The Team
Mary Love Hendrickson, SDPAC Program Manager
Mary Love Hendrickson has been involved in dance business administration for the past 19 years. She is a graduate of AUM with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Throughout the years she has worked in the banking industry, Department of Human Resources for Talladega County, and with various volunteer organizations in our community including PTO, church groups, Sylacauga Garden Club, and Alabama Cattle Women. One of her greatest joys at the studio is seeing young children come through the studio and blossom and grow into their God given potential in the arts and in life. She is a member of Church of the Highlands and enjoys serving on the dream team with the prayer team and as a small group leader. She has been married to Rob Hendrickson for 47 years and is wonderfully blessed by her family including six grandchildren.
Christy Deason, Office Manager
Christy has been serving as the SDPAC office manager since September 2024 and is the Tech Manager/Director for lights and sounds for the plays for SDPAC. She has been a teacher/substitute for little ones at Mom’s Morning Out for the past four years. She has enjoyed taken part in informing children/teens about God’s Word as a counselor at Poplar Point Camp. Christy has been married to Nathan for over 24 years. They are blessed with three children: Natalee, Micah, and Arabella. Christy started homeschooling her children over 11 years ago, with Natalee being a 2023 graduate and Micah and Arabella being a 2026 graduate. Prior to transitioning out of the workforce to homeschooling, she worked for 13 years as a CPhT, medical equipment billing/coding, and federal/insurance audit administrator for an independent pharmacy. Christy cherishes spending time with her loved ones and quiet time studying God’s Word.
Jeanna Sumners, Artistic Coordinator
Jeanna Sumners has been Artistic Coordinator for Southern Dance & Performing Arts since 2017 and has taught at SDPAC for 22 years. She began her teaching career in 1972 and is in her 54th year in the dance industry.
In the 50 plus years, she has always felt it was her greater call to teach, to motivate, and cultivate the children of our community whether they chose dance as a career or not. She considers the art of dance, the training and the discipline of it, as a mentor to help students be better at whatever they do with their lives.
In the past, Jeanna owned and operated two dance studios, one in Sylacauga and other in Talladega. She has held her certification as a Dance Master with Dance Masters of America and with Southern Association of Dance Masters.
A fun dream of hers has been to choreograph a Christian video and she got the opportunity to do that in 2014 where she choreographed and appeared in Hezekiah Walker’s video “Every Praise” which to date has had 158 million views…other fun things she enjoys is cooking Cuban food.
Jeanna has been married to her husband, Dane, for 51 years. They are parents to three grown children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Classes: Tap 1&2, Musical Theatre Tap, Spirit & Company, Jazz III & IV/V, Ballet IV/V, Company Prep, Hip Hop 3, Pre-Pointe, EC2
Amy McDonald, Administrative Assistant/Marketing
Amy has been a homeschool mom for the past 17 years. The past 25 years of work, Amy has been helping non-profits implement their programs and making their visions become realities through public affairs, donor development, planned-giving, board development, and strategic planning. She has written and reviewed grants, developed and taught grant-writing, marketing, board development, and strategic planning courses for non-profits. Amy previously served as a member of the board of the Sylacauga Community Playhouse (SCP). She has been involved with the following SCP productions: The Miracle Worker (House Manager), Disney’s Aladdin JR. (Marketing Director), Little Shop of Horrors (Marketing Director), and The Secret Garden (Marketing Director). Most recently, she served as the marketing/sponsorship director for SDPAC productions Disney’s Frozen JR., Little Women, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Big Fish, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Wizard of Oz, Disney’s Aristocats KIDS, and Our Town. She loves being a part of the SDPAC family, helping with fundraising by writing grants, securing sponsorships, marketing, and assisting in the office. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing the piano.
Jennifer Morrow, Dance Instructor
Jennifer Morrow has been teaching and mentoring through the ministry of dance for over 35 years and teaching at SDPAC since 2012. Jennifer has a dance certification in ballet and jazz through Southern Dance Association of Dance Masters. Jennifer has always seen teaching and mentoring through dance as part of her calling since God literally turned her mourning into dancing following the tragic murder of her beloved brother in 1994 (Psalm 30:11-12). Her love of teaching beyond dance includes writing, speaking, and inspiring others to overcome with joy. She has written two books, both inspired out of her love for children and youth (see joyfuljennybooks.com). Jennifer and her husband, David, have been married 43 years, and love spending much joyful time with their grandson. Since 2004, Jennifer has served on the Dream Team at Church of the Highlands through prayer, coaching and leading small groups. Jennifer is also a graduate of the Highlands College Leadership Institute. Joyful Jenny loves helping youth experience the joy of dance with a higher purpose. Her prayer is for artists no matter their age or stage to answer the call to use all their gifts for God’s glory (Romans 11:36).
Classes: Jazz I & II, Lyrical Praise & Worship
Lauren McDonald, Dance Instructor
Lauren is a graduate of Hope Christian School and has been studying dance for 14 years, focusing on ballet. Lauren was the instructor and choreographer for Vincent Revival Centers 2020 Christmas production. Her SDPAC credits include Christmas Angels (benevolent angel, main angel, and star of Bethlehem), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (fire dancer, Romani girl), Cinderella (towns person, horse, ballroom dancer), Wind in the Willows (lady rabbit, rabbit footman, otter, wassailing mouse, and fox), and Anastasia(Tsarina Alexandra, Countess Gregory, reporter, and Featured dancer). She has also performed at the 2022 and 2023 Miss Sylacauga competitions as a Spirit and Company dancer. She is currently attending Alabama Ballet’s adult classes and was happy to join Magic City Performing Arts Company as a Corps de Ballet member in 2025. She performed in their 2025 The Nutcracker, and most recently their production of The Little Mermaid. Lauren has been awarded the 2024 North Alabama Dance Festival scholarship as well as the Southern Association of Dance Masters (SADM) 2025 Ballet Forum scholarship. Lauren is a SADM certified ballet instructor and has been teaching for the past 9 years. In addition to dancing, Lauren enjoys drawing, painting, and reading.
Classes: Ballet I & II, Pre-pointe/Pointe
Shaylyn Vick, Dance Instructor
Shaylyn is a company dancer, in her second season with the Montgomery Ballet. She teaches Ballet III & Contemporary 2 here at SDPAC. Shaylyn has been dancing for 17 years and trained with Briarwood Ballet in Birmingham. She also has a passion for live theatre. She appeared in SDPAC’s productions of Disney’s Frozen, Jr (Elsa), Little Women (Beth March), Disney’s Beauty & The Beast (understudy for Belle, Silly Girl 2, Napkin), Big Fish (Jenny Hill), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Christmas Angels (Gabriella the Cherubim and a Benevolent Angel), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy Gale/Girl’s Chorus), Disney’s Aristocats Kids (co-director/choreographer), Our Town (Mrs. Myrtle Webb), Harvey (judge). She has choreographed and danced in 3 musicals for us so far, Roger and Hammerstein's "Cinderella," "The Wind in the Willows," and SDPAC'S Production of Anastasia. Shaylyn is a dancer, singer, musician, choreographer, artist, small business owner, and a lover of all things art.
Classes: Ballet III
Rachael Barnes, Dance Instructor
Rachael has a heart for children and is happy to be able to share God’s amazing love through teaching! She has been with SDPAC for 18 years. Her first Dance lesson was with Mrs. Heather at 18 months and since then she has studied ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, worship, pointe, hip-hop, African dance and aerial silks. She received scholarships in 2021 from NADF, SADM in 2023 and NADF in 2024. Rae was certified to teach dance through SADM (Southern Association of Dance Masters) in 2023. Using dance, she’s received the opportunity to do choreography for Majestic Caverns! She also does dance birthday parties & private lessons. Away from dance Rae is a full-time nanny to four beautiful babies! She’s been pursuing her love for music at Alabama School of Gospel Music during the summer for 7 years and enjoys singing harmony with her family! Rae’s SDPAC credits include Christmas Angels (Innkeeper’s daughters, benevolent Angel, Lead angel and Star of Bethlehem.) Disney’s Beauty and the beast (towns person, wolf and napkin) Big fish (assistant choreographer, Alabama lamb, Witches ensemble, sorority sister and USO singer) Cinderella (Towns person, Horse and Ballroom dancer).
Classes: Preschool-A, Elementary Combo 1
Marinda Sadler,
Dance Instructor
Marinda is a preschool teacher assistant at head start program. She is also a part-time dance instructor with SDPAC. She has 12 years of training and was a member of Spirit & Company. She is also a certified teacher through the Southern Association of Dance Masters. In the future she hopes to continue teaching dance and pursue her passion in theater and choreography. Marinda enjoys horseback riding and competing in her spare time. In 2020 she won the East Alabama Horseman Association Youth Saddle in Western Pleasure, EAHA Overall Hight Point Champion Western Pleasure and placed 1st Alternate in the Alex City Horse Riding Club Queens contest. Marinda’s SDPAC credits include Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (Understudy for Cogsworth/Fish/Townsperson/Spoon), Big Fish (Girl in Water), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Gargoyle 1/Cloaked Soul), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda/Aunt Em/Girls Chorus), Christmas Angels (Inn Keepers Daughter), Harvey (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet), Cinderella (Stepsister-Joy), Wind in the Willows (Ratty), and Emma (Harriet Smith). Marinda was the co-director and choreographer of the 2025 summer production of Disney’s Aladdin Kids. Marinda was thrilled to play the lead role in Anastasia the Musical for SDPAC.
Classes: Elementary Combo II
Lexie Wimmer,
Dance Instructor
Lexie is a SDPAC Alumni Happy to be back teaching with us. After graduating High School Lexie spent two years at Southern Union State Community College being a part of the Dance Program. She has 17 years of dance experience in styles including: Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Pointe, and Pom. Lexie has choreographed 5 Summer Productions for Sylacauga Community Playhouse including: Disney’s Lion King Jr, Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr, Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr, and Disney’s Jr. She is planning to further her education in Dance and continue teaching and choreographing.
Classes: Preschool-B, Contemporary I, Hip Hop 2 & 3
Kylie Sargent, Dance Instructor
Kylie Sargent is excited to join the teaching staff at the Southern Dance and Performing Arts, where her dance journey first began. Having trained at SDPAC for many years, she developed a strong foundation in technique, performance, and a lifelong passion for dance. Kylie continued her education at Jacksonville State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Production with a concentration in Sound and was a proud member of the Marching Ballerinas. Combining her background in dance and theatrical production, Kylie is passionate about sharing her knowledge, encouraging creativity, and helping young dancers grow both on and off the stage.
Classes: Kid Hop
Margaret Wilkins Dance Instructor
Margaret Grace is a 17-year-old daughter of Tandy and Angela Wilkins. She is a homeschool student that has been dancing with SDPAC for 14 years and is a member of SDPAC Spirit and Company. She also has 2 1/2 years of Irish Dancing at Rince Álainn with Kristin McRae. She has moved her way up in the SDPAC Christmas Angels from an orphan to evergreen to shepherdess to a benevolent Angel. Margaret was the recipient of the Ramey K. Sumner scholarship and North Alabama Dance Festival 2025 scholarship.
Classes: Creative Movement Assistant Instructor: Ballet/Jazz I, Jazz III, Preschool