Click here for more information about our newest addition, The Gym at The Studios Brookhaven!

About Us

Who We Are

The Studios Brookhaven aims to engage students in fulfilling, quality classes and challenge them to reach their true potential.

We hope you will find The Studios Brookhaven to be an inviting, family-friendly space where your kids are free to reach for the highest notes, soar in the grandest battements, and continually find joy in their consistent progress.

As Brookhaven’s premier performing arts studio, we offer an array of classes for all ages.

We also offer private, 1:1 music lessons from highly trained musicians who also currently perform in the Atlanta-metro area. Lessons are for all ages but generally are appropriate for kids over five.

teacher and dance students

Quality Classes, True Potential

At The Studios Brookhaven, we offer a nurturing environment with top-quality classes designed to help students achieve their full potential in the performing arts.
dance icon

Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Bollywood
preschool through elementary ages

Group Piano & Group Guitar
ages 3-5 and 6-8

Broadway 
ages 5-13

Acting for Kids
ages 6-12

Tumbling & Cheer
ages 4-12

Ninja
ages 4-8

Acro
ages 3-11

Private Music Lessons
ages 5+

Our Space

Our 7,000 square foot facility is one of the largest in Atlanta, nestled into Brookhaven. Our main dance studio is over 1500 square feet with 15′ ceilings, a state of the art sound system, 32′ feet of mirrors and a sprung, Marley dance floor. New in August ‘24 comes The Gym, a massive, 2,400 square foot space for Tumbling, Ninja and more! We also have seven private music lesson studios and two waiting areas for parents, complete with televisions, WiFi and coloring books for younger siblings.
The Studios Brookhaven

Meet the Owners

Hi! We are Don & Kate Jones. Rooted in our unending love for the arts, our desire for The Studios Brookhaven is to make exemplary fine arts training available to all ages and skill levels, from nurturing curiosity and exploration for the littlest of littles to advanced dance, music, theatre, and tumbling techniques for students of all ages. We hope you’ll join us and be part of our journey! We pride ourselves in hiring top teachers who are not just wonderful with kids but also performing artists around the Atlanta metro area. You can trust that in any class or lesson, your child is receiving top instruction from instructors hand-picked by Don, a former professional Broadway and studio musician.

Don and Kate Jones

Our Team

At The Studios Brookhaven, we offer a nurturing environment with top-quality classes designed to help students achieve their full potential in the performing arts and athletics.
Don
Don Jones

Owner/Director

Mikayla McGee

Ballet Instructor

Lauren Garcia
Lauren Garcia

Tap Instructor

Megan Gallacher-Wells
Megan Gallacher-Wells

Acting Instructor

Christie Lamb
Christie Lamb

Director & Choreographer, Piano & Voice Instructor

Gamble (they/them)

Theatre Dept Music Director/Accompanist

Dykel (DJ) Johnson

Tumbling/Acro/Ninja/Cheer Instructor

Marylee Tyler Whitlock

Aerial Silks/Tumbling/Acro Instructor

Max Calderon

Ninja Instructor

Candace Shoger
Candace Shoger

Tumbling + Me Instructor

Coach KC

Private Tumbling

Abbey
Abbey Danna

Guitar & Voice Instructor

Brittany Smith
Brittany Smith

Piano Instructor

Noah Richman

Piano Instructor

Kim Hillis
Kim Hillis

Piano Instructor

Jane Kelly

Group Piano Instructor

Jenn Gibson
Jenn Gibson

Piano & Guitar Instructor

Jingyi Han

Piano Instructor

Hanson Greenwell

Piano Instructor

Cece Campbell

Piano Instructor

Polina Yakovleva

Piano Instructor

Jazzë Lewis
Jazzë Lewis

Broadway Kids After School Liaison

Gabrielle Palzewicz

Ballet/Hip Hop After School Liaison

Maggie
Maggie Gilroy

Social Media Manager

Connect with The Studios Brookhaven Today

Reach out to The Studios Brookhaven for any inquiries, bookings, or to learn more about our classes, camps, and birthday party packages. Our team is here to assist you.

Don
Don Jones

Owner/Director

Education

Long Island University, Bachelor of Science in Music (Piano Performance), cum laude, 2003

Georgia State University, Master of Business Administration, 2015

Don developed his passion for music at a young age. He was accepted into the world renowned, Interlochen Arts Academy at age 16. He then moved to New York City and soon became a rehearsal pianist on Broadway while he also performed in dozens of recitals throughout the Northeast. At age 23, he was the featured pianist for Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue at Tilles Center. He has performed as a keyboardist for multiple Broadway shows, including Wicked and The Little Mermaid, and has been a requested pianist in masterclasses with Academy Award-winning composers, Marvin Hamlisch and Stephen Schwartz, and accompanied opera legend, Renee Fleming in a NYC workshop. Don has music directed and conducted over 120 different musical productions and has taught hundreds of piano students of all levels.

In Atlanta, Don is the owner of The Studios Brookhaven, Founder and Co-Director of The Atlanta Institute for Musical Theatre, a sought after music director, accompanist and voice coach, and advanced piano instructor. Don has worked closely with The Alliance Theatre, City Springs Theatre Company, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Oglethorpe’s Theatre Department. He is a past adjunct instructor of Musical Theatre at Brenau University and Don is also the Director of Music for Sandy Springs United Methodist Church.

Don has been featured in The New York Times, The Daily News, and locally in Simply Buckhead Magazine as a Culture Tastemaker and in the Voyage ATL publication multiple times. 

Mikayla McGee

Ballet Class Instructor

With a passion for dance that spans over three decades, Mikayla brings a wealth of expertise and artistry to the world of childrens’ dance. Mikayla’s extensive background allows her to not only impart the technical intricacies of dance but also to instill a deep appreciation for the art form in young minds. She takes pride in sharing the joy of dance, fostering discipline, and nurturing the creative spirits of the next generation of dancers. We hope you’ll join Mikayla for an exciting experience that combines years of dedication with a commitment to excellence.

Lauren Garcia
Lauren Garcia

Tap Instructor

Education:

Reinhardt University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance, 2023

Lauren Garcia is a recent graduate from Reinhardt University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She began her dance training at age three at Upstage Dance Center and has since trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre. Alongside performing, she has a passion for teaching young artists. She has experience working with many different age groups, from age three to adult beginners. Her choreography has been featured in the Fall4Fall Dance Festival, and she has had the joy of choreographing several musicals. Lauren cannot wait to work with the students at The Studios Brookhaven!

Megan Gallacher-Wells
Megan Gallacher-Wells

Acting Class Instructor

Education:

University of Miami, Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast Journalism and Sociology, 2006

Megan’s acting career has spanned decades in the industry, beginning as a child actor herself at the age of six. Growing up, most of her work was right here in the Southeast and New York before moving out to Los Angeles after college. Her credits include 90210, Criminal Minds, Burn Notice, and multiple films and national commercials. In addition to acting behind the scenes, she has worked as a talent agent in Los Angeles and as a casting assistant in Miami. But her biggest role of all is that of a wife and mom to a 7-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son here in Brookhaven. She is thrilled to be bringing her love and appreciation for acting and the arts to the next generation.

Christie Lamb
Christie Lamb

Director & Choreographer, Piano & Voice Instructor

Education:

Columbus State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance with a certificate in Musical Theatre, Summa Cum Laude, 2022

Christie began pursuing musical theatre at a very young age because her mother was a music teacher. She instantly fell in love with theatre and knew she wanted to make a career out of it. She has an extensive background in voice, acting, and dance training. Before she was 18, she worked with Broadway Artists Alliance for numerous intensives in New York, worked with MTI in the first cast of Peter Pan Jr. and was an Honor member in the National Thespian Society. She placed 1st place several years in a row for the GA NATS Musical Theatre competition, and was a Finalist in the National NATS vocal competition. Throughout the years, her favorite roles include Catherine in Pippin (Columbus State University), Wednesday in The Addams Family (Newnan Theatre Company), LuLu in Cabaret (Columbus State University), and ensemble for Spamalot (Springer Opera House). Recently, she was also able to originate the role of Claire in SATB: A New Musical (Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival- Jennie T Anderson Theatre). Now, she is still pursuing theatre in Atlanta!

In addition to performing, her love for teaching began a few years ago as she helped choreograph the musical 42nd Street. Ever since, she has been teaching lessons and choreographing for children. She recently went on a children’s theatre tour with Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre and got to teach, choreograph, and perform with kids all over the Midwest! She is so grateful to be a part of this wonderful company because she gets the chance to share her joy with children and watch them fall in love with musical theatre!

Gamble (they/them)

Theatre Dept Music Director/Accompanist

Education:
University of Georgia, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, magna cum laude with honors, 2010

Boston University, Master of Music in Music Education, magna cum laude, 2014

Gamble (they/he) is a musician, sound designer, and teaching artist who works with students and professionals at schools and theatre companies throughout Atlanta. A few of their most treasured credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Actor’s Express), The Last Five Years (Jennie T. Anderson), The Little Prince (Synchronicity – Suzi nom), Peter and the Starcatcher (Stage Door), Legally Blonde (Woodstock Arts), Into the Woods (Tri-Cities HS), Les Mis (Firefly Theatrical).

Gamble was a high school choral director for 9 years, leading various large vocal ensembles, a cappella groups, and rock bands while teaching courses such as AP Music Theory, Audio Production, and World Percussion. They developed a collaborative teaching philosophy based on student-directed learning which uses music to empower students to stand up for their beliefs and incite social change. Since 2019, Gamble has been bringing their exuberance to freelance life, where they have been able to uphold the same ideals through a wider variety of endeavors with both professional and amateur musicians as well as under-served and under-represented students.

There are a ton of things about which Gamble is passionate (tight harmonies, dissonance, sitzprobes, Beethoven, sashimi, mint ice cream), but the greatest joy comes from musicking with those who haven’t had the easiest path to success. Ultimately, Gamble seeks to discover creative solutions which allow all people to find their voices and let those voices be heard!

Dykel (DJ) Johnson

Tumbling/Acro/Ninja/Cheer Instructor

With over 20 years of experience, DJ is beyond excited to share his talents and knowledge with students.  DJ is a former NFL entertainer and dancer and he has taught tumbling, dance and gymnastics for over 20 years.  He is excited and eager to work with the students at The Studios Brookhaven.

Marylee Tyler Whitlock

Tumbling/Acro Instructor

Marylee was born and bred in Georgia and has been moving her whole life. She started with gymnastics at 5 years old, continued with competitive cheerleading, rock climbing, tumbling, dance, and diving through high school. She first found circus in the form of flow arts through a hula hoop and dragon staff in 2018. Quickly falling in love, she began fire spinning a few months later. Marylee started studying aerial arts in 2020. She knew it was what she wanted to do with her life and began training to join a professional traveling circus company. While in Colorado, she took up juggling, globe walking, plate spinning, stilting and is always looking for a new prop to play with! Marylee also made her directorial debut in Colorado, assisting in the production of “A Circus Nutcracker,” following which she wrote, choreographed, and directed the spring show “Circus in Wonderland.” She is excited to share her love of performing and moving on her old stomping grounds. When not in the air or on a ball, she can be found enjoying time in the heat with a good book, cuddling her cat, or solving a neat puzzle. She can’t wait to meet you!
Max Calderon

Ninja Instructor

“Parkour rules :)” Coach Max (they/he) is a parkour athlete who has been training for 17 years in Atlanta and worldwide! (But mostly in Atlanta). Even when they were working 5 days a week in parkour, they still found ways to teach, train, and take on parkour competitions on their time off. He has also been on ESPN as a member of the Atlanta Talons, Atlanta’s World Chase Tag™ team.

Candace Shoger
Candace Shoger

Tumbling + Me Instructor

Education:

Kennesaw State University, Bachelor of Arts, expected 2026

Candace Shoger has been dancing for over fourteen years. Her training focus is ballet and jazz, but she has training in various other styles as well. She is currently a Junior at Kennesaw State University where she will major in Dance with a concentration in Ballet. She also did a two week multi-genre training program with Joffrey West LA. She has also taught dance such as movement classes, ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary to children through the ages of 3-8 year olds for six years.

KC

Tumbling Coach

Education:

Kennesaw State University, Bachelor of Science in Biology; Dance minor, 2019
Morehouse School of Medicine, Master of Science in Biotechnology, summa cum laude, 2022

Kyrieá “KC” Crudup is a versatile and talented instructor with an impressive background spanning over 15 years in teaching dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, and even group fitness such as Zumba. She started her performing arts journey as a singer and musical theater performer. From there her love for tumbling propelled her into gymnastics and competitive cheer. She later transitioned to dance-based performances and has since been trained in various styles such as Modern, Ballet, Hip-hop, Contemporary/Lyrical, and African, as well as apparatus-based dance such as Artistic Pole and Lyra. Kyrieá holds Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification to keep her prepared for any situation as she continues her career working with children and adults alike.

She is passionate about prompting multidimensional growth in her classroom, using movement to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development. She is a strong advocate for diversity in both arts and sciences and finds joy in motivating others to gain confidence in her classes!

Abbey
Abbey Danna

Guitar & Voice Instructor

Abbey is a singer, dancer, actor, musician and artist from Baltimore, MD. Over the past decade, Abbey has performed in various venues ranging from amphitheaters across the world.. She began her career as a dancer in NYC but over the last decade evolved into a multifaceted artist, business-owner and performer. Over the last five years, she has also been teaching and developing the musicians and performers of the future. Building the student’s confidence is her focus while she teaches guitar, piano, voice and dance. You can find her music on streaming platforms and follow her online – abbeydanna.com

Brittany Smith
Brittany Smith

Piano & Group Piano Instructor

Education:

University of North Georgia, Associate of Arts in Music, 2012

Augusta University, Bachelor of Arts in Music, 2015

Brittany has a passion for the performing arts that she has cultivated throughout her life. At age eight, she began training in musical theatre, dance and music at her childhood dance studio, and began her training as a teacher in her teen years. Brittany joins The Studios Brookhaven after two years at Guitar Center, where she taught young children and beginners private piano lessons regularly. She has also been honing her skill with her personal music projects. With ten years of experience teaching children piano & dance, she’s excited to continue sharing her love for music with her students.

Noah Richman

Piano Instructor

Noah has been playing the piano for years and is also an advanced piano student! He is a former YMCA camp counselor and he frequently volunteers with the Young Men’s Service League. Noah is excited to pass on his piano knowledge to the next generation of musicians.

 

Kim Hillis
Kim Hillis

Piano Instructor

Kim has a passion for teaching piano. Having played piano and taken lessons throughout her childhood, she discovered a love for teaching when she founded and grew her studio in Louisville, KY. Kim’s philosophy of teaching is rooted in igniting a passion for music and she uses many tools to help every student find a way to make playing piano meaningful to them. She is a believer in fun, engaging learning and uses games and interactive tools to help students understand how all the tricky bits of music are put together. Building confidence and a deep love of the instrument is the ultimate goal. Kim is originally from Canada, lived in Louisville, KY for 15 years, and recently moved to Atlanta with her husband and their three boys.
Jane Kelly

Group Piano & Piano Instructor

Education:

Dakota Wesleyan University, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, 2024

Jane Kelly started playing piano at six years old, and since then, her passion for the instrument has only continued to grow. In the past decade, Jane has developed her skill as a pianist while also picking up violin, guitar, and voice. In college, Jane completed a minor in music and spent much of her time in extracurriculur ensembles such as choir and jazz band.

While Jane has worked with children for several years, since moving to Atlanta in the summer of 2023, she has made work in the education field one of her primary focuses. She teaches theatre for the Alliance Theatre and Synchronicity Theatre and is extremely passionate about fostering a love and appreciation of the arts in little learners.

 

Jenn Gibson
Jenn Gibson

Piano, Guitar, & Ukulele Instructor

Education:

Kennesaw State University, Bachelor of Science, English Education, 2014

Berklee College of Music (Undergraduate studies)

Jenn Gibson has 20 years of experience teaching private music lessons at various organizations throughout Atlanta. She is a talented multi-instrumentalist, proficient in piano, guitar, ukulele, and songwriting. Jenn received formal music training at Berklee College of Music and performed in many notable cover bands. Locally, Jenn has performed at The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, The Garden Club and Tin Roof Cantina.

Jenn noticed from an early age that she possessed a talent for music as she was playing music by ear when she was just five years old. Through her time in music lessons when she was a child as well as her time at Berklee, she developed her musical talent and is proficient at transposing and transcribing music. She enjoys helping her students learn how to nurture their own talents, as well as emphasizing the importance of sight-reading music and building a strong rhythmic foundation.

Jingyi Han

Piano Instructor

Education:
Michigan State University-piano performance(Doctoral degree cadidate)

Michigan State University-piano pedagogy(Master 2022)

Cleveland Institute of Music-piano performance (Master 2018)

New England Conservatory of Music-piano performance (Bacholer 2016)

Jingyi served as a piano mentor since 2018. Her teaching style is engaging and cheerful. She believes that diversity is the greatest importance to value when teaching students from different cultural background. She loves to explore various approaches in order to help with different needs. She has been teaching children from 4-6 year old up till 70+ adult students.

Jingyi developed an accurate and fast sight-reading skill while working in Christian Churches and chorus in different states. She trained her communication skills towards different age groups in the Appel Farm Summer Camp. She keeps providing her performing talent through making the recording for composers and serving as the musician in special events.

Hanson Greenwell

Piano Instructor

University of West Georgia, Bachelor of Piano and Composition, 2018

With 6 years of experience teaching piano, Hanson brings a blend of formal education and practical expertise to his lessons. With his bachelors degree in piano and music composition, he is equipped to teach students of all ages, from 4 years old to adults, at beginner to intermediate levels.

His teaching philosophy revolves around patience and understanding. Hanson strives to connect with each student, recognizing their unique needs and strengths and helps them grow through kindness and motivation.

His goal is to instill a love for music while encouraging hard work and dedication. He teaches many genres of music, tailoring lessons to the interests and goals of each student. His professional experience includes accompanying choirs, performing at weddings,

performing with bands, and composing original pieces.

What he enjoys most about teaching piano is witnessing the joy and progress of his students. He aims to make lessons fun and stress-free, ensuring that his students improve each week. With a patient and supportive approach, Hanson helps students discover what they love about music to reach their fullest potential.

Cece Campbell

Piano Instructor

Olgethorpe University, Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theatre and Communications, 2024 Chloe Campbell is a recent graduate of Oglethorpe University, where she had the honor of being a full tuition scholarship recipient! In addition to working with The Studios Brookhaven, Cece teaches at Alliance Theatre and OutofHand Theatre. She is so excited to join The Studios Brookhaven as a beginner piano and voice instructor and can’t wait to meet her new students!
Polina Yakovleva

Piano Instructor

Polina began playing piano over 20 years ago, and has since bloomed into a multi-instrumentalist who also enjoys playing guitar, bass guitar, and accordion. She has performed as a part of several bands and musical projects, and composes music of her own. Over the last 10 years, she has worked as an educator in various settings– in elementary school classrooms, in afterschool programs, and as a learning specialist.

Polina’s teaching philosophy centers around encouraging her students’ curiosity through creative and playful engagement with the subject matter. When she isn’t teaching or playing music, Polina enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting and making art.

Jazzë Lewis
Jazzë Lewis

Broadway Kids After School Liaison

Education:
Tri-Cities High School VPA Magnet Program
Valdosta State University, BFA in Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Musical Theatre, 2015

Jazzë A. Lewis, an Atlanta, GA native, has been involved in the performing arts since she was two. While in high school, Jazzë was selected as 1 of 30 across the state of Georgia for the Governor’s Honors Program as a Theatre Major. Jazzë has worked with notable artists such as the Legendary Tony Award Nominee Freddie Hendricks, Suzi Bass Award Winning Director David Koté, the internationally recognized and Award Winning Choreographer Dawn Axam and the Iconic Emmy Award Winning Actress Jasmine Guy of A Different World to name a few. Jazzë has worked on the Six-Time Southeastern Emmy Award Winning broadcast of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (Shuler Awards) and is also a Shuler Nominee for her performance as a Storyteller in Once on This Island. While at Valdosta State University, Jazzë was nominated for An Irene Ryan Scholarship Award at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Theatre for her performance as Glinda in The Wiz.

Jazzë has choreographed at the Suzie Bass Award Winning Theatre Company Aurora Theatre for their production of Moana Jr, choreographed and directed at the New Marietta Theatre in the Square, and is a Teaching Artist for the Tony Award Winning Alliance Theatre, with her most recent work being their Musical Theatre Drama Camps. Jazzë is also a recent graduate of Dad’s Garage’s Improv Theatre Company. In her spare time, Jazzë enjoys sudoku, watching and studying music videos, painting, and writing. Jazzë’s personal motto is Grow+Inspire, with her focus being continuous growth in her personal and artistic journey, all while inspiring others to do the same.

Gabrielle Palzewicz

Ballet/Hip Hop After School Liaison

Education:
Kennesaw State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Dance, expected 2027

Gabrielle studying dance for 17 years and is trained in Ballet/ Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Acro. She has extensive experience teaching toddlers and children through gymnastics and has taught at numerous studios in the Atlanta area. Gabrielle is currently studying dance at Kennesaw State University and teaches Ballet and Hip Hop for the after school enrichment program at The Westminster Schools, through The Studios Brookhaven.