Faculty & Staff

We believe bringing out the best in each dancer is important. We believe that each child has different talents and it's our job to develop them to the fullest. We believe in helping each dancer reach their full potential. We believe that dance is a tool which can help children and adults develop a positive self image. We believe that children and adults deserve to have a teacher who is capable and caring and whose values enable them to be excellent role models.

James MahKween | Contemporary & Jazz

For 18 years I have technically trained in both Modern and Jazz dance. For the past 10 years I have taught dance, as well as choreographed in Los Angeles, and across California.

  I received a BFA in Musical Theatre from American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). Following graduation, I continued to develop my technique in dance with companies such as Lula Washington Dance Theatre, JazzAntiqua, and BrockusRed. I've also spread my wings as a choreographer I created my own company and works which have been shown at NAACP ACT-SO 2014 & 2015, Highways Performance Space, DANCESCAPE, MODArts, LA Dance Fest, DanceSpot LA, Tri-Art Festival, Sol-Cal Dance Invitational, Carnival Choreographers Ball, P.I.N.S and HHII Dance Festival. I also self produce showcases throughout the year entitled REFLECT.

  I have experience working with a diverse group of dancers, ranging from age 6 to adults, and from beginners to professional dancers. I take satisfaction in working with students to reach their highest potential and offering knowledge they can use in the future.

   Dance is my passion! Teaching and choreographing is the way I express, and also do my part as an artist to give back to the community.

 

Ms. Jazzmin Reynolds, a Houston native, has been dancing since the young age of four. She has experience teaching a variety of dance genres including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, heels, acrobatics, and drill. She was a senior lieutenant on her high school drill/dance team and a member/choreographer of the Definition Dance Team at University of North Texas. After College, Ms. Jazzmin has taught at different dance studios for 6+ years which includes competition teams. She loves teaching kids and adult dance classes and helping everyone to experience the joys of dance!

Jazzmin Reynolds | Acro, Tap, & Ballet

Hope Burt | Ballet

Hope Burt was born in Detroit Michigan but raised in Southern California and Central Florida. She began dancing at the age of 10 and immediately discovered her passion! Hope quickly developed a love for all dance styles but through intensive training and hard work reached a high level of accomplishment in Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz and Lyrical. She later added ballroom to her repertoire. Hope has won numerous awards and scholarships including a full scholarship to Dance Educators of America’s Ballet Seminar where she trained under nationally renowned ballet instructors. Her achievements include; Being the first African American to receive the dancer of the year at her childhood studio. Winning the Leap Contest and being featured on the front page of the competition website. Hope has performed annually as one of the featured soloist in the Nutcracker Ballet, Held at the Maxwell C. King Center. She has also gone on to perform at the Mercedes Benz Stadium for the "Beloved" benefit, The Kennedy Space Center, Morgan State University, Disneyland and toured around the country performing.She is a passionate, Detailed, Lyrical, Artist. Her every step has to have an intention, a focus and energy flowing through it. Whether it's dramatic or subtle her movement is driven by raw emotion that captures the true essence of the human experience. She uses her technical background, lines and musicality to communicate this work to the audience. In addition to performance, Hope is a choreographer/Instructor known throughout Atlanta for creating innovative and unique choreography. After teaching for over 10 years her love for all 160 of her students is still going strong helping them to reach their fullest potential. Hope is currently a judging official for GHSA (Georgia High School Association) and is excited to help move the sport of Dance forward.She is quickly become the one to watch with her ambition to become one of the most influential entrepreneurs in America.

Latauria Dotson | Hip Hop

Latauria Dotson is originally from Miami Florida and has been dancing since the age of 5. She is proficiently trained inBallet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern and Contemporary. Latauria has been trained under the dance company’s of The McIntyre Institute and Young contemporary dance theater located in South Florida. She attended a magnet school, Miami Northwestern Senior High and there she continued being trained by Traci Young-Byron who pushed her to be the passionate dancer she is today and exposed her to legendary people like Debbie Lee Allen and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Latauria graduated from Tri-Cities High school in east Atlanta which opened up doors for her to be able to travel the world and dance. She has had the honor to dance background to amazing artists and instruct extensive workshops. Latauria is now a youth hip hop instructor at Dance For Joi and adult heel instructor as well.

Quin Smith Studio Manager

Ms. Quin has been a part of the DFJDC family since 2015 when her daughter started dancing with Miss.Joi at a very young age. She has a love for being around the studio and works doing day to day operations for DFJDC. She has a Bachelor in Computer Information System from Clark Atlanta with over 10 years of experience. She loves getting to know the families and dancers at DFJDC. Quin brings her organization and helping hand to the various projects she does for the company. She will help size your dancer for costumes and shoes, answer your questions about your account, help you with processing payments, and communicate important studio information. Her help and positive outlook helps DFJDC to run smoothly!  -- 

Brigette Riley Enrollment Director

Brigette is our friendly face in the studio office! She entered the dance world when her daughter- now the owner - began taking classes at age 10. The more her daughter danced, the more involved she became! She has much experience "behind the scenes" in the studio industry having worked and volunteered for many teams and studios. Brigette brings her fabulous attention to detail and organization expertise to the various projects she does for DFJDC. She will size your dancer for costumes and shoes, answer your questions about your account, help you with processing payments, and communicate important studio information. Brigette also acts as DFJDC enrollment director. Her organization and positive outlook helps DFJDC to run smoothly! -