44 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
To learn more about these studios, their education
philosophy, and class offerings:
Hayiya Dance Theatre
478-960-4206
hayiyadancetheatre.com
The Jean Evans Weaver Center for Dance
478-259-7881
theweavercenter.org
The Kendrick Academy
(studios in Fort Valley and Warner Robins)
478-444-5040
thekendrickacademy.com
The Madison Studio for Dance Education
478-361-9945
madisondance.com
Sheridan explained that she welcomes students who dance
at another studio to come to The Weaver Center for a summer
intensive or camp, or for Nutcracker alumni to come and take class
with her if they miss the experience. She explains that besides The
Nutcracker, The Weaver Center is host to Middle Georgia Youth
Ballet, another collaborative group, with overlap in board members
and in youth ballet artistic leader Lindsay Misch Crisp.
"It's going to sound so corny, but I really believe we're better
together," says Kendrick on building a dance community in Central
Georgia. She cites Lowden as helping her, specifically, explaining
that Lowden's mother helped build the Kendrick Academy studio
by "literally, really knocking down walls."
"We don't have to be fearful of sharing. Every child has their own
strength."
Holton also loves using dance with other artists, recently debuting
a music video with the Otis Redding Foundation and serving as a
choreographer with Theatre Macon.
Rodney King leaps
with Hayiya Dance
Theatre. Photo by
Michael Martin.
