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SAA DANCE
SAA DANCE
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
Mission
The SAA dance program is committed to preparing students for college and the professional world through rigorous conservatory-style training. The department encourages curiosity and passion, developing expansive definitions of what it is to be a dance artist, educator and citizen of the world.
Artist in Residence 25/26
Autumn Eckman received her classical training from Susan Bebee, Tom Pazik, and Patricia Bromley in Atlanta, GA, before attending the Houston Ballet Academy on full scholarship. She had the privilege of performing as a company member with Giordano Dance Chicago, where she also served as Assistant Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer, and Director of Giordano II. Autumn has also been a company member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, Lucky Plush Productions, Ron De Jesus Dance, State Street Ballet, and The Cambrians. Her choreographic commissions include eleven works for Giordano Dance Chicago, including JOLT, which was named one of Dance Magazine's Top 10 Choreographic Works of 2012 by Wendy Perron. She is a recipient of the University of Georgia Marine Extension's Artists, Writers and Scholars Grant, and has been recognized as a NewCity Chicago Top Player in the Arts and a Dance Chicago New Artistic Voice in Choreography. Autumn has created works for numerous companies and institutions, including: State Street Ballet, Colorado Conservatory of Dance, DanceWorks Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, The Cambrians, Chattanooga Ballet, Kit Modus, The Big Muddy Dance Co., Wylliams-Henry Dance Company, Mareck Dance, Gainesville Ballet, North Coast Ballet California, Vitacca Ballet, Washington & Lee University, Stephens College, Western Michigan University, University of Kansas, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Grand Valley State University, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, West Texas A&M, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Autumn holds an MFA in Choreography from the University of Iowa. She is certified in the Giordano Jazz Dance Technique through the Nan Giordano Certification Program, and in Level One of Revolutionary Principles of Movement. With over 25 years of experience, she has served as master for organizations including the American Dance Festival, Atlanta Dance Theater, Atlanta Academy of Ballet and Dance, The Ballet Alliance Festival, Open Doors Dance Festival, and the Bates Dance Festival. She is a former Instructor of Dance at Northern Illinois University and Assistant Professor of Dance at both the University of Arizona and the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School (GA). Currently, Autumn serves as Assistant Professor and Artistic Director at the Kennesaw State University Department of Dance.
Jamal Edwards ABT® CERTIFIED TEACHER, BALLET MASTER
Jamal Edwards ABT® CERTIFIED TEACHER, BALLET MASTER
Jamal Edwards began his training at Hilton Head Dance School at the age of 13. During his high school years, he had the opportunity to dance soloist roles in Swan Lake, Coppélia, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. A graduate of Hilton Head Christian Academy and the University of Alabama, Jamal teaches ballet, tap, and jazz. Jamal is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® Curriculum.
A master class with Troy Schumacher, Artistic Director of BalletCollective and Soloist with New York City Ballet.
Alumni Spotlight
Andre McGregor II
Andre McGregor II
Charlotte Ballet
Andre McGregor II, a Savannah native, began dancing at Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts and committed to a dance career by age twelve. He earned scholarships to top summer intensives, including Atlanta Ballet, Juilliard, Bolshoi NY, and ABT. A 2020 graduate of Savannah Arts Academy, Andre performed title roles in local productions such as The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz.
In 2021, he competed at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals and received a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, performing works by renowned choreographers. He later joined Ballet West II for two seasons, dancing pieces by Ashton, Balanchine, and Arpino. Andre now joins Charlotte Ballet II and thanks his family, mentors, and teachers for their support.
Nicholas Motley
Nicholas Motley
Cincinnati Ballet
Nicholas began dancing at age six in Savannah, Georgia, training for 12 years at Kelly and Company Studios under Shannon Kelly. He studied ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop, and continued his education as a dance major at Savannah Arts Academy. Nicholas has been a finalist in major competitions including YAGP, UBC, WBC, NYCDA, and Onstage New York, earning fourth overall at the World Ballet Competition in 2022 and 2023.
Now in his second year with Cincinnati Ballet, Nicholas has performed in Confetti, Jewels, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and most recently as The Prince in The Little Mermaid with Ballet West. He looks forward to an exciting season ahead.
Ariana Gavrilas
Ariana Gavrilas
Ariana is currently pursuing a dual degree in Dance and Psychology at Kennesaw State University, where she is a scholarship recipient. As a dedicated member of the KSU Dance Company, she actively contributes to the department’s artistic initiatives and serves as an ambassador for the program. In addition to her academic and campus involvement, Ariana performs professionally with the Savannah Theatre, showcasing her talent in a variety of their productions.
Cristal Hernandez
Cristal Hernandez
Performed principal roles with the Savannah Ballet Theater in The Nutcracker and the starring role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. This summer, Cristal will attend Orlando Ballet's Summer Intensive on scholarship!
DANCE PERFORMANCE
Collaboration | Creativity | Critical Thinking | Communication
The Nutcracker
Emerging Choreographers
Kennesaw State University Satellite Audition
Armando Luna - Co-Director
Teacher of Ballet I - IV, Dance Composition I, and Classical and Contemporary Partnering
Armando Luna began training in Houston, Texas, with Margo Marshall, Soili Arvola, and Leo Ahonen. His professional dance career spans 40 years. He danced professionally with Ballet Austin, BalletMet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Atlanta Ballet. He toured with Ballet Spectacular, performing with Rudolf Nureyev and Alexander Godunov. Mr. Luna partnered notable Ballerinas Cynthia Gregory in George Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 and Marianna Tcherkassky in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk. Armando was the principal teacher of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education from 1998 to 2019. His students have danced professionally with Atlanta Ballet, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre. He has created over 50 works for the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and various colleges and dance institutions, ranging from Classical, Neo-classical, and Contemporary Ballets. As a lifelong learner, Mr. Luna graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 2015. Phil Ehart, co-founder of the progressive rock band KANSAS, invited Mr. Luna to choreograph a pas de deux to their famous song Dust in the Wind as the band plays live. This work premiered in Atlanta in 2018 on their Point of Know Return tour and in 2019 in multiple cities in southern California. In Fall 2019, Armando choreographed the world premiere of Jack the Ripper for the Savannah Ballet Theatre. During the summer COVID-19 pandemic 2020, Collin County Ballet Theatre commissioned Mr. Luna for a new dance piece. For this project, Mr. Luna collaborated with his son, Dante Luna (a musician and composer in Los Angeles). Together, they created Expectation of the Dawn. Mr. Luna was the adjudicator for RDA/Midstates in 2021 and RDA/Southeast in 2022. He is now co-director of the dance department of the Savannah Arts Academy, where he teaches ballet, dance composition, and Pas de Deux and creates new works for the school.
Ryen McGee - Co-Director
Teacher of Modern I - IV, Dance Composition II, and Kinesiology
Ryen McGee is a choreographer, dancer, and educator from Palm Beach, FL. Her work shapes itself through an intense desire to cover space, shape, gravity, and time. Her motivation and perspective have been profoundly influenced by her solid foundation of ballet and modern dance. Ryen has been commissioned by the Ailey school, American Dance Festival, Ballet Palm Beach, colleagues, companies, and various festivals throughout the US. She was also a resident artist at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and the Bates summer dance festival. Her work has won numerous choreography awards including the Grand Prix at YAGP, and best choreography at UBC. Many of her students have gone on to professional careers and scholarship recipients at university dance programs. Her formal education is from the North Carolina School of the Arts. From 2004-2006 she toured with Via Danse and was featured in Dance Magazine the following year. In 2007, she planted her roots in Savannah and became assistant director of A Class Act Dance Center. In 2009 she took over as owner and Artistic Director until the schools' final bow in the summer of 2022. Currently, Mrs. Ryen is a dance faculty member at Savannah Arts Academy and is thrilled to be sharing her love of movement and passion for dance with all her students.
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