INSTRUCTORS
Who We Are
Kathy Baird
Artistic Director / Owner / Instructor
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Kathy began dance at the age of 3 with Clara Ellison School of Dance and performed in numerous talent contests as a child placing from 1st to 3rd place. Upon graduating from high school, Kathy became Ms. Ellison's successor teaching her classes.
She has studied under Stanley Zompakos, a soloist under George Balanchine, from the New York City Ballet , Pavel Rotaru Ballet from Kirov Ballet and attended Ballet Magnificat's intensive for teachers for six summers. She also worked at Houston Ballet for their summer intensive in exchange for classes.
Kathy performed the Snow Queen in Rome Little Theater's Nutcracker with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Company, and performed roles in Beauty and the Beast and Swan Lake. She also has performed and choreographed her own ballets since 1980.
Several of the Baird Ballet students have continued to study with Joffrey, Boston, Aspen Ballet and dance with Ballet Magnificat's trainee program.
Kathy was a contestant in the Celebrity Dance Challenge and won the Judge’s award in 2011 and 2012.
She has taught ballet at Shorter College and The Rome City School System.
She is a graduate from Kennesaw State College.
Most recently moved her studio to 107 Broad St, Rome.
Hannah Camacho
Instructor
Hannah Camacho has studied dance at the Dance Center since the age of 3 and has taught dance for the past six years. She found the love of contemporary throught her participation in Allegro Dance Company. Hannah also studied ballet with Baird Ballet and continues her work in the community through Rome Little Theatre, teaching musical theatre. She has danced in Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge winning People's Choice award winner in 2018. Hannah will be teaching contemporary classes on Saturday morning.
Amy Solana
Instructor
AMY SOLANA, who is a senior at Berry College and is pursuing a minor in dance. She is both a dancer and choreographer for the Berry College Dance Company. Before college, she studied dance at Studio 4 the Arts and competed for her last 7 years. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. Amy will be teaching tap on Saturday and will be a substitute teacher through-out the year.
Sara Pecina
Instructor
Sara Pecina is the Director of Dance and Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance at Berry College. She received her MFA in Dance from the University of Oklahoma and graduated Magna Cu Laude with a BA in Dance from Western Kentucky University. Performance highlights include Cedar Point Live Entertainment in Sandusky, Ohio, and dance concerts in Civitavecchia, Italy, at Jazz Dance World Congress, and at tap dance festivals in St. Louis and New York City. Sara is a certified mat Pilates instructor and has also trained to teach Dance for Parkinson's Disease . She will be teaching advanced jazz and tap and will be offering master classes in Pilates and stretch and conditioning.
Amy Massey
Instructor
Amy Massey has studied dance at Baird Ballet for the past seven years and has studied under former Atlanta Ballet principal dancers, Kristine Loveless and Stacey Slichter at North Atlanta Dance Center. She has attended Ballet Magnificat's summer intensives for the past four summers and most recently making pre-professional level. Amy has danced lead roles with Baird Ballet such as Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Rome's Shakespeare Festival and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. She began teaching dance in her own home dance studio called "Joyful Dance Studio." Amy has a love for the Lord and plans to continue her dance career as will as teach this upcoming year.
Alex Gonzaga
Instructor
Alex Gonzaga Grew up in Rio Brazil and started dancing at the age of 9 after following his sister into the dance world. At the age of 15, Alex moved to the US to pursue his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. He has danced with the Atlanta Ballet, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre and has had the opportunity to guest with many wonderful companies. He has danced with world renowned dancers and choreographers, to which he is forever grateful.
Tessa Torbert
Instructor
Tessa Tolbert's love for dancing began at the early age of 3. She has trained with City Ballet, Expressions of Calhoun, as a competitive dance team member, The Allegro Dance Company with the Dance Centre and studied with the Baird Ballet. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and modern. Tessa has 10 years teaching experience and said she loves watching little tiny dancers grow up into beautiful ballerinas and knowing she was a part of their journey. She also teaches Pre-K paraprofessional at Adairsville Elementary and is mom of three beautiful children Kendon (9), Rheannon (7) and Rylen (4). She states she is excited about teaching and looks forward to great year and sharing her love of dance.
Emily Allulua
Instructor
Emily embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of 5, honing her skills under the guidance of the British Theatre Dance Association. Following her formative years, she spent half a decade as a professional dancer, captivating audiences across the Balearic Islands, Spain, in touring cabaret show. Upon her return to England, she dedicated herself to becoming a dance instructor, obtaining certification from the International Dance Teacher Association. With over a decade of teaching experience of teaching under her belt, Emily continues to share her passion for dance and will be teaching tap and jazz classes.
WELCOME
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WELCOME
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