Dance Contempra's goal is to train students well in dance and to instill the love of dance in all. Our faculty of professional instructors dedicate themselves to helping our students reach their personal goals.
Paola Jenkins
Founder and Creative Director
Paola Jenkins is the Artistic Director and Founder of Dance Contempra's Centre for Dance Education. Paola has been teaching in Fayette County and metro Atlanta schools for over 20 years. She attended Georgia State University, where she graduated Cum Laude in December of 1998 with a B.S. in Dance Education. While a student of the Dance Program, she was approached by the faculty and asked to teach dance classes for the company from 1997 through graduation, and later stayed on as a dance instructor for the program through 2000. Throughout this time, she also enjoyed the span of almost a decade as a professional dance performer with two of Atlanta's modern dance companies, Gathering Wild MDC and Zoetic Dance Ensemble.
While a student and intern at Georgia State University, she noticed a changing trend in the dance community. The dance world was losing its audience. She also noticed that professional dance companies like Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Alvin Ailey were thriving. Her research convinced her that these companies were doing well because they had found a way to communicate and relate to their audience and mainstream society. Upon graduating from Georgia State University, the opportunity presented itself to open a school that dedicated itself to inspiring dance students with this philosophy, and thus Dance Contempra was established in the Fall of 2001. Dance Contempra has grown to become very successful in training and placing dancers in college dance programs through our unique philosophy. Perhaps the most important thing that DC tries to instill in students from the earliest of ages is that .....Dance is a fun and amazing way to increase happiness in your life and provides countless other physical benefits.
Kathleen "Katy" Morgan
Artistic Director of Ballet
Kathleen "Katy" Morgan began her dance training at Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre under the direction of Ruth Mitchell and Martha Goodman. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of studying and working with many distinguished choreographers and instructors, including Terell Paulk, Winthrop Corey, Trinette Singleton (Joffrey Ballet), Nicholas Pacana (Atlanta Ballet), and Patsey Bromley (New York City Ballet).
Katy has performed numerous leading roles in both classical ballets and original works, including Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Huapango, Firebird, La Bayadère, Sleeping Beauty, Graduation Ball, and Les Oiseaux.
Her exceptional talent earned her a full scholarship to study at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where she was invited to remain as a year-round student and join Joffrey II. During her time in New York, she gained valuable experience through performance, modeling, and acting opportunities. It was also at Joffrey that she began her teaching career as a student instructor and teaching assistant.
Katy went on to perform with both Atlanta Ballet and Griffin Ballet Theatre, where she served as Ballet Mistress for seven seasons. In addition to her performance and teaching career, she has choreographed numerous original works, including Howl and Falling, which have been featured at BalletFest and Jazz on Tap.
Today, Katy serves as Director of the Ballet Program at Dance Contempra, where she shares her passion, knowledge, and artistry with the next generation of dancers.
Whitney Jackson
Instructor
Whitney Jackson is a dance artist, performer, and educator from Atlanta, Georgia. She trained with the Spelman College Dance Program, Total Dance/Dancical Productions, and the Limón Summer Dance Intensive, and has worked with renowned artists including Dawn Axam, Andre Tyson, Juel D. Lane, James Franco, and Michelle Dorrance.
Whitney earned her BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts and performed with B. Dunn Movement Dance/Theater Company in Los Angeles, where she also served as Rehearsal Director. She has taught aspiring dancers in both California and Georgia.
Currently, Whitney performs with The Adinkra Project and Komasé Dance Theater in Atlanta. Passionate about creativity and self-expression, she inspires students to explore movement with confidence, artistry, and authenticity.
Amber Thompson
Instructor
Amber Thompson is a dancer, educator, and choreographer whose training began in Texas and Utah before continuing in Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Georgia in 2020.
While at UGA, Amber performed in the Young Choreographer’s Series (2016–2017) and choreographed for the showcase in 2018 and 2019. She also performed in the Spring Dance Concert in Rebecca Gose’s Desire Lines and Lisa Fusillo’s Dvořák’s Serenade. In 2017, she traveled to Russia to study with the Voronezh State Ballet Theatre.
Amber was a founding member of Dr. Lisa Fusillo’s Dance Repertory Project (2018–2019), performing in Ode to Balanchine, Uncharted, Points of Departure, and Loss by guest artist Karen Charles.
She began teaching in 2017 at Alice DePass Studio of Dance, instructing lyrical, jazz, ballet, and pointe students. As a Certified Cirque Instructor, Amber also brings specialized training in aerial arts and acrobatic movement to her classes. She is passionate about helping students build strength, confidence, and artistry while developing a lifelong love of dance.
Sarina Francis
Instructor
Sarina Francis discovered her love for movement at an early age, beginning dance classes at age three and tumbling at age five through the Paris School of Performing Arts. By the time she was ten years old, she knew her future would be in coaching tumbling and creating choreography, finding her true passion in the gym and studio environment.
Sarina's competitive career began in 1996 and spanned more than two decades, continuing through 2017. During that time, she achieved extraordinary success, earning over 1,000 first-place titles, 11 National Championship jackets, and three World Championship titles.
At age 18, Sarina began her coaching career with Crosslethics, where she helped build a Christian-based All-Star Cheerleading program. Her passion for developing athletes and creating successful programs led her to work with several respected organizations, including Gym Tech, World Xtreme, Paramount, and Bling Athletics. Throughout her career, she has played an instrumental role in launching and growing cheerleading and dance programs, helping countless athletes reach their full potential.
In addition to her extensive background in cheer, tumbling, and dance, Sarina is a Certified Cirque Instructor, bringing specialized training and expertise in aerial arts and acrobatic movement. Her diverse experience allows her to provide students with a well-rounded approach to strength, technique, artistry, and performance.
Today, Sarina continues to share her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm with the next generation of dancers, tumblers, cheerleaders, and aerial artists. Her dedication to excellence and love for teaching inspire students to build confidence, achieve their goals, and develop a lifelong passion for the performing arts and athletics.