Chloe Mincey grew up in McDonough and has danced at Upstage since the age of 8, studying under the expertise of Jeanne Palpant, Toni Doctor and Angie Sammons. She is proud to have performed with Tray Dahl & the Jugtime Ragband, Bluebird Uncaged, Atlanta Historic Dance, and TV show Hap and Leonard. Chloe enjoys traveling with her family and aims to take a dance class everywhere she goes. A highlight of her travel experiences was learning to count to 8 in Mandarin for a Hip Hop class in Southeast China. As she continues her education, Chloe finds more and more joy in the precision and challenge of dance as well as the confidence and creativity it brings. She is excited to announce her new role as Director of Upstage Dance Center!
Jeanne began her dance studies at the age of 9 in Atlanta, Georgia and continued extensive studies throughout the southeast in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary and musical theater. She has performed professionally with several companies and studios including: The Tap Company, History of Tap, Georgia Governor’s Inauguration Ball and represented the United States in the USA/USSR friendship tour in 1990 to perform in Leningrad, Minsk and Moscow, Russia. She has choreographed numerous musicals for community theater and church productions including: The Producers, Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Joseph, Seven Brides, and A Christmas Carol the musical among others. She loves to travel to NYC to study at studio directors workshops and attend Broadway Shows. Jeanne recently choreographed several numbers with Dancing with the Stars Henry County to fundraise for Prevent Child Abuse and showcase the leaders in Henry County. Jeanne was the director of Upstage Dance Center in Henry County Georgia for 40 years. She loves the opportunity to instruct and encourage the next generation of dancers and performers.
Rachel Welliver grew up in McDonough, Georgia, where she began her dance studies at a young age. Along with a strong technical background in ballet, tap, and jazz, Rachel also brings experience in tumbling from years of competitive cheerleading. She has taught with Upstage Dance for over 15 years. Rachel holds a B.S. degree in Organizational Communication with a minor in Management from Kennesaw State University, along with several titles in the pageant industry, including being named Miss Georgia Teen of 2004. Rachel’s patient and creative personality brings joy to her dance students.
Leroy Travis served in the military for seven years and worked in the medical field for over four decades before becoming a personal trainer. He is passionate about enhancing health through balance and strength. His time at Upstage began as a student in the favored Adult Tap class. Now, he is one of our Adult Program teachers, sharing his knowledge of dance, music and Tai Chi. His encouragement and fun personality makes hard work feel light.
Paulina Lightsey, a Henry County native, began dancing at age 7. She danced at Upstage Dance Center with her twin sister, training in the Elite Company Program under amazing professionals including Jeanne Palpant, Janusz Mazon, Reiko Kimora, Denise Reeves, Robbin Williams, and Angie Zalonik. She continued her education with a dance scholarship to Brenau University where she studied under Director Carol Smiarowski, Jolie Long, and Vincas Greene. Highlights of her career include John McFall’s Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker, Guys and Dolls with the Henry Players, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Gondoliers, Paralympic Opening Ceremony, and a leading role in choreography by Lola Toney. Here in the studio, she teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Cunningham Modern, and Contemporary, reflecting her passion for educating and encouraging the next generation. When she is not teaching at Upstage, she is auditioning, performing and taking class. You may also find her leading Children’s Music and Church Outreach with her husband Joseph and four children Lillian, Ethan, Laura, and Jordan!
Nicky Cruz is a distinguished performer, choreographer, and director with an illustrious career spanning across multiple prestigious platforms. A former Co-Director of the acclaimed Atlanta Chiefs Cheerleaders, she also holds the distinction of having been a dancer with the world-
renowned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. During her tenure, she performed in several Super Bowls and Playoff Championship games. Additionally, Nicky was a member of the esteemed Dallas Mavericks Dancers and served as the Captain of the Dallas Desperados Arena
Football Cheerleaders. A technically trained dancer with over 14 years of experience, Nicky hails from Manhattan, New York. Her early dance training began at Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Juilliard School,
eventually leading her to receive multiple prestigious scholarships from institutions such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Gus Giordano Dance, Tremaine Dance, LA Dance Force, and other highly revered companies. Nicky’s choreographic expertise extends to major professional sports leagues, having contributed to the NBA, NFL, AFL and in the genres of Film/Television and Commercials. Her theatrical journey includes significant roles in national Broadway productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Mrs. Potiphar/Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain, as well as Kiss Me, Kate and West Side Story, where she portrayed the iconic role of Anita. In addition to her dance and performance work, Nicky is also a producer, assistant director, and director for theatrical productions, where she continues to bring her creative vision to life.