The heart behind
our two studios

Missy Hutto is a second-generation dance instructor with more than 30 years of teaching experience! A UGA graduate originally from Athens, Missy began her journey at Athens Dance Academy before moving to Tifton in 2000, where she taught at Carolyn Ellis School of Dance for 26 years.

She has taught ballet/pointe, tap, and jazz, but ballet will always be her favorite!

Missy and her husband, Kevin, are proud UGA parents to Sarah, now a Brand Specialist in Athens, and Ansley, a freshman at Georgia College & State University and member of the Sassy Cats dance team. And when they aren't dancing, you can probably find the family at Disney!

Erin has been part of the South Georgia Dance Company family for over 10 years, specializing in ballet, lyrical, and choreography.

A Tifton native, Erin's love of dance began early and even took her to NYC to perform in the 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! She later earned degrees in Kinesiology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography and now works as an ultrasound technologist when she's not in the studio.

Erin loves sharing her passion for dance with SGDC's dancers and teaching alongside her best friend, Courtney Holley.

Kennedy Elliott has been part of the SGDC dance family for 10 years and began dancing at age four. She has trained in tap, ballet, jazz, pointe, and hip hop, with tap remaining her greatest passion.

Kennedy's choreography has earned numerous national honors, including three Best Overall Tap Choreography awards! Her senior tap group, Small Town Girl, received Diamond, 1st Overall, and an invitation to perform at the Nationals Gala.

Kennedy loves teaching dancers of all ages and watching them shine onstage. She lives in Hahira with her husband, Cole, and son, Wiley. Outside of dance, she teaches at Cook Primary School and owns a makeup business.

Emma Butler began her dance journey in McDonough, GA, training with Atlanta Festival Ballet and performing in classics like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Cinderella. She later expanded her training through competitive dance, exploring jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, musical theater, and more — but ballet has always remained her greatest passion.

Outside the studio, Emma serves as a 4-H Agent with UGA Extension in Cook County and is pursuing her Master's degree at the University of Georgia. She also loves all things creative, especially needlepointing, sewing, and crafting.

Emma is passionate about creating an encouraging environment where dancers of all ages can build confidence, grow their skills, and develop a lifelong love of dance.

Kathryn has been an educator for 22 years and is currently a Georgia Literacy Coach at Quitman Elementary. She's also a proud military wife, mom to Sophia, and owner of Threaded Purpose, a custom trucker hat business that gives 50% of its profits to Advancing the Vision.

Kathryn began dancing at age six and has trained in ballet, jazz, hula, Tahitian, belly dancing, and hip hop. She also competed nationally as a member of her high school dance team.

The 2026–2027 season marks Kathryn's 5th season as an instructor and choreographer at South Georgia Dance Company!

Hannah has been dancing since age two and has trained and competed in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, pointe, contemporary, and hip hop. She has enjoyed opportunities to train and compete at the state and national levels, traveling to places like New York, New Orleans, Orlando, and Asheville.

For the past 12 years, Hannah has called South Georgia Dance Company home, where she has trained with amazing teachers and now shares her love of dance through teaching.

Outside the studio, Hannah is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. She loves baking, trying new workout classes, spending time with her puppy, Lemon, and serving her community and church family.

Carly Cone danced at SGDC for nine years as a student and is now in her third year as a teacher! She trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop, with tap being her favorite. Carly also competed as a dancer, earning numerous awards with her competition group and solos.

She loves watching her students get excited as they grow in their skills — and she especially values sharing the faith she developed through dance with her dancers.

When she's not at the studio, Carly enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. She is currently a junior at ABAC, majoring in elementary education, with a passion for helping young children learn and grow.

Cassidy is 23 years old and has been dancing for 16 years, including 10 years of competitive dance. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical.

Cassidy is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in education through Liberty University's online program. She has a passion for working with children and loves sharing her love of dance with her students while encouraging them to grow, build confidence, and develop a deeper love for performing.

Addie has been dancing since the age of 3 and has more than 6 years of experience in competitive dance, cheer, and gymnastics. She has competed at Dance Nationals 7 times and earned 7th place nationally with her hip hop solo “Water.”

Hip hop has always been one of her favorite genres because she loves the energy she can bring to it. She is excited to share her passion with students and help them develop their skills and build their confidence.

Lexi has been dancing for over 13 years and teaching for more than 7. With experience in studio training, competitions, and performance, she has developed a true passion for both dance and education.

As Preschool Dance Director, Lexi has helped grow early childhood dance programs and created curriculum focused on technique, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of dance. She's also the author of children's dance books that combine imaginative storytelling and movement.

When Lexi is not at the studio you can find her visiting family, spending time with her fiancé and their puppy, or making trips to Walt Disney World! She loves encouraging young dancers to grow, feel confident, and discover their own love for dance.

Laney Betts is a freshman at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and an official alumni of South Georgia Dance Company, with a dancer career of 14 years. Throughout those years she developed a deep passion and love for the art of dance.

While her time on stage has come to an end, her time in the studio continues. As a staff member she hopes to help the dancers thrive and grow as the new season begins. This studio is her home and her family, and she can't wait for the new season to begin!

Alenea Holley is both a teacher and a dancer at South Georgia Dance Company. She has danced for 14 years, with 9 of those years spent competing.

Outside of dance, Alenea is a junior at Cook High School, where she is a member of both the Competition and Varsity Sideline cheer teams and enjoys being involved in many clubs and organizations. She was also an all-star cheerleader for 3 years at South Georgia Cheer. Teaching children how to do what she has spent most of her life loving is something Alenea is very passionate about.

Gracie Betts is a dedicated junior at Cook High School who has been a proud member of the South Georgia Dance Company family for the past nine years. During her time at SGDC she has trained in multiple styles and developed a true love for performing, teamwork, and the art of dance.

Outside of the studio, Gracie is her class' vice president and brings her school spirit to life as a member of the varsity cheerleading team for the Hornet football program. She is excited to share her passion for dance and help inspire the next generation of SGDC dancers.

Macey is a freshman at Cook High School and has been dancing at South Georgia Dance Company for the past seven years. Throughout her time at SGDC she has loved the opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer while building lasting friendships along the way.

Outside of dance, Macey is involved in cross country and track and is a member of FCA and Beta Club. She looks forward to teaching, encouraging, and sharing her love of dance with younger dancers.

Meet Raelynn, an amazing 11-year-old 6th grader at Hahira Elementary who loves dancing, playing flag football, and spending time with her friends.

A fun fact about Raelynn is that she was born in Germany! When she grows up, she dreams of becoming a lawyer and a dance teacher, combining her love of helping others with her passion for dance.