Amy Cadenhead

Amy Sparks-Cadenhead, Owner and Artistic Director of Axis Dance
Center began her dance training 26 years ago.  She has since studied
under such well-recognized choreographers and teachers as Joe Tremaine, Steven Boyd, Frank Hatchett, Doug Caldwell, Llana Burrows, and Janet Roddy.  Amy has continued her dance education as a young instructor by attending classes at prominent dance conventions and by traveling to Manhattan to study at Broadway Dance Center, STEPS, and Alvin Ailey. 

As a performer and choreographer, Amy has participated with many
sucessful competitive dance teams.  Her most recent choreography was
seen on Downtown Dance's Company members for the past three years and last year on the East Paulding Middle School Cheerleaders.  For three
years, she was asked to dance in the pre-show for the Miss Georgia
pagaent and has participated in many theater productions
including 'Will Roger's Follies' for the State Theater of Georgia. 

In addition to Axis, Amy also graduated with a degree in Criminal
Justice in 2000. For the past five years Amy has lived in Dallas, Georgia
with her husband, Clay Cadenhead, and their five children; Brian,
Tommy, Justin, Jesse, & Blaire.  She absolutely has fallen in love with
this community and is an extremely active participant among it!  She
stays busy with the Dallas Angels Special needs Baseball Team, as well
as having been the coordinator for the Paulding.Com Christmas Parade
float.  She is also in the process of raising money for AutismSpeaks. 
Opening Axis Dance Center has always been one of Amy's dreams and she
is thrilled to have this opportunity to teach dance to you and your
children! So, let's DANCE!

Ellen Henderson

Ellen  has been a substitute teacher for years.  She has also been treasurer to ball team booster clubs and has managed offices for several years.   Ellen moved to Georgia from Colorado over ten years ago and has lived in the area since.  She is married and has three children.  She is not just our officer manger, but will be working during studio hours to answer any questions that may arise.  We are so fortunant to have her keep us straight!!!!  Also just a note to add that Ellen's son, Connor, is the designer of our studio logo.

Joanna Paraschos

Joanna has been in the field of dance for over 50 years.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and study in  both classical and contemporary ballets.  She has performed with The National Ballet, The Royal Ballet,  The New York City Ballet, The Los Angeles Ballet, The American Ballet Theater, and Harkness Ballet. She has choreographed many pieces worldwide including:  Firebird, Don Quixote, Romeo & Juliet, Giselle, Outcast, Gaite Parisienne, and many more.  Joanna has also performed in many shows, such as: Hello Dolly, Oliver, The Fantastiks, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, The Doll House, Showboat, Once Upon A Mattress, and others.  She has also been heavily involved with bringing dance education into the public school system, as well as having helped to train the Seattle Supersonics, Los Angeles Lakers, L.A. Rams, and Raiders, and members of the 1976-1984 U.S. Olympic Teams.  Joanna will be a wonderful addition to our studio.

Jenny Sparks

Actress/ Singer/ Dancer/Choreographer

Jenny is a 24-year old firecracker!  She hails from Columbus, Georgia and earned a B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in Performance and Choreography with a minor in English from the University of Alabama.  She has been studying dance performance, pedagogy, choreography, and singing for 22 years.  Jenny has had the pleasure of working under the direction of internationally and nationally recognized choreographers such as 2002
Carnegie Professor of the Year, Cornelius Carter, Edith Barnes, Rita Snyder, and Lori Bellilove.  She loves that as a child she was 'competition kid' and attended many classes in Manhattan every summer at Broadway Dance Center and at conventions such as NYCDA, Tremaine, Co. Dance, and West Coast Dance Explosion.  While attending UA she was a member of Dance Alabama, Alabama Reperatory Dance Theater, and received a scholarship to work with Eileen Grace during the NYC Rockette Summer Intensive.  Also during college, Jenny had a wonderful opportunity to perform the Spanish Variation in The Nutcracker with the Great Moscow Ballet.  She has been a member of and run numerous sucessful competitive dance teams.  During that time she took home many titles including 2006 Alabama Teacher State Dance Champion, Miss UDA Georgia 2001, Miss Winners Regionals and Nationals and she was also named Whos Who in Performing Arts for 2002.  In 2001, Jenny was named a Universal Dance Association All-Star and asked to perform in New York and Paris! Jenny's choreography was featured in an article in the 2005 October issue of Dancer Magazine.  She has worked in several theatre productions as well and prides herself on being a triple threat!  We are thrilled to have her on staff! =)

Melanie Moran

Melanie Moran has been dancing since the age of 2.  Melanie is a true "Triple Threat".  She sings, acts, tumbles, and dances.  Melanie has toured with the international performance group "Up With People" as a singer and dancer.  Melanie also danced on the award winning Columbus State University Dance Team, as well as having been a cheerleader through highschool.   Mel also danced in the opening of the Miss Georgia Pagaent, and has held many pagaent titles herself.  Melanie has competed both regionally and nationally and has won numerous awards.  Melanie has also danced on professional dance teams for several sports teams.  We are so excited to have Mel joining our staff. 

Shane Hall

Shane is straight from Broadway!!  He has been dancing for 27 years and has held numerous titles both regionally and natonally.  Shane was cast as Mr. Mistofellees in the CATS National Broadway Tour, he has also been in Beauty and The Beast, and most recently White Christmas.   Shane also has been running the Prodigy Dance Company for several years and is returning to Columbus, GA, to open his own studio this September.  We are so pleased to have Shane join our staff!!!