFA in Dance and stresses correct technique and discipline in her teaching. Tonya has danced professionally for the CBA and also for Disney at the fabulous Fox Theater. She specializes in teaching ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip hop.
Jessica Agey
Growing up in a dance studio, teaching dance came naturally to this Arizona native. Jessica received her ballet training from renowned members of the Royal Academy of Dance and participated in graded examinations. As she began teaching, she also prepared students for the examination process and also for full length ballet productions, competitions and recitals. She has been dancing for 22 years, and teaching the past 11. Currently, Jessica works with home school, after school, and ministry dance groups and focuses on ballet, jazz and lyrical.
Tori Martin
I am 17 years old and have been dancing with Dance Academy West for 8 years. I am a "Dazzler" on their competition team. I am trained in Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theater, Lyrical, Modern, Contemperary, and some Tap. This year is my first year teaching for Dance Academy West but I have been an assistant teacher here for 4 years. I reside in Douglasville and am a senior at Alexander High School. My plan after high school is to dance on a cruise ship and eventually own my own studio. Dance Academy West has given me the training and set the right example for me to persue and achieve both of these goals.
Ginger Stratton
Ginger has been dancing for 40 years beginning her training at Dance Factory at the age of 6. She has trained with the Kennesaw Dance Ensemble and is certified through many Les Mills fitness programs including BodyJam and BodyFlow (yoga). Ginger is passionate about working with beginning and intermediate students as she feels this is where the love for dance is developed. Since 2008, Ginger has been the Lay Coach for South Paulding High School’s Fine Arts Department serving as the choreographer and movement coach for musicals and dramatic productions. She specializes in Musical Theatre, jazz and hip-hop.
Kelly Beamish
Kelly is a graduate from the prestigious Oklahoma City University where she earned her Bachelor of Performing Arts in dance performance. Upon graduation from OCU, Kelly settled in Los Angeles pursuing her career as a professional dancer. Kelly took part in Bo Bice's first music video "The Real Thing." She can also be seen as a featured performer in Ice Cube's comeback video "Race Card." While in LA, she performed in Disney's "The High School Musical" and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers Summer Pro League Dance Team. Kelly has also toured nationwide with the "Curtis Adams Magic that Rocks Show" and was featured in a NASCAR California Speedway commercial. While continuing to work as a professional dancer, Kelly also travels around the US choreographing and teaching. She is a current faculty member for Dance Olympus and the artistic coordinator for "PDE" Platinum Dance Experience Tour. Kelly is a very encouraging and positive role model. She loves to share her passion for dance, whether it’s through performing or teaching, and hopes to be able to do it for as long as she can.
Caitlin McCoyd
Caitlin has always been passionate about dance. She began at a young age in Hawaii, starting out under the guidance of Juilliard graduate Di Rodin, then going on to Honolulu Dance Theatre, directed by Royal Ballet's Matthew Wright, to focus on her classical ballet training. Once she moved to Georgia, she trained with Dance Academy West for 5 years, taking ballet, lyrical, jazz, and tap. In 2008 Caitlin became a part of the pre-professional division at the Atlanta Ballet. With the ballet she trained six days a week and was given the opportunity to rehearse and participate in the professional company performances such as Snow White, Pinocchio, and The Nutcracker. Now Caitlin is a student in the honors program at Georgia State University and dances with Atlanta contemporary group gloATL, led by award winning dancemaker Lauri Stallings.
Dakota Hinson
Dakota has been dancing and choreographing for over 15 years. With a history in the LA scene, she has found her way to the classrooms where she finds joy in sharing experience and advice with those wishing to venture into the world of that in which we call, "Dance Life". She has performed and choreographed pieces seen on stages at The House of Blues, The Knitting Factory, The Key Club, The Alliance Theatre, and 14th Street Playhouse. She has also had appearances in music videos like, "Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera, and "Crazy" by Britney Spears. She has worked with multiple Dance companies, studying at Millennium Dance Complex (formerly Moro Landis), Debbie Reynolds, The Edge, Jimmy DeFore, and has taught at various studios in both LA and Atlanta.
