Kathy Russell Baird
Artistic Director/Instructor
Kathy is a graduate from Kennesaw State University and was trained as a ballet dancer under the renowned Stanley Zompakos, a soloist under George Balanchine with the New
York City Ballet. She studied with Pavel Rotaru (from the Kirov Ballet) in Atlanta and the Houston Ballet. She also has attended Ballet Magnificat's intensive workshops
for teachers numerous summers. Several of the Baird Ballet students have received scholarships to study at Joffrey and Boston Ballet and have attended Ballet Magnificat summer intensive
program.
Kathy started dance classes at the age of 3y and grew up performing for talent shows and school functions always winning 1st to 3rd place. Upon graduating from High School, she became an assistant instructor for Clara Ellison School of Dance and became her successor. She has taught ballet for Shorter College and workshops for Rome Ctiy School System. She has devoted her whole life to performing and teaching. She has performed in Rome Little Threatre and Ruth Mitchell's dance company production of the Nutcracker as the "Snow Queen' as well as danced various roles in La Boutique Fantasque, Beauty and the Beast and Swan Lake. Kathy has choreographed and performed in numerous classical ballets to include Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White.
Most recently, Kathy won the Judge's Award in her performances in the Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge, 2011 and 2012.
Katie Kiser
Creative Dance, Ballet, Tap, and Jazz
Katie Kiser has studied at Baird Ballet since the age of 7 and graduated from Shorter College in 2008 in accounting and University of West Ga in 2011 in math and science education. During her college years, Katie taught at the Baird Ballet and worked with preschool children at First Untied Methodist Church. Katie was a nominee for the Governor's Honor Program in dance in 2004. Most recently, she won the Judge's Choice award for her lindy hop routine in Rome's Celebrity Dance Challenge 2015.
Hannah Adams Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary
Hannah studied ballet from Atlanta Ballet, and Atlanta Festival Ballet in Stockbridge and was an instructor with Atlanta Festival Ballet for two years and also taught dance at Atlanta Center for Dance Education for 6 years. She performed with Atlanta Ballet Apprentice Company and performed in many performanes at the Fox Theatre. Hannah also has extensive training in Jazz and Contemporary. She currently is youth leader at Redemption Church along with her huband who is assistant pastor.