MAXINE PATTERSON

 SCHOOL OF​ DANCE

             

    "dance  like  nobody's  watching"

​Maxine Patterson

Studio Owner/Director/Instructor  

After dancing her first eight counts at the age of 6, Maxine Patterson knew what she wanted to do in life was dance. At the age of 8, she became a demonstrator for her teacher, Rosalie Cotler. As a teenager, Maxine began teaching classes and performed and studied dance as a charter member of the Savannah Ballet Guild. Both as a young dancer and as an adult, Maxine has attended many dance workshops, affording her the opportunity to further her dance education with excellent classes in all disciplines.

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Maxine began teaching at the May Street YMCA in 1969 and presented her first student recital at Savannah State University in 1970. Recitals have been held annually every year since. Maxine Patterson School of Dance accepts all students in classes at schools throughout the city, and especially at her studio. Maxine has been based at her studio at Lincoln and 39th Street since 1985.

In addition to dance classes, students of the Maxine Patterson School of Dance have had the opportunity to perform with Ballet South, The Columbia City Ballet , Off Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz, perform within the community at events such as Christmas on River Street and Black Heritage Festival, attend master classes of Savion Glover, Anthony LoCascio, The Russian Ballet Company, and travel to New York to attend classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. 

Her award winning dance company, Rhythm IN Motion performs and competes all year at competitions such as ASH, Radix, Velocity, and OnstageNY.

All Maxine Patterson ever wanted to do was teach children the art of dance. Over the last 50 years, she has both accomplished that goal and succeeded in helping her students reach their highest potential as dancers and human beings.

A native from Savannah, Maxine Patterson has been married to "Mr. Don" Patterson for 50+ years. They are the parents of 2 children, Brian and Laura, both married, and two grandchildren, Micah and Tamar.

Olivia Bell

Ballet - Pointe 

Olivia graduated from The University of Georgia with a major in Theatre and minor in dance. While at The University of Georgia, she was a member of the UGA Red Hotz, the competitive dance team on campus. She joins us now as a Performing Arts graduate student at SCAD. Olivia grew up training at The Dance Academy in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. 

She has been seen professionally in Mamma Mia! and Crazy For You as an ensemble member and featured dancer. Olivia's goal is to share her passion & dedication to the next generation of dancers! 

Stephanie Cummings

Ballet - Tap - Jazz - Lyrical - Conditioning/Technique - Competition Team

Stephanie Cummings is an alumni of Maxine Patterson School of Dance where she trained in ballet, tap, and jazz. She started at the age of 4 and has been dancing ever since. Stephanie had the opportunity to attend Master Classes and workshops, dance camps, and conventions taught by a variety of teachers including Debbie Dee, Tommy Alexander, and Jo Rowan.

Stephanie was a member of Position One Dance Company at The University of West Georgia where she served as co-captain and choreographer. She graduated with a BBA in Marketing. Stephanie later trained in tap at Dance Stop in Atlanta under Lynette Strickland.

She has choreographed award winning routines for the competition team for many years and has been teaching at Maxine Patterson School of Dance for 14+ years.

Robbin DeLoach-Dozier

Creative Movement - Preschool Tap & Jazz                           

Robbin DeLoach-Dozier started dancing with Maxine Patterson at the age of three. She became a student helper as she entered middle school and has now been teaching with her for over 20 years. Robbin specializes in jazz but loves teaching tap and ballet as well.

She also enjoys teaching pre-school to kindergarten children .

Robbin has appointed herself as the "chauffeur" when the studio travels to dance conventions.

She has recently graduated with an Associates degree in Medical Office Administration and is also a Certifies Medical Assistant. Robbin is a hard worker and proud member of MPSOD.

Shaundria DeLoach

Tap - Jazz - Lyrical - Conditioning/Technique - Competition Team

Asia Grant

Ballet - Tap - Jazz - Hip Hop - Competition Team

Asia began her dance career at a young age at MPSOD where she was also a student teacher and had the opportunity to participate in many convention/competitions and workshops. Asia was a member of Ballet South for 6 years and was also a part of Columbia City Ballet. She graduated from Savannah Arts Academy where she studied dance and was part of the Royal Dance Ensemble and Hyperforms. She was also chosen to attend Governors Honors Program in Valdosta, GA. She attended and graduated from Paine College where she was the co-captain of Mahogany Essence Dance Team. After graduation she went on to teach dance at Cutno Dance Center where she taught ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. She has taught at various dance institutions in the Savannah area. 

Asia has one son and is currently pursuing her Masters degree at Georgia Southern University. She loves to teach and loves sharing her passion with her students. Asia’s fondest memory as a student at MPSOD is traveling to New York for a week with Mrs. Patterson and her family and taking class at Broadway Dance Theater, Steps and Dance Theater of Harlem.  

 Hannah Mastrud

Contemporary - Acro

Born and raised in South Carolina, Hannah began her dancing career at age three and has trained extensively in jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, and musical theater since. Growing up as a competition dancer, she was awarded several titles including Tn Miss Star Systems, Co-Dance Dancer of the Year, and Hollywood Vibe’s assistant teacher. After high school, she attended college in Florida where she began her professional career as a Miami Heat dancer. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles where she continued her dance training while adding acting and journalism to her resume. In California, Hannah scored roles in various hit TV shows including Shameless, Sweat INC., and American Crime Story. She also landed a recurring position on Good Day LA and became a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance.

Hannah is no stranger to the world of dance. Throughout her career, she has auditioned and performed on various stages across the country such as Radio City Music Hall, Walt Disney World and several college football bowl games. She has also performed behind big names such as Kesha and Lauren Hartley. In addition, Hannah has sat behind various judges’ panels and visited many studios as an award winning choreographer. 

 Pam Tucker

Ballet - Ballet Privates

Pamela Tucker began her early dance training in Macon under Gladys Lasky (Royal Ballet & Royal Danish Ballet). She continued her dance studies at the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee where she performed with the UTK Dance Ensemble under Richard Crosky. As a teacher for the deaf for over 25 years she has continued dancing while working in the field of education. While working in Chattanooga, TN she studied and performed with Chattanooga Ballet under Alexander Bennett (Royal Ballet) and Barry and Anna VanCura (Ruth Page's Chicago Ballet & American Ballet Theatre)

Upon moving to Savannah she performed with Ballet South under the direction of Karina Brock and John Carlyle (American Ballet Theater) while working in Chatham County Schools.. Ms. Tucker holds a BA degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology and an MS degree in Deaf Education. In addition to her work in field education, she has had a carer with Delta Airlines and Flight Safety Schools.

Nakia Young

Guest Instructor - Competition Team Adviser /Consultant

Elements of Dance 1 -on- 1 Ballet Summer Program

Nakia Young is a native of Savannah, GA. She began her early dance training under the direction of Madame Coy. By the age of 10, Ms. Young started dancing at Maxine Patterson School of Dance where she studied and trained in jazz, pointe, ballet, and tap. Two years later, Ms. Young was accepted as a member of Ballet South. For six years, she enhanced her dance training at Ballet South under the tutelage of Gayla Davis-Lehotay, Gaye Baxley, Karina Brock-Carlye and John Carlye.

Ms. Young's performance repertoire includes Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Swan Lake, Coppelia, and Snow White. She has appeared as a guest dancer with Sankofa Dance Theatre's "Collages" and Savannah Danse Theatre's "Nutcracker". As a performer Ms. Young competed in dance competitions in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

In 1998, Ms Young discovered that she has a special talent for teaching and has choreographed  at Maxine Patterson School of Dance, Armstrong Atlantic University, and St Benedict the Moor.

With more than 30 years of dance education and experience, Ms Young serves as consultant for Rhythm In Motion Dance Company.