Meet our team

 

  • Sara began dancing at the age of 13. She had the privilege of studying under former Royal Ballet Principal Keith Martin at Ballet California in Northern California - an experience that taught her so much about discipline, consistency, and expression. Sara’s experience in dance shaped her as a person. Because her teachers never told her “you can’t” she always believed she could - and she did! She hopes that every student that comes to CSDA receives this kind of investment and encouragement. We strive to cultivate strong, confident, committed dancers who feel empowered to reach their full potential. 

  • Laura Young is the Assistant Manager of Center Street Dance Academy. She started dancing as a young girl at the age of 5, danced through high school, taught in college and was a part of the teaching staff when CSDA opened its doors. Laura has now worked for CSDA for 9 years and is very excited about the growth the program has experienced over the years and the various ways she’s able to use her skills on and off the dance floor. Laura has a passion for teaching and excels in teaching jazz and contemporary dance. Dance is a necessary creative outlet for Laura and it is her hope to continue learning and growing as a dancer, instructor and administrator of CSDA. 

  • Genesis Garner has been commanding the stage through the art of dance for 19 years now. Her journey with dance has taken her from competition dance, to performing in professional one acts and musicals, all the way to getting to coach CSDA’s inaugural competitive team. As a teacher, she most enjoys producing distinguishable choreography for large groups, teaching Jazz technique and tools for acting and performance, and getting to watch her dancers grow increasingly each year that they return. What fuels Genesis’ craft most is spurring on a desire in her students to find connection with God and their neighbor through meaningful sequences of movement, improv, and storytelling. 

  • Moriah Olson, at 19 years old, has been teaching dance for the past five years. This year, she had the opportunity to teach contemporary dance, her favorite style, known for its expressive and fluid movements. Moriah’s love for dance stems from its ability to bring people together, offering a way to express emotions, share stories, and even connect with the Lord. She is passionate about inspiring her students to explore their own creativity and faith through movement, and finds joy in watching them grow as dancers and individuals.

 

  • Mallory Mundy is a local theatre professional.  A graduate of Belmont University’s Musical Theatre program, Mallory has worked in various parts of the country as a vocalist, actor, dancer, as well as educator for nearly 20 years.  As a performer, she has most recently been seen in Nashville Children’s Theatre productions including Pippi Longstocking (Pippi), The Gingerbread Kid (Allspice), and Llama Llama, Red Pajama (Dino), although she’s performed with Studio Tenn Theatre Co., Nashville Repertory Theatre, Street Theatre Company, Epiphany Dance Company, Chinese Arts Alliance, and more.  As a choreographer and educator, she has worked with organizations such as Hermitage Dance Academy, Acting Up, Audience of One, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Oz Arts Nashville, Street Theatre Company, Franklin Road Academy, among many others.  Teaching at CSDA has been a blessing beyond expectation, as it is the most supportive group of admin, students, and parents this world has ever known.  Mallory gives so much thanks to all of you, to God above, her husband, Micah, as well as her two children, Cyrus and Etta.

  • Gabriella has been a dancer since the age of four. Dance has been a way of life for Gabby, starting from her first ballet recital all the way to the present. She has danced in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical and musical theater. This is her third year of professionally teaching dance at Center Street Dance Academy. She has loved being able to grow in her abilities of classroom management as well as producing and teaching choreography. Her favorite part of being a teacher has been being able to see her dancers grow in their confidence throughout the dance year. 

  • Emma Lyons has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She always found it natural to move to the beat of a song, through tap, hip hop, contemporary or ballet. She began taking dance class when she was 5 and fell in love with the art. After dancing for multiple years both competitively and recreationally, Emma took a step back from dance after suffering an injury. However, dance is still a big part of Emma’s life and she loves encouraging young dancers to share their gifts in dance to serve the Lord. Emma has a passion to show dancers that everyone has a place in the dance world and is able to use their skills to praise God no matter what talents they may possess.

  • Haley Imholz joined the CSDA teacher team in fall of 2024 and is thrilled to be teaching here. Haley has been dancing since she was 2. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Fine Arts degree in Dance. She has been consistently teaching dance for the last 20 years. Haley began her teaching career through her local church and ran her own program for a few years while living in Oklahoma. After moving back to Tennessee, Haley transitioned to the studio environment. She believes dance can be for all ages and all stages. All four of her kids have had their time on the dance stage and her daughter has continued the legacy and teaches in Hendersonville. Recently Haley took a break from teaching in order to support her boys in their sports programs at The Academy. However, it’s time to start baby stepping her way back into the studio. Haley’s goal in the dance world is for everyone to enjoy this art form, whether by dancing or spectating. Each dancer and performance is unique, but the real joy comes from enjoying dance as a whole with everyone watching!