The Cartersville School of Ballet - Staff

Charlotte Delong
Charlotte DeLong began her dance training at The Atlanta School of Ballet, and later at The Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education. She has studied with nationally and internationally known directors and choreographers such as Robert Barnett, Andrea Pell, Maniya Barredo, John McFall, Rosemary Miles, and Sharon Story. Charlotte has performed with The Atlanta Ballet in the classic ballets The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Dracula, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Charlotte has choreographed for the Atlanta Jazz Theatre's Ballet Ensemble, Cartersville City Ballet, and Kennesaw Dance Troupe. Most recently, she performed as a guest artist with the Atlanta Jazz Theatre and Kennesaw Dance Troupe. Charlotte has been a faculty member at the Cartersville School of Ballet for 6 years where she teaches ballet.

Jillian Jones
Jillian Jones began her dancing career in Beckley, West Virigina under the direction of Jenny Rose where she performed with Beckly Dance theatre and Theatre West Virginia. She has also taught and choreographed for Lee University, Chattanooga Ballet and various other companies in Tennessee and Georgia. This is her 4th year with the Cartersville School of Ballet teaching ballet, tap and hip – hop jazz funk.

Abby McDowell
Abby began her formal training at the age of twelve with the School of North Carolina Dance Theatre. There, she studied under Patricia McBride, Mark Diamond, and Kathy Moriarty and later was appointed an apprentice, performing in many works with the company. At age eighteen, Abby was awarded a full tuition scholarship for Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s professional division and later a fellowship with Atlanta Ballet. She is currently a member of The Georgia Ballet where she enjoys performing new ballets as well as the classics. This is Abby’s 2nd year with the Cartersville School of Ballet where she teaches ballet and jazz.

Katie McMillen
Katie received her early training at the Academy of Ballet Arts (now British Academy of Performing Arts) in Marietta and was a member of the Academy Dance Company from 1995-2002. While with ADC she danced many soloist roles in ballets such as La Bayadere, Don Quixote and Coppelia, as well as the leading role in Charlotte's Web. Katie then attended Texas Christian University where she had the opportunity to perform in original works by artists including Fernando Bujones. She also presented several works of choreography at TCU. Katie graduated summa cum laude from TCU with a BFA in Ballet and News-Editorial Journalism in 2006. She has danced with Ballet Concerto in Fort Worth, Texas. Katie now dances professionally with The Georgia Ballet. This is her 2nd year with the Cartersville School of Ballet where she teaches ballet, jazz and tap.

Bevin Newton
Bevin has had years of training and performance experience in ballet, modern and jazz. She has danced with The Virginia Ballet Company, Center Dance Company, Duke Ballet Repertory Ensemble, Chapel Hill Ballet Company, and is currently a professional ensemble member of Decatur City Dance. She was selected to attend the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts while in high school and won the Julia Ray Memorial Dance Award in college. Bevin served as a teaching assistant in college, and has recently taught and choreographed for Decatur School of Ballet, Cartersville School of Ballet, and DanceStop Studios. Bevin graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University with a BA in economics and minors in business and dance. She also has a MBA from The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is Bevin’s 2nd year with the Cartersville School of ballet where she teaches ballet.

Toya Willingham-Riley
Toya W. Riley is a Choreographer, Professional Dancer and Dance Instructor, currently residing with her husband and daughter in Snellville, Georgia. She has been dancing since the age of four and graduated from DeKalb Center for the Performing Arts at Avondale High School. She attended Gwinett Medical with a major in Respiratory Therapy. She is the Assistant Director of Decatur City Dance Apprentice and Junior Ensembles and dances professionally with the company as a performing member. She also dances professionally with Gathering Wild Dance Company under the direction of Jerylann Warner. Toya has been a faculty member of the Cartersville School of Ballet for 6 years.

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