Community develops through trials, tribulations, and shared experiences; and, through exhausting rehearsals, challenging new lessons, and joyful performances. For all the families who support their kids’ travel teams, music lessons, Saturday morning soccer games and demanding dance schedules, we salute you! These commitments lead to a child’s personal growth and self-confidence that form a foundation to last a lifetime.
Ashlyn Davidson is 18 and found her community at Roswell Dance Starz, the residing dance company of Roswell Performing Arts, within Roswell Recreation & Parks. “Dance Starz is so special because the instructors foster a community between the students and the families that is incredibly supportive and keeps dancing fun. I have made some of my very best friends through Dance Starz, while being involved in something that I absolutely love to do,” she says. Ashlyn is the daughter of David and Krista Davidson. Her sister Tinsley is 13 and agrees, “I’ve made many long-lasting friendships, while I have grown each year as a dancer. Our directors and instructors at RDS are so talented and supportive of each one of us!”
Ashlyn and Tinsley started dancing at the age of 3, joined pre-company when they were 5, and have both grown up in the program. RDS offers ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop. They also have an optional competition team which both Ashlyn and Tinsley have thoroughly enjoyed and have benefited from in many ways. “RDS does various performances throughout the year that showcase the fabulous talent in our company, and are absolutely amazing to watch,” says proud mom, Krista. “We look forward to them each year. We’ve been very thankful for this dance program and all it has to offer!”
Designed to give talented dancers training in dance technique and provide an outlet for performance, this pre-professional program focuses equally on technique, proficiency, and dance education along with performance quality. Dancers range from second graders to seniors.
“Lessons learned in the studio help our dancers grow and mature outside of the studio. Dancers learn the importance of teamwork, accountability, self-responsibility, persistence, and creativity,” says Katie Owerbach Mulnix, dance company artistic director. “It’s great to see a dancer’s passion for their art, and their journey to work and achieve their artistic and technical goals. We see dancers grow through our program to become responsible, creative, and hard-working young adults.”
Meet the staff:
- Katie Owerbach Mulnix - Dance company artistic director, competition team director, ballet/pointe/jazz/contemporary instructor
- Liz Leatherwood - Tap/ballet instructor
- Katrina Loncaric- Jazz instructor
- Kelly Hunter - Jazz/ballet instructor
- Hope Burt - Hip hop/jazz/contemporary instructor
- Chelsie Smith - Acro/jazz instructor
- Courtney McClendon - Contemporary instructor
- Nessa Whittington - Competition team choreographer
- Nicole Brook - Performing arts coordinator
- Nancy Brown - Performing arts supervisor over kinder/pre-company/music/Roswell Youth Theatre
“I’ve made many long-lasting friendships, while I have grown each year as a dancer..."