Studio 1 Hall of Fame

Below is just a few of our Studio 1 Alumni who have gone to dance professionally after high school.

Natalie Hicks

Natalie danced at Studio 1 for 13 years. She graduated from Fannin County High School in 2017. She was able to continue dancing in college at the University of Georgia by becoming a UGA Georgette, the dance team of the Redcoat Band. Being a Georgette has allowed her to perform at the collegiate level at all UGA football home games, the Rose Bowl, two Sugar Bowls, three SEC Championships, and the National Championship. Another highlight of her college dance experience was dancing in the legendary Rose Bowl Parade. She has been given the opportunity to teach at various dance clinics, UGA Bands Junior Auxiliary Program, and perform at charitable events. Natalie adds, “The education I received at Studio 1 has opened many doors for me. Georgettes has been the highlight of my time at the University of Georgia thus far, and it was Kim Haight’s encouragement that helped me pursue it. Her support continues still today. I feel blessed for all of the opportunities dance has given me!”

Kennedi Haight (Head)

Kennedi was a student at Studio 1 for 15 years, and graduated high school in 2018. After high school, Kennedi attended Valdosta State University for her freshman year of college. While at Valdosta State, she was a member of the 7x National Champion Red Hots Dance Team. The team was ranked NDA DII Jazz National Champions in April 2019. Kennedi now lives in Tallahassee, Florida where she trains competitive and recreational dancers under the direction of Wendy Crawford at Dance Fusion Studios of Tallahassee. Kennedi still guest teaches and choreographs at Studio 1.

Sarah Parris

Graduation Year: 2010

College: University of Alabama

Monica Gardner

Monica was a student at Studio 1 for 15 years and graduated high school in 2008. She then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in CriminalJustice from ITT Tech in 2013. Monica still visits Studio 1 to guest teach and choreograph. After Studio 1, Monica moved to the Atlanta area and continued teaching and training in tap while in college. She has taken classes from many of the current masters of tap dance, sometimes traveling out of state to do so, and dedicated herself to extensively studying the history and culture of the tap dance art form. After she graduated college, she further pursued a career in tap dance by teaching and performing. Monica was the featured tap dancer for“ViZion Dance Company” (also performed other styles of dance with them as well).Then went on to become a member of the tap company, “Atlanta Tap Project”. Some of her professional performances include the televised “Gospel Superfest”in 2013, “Dance Canvas” in 2016, and many other special performances with “Atlanta Tap Project.”She has taught on staff or as a guest for dance studios all over Georgia.In 2019, Monica took her education to the next level by completing a tap teacher training program from professional tap dancer Hillary-Marie and her team, where she became certified to teach tap technique, history, improv, and music theory. Monica currently teaches all the tap classes for company tap programs at 3 dance studios in metro Atlanta: Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock, Impact Dance of Atlanta, and Studio 55 Dance. Monica says,“All of this because of my time at Studio 1 with Kim Haight. She trained me, believed in me, took care of me, worked her hardest to make sure I had every experience and opportunity available, and was always there for me in every aspect of my life.”