Helen Noviello has had the pleasure of sharing her love of exercise and movement for the past 31 years always coming from a place that the fitness part of our lives should be one we look forward to and enjoy! Helen graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Health and Physical Education. During her college breaks and for the first few years after graduation, she traveled to the Caribbean working on cruise ships as a fitness and social director.

When returning to Atlanta, Helen started an exercise business called Shape bringing exercise and wellness programs to corporations, churches and residential complexes. During this ten year period, she was a Body Elite Representative for NIKE, presenting at workshops and helping to give visibility to NIKE’s apparel and shoes. She also produced and starred in her own exercise show for cable TV. Helen then became the fitness director of a popular Atlanta gym for eight years. During this time, she created and managed class schedules, hired instructors and continued her love for teaching.

Because of her more holistic and nurturing approach to exercise, Helen naturally evolved into yoga and Pilate’s leaving the gym and becoming the yoga director at an Atlanta yoga studio. It was during this time she started leading yoga retreats that have become a tradition for her friends and students. Helen’s loving spirit and eclectic teaching style make her classes flow magically as she encourages her students to go inside and listen to their own needs and desires. Her approach to fitness is non-competitive and nurturing leaving her students rejuvenated on a very deep level.

Over the years, Helen has had the pleasure of teaching in Atlanta, Amelia Island, Monte Carlo and on cruise ships while raising and home schooling her three daughters. Helen always strives to pass on the joy of being fit, not as much for vanity, but more importantly for health and a wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.

www.yogabyhelen.com  

Casey began dancing under the direction of her mother, Toni Noblett and Jacques d’Amboise in NYC. She continued her classical training at the North Carolina School of the Arts and New World School of the Arts as well as STEPS, BDC and The Edge Performing Arts Center. Her stage credits include performances at the White House and Kennedy Center for President Bill Clinton, America’s Junior Miss, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and shows under the direction of Terrance Mann, Bubba Carr, and David Norwood. She has performed internationally at Tokyo Disneyland, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and at the NBA’s Jam Session in Caracas, Venezuela as Captain of the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team. Her television credits include work with artists such as Gloria Estefan, Will Smith, and Chayanne, as well as performances on Extreme Home Makeover, MTV, CBS, and the Latin networks Univision and Telemundo. She has also been involved in the launch of new artists Third Phaze, Sixx Carter and Ayanna. Throughout the year she is a regional and national judge for Spotlight Dance Cup and Talent on Parade. Casey is the owner and director of N-House Productions and teaches and choreographs at studios and universities across the US and Canada year-round. Here in Atlanta, Casey is the jazz director for Atlanta Dance Theatre.

Eva has only been dancing for 3 years. She began taking ballet classes at the Atlanta Ballet and later at Dance 101 which she now calls her second home. She has a passion for dance and always wanted to study it professionally but her circumstances directed her differently. She definitely has a love for the arts which she spends a lot of her time auditioning for films, plays, commercials and print. Eva believes that life should be lived to its fullest potential so she lives by her motto "be fearless! Do everything and anything you want".

Kevin Tyson, born in Decatur, GA began dancing in high school in the band as a Drum Major. It was not until 1997 where he wanted to explore dancing to the next level. His dance career started at Ga State University, where he danced with the hip hop dance team during halftime at the basket ball games for one year. He then joined Culture Shock Atlanta in 2001 where he not only danced at many events but occasionally taught classes as well.

During his four year dance career with Culture Shock Atlanta, Kevin has traveled and performed in California, South Carolina and all over Georgia. Kevin then went back to Ga State and joined D.O.P.-Dancers On Pointe! This phenomenal hip hop dance troupe allowed him to explore his wild side. This group has opened up for the Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, and danced on the Apollo Theater. This opened up many opportunities for him to dance with up and coming local artists. Kevin has also performed with gospel artist Deitrick Hadden. Kevin's dynamic dirty south shakin' moves will surely leave you breathless.

Melody Smith started dancing and teaching with the Cartersville City Ballet. Soon after she began teaching ballet, tap and jazz at The Cobb Dance Academy, and Dan and Company dance studios. She has been the company ballet and lyrical teacher at Daystar Dance Academy, and has choreographed several competition pieces for their company. In addition to Daystar, Melody has also taught and choreographed ballet and tap pieces for Dan and Company and Tinker-belles. She has also judged the Tri-State dance competition and performed several ballet roles such as Arabian in The Nutcracker and Coppelia in Coppelia. Melody has been teaching ballet at Dance 101 for almost 3 years now and is really excited about expanding her experience while helping the Atlanta dance scene reach its potential.

A native of Atlanta, Miki Hoiirus trained at the Academy of Ballet Arts under the tutelage of Marina Levasheva before joining the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre (RMDT) Company in 1998. While dancing with RMDT Company Miki trained with Ruth Mitchell, Anthony Parkes, Lisa Toups, and Kathryn MacBeth among others. She performed many supporting roles in the Company’s annual ballets. She is best known for her role as the Arabian Solo in The Nutcracker. After graduating from high school, Miki attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned a BS in International Affairs and Modern Languages (French concentration) with high honors. While studying for her undergraduate degree Miki continued to work with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre in their Young Audiences program, which brings dance performance and education into local schools. After graduation Miki spent time in France honing her language skills. Upon her return she began teaching ballet and contemporary Jazz at Dance 101 in 2006. Miki continues to train in classical dance on a freelance basis. In August 2007 she attended the summer program with the River North Dance Company in Chicago and took professional classes at the Lou Conte Dance School. At the beginning of 2008, Miki began the Master of Arts program in Linguistics and French at Georgia State University.

Amber Owens serves as the founder, technical dance teacher, and choreographer for the AAC Dance School , and presently organizes and teaches Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Pilates workshops across Northeast Georgia . With an extensive background in Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Cardio Dance, she has been producer/choreographer of various Hip-Hop and Modern dance shows for over 3 years and has been performing for over 20 years. Her performances have been with company’s including Southern Strutt Studios and Georgia State Dance Ensemble, and she has also served as the Assistant Artistic Director of the CHWC Dance Team.

Since I was 4 years old, I have been involved in gymnastics and Latin dance, participating in several national and international competitions. Just before graduating from high school, I told my dad that I wanted to attend a performing arts school or study the culinary arts; I either wanted to be a really good dancer or prepare a monster soufflé. He said, “Um…no. You need a ‘real’ career. You are going to be an engineer.” So I am, Ph.D. and all, just like he wanted. Suffering from the endless boredom of life in a cubicle (living the movie “Office Space” for real), my energy, my creativity, and my life zapped from me, until one day Ofelia, our fearless Dance 101 leader, pulled me from class and offered me the “job” of my life. When not teaching classes, you can find me either managing a troupe of very graceful, shirtless, toothless construction workers, or attending another of the great classes that are offered at Dance 101.

Lindsay Thiel danced with the Atlanta DanceWorks under the direction of Barry Thomas and J. Patrick McCann from ages 3-18. While at UGA, Lindsay Thiel founded and led the UGA Tap Dawgs, danced with the UGA Red Hotz Competitive Dance Team, took classes and performed with UGA's Dance Department, and performed with the DanceFX Company and taught tap at DanceFX. She was a featured tap dancer at a CD release party for REM in Athens. She has also worked with physical and occupational therapists to teach dance and creative movement to children with special needs. She joined the Dance101 staff in August 2007 and was a guest performer with Project 7 in January 2008.

Micheal began his dance career at age 13 with tap dance. A graduate of the Pebblebrook High School performing arts program, he continued his dance education as a scholarship student in the musical theatre department at the University of Cincinnati. Leaving school to begin his professional career with the Theatre of the Stars tour of "South Pacific", Micheal went on to work with Anita Bryant and Lee Greenwood in Tennessee, the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, and Holland America cruise lines. Upon returning home to Atlanta, he began teaching and choreographing for local studios and companies, including Atlanta Jazz Theater, Cobb Dance Academy, and the Cartersville Ballet. Regional credits include in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ (Joseph), ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ (J. Pierrpont Finch), ‘Fame’ (Nick), ‘A Chorus Line’ (Don), and ‘Crazy for You’ (Lank), as well as being a feature performed in the Miss Georgia Competition. Micheal continues to perform and teach around the Southeast.

Destiney has been dancing for 25 years and has done so at the collegiate level as well as in the NBA and NFL. Originally from Lorain, Ohio about 20 miles west of Cleveland and she attended the University of Cincinnati where she was a Communications major & a member of the UC Varsity Dance Team for 4 years. She began her professional dance career with the Chicago Bulls in 2002. After bearing with the cold for 24 years of her life she decided to fly south to become a dirty bird cheering for the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons. As a Falcons cheerleader she had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo, Japan, become a spokes model for companies such as Reebok, Crunch Fitness, Home Depot, and Verizon Wireless, also making appearances on UPN's RU the Girl, Inside Edition, ABC's Extreme Home Makeover and local Toys For Tots Commercials. In 2006 she decided to make her return to the NBA and began dancing for the Atlanta Hawks and is also signed with bloc South dance agency. A few other places you can check her out..."The Gospel" starring Boris Kodjoe, MTV's Sweet 16, Daz Dillenger Album Cover, Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rockstar" Video, BET awards, strutting the catwalk for Ed Hardy, the Russell Athletics catalog and in the Power Systems DVD.

Outside of dance she's covered some of the hottest events locally, nationally and internationally as a reporter. Just to name a few, Hot 107.9s birthday bash, Boost Mobile's RockCorps, Alonzo Mourning's All Star Weekend 8-ball tournament, The World Series of Poker and Bodog's Battle of the Bands in London and Dubai. She spends her days researching sports and entertainment news, and evenings dancing at a Hawks game, rehearsing for one, or teaching at Dance 101.

Desiree began her formal dance training at the age of four at Florida Ballet Arts and continued until her discovery of dance teams in high school. From there she went on to dance for the University of Florida Dazzlers dance team where she performed all over the country including the 2000 Men’s Basketball Final Four. Following her four years at UF Desiree broke into the professional world of dance with the Atlanta Hawks Dance team. During her six seasons with the Hawks, Desiree was privileged enough to dance at both the 2002 NBA All Star and Celebrity All Star games as well as travel to Mexico to perform at games for the Hawks sister team the Reynosa Correcaminos. She also represented the NBA in China performing in the Guangzhou and Chengdu provinces. She has worked with several music artists including The Sugarhill Gang, MC Hammer, Kool and the Gang, American Idol finalist Ejay Day, Bryce, Cat Chang and Pilar Montenegro.

In between studying for her master’s in nutrition at Georgia State University and dancing Desiree trains as a fitness competitor, doing shows on the Fitness Universe Pageant circuit. Her competition resume includes first place in tall figure at the 2006 SNBF Nationals and first place in tall figure at 2006 SNBF Georgia Fame. She has also competed in Ms. Bikini Universe 2006 and Ms. Fitness Universe 2008. Through her nutrition education and dance/fitness background, Desiree hopes to educate people on the positive effects of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Bubba Carr's career began with his move from Alabama to Los Angeles in 1984. Armed with a veracious drive and big talent he took Hollywood by the horns. With his first professional gig touring with MGM star Mitzi Gaynor he adapted to a fast paced lifestyle early on. His next big job as a regular on the television show "FAME" exposed Bubba to the ins and outs of the early to rise long day’s world of the network series. He later went on to assist the choreographer of "FAME", Jaime Rogers on television shows in Spain and Italy. In the middle of all this came the win of "Starsearch" in 1987, with the all male group "Boys Club", winning all seven shows they appeared on including the series finale securing the $100,000 prize. During this busy adolescence in his career Bubba found time to fit in video appearances with the likes of Cher and Prince, as well as, shooting national TV commercials for Sprite, Coors, The Gap and Levi’s 501 to name a few. Bubba has also been seen on the television programs "The Nanny", "Friends", "Nikki", “Scrubs”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and "Oprah" including award shows such as "The Academy Awards", "The Grammy Awards", “American Music Awards”, "MTV Music Awards" and several TV Specials and "Movies of the Week". In addition to Bubba's work on television, he has appeared in numerous feature films including "Austin Powers: Goldmember", "Batman & Robin", "Wild Wild West", and “Out to Sea”. Touring credits include Janes Addiction, Porno for Pyros and Dirty Dancing Live, not only performing on stage but lending his choreographic talents as well. But the bulk of his touring has been dancing on stage with legendary entertainer Cher in her "Heart of Stone" 89', "Love Hurts" 91', "Believe" 99' and her latest record breaking "Living Proof" world tour which he embarked upon in 2002, with the last "sold out" performances being at the world famous Hollywood Bowl at the end of April 2005. Bubba has worked on the past three seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance” including the live tour. He has choreographed for L.A. based Hysterica Dance Company for their commissioned performance at Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art as well as Hysterica X, their recent tenth anniversary at Ford Amphitheatre. Bubba was commissioned by North Atlanta Dance Theatre to create a new surrealist ballet entitled “Abstract Reflexions” which premiered spring 07 and has just been nominated for an Ovation Award by the Los Angles Theatre Alliance as well as LA Weekly for his work in Paradise Lost, an original electronic opera by renowned composer Eric Whitacre. Bubba is the new Artistic Director of Dance 101 in Atlanta Georgia and is presently choreographing and dancing with Cher at the Caesars Palace Coliseum in Las Vegas.

Taylor Gerard is a professional fusion bellydance choreographer, instructor, and performer, whose unique ability to convey a range of emotions through technical expertise sets her apart.   Her creative and fluid style of dance incorporates elements of Turkish, Indian, Latin, tribal, and jazz, all solidly grounded in Egyptian cabaret technique and keeps audiences delightfully surprised and mesmerized. 


She has performed around the United States, including New York, L.A., and Atlanta, and performs regularly at many top bellydance venues such as Imperial Fez, Persepolis Cuisine, Café Istanbul, Veranda Taverna, and Taverna Plaka.  She has also performed with other choreographers, in a variety of dance disciplines, including Mezmera, Bubba Carr, and Aziza of Montreal/Portland and for celebrities Da Brat, Dallas Austin, and Sean "P Diddy" Combs. She also performs in Aqua Sirens underwater productions.


Originally from New York, Taylor comes from a dance background of jazz and hip hop.  She was introduced to the world of bellydance after moving to Atlanta in 2001, and has been pursuing her career in this ancient art form ever since. Taylor's commitment to bellydance is demonstrated through her many classes and workshops from beginner through professional levels.  She is the founder and artistic director of Tempest Dance Company and is the bellydance instructor for Dance 101, one of the largest dance studios in the Southeast.  Her first instructional bellydance DVD will be released in Spring of 2010.

"Don't Stop, Work it, Work it!" and if you didn't know this one really means it.  The vivacious Dance 101 instructor Cynthia Mallard who hails from the north of Brooklyn NY and the south of Decatur, AL is a long time certified aerobics instructor through the National Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and specializes in an amazing high energy art form called Salsa dance fitness; a fusion of latin modern dance, aerobic steps and hot beats. Cynthia burst onto the dance and fitness scene at the early age of nine years old after witnessing the the world famous Alvin Ailey Company who she grew up watching at her inner city public school and in Harlem.  Mesmerized  by the beauty and life that motion conveyed Cynthia jumped in full force with training in jazz, tap, modern,hip hop and gymnastics performing at school and citywide danceathons. The love of dance and fitness catapulted Cynthia into choreographing  and coaching for local youth groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA. Cynthia with her affinity for gymnastics and health  led Cynthia to become involved in  collegiate cheerleading squads for years coaching technique and strength and conditioning for namely Alabama State University  and other jr high and highschools in the south east region wher she won several Universal Cheerleading Association competitions.  So that's where that loud voice comes from.  Of course her undeniable choreography and showmanship  has been requested and penned for the stage play productions of "The Wiz" and "Gospel At Colonus"  put on by "A Time  To Kill "actress/ theatre director Tonea Stuart.  Wanting to try a hand at professional sports dancing, Cynthia was a chosen out of hundreds to become a Renegette dance team member for the Renegades semi pro football team where she continued to dance and choreograph half time entertainment.  Cynthia's style is engaging, sexy, rugged, technical, nontraditional and will work and whip you into shape turbo speed. As she always says...."WORK IT"
 

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Carrie trained classically throughout her life and into college.  Her skills in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Ballroom, Latin, and Modern enabled her to obtain a BS.ED in Dance Education from the University of Georgia. Upon graduation she realized her dream to become a professional dancer focusing on Hip-hop and decided to move out west to Los Angeles.  In her three years in Hollywood, Carrie trained intensively at Millennium Dance Complex, Edge Performing Arts Center, and Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio.  She credits her ability and influence to the wonderful training she gained from many instructors including Tricia Miranda, Shane Sparks, Marty Kudelka, Phlex, Eddie Garcia, Bobbi Newberry, and Alex da Silva, to name a few.  Once she felt she had met her goals in LA, with performances including three Choreographer’s Carnivals, Missy Elliot’s “We Run This”, and MTV Chi Rocks with the artist Adrienne Lau, Carrie then moved back to her roots to challenge the Atlanta dance Scene. After completing the Bacardi Blive tour with Mixmaster Mike and Dan the Automator, she returned to teaching again around the metro Atlanta area.