One of our favorite things about Summer Intensive is the chance to bring in guest teachers!
Still Pointe is excited to be hosting six fresh and unique perspectives for our students this summer: Peter Doll, Allison Gupton, Sean Stiegerwald, Martha SidAhmed, Jessie Carey, and Maggie Boggs.
Peter Doll: Pete began his dance training with his mother and aunt at the Ithaca Ballet. He went on to study at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet; he then won a full scholarship to the Miami City Ballet School and later danced with Miami City Ballet for three seasons. He has also performed as a member of Ballet Nouveau Colorado, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in Washington D.C., and Georgia Ballet under Alexandre Proia. Pete is currently a freelance artist, ballet teacher, and coach living in Atlanta, GA.
Allison Gupton: Allison Gupton graduated with honors from the University of Alabama where she earned a B. A. degree in Dance and Public Relations. During her time at Alabama, she performed in and choreographed for several dance concerts and musicals. Her professional and local choreography credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, and Spring Awakening at Fabrefaction Theatre Conservatory; and The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Godspell (Shuler Nominated), and Pippin at Cartersville High School.
In 2013, Allison had the honor of working with Dakota Fanning, Kevin Kline, Bryan Batt, and Susan Sarandon as choreographer for the movie The Last of Robin Hood. She has appeared on various TV shows, including The Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva. Ms. Gupton recently joined Dance Informa Magazine as the Administration Manager and is currently the resident choreographer for the CW Network show The Originals.
Sean Steigerwald: A Marietta native, Sean-Tristan Steigerwald began his training at the Academy Dance Company and Roswell Dance Theatre. He went on to receive additional training at the Nutmeg Conservatory, Houston Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. Sean earned a B.F.A. from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2010, where he trained with world-renowned artists Melissa Hayden and Gerald Freedman. While at UNCSA, he performed roles in Raymonda, Rodeo, and West Side Story.
Martha SidAhmed: Martha SidAhmed began ballet studies at age 6 in Boston. At age 13, she was exposed to flamenco which made a powerful impact on her and she began local studies with Juanita Cansino. Subsequent education in Spain came from legends Enrique el Cojo and Luisa Maravilla, followed by workshops with Manolo Marin, Juana Amaya, Eva Yerbabuena, Belen Maya, Andres Marin highlighted among many.
Performances have included touring with Boston Flamenco Ballet and many local appearances for schools and civic organizations.
Sidahmed has taught flamenco for Atlanta Ballet School and conducted workshops for the Ballet and Georgia Dance Educators, children and adults.
She was Artistic Advisor and choreographer for the Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company and has returned to Birmingham as Artistic Director of MosaicoFlamenco, leading workshops and choreographing performances.
Jessie Carey: Jessie began her classical ballet training at the age of five under Eleanor Rogers in Roswell, GA. Over the next several years, Jessie continued to expand her dance background and by seventeen she was leading master classes and workshops throughout metro Atlanta in contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. In 2005, Jessie was selected to be a member of the Generation: Dance! Performing Arts Company, founded and directed by Beth Leopard and Capezio Diamond Award winner Sharon Druzbanski. From 2007-2010, Jessie co-owned and operated Authentic Dance Studio in Marietta, GA, and has since been teaching for The Performer’s Warehouse and Creative Movement and Dance.
“Beyond the focus of great technique,” she says, “I love creating a space for dancers to develop their own personal style, their signature way of moving. Every single dancer is different and it’s the most amazing thing to see them get inspired by each other! That’s the kind of energy that makes people want to move.”
Maggie Boggs: Maggie has long been a loved figure at Still Pointe. She began her training under Eleanor Rogers when she was 12 years old. She went on to perform the title roles of Snow White and the Snow Queen in Still Pointe’s annual winter concerts. After graduation, she travelled with Bluebird Uncaged to Panama. She is currently continuing her dance studies at Kennesaw State University.