Paula Fortner has been the owner and director of the American Academy of Dance since 1986. Prior to opening the school, Paula danced at Opryland USA for 7 seasons and performed in theatre productions in Chicago and Los Angeles. Television credits include, CMA Awards, Music City News Awards, and many specials filmed in Nashville. Paula has choreographed commercials, industrials, show choir groups, and numbers for television as well as National Competition Award winners. Paula teaches classes and maintains daily operation of the American Academy of Dance. She is a member of the Professional Dance Teachers Association.

      Cheri Leonard has her BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Dance from Western Kentucky University. She has been teaching dance on all levels since 1991, and currently serves as the director of our ballet program as well as being a vital part of our pre-school and childrens programs. She was the owner and director of Silhouette Dance Studio in Gallatin. Cheri has recently been selected as the director of the dance department at Station Camp High School. She is valued highly at American Academy for her beautiful ballet choreography and her excellent work with children.

      Amy Burdick has her degree in Dance and Interior Design from Western Kentucky University. She is certified in tap, ballet, jazz, and acrobatics from the Southern Association of Dance Masters. She has taught cheerleading and dance in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Most recently, she has danced with the Asheville Ballet in Asheville, North Carolina. Amy teaches many of our childrens' classes, as well as ballet,  jazz, tap and tumbling. We are thrilled to have such a talented and versatile teacher as Amy on our staff.

      Spencer Ralston, a middle Tennessee native, is a hip-hop choreographer who is known for his fun and energetic style. His classes are filled with everyone from beginners to professional dancers and choreographers. Spencer has danced in music videos for artists who have appeared on CMT, GAC, Disney, and GMC. He also tours with Showbiz and Prime Time Dance, teaching convention classes and judging competitions nation wide. He received his training at D.C. Dance Factory in Nashville, Tennessee and the world famous Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, California. We are so excited to welcome Spencer to the AAD faculty.

      Renee McKinney received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts from Western Kentucky University. She has directed and choreographed countless productions for Cumberland County Playhouse as well as having performed in 42nd Street, Grease, Music Man, Anything Goes, and Hello Dolly just to name a few. Renee has studied all forms of dance, but holds a special passion for tap and musical theatre. Renee’s energy and enthusiasm for dance shows in all her classes!

      Michelle Fortner is a third generation dancer/teacher/choreographer. She is one of the choreographers for the Taylor Swift Fearless Tour, and most recently made her national television choreography debut on the 2009 CMT Video Awards. She also performed with Taylor on the 42nd Annual Country Music Awards Show. Michelle is originally  from Nashville, Tennessee, but has also traveled the world dancing for Celebrity Cruise Lines. Her industrial credits include Harley Davidson, Disney, and Ingles Supermarkets just to name a few. She has appeared in Music Videos for country music legends Brooks and Dunn and American Idolʼs Bo Bice. Michelle has entertained audiences in Branson, Missouri as well as Hershey Park, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She enjoys teaching workshops and choreographing performance pieces for studios throughout the southeast. As a young dancer Michelle received many regional and national awards including WCA Dancer of the Year and Americaʼs Junior Miss Overall Talent Scholarship. Michelle is well versed in all forms of dance, but holds a special passion for tap and contemporary. As AAD's very first official student, Michelle is thrilled to be back in the studio sharing her passion for dance and performing with all of her students.

      Leslie Reeves has been dancing since the early age of 6. She has studied various forms of dance from ballet to ballroom and just about everything in between. Leslie holds a B.S.ED degree in Dance Education from the University of Georgia where she was selected as the outstanding dance major in 2005. While at UGA, Leslie danced with the UGA Ballet Ensemble, directed by Joan Buttram. She has danced roles in ballets such as Coppelia, Giselle, Paquita, and Le Grand Pas de Quatre. Leslie has also performed in and choreographed for the Young Choreographers' Series at the University of Georgia, and her senior choreographic work, Pathways, was chosen to be presented in the gala performance at the Southeastern regional American College Dance Festival (Spring 2005). Leslie has taught at American Academy of Dance as well as Oconee Youth School of Performance in GA and Bates Dance Studios in KS. Most recently Leslie served as the assistant to the director of the UGA Ballet Ensemble where she both directed and danced with the company. We are so happy to have Leslie back home at American Academy.

      Melissa Zecco was born and raised in Worcester, MA and received 15 years of dance training at the Charlotte Klein Dance Centers.  There, she was a member of the dance company and received many regional and national awards.  She has studied with such choeographers as Gus Giordano, Joe Lanteri, Rhee Gold and Savion Glover.  She has also professionally performed as lead dancer with acts such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Manheim Steamroller and The Jazz World Congress in Washington D.C.  She is excited to be a part of the American Academy of Dance family and looks forward to a great year!

      Meghan Mir danced at American Academy for 15 years as a student, and we are so pleased to have her back for a 3rd year teaching. After high school, she attended MTSU where she was the captain of the Lightning Dance Team. She was also the captain of the Belmont Bruins dance team as a junior. Meghan is currently a senior at Belmont University, majoring in Music Business.  Meghan's love for the studio and the students has brought her back year after year.

 Bradley Johnson has been performing since he was a young boy where he got his start in the kids club show at  Opryland. We've been fortunate to have Bradley work with our students and our AAD dance company. The students love Bradley's bright smile and his energetic choreography. Bradley is in big demand as a dancer. He has danced for Celebrity and Princess Cruise Lines, music videos, industrial shows, and the Donna Summer Tour. Spring 2008 Bradley was a finalist and audience favorite on the ABC show, "Dance War".

Alison Holland began dancing at American Academy when she was 3 and has taken classes in all forms of dance. She was a member of the competition team for 7 years and a student teacher for 6 years. Last year Alison was the hip-hop assistant teacher and is very excited to be part of the staff this year. This fall she will be attending Volunteer State and will continue to pursue a career in dance.

Marikay Burke Office Manager