Faculty and Staff
Christine
Mashburn-Paul
Owner/Director
Originally from Atlanta, Christine grew up studying the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus under the training of Kelly Oakes-Dent at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. By the time Christine graduated high school, she had completed RAD examination grades II through VIII Award and the major syllabus examinations Pre Elementary through Intermediate II (recently renamed Intermediate Foundations through Advanced I). Christine went on to receive her minor in dance at the University of Georgia, performing in the UGA Ballet Ensemble as well as the modern dance company, CORE. From 2002-2006 Christine taught, choreographed and directed for Freedom of Movement Dance Academy in Athens, Georgia and completed a 230 hour yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center. Christine has a professional career dancing, teaching, and choreographing with the Chattanooga Ballet, and also directed the Orange Grove Dancers. Christine is the past-president of the Tennessee Association of Dance. With experience in many forms and dance, Christine directs the Chattanooga Dance Theatre to have classes and productions in many forms of dance and movement for all ages.
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Emily
Schebler
Performance Manager, Choo Choo Dance Academy Coordinator, Instructor
Emily Schebler began dancing at the age of two. At twelve, she began her formal training at Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts (CCA) as a dance major, from where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. While at CCA, she was a member of their dance company, Project Motion. In addition to CCA, Emily trained in ballet, modern, and jazz with Chattanooga Dance Theatre. While with CDT, she originated several roles in current company repertory, and some favorites include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the Dew Drop Fairy in ‘Nooga Nutcracker, and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. During her time at both the Center for Creative Arts and Chattanooga Dance Theatre, she had the opportunity to choreograph several new pieces presented on the concert stage, including “The Front” and “The Future is Female” with CCA and “For Em” and “For Christine” at CDT. Emily holds a BBA in Dance and Movement Studies and Strategy and Management Consulting from Emory University, some completed coursework including Dance Pedagogy, History of Western Concert Dance, Dance Literacy, Contact Improvisation, and technique classes in ballet, modern, and jazz. Emily was also a member of Emory Dance Company, the performance company of the Emory dance program. As a member, she performed in many postmodern works, most notably of which being her soloist work in “Helen’s Misfortune” as a part of Kristin O’Neal’s 2019 Sweet Suite. In 2022, Emily had the opportunity to choreograph her own postmodern work “it costs a lot of money to look this cheap” on the Emory Dance Company. While at Emory, she was also the vice president of Emory’s tap club, treasurer of Emory’s ballet club, and a member of the AHANA dance group. Emily is thrilled to call Chattanooga Dance Theatre her home once again and finds so much joy in helping her students find who they are as an artist and person.
Taylor
Millard-Smith
Remote Marketing Manager
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Emily
Brandon
Dance Instructor
Originally from Atlanta, Christine grew up studying the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus under the training of Kelly Oakes-Dent at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. By the time Christine graduated high school, she had completed RAD examination grades II through VIII Award and the major syllabus examinations Pre Elementary through Intermediate II (recently renamed Intermediate Foundations through Advanced I). Christine went on to receive her minor in dance at the University of Georgia, performing in the UGA Ballet Ensemble as well as the modern dance company, CORE. From 2002-2006 Christine taught, choreographed and directed for Freedom of Movement Dance Academy in Athens, Georgia and completed a 230 hour yoga teacher training at Asheville Yoga Center. Christine has a professional career dancing, teaching, and choreographing with the Chattanooga Ballet, and also directed the Orange Grove Dancers. Christine is the past-president of the Tennessee Association of Dance. With experience in many forms and dance, Christine directs the Chattanooga Dance Theatre to have classes and productions in many forms of dance and movement for all ages.
Elise, a Chattanooga native, started dancing at Karen Horton School of Dance at the age of four but retired at 5 because dance classes coincided with her afternoon naptime, making her rather grumpy. However, at the age of 11, she was inspired to return to dance after watching older girls perform at an after-school dance program where her younger sister was enrolled. She joined that after-school program at Brainerd Baptist School and was introduced to Chattanooga Ballet by a friend from the class. Elise began dancing at Chattanooga Ballet in 1999 when there was no formal building, and classes were held at the UTC field house, Baylor school, and CCA dance studios. Her dance roles started out in the Chattanooga Ballet Nutcracker with beginner parts like Angel Attendant and progressed to Spice Drop, Spanish, Corps roles in Flower and Snow, and one of her favorite parts as flower demi. Elise also enjoyed dancing in Les Sylphides, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, as well as the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Hansel and Gretel performance. In 2022, Elise joined the CDT family and mainly works with our younger dancers instilling a love for ballet! During her training, she became a teaching assistant and was promoted to teacher when her instructor had to have knee surgery. Her first class teaching alone was on parent observation day. She had several beloved teachers, including Mr. Frank Hay, Karen Smith, and Christine Mashburn-Paul. Elise has always had a love for young dancers and enjoys seeing them hit milestones in their development. She believes that anyone can take a dance class, but not everyone leaves with a heart for dance. Her hope is that more students gain a love and appreciation for dance and become lifelong dancers wherever life takes them. To Dance, To Dream by Maxine Drury was a beloved book that belonged to Elise's mother. This book is filled with stories of dancers from years past who were an inspiration to her as a young dancer. No one is ever too old to dance or dream!
Ryan
Roberts
Dance Instructor
Meg
Hayton
Dance Instructor
Ashley
Hood
Event & Camps Manager, Hip-Hop Coordinator, Instructor
Ashley Hood is a dynamic and accomplished dancer and choreographer, holding a BFA in Dance and a minor in General Business from Troy University. With extensive training across ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and modern, Ashley has honed her craft under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as James Boyd, Adrienne Hicks, Dominique Angel, Jerome Stigler, Kelsey Metz, Michael McBride, and Lisa Bauford. Her dance journey, which began at the Academy of Ballet and Jazz in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has taken her to international stages. Ashley’s choreography was showcased at the prestigious DAP Festival in Pietrasanta, Italy, in 2023. She also had the honor of attending the Limon Dance Intensive in New York City, where she trained with Dante Puleio and Kathryn Alter. In 2024, Ashley received the Excellence in Dance and Artistry Award at Troy University's Honors Convocation. With a teaching repertoire that spans ages 4 to 23, Ashley brings a vibrant and inspiring approach to dance education. Ashley is now thrilled to join the Chattanooga Dance Theatre, where she looks forward to sharing her passion and expertise with a new creative community.
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Julia
Walker
Enrollment & Reception Manager,
Instructor
Julia Walker grew up in Roswell, Georgia and danced at Footnotes Dance and Acrobatics. There she trained in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Hip Hop, competed with their company, The Vibe, and had the pleasure of working with choreographers Bubba Carr and Cherrise Wakeham. After high school, she went on to major in Dance at Kennesaw State University and worked with the KSU Dance Company as both a backstage crew member, and a dancer. During her time at Kennesaw State she had the privilege of studying under Daniel Gwirtzman, Lisa Locke, Mara Mandradjieff-Bennett, Christen Weimer, Jen MacQueen, performed works by Ido Tadmor and Ivan Pulinkala, and was able to study abroad with the Batsheva Dance Company for a short time. At KSU she was recognized for her dedication to the art form when she received the Joann Durham Endowed Scholarship for Modern Dance. Since graduating with her Bachelor of the Arts in Dance in 2016, she has done some freelance work, and has found joy in teaching and giving dancers a safe space to explore their artistic abilities and express themselves through dance.
Jenny
Hannah
Dance Instructor
Ashley
Tisdale
Dance Instructor
Jenny Hannah is from Chattanooga. She began in baton twirling and gymnastics at the age of six. Jenny trained in ballet with Anna and Barry VanCura at Ballet Tennessee. Jenny is currently a baton twirling athlete on the elite level. A member of Team USA, Jenny is a nine time World Baton Twirling Championships medalist and a seventeen time Grand National Champion. Jenny is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a BS in Biology and a M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education. She is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Jenny Is an adjunct instructor in the Health and Human Performance department at UTC. She was named the 2021 Adjunct Instructor of the Year for the College of Health, Education and Applied Professional Studies at UTC. She is also the coach of the UTC Twirlers who perform with the Marching Mocs. Jenny teaches baton twirlers of all ages and levels throughout the country.
Ruby
Flood
Performance & Marketing Associate, Instructor
A Chattanooga native, Ashley Tisdale has had a love of dance since seeing her first ballet, Dracula, at age three. She started her training at Ballet Tennessee under the tutelage of Berry and Anna Van Cura until 2007. Through numerous summer intensives, she was able to gain additional training from various artists including Mel Tomlinson, Tome Cousin, Wes Chapman, and Jennifer Archibald. She began dancing with the Chattanooga Ballet in 2008 and performed in works by Frank Hay, Karen Smith, Katie Kash, and Joellen Wojtowicz. A Chattanooga Ballet corps de ballet member from 2010-2017, she also had the opportunity to perform solo roles as Clara in The Nutcracker, Red Riding Hood in The Sleeping Beauty, and Puck in the ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also performed notable roles in L’Histoire du Soldat, La Boutique Fantasque, Cinderella, and A Christmas Carol. As a choreographer, Ashley has had the opportunity to create pieces for various plays with the Shakespeare Festival, Sirens for The Pop-Up Project as well as independent pieces--most notably Times, Violent Delights. While studying at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Ashley had the opportunity to perform ensemble roles as a member of the UTCTheatre Co. in Oklahoma and Chicago and performed as a soloist in Cats as Jennyanydots. From 2014-2020, Ashley served as an instructor with the Chattanooga Ballet. Currently a Teaching Artist and company member of The Pop-Up Project, Ashley also serves on staff with Chattanooga Dance Theatre.
Emily
Williams
Dance Instructor
Ryan was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Ryan found his love of Hip Hop dance at the tender age of 9 years old and has been dancing ever since. To better his Hip Hop skills, he took several dance classes anywhere he could and love to watch live performances from his favorite artists From 2013-2015 Ryan trained at WEAVE: A Conceptual Dance Company to help shape his Hip Hop style and learn other dance styles. Ryan has taught Hip-Hop at various dance studios and schools around Chattanooga such as Ballet Tennessee, Modern Play, Divine Dance Studio, Raw Art Dance and Entertainment Corp, Velocity Dance Center, Baylor School, Girls Preparatory School and Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts. Ryan has also taught Hip-Hop for the Tennessee Association of Dance. He is currently teaching Hip-Hop at CDT and multiple other studios in the Chattanooga and Dalton area. Ryan preforms at different events and collaborates with local artists on special projects around the Chattanooga area.
Meg developed her love for dance in middle school, when she joined Chattanooga Dance Theatre as a student. She trained at CDT for 5 years, primarily studying Ballet, Modern, and Jazz under Christine Mashburn-Paul. While a student at CDT, Meg performed in the En L’aire company as a Corps de Ballet member, and performed in the ‘Nooga Nutcracker, School Showcases, and Giselle. After graduating high school, Meg attended Anderson University (AU), where she earned a BA in Communication: Public Relations, along with minors in Dance and Business. While dancing in the South Carolina School of the Arts (SCSA) at AU, Meg trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Improvisation under Lauren Imhoff and Terrie West Poore. Meg represented SCSA as an Audition Coordinator, planning audition events and coaching prospective students through the college dance audition process. During her time in college, Meg worked as an Assistant Ballet Instructor at Anderson School of Dance, where she found a passion for dance education and inspiring the next generation of students. Now, Meg is serving as the Engagement Coordinator at Momentum Network and is excited to be back at her dance home – Chattanooga Dance Theatre. She loves helping her students find joy through dance!
Jessica Ruby Flood has lived all over the place, from Washington State to Norwich, England and now has resided in Chattanooga, Tennessee for 4 years- which has given her ample opportunities to learn about music, dance, and performance. She studied Irish dance when she was 6 to 8 years old in Utah, but as she got older musical theater was her full time extracurricular. She would perform in church shows, high school stage plays, and learned under CYT Spokane to hone her “triple threat” skills from the ages of 13-19. Her favorite performance was Pirates of Penzance. Beyond that, she started ballet at 21; showing that anyone can start ballet as an adult and has been doing it since!
Emily began dancing at the age of five at Virginia Beach Ballet Academy, where she trained under Ana Maria Martinez. Her passion for dance continued throughout her childhood and led her to Salem High School’s Visual and Performing Arts School, where she studied in the Dance Strand for four years. Throughout her training, she had the opportunity to attend many summer intensives and learn from accomplished teachers and artists. Her summer training included Boston Ballet, where she trained under Tamara King; Carolina Ballet, where she studied with Jan Burkhard and Margaret Severin-Hansen; Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, where she studied under Marjorie Grundvig and Terrence Orr; and the School of American Ballet, where she had the opportunity to train with Suki Schorer, Darci Kistler, and Kay Mazzo. In 2019, Emily began sharing her passion for dance through teaching in Virginia. She loves helping students develop not only their technique and artistry, but also their confidence, discipline, and love for movement. In 2026, she moved to Chattanooga and is thrilled to begin her first year at Chattanooga Dance Theatre. She is excited to become part of the dance community, inspire young dancers, and help each student discover the joy and confidence that dance can bring.
Sophia
Ledford
Dance Instructor
Elizabeth
Roemer
Dance Instructor
Sophia began her dance training in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she built a strong foundation in ballet before expanding her training in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. She recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a minor in Dance. While at MTSU, Sophia competed and performed with the MTSU Dance Team, serving as a four-year team member and fourth-year captain. During her leadership, the team earned its first-ever national championship at the 2025 DTU College Classic. With a background that blends classical technique and high-energy performance, Sophia brings a well-rounded and encouraging approach to teaching. She is passionate about creating a positive, inspiring environment where dancers build confidence, strengthen their technique, and grow as artists.
Elizabeth Roemer discovered her love for dance as a child while taking classes at Kathy's School of Dance and Chattanooga Ballet. After graduating from Baylor School in 2005, Elizabeth attended the University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She worked with guest choreographers Bill Hastings and Lou Conte as well as many dance department faculty members during her time at Georgia. Upon her return to Chattanooga, Elizabeth taught dance at many area schools and studios. She has served Baylor School's dance program, Verve, in various roles over the years including guest choreographer, teacher, summer camp director, and company director. Elizabeth had the opportunity to serve the dancers of the Tennessee area when she held the role of Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Dance from 2012 to 2014. Elizabeth is excited to be a part of the CDT family and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students.
Belle Burton
Allie Clark
Dance Instructor
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon.
Allie Clark is a senior at UTC majoring in Early Childhood and Special Education, currently is in residency. She is student teaching at Clifton Hills Elementary. Allie is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where she twirled and danced competitively for 13 years. During competing she won several state and national level titles for individual and team performances. At my studio in Pennsylvania I also taught and coached many of her classes and teams varying ages from 3-14 in pom, dance, tumbling, and baton. After graduating high school she came to UTC to continuing her twirling career where she have been given the opportunity to serve as captain previously and she am currently the feature twirler for a second year. The opportunity to be feature twirler has allowed her to highlight her choreography and broaden her skills as a twirler and dancer. She loves teaching dance because of the joy it brings to the students and the friendships and community it builds.
Caroline Oakman
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon.
Zalena
Edwards
Associate Receptionist
Zalena is from West Tennessee and moved to the Chattanooga area 3 years ago. She is currently a student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Zalena is majoring in computer science with a minor in marketing. She genuinely cares about people and the environment she is a part of. Zalena always tries to bring a positive attitude and gives her best effort in everything she does. She really values authenticity! Which is why she loves dance. Although she does not teach at CDT, she does have a dance and cheer background. Zalena danced from ages 7 to 14 and cheered from 6 years old to 16. She then went on to coach cheer and dance from ages 16 to 18. Eventually she stopped dancing to focus more on cheerleading, but her love for dance never changed. That’s one of the reasons she chose CDT. She loves having the opportunity to stay involved, encourage young athletes, and continue being part of a dance community that feels like the one she once knew that meant so much to her. Dance has always been a big part of her life, and being able to work in that kind of environment makes every day even more meaningful to her!
Tiffiany Stone
Seamstress & Staff
A self-taught seamstress with 13 years of sewing experience, she brings creativity, dedication, and a little bit of love to every stitch. As a mom, teacher, and homeschool mom, her journey into ballet costuming began with her daughter's love of dance. She takes pride in making sure every costume looks its best so the spotlight can remain where it belongs—on the dancers and the countless hours of hard work they pour into each performance. When she's not sewing for the stage, she enjoys creating handmade felt Christmas stockings. For her, sewing is more than a hobby; it's a way to help make beautiful memories, one stitch at a time.