Abby Gilder McAllister
BFA, Dance Education
Owner and Performing Company Director
Abby is the owner and performing company director of Fancy Dancer. Abby grew up in Dublin as a student and company member at Fancy Dancer. She graduated from Dublin High School and went on to Brenau University where she graduated cum laude with a BFA in Dance Education. While in college, Abby performed as a soloist and demi soloist with The Gainesville Ballet. She later went on to pursue a performing career with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Abby moved to Chicago in 2006 and performed in the off-Broadway Show, “Awesome 80s Prom.” She is beyond excited to be back in Dublin since 2007 giving back to the community that has always been supportive of her dream.
BFA, Dance Education
Owner and Performing Company Director
Abby is the owner and performing company director of Fancy Dancer. Abby grew up in Dublin as a student and company member at Fancy Dancer. She graduated from Dublin High School and went on to Brenau University where she graduated cum laude with a BFA in Dance Education. While in college, Abby performed as a soloist and demi soloist with The Gainesville Ballet. She later went on to pursue a performing career with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Abby moved to Chicago in 2006 and performed in the off-Broadway Show, “Awesome 80s Prom.” She is beyond excited to be back in Dublin since 2007 giving back to the community that has always been supportive of her dream.
Autumn Reed
BFA Arts Management
Ballet Instructor
Autumn received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Management with a concentration in Dance from Brenau University. While completing her BFA degree, Autumn Pennington, performed as a professional soloist with the Gainesville Ballet Company, Brenau Dance Ensemble, guest artist for S.D. Prism Dance Theatre, and choreographed for the Southeast Regional Ballet Association. Prior to her formal education, Autumn has been dancing since the age of three and received her classical ballet,pointe work, modern, and jazz training from Miami City Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education. Since college Autumn has traveled and performed for various artists in Chicago, Upstate New York, and Atlanta as well as formerly been the director of dance at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Currently, Autumn lives in the Atlanta area where her career continues as a choreographer and instructor.
BFA Arts Management
Ballet Instructor
Autumn received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Management with a concentration in Dance from Brenau University. While completing her BFA degree, Autumn Pennington, performed as a professional soloist with the Gainesville Ballet Company, Brenau Dance Ensemble, guest artist for S.D. Prism Dance Theatre, and choreographed for the Southeast Regional Ballet Association. Prior to her formal education, Autumn has been dancing since the age of three and received her classical ballet,pointe work, modern, and jazz training from Miami City Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education. Since college Autumn has traveled and performed for various artists in Chicago, Upstate New York, and Atlanta as well as formerly been the director of dance at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Currently, Autumn lives in the Atlanta area where her career continues as a choreographer and instructor.
Allie Brown
Hip Hop/Contemporary Teacher Hip Hop Co Director
Allie graduated from Dublin High School in 2013 She is currently attending Georgia Southern University and pursuing a degree in accounting. Allie was a company member for the national LA Dance Magic Company. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a performing company member for Fancy Dancer for 11 years. Allie has been the director of the Hip Hop Company at Fancy Dancer for the past 3 years. As the director, Allie has been awarded the Apogee Award, the award given to the highest scoring dance at a competition and has also won the Best Choreography award at numerous competitions.
Hip Hop/Contemporary Teacher Hip Hop Co Director
Allie graduated from Dublin High School in 2013 She is currently attending Georgia Southern University and pursuing a degree in accounting. Allie was a company member for the national LA Dance Magic Company. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a performing company member for Fancy Dancer for 11 years. Allie has been the director of the Hip Hop Company at Fancy Dancer for the past 3 years. As the director, Allie has been awarded the Apogee Award, the award given to the highest scoring dance at a competition and has also won the Best Choreography award at numerous competitions.
Kennedy Jones
Tap Instructor/ Company Tap Instructor
Kennedy grew up in Warner Robins, GA and has been dancing since the age of two. She was a company member at the International City School of Ballet, dancing at times 40 hours a week. She also performed with “Ready for Action” company. Kennedy is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and clogging. She has been in the competitive world of dance her entire life. Kennedy has won multiple awards and scholarships through dance. Through all of her training and performing, Kennedy has found her passion for teaching dance. She is looking forward to becoming part of the F.D. Family!
Tap Instructor/ Company Tap Instructor
Kennedy grew up in Warner Robins, GA and has been dancing since the age of two. She was a company member at the International City School of Ballet, dancing at times 40 hours a week. She also performed with “Ready for Action” company. Kennedy is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and clogging. She has been in the competitive world of dance her entire life. Kennedy has won multiple awards and scholarships through dance. Through all of her training and performing, Kennedy has found her passion for teaching dance. She is looking forward to becoming part of the F.D. Family!
Bethanie Loyd
Tumbling Instructor
Bethanie graduated from East Laurens in 2009. She is now teaching kindergarten at East Laurens Primary. She is a certified gymnastic instructor through Coach Wayne (Savannah, GA) and teaches at Jazzy Gems as well as Fancy Dancer. She enjoys working with children and watching them learn and grow as individuals. She is looking forward to working on the basic fundamentals in order for them to learn the most advance skills. She enjoys working with small groups and is looking forward to working with your child this year at Fancy Dancer!
Tumbling Instructor
Bethanie graduated from East Laurens in 2009. She is now teaching kindergarten at East Laurens Primary. She is a certified gymnastic instructor through Coach Wayne (Savannah, GA) and teaches at Jazzy Gems as well as Fancy Dancer. She enjoys working with children and watching them learn and grow as individuals. She is looking forward to working on the basic fundamentals in order for them to learn the most advance skills. She enjoys working with small groups and is looking forward to working with your child this year at Fancy Dancer!
Shannon Barr
Tumbling Instructor
Shannon grew up in Dublin and was a student and company member at Fancy Dancer for 10 years. She was a member of the first Pre-Apprentice company group and had Abby as her instructor. An Honor Graduate of the 2011 class at Trinity Christian School, she attended Georgia Southern University her freshman year before transferring to Liberty University in Virginia. She was a three-year NCAA Division I cheerleader at Liberty where she was a member of the 6th place UCA National team. Shannon was also chosen to be a representative to the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she led efforts by student-athletes in community outreach projects. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and returned to Dublin in 2015. She is currently the Head Coach for middle school cheerleading and Assistant Coach for Varsity cheer leading at Trinity. She recently began her third year as a member of the FD staff having taught Strength and Conditioning classes and currently teaching Tumbling classes. She loves supporting her students as they develop new skills!
Tumbling Instructor
Shannon grew up in Dublin and was a student and company member at Fancy Dancer for 10 years. She was a member of the first Pre-Apprentice company group and had Abby as her instructor. An Honor Graduate of the 2011 class at Trinity Christian School, she attended Georgia Southern University her freshman year before transferring to Liberty University in Virginia. She was a three-year NCAA Division I cheerleader at Liberty where she was a member of the 6th place UCA National team. Shannon was also chosen to be a representative to the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she led efforts by student-athletes in community outreach projects. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and returned to Dublin in 2015. She is currently the Head Coach for middle school cheerleading and Assistant Coach for Varsity cheer leading at Trinity. She recently began her third year as a member of the FD staff having taught Strength and Conditioning classes and currently teaching Tumbling classes. She loves supporting her students as they develop new skills!
Abigail McNatt
Dance Instructor
Abbigail McNatt is from Irmo, SC. She started taking dance lessons at Southern Strutt when she was 3 years old. Abbigail made Southern Strutt’s Competition Team at the age of 6. She has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and many other styles of dance. She had the privilege of studying under Tawney Giles, Caroline Lewis, Susan Dabney, Chrissy Whitehead, Regina Willouhgby and many others. Abbigail has competed as a soloist and ensemble member in many competitions. She had the honor of being awarded Miss StarPower and finishing 3rd nationally. Abbigail was honored to also be a company member of a studio that finished 2nd in the nation overall. Over the past two years, Abbigail has been doing what she is most passionate about, teaching dance to young students. Abbigail is excited to now live in the Dublin area near family and cant wait to see what God has in store for her with the Fancy Dancer Family!
Dance Instructor
Abbigail McNatt is from Irmo, SC. She started taking dance lessons at Southern Strutt when she was 3 years old. Abbigail made Southern Strutt’s Competition Team at the age of 6. She has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and many other styles of dance. She had the privilege of studying under Tawney Giles, Caroline Lewis, Susan Dabney, Chrissy Whitehead, Regina Willouhgby and many others. Abbigail has competed as a soloist and ensemble member in many competitions. She had the honor of being awarded Miss StarPower and finishing 3rd nationally. Abbigail was honored to also be a company member of a studio that finished 2nd in the nation overall. Over the past two years, Abbigail has been doing what she is most passionate about, teaching dance to young students. Abbigail is excited to now live in the Dublin area near family and cant wait to see what God has in store for her with the Fancy Dancer Family!