Joanne Davidson opened Elite Dance Academy, Inc. in August 2002 where she teaches Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Leaps/Turns, Tumbling, and more.  Joanne has 29 years of training, to include studio training, numerous conventions (Tremaine, Co. Dance, Dance Olympus, I Love Dance, Hollywood Vibe, Jump, Nuvo, NYCDA, and more), Huntingdon College, Broadway Dance Center, Radio City Rockettes - Radio City Music Hall, and DanceSport in NY.

Joanne found her passion in dance as a child, winning numerous regional and national awards and college scholarships in dance. As a teenager, she was awarded as an American All Star,Universal Dance Star, International All Star, and NCA Collegiate Dance All Star.  She was also chosen to perform for Superbowl XXVI, in Nassau, Bahamas, and the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Joanne performed as a member of ‘Georgia’s Dancin’ Machine’, the Springer Ballet Company (now known as Columbus Ballet) under prima ballerina, Sonia Manzi, as a member of the Huntingdon Dancers, the Golden Girls for the Columbus Indians baseball team, and more. Joanne has been a winner of many pageants including Jr. Teen Miss Lee County, Teen Miss Lee County, and Miss Phenix City, where she won the talent awards in dance. At Miss Alabama, she was awarded several scholarships including the Directors Award.

Since studying dance and theater at Huntingdon College, on dance scholarship, she became a dance instructor of Universal Dance Association, BJ’s Dance Factory, Columbus Ballet, Columbus State University’s continuing ed dept., and of course, Elite Dance Academy, Inc. as President and Director.  

She was chosen as a finalist for the Radio City Rockettes in NYC in 2002 but, declined due to the opening of her studio. Joanne was hired as the choreographer for the All American Football League cheerleaders. She has coached the Dazzlin’ Dolls to hundreds of trophies, awards, and scholarships over the last 7 years.  Her choreography has been sought after by dance teams, show choirs, pageant contestants, and stage productions across the SouthEast.  She managed and coached the Columbus Lady Lions, professional dance team for the 2008-2009 season. She also established an arts after school program for Brookstone School, in which she has taught dance and musical theater for the last couple years.  Joanne stays busy with seizing every opportunity to share dance with the community. She has been an instructor for Columbus State University for the past 7 summers where she teaches various dance disciplines, musical theater, and camps.  She enjoys attending the Dance Teachers Summit in New York City to learn the latest teaching techniques each summer.

Joanne is a single mother of her pride and joy, Keely.  Her greatest accomplishments are the dancers she’s helped to produce over the past 15 years. She feels blessed to have such a wonderful child and to be able to touch so many lives in a positive way, doing something she loves.  Joanne is proud of the success of Elite Dance Academy, Inc. in its first seven years and looks forward to many more successes!

Member of National Dance Association, AAHPERD, BBB.

Dance competitions attended/awarded:  Tremaine, Co. Dance, I Love Dance, NUVO, Jump, NYCDA, Hollywood Vibe, Kids Artistic Revue, Celebrity Dance Competitions, Elite Dance Cup, Platinum, NDA, IDA, UDA, American All Star, to name a few.

Choreography has included: Professional dancers & cheerleaders such as AAFL & Columbus Lions, show choirs, dance companies, pageant contestants, and cheer squads throughout the Southeast.
 

Kelly Koch has supported our customers and staff as office manager at Elite Dance Academy for several years. She also works at Columbus State University as an administrative assistant in the Center for Academic Advising and the Writing Center.

Kelly has been married to her husband, Christopher. Together they have one daughter, Sydney, who has been dancing at Elite for many years and on the Dazzlin' Dolls where she continues to receive top awards as a tap soloist.

Kelly received her B.A. in English Literature & Professional Writing from Columbus State University in December of 2007.  She is always happy to help customers with registration, billing, and sales.  She also has the rare perspective of parent and studio staff as well as invaluable experience in the competition world.

Darby Kelso arrived at Elite Dance Academy, Inc. in its opening year, after training previously with Joanne Davidson. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Pointe, Clogging, Modern, and Tap. She is a former Dazzlin’ Doll of  with numerous team awards including Platinums, Elite Top 1st, High Golds, 1st Places, and Overall Special Awards. She has competed and taken workshops at such dance competition circuits as Tremaine, Kids Artistic Revue, Celebrity, NYCDA, Nuvo, Jump, Co. Dance, Hollywood Vibe, & more!!!

Darby is a graduate of Smiths Station High School. She recently transferred from University of Montevallo and is pursuing studies in the medical field.  Darby is also a newlywed!

As a former student and now a teacher at Elite Dance Academy, Inc., Mrs. Darby Blakey brings a wealth of experience to our studio.

Ashley Sakmar    Ashley Sakmar recently moved here from the Atlanta area.  She is a graduate of University of Georgia, where she was Captain of the UGA Majorettes.  Ashley is trained in Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical dance as well as baton.  She is also a trained and skilled tumbler.  Ashley has much pageant experience and was most recently Miss Rome 2009.  This year, she assisted in training contestants for the Miss Georgia pageant. Ashley joins Elite Dance Academy as an instructor and assistant.  Due to her expertise in baton, we are happy to announce the addition of baton classes to our Fall schedule!!  Welcome, Ashley!

Aleta Brant serves as a Ballroom instructor for Elite.  She teaches group classes and private lessons to singles and couples wishing to put on their dancing shoes in an effort to "dance like the stars." 

Aleta has trained extensively in Ballet and various ballroom styles.  She formerly owned and operated a dance studio in Florida. Her daughter, Anslie, has trained at Elite for many seasons. 

Aleta brings to our studio the elegant styles of Ballroom and the sassy styles of Latin dancing.  Sign up for her classes now!