CDA Instructors and Staff

Sara Shelton, Dance Instructor
Sara is a dancer originally from Knoxville, TN. She began her dancing at an early age, studying tap, jazz, and ballet with Van Metre School of Dance in Maryville, TN. She then became a member of the Appalachian Ballet Company under the direction of Amy Moore Moreton. In 2002 Sara began attending King College of Bristol, TN where she took courses in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical dance throughout her four years in school. She served as the captain of her school's dance ministry team for three years as well as an active member of the school's dance study program. She has also been able to share her love of dance overseas, using dance instruction as a part of mission trips to South America and Africa. While in college, Sara also taught ballet at Fellowship Chapel School of Dance for two and half years. After graduating college in 2006, Sara relocated to Alpharetta, Georgia to attend graduate school at Georgia State University. In addition to teaching for CDA, Sara acts as a guest teacher at several studios in the Atlanta area. She is excited about dance and is ready to share her passion with the students of CDA!

Nikki Veillon, Dance Instructor
A Califonia native, Nikki began her dance training in ballet and tap at the early age 3. She found her passion for dance and teaching during her later years as she studied under Judith Aaen of the Houston Ballet. She was fortunate enough to also train under many well known artistic directors as she attended intensive apprentice programs at Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Ballet Pacifica, and Joffrey Ballets. She also received scholarships to Ballet West, Pacific Northwest, Boston, and Miami Ballet Schools. Nikki is well trained in classical ballet, as well as tap, jazz, hip hop, and praise dance. At age 14, she started assisting classes and has continued to teach and choreograph. Besides being a student and teacher, her dance troupe danced in the Miss California Pageant for 2 years. She has a degree in Fine Arts from Orange Coast College. In the last 8 years she has taught various classes at local churches to children of all ages. With a strong focus on technique, she instills the passion, awareness and excitement of dance. Nikki is dedicated to inspiring her students to work to their fullest potential and developing in them, a love for the art of dance and the magic of movement.

Hannah Littlefield, Dance Instructor
Hannah Littlefield began her dance and gymnastic training at the age of 2 ½, under Carol Walker Dance Academy in Snellville, Georgia. She trained in all forms of the arts, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, praise/worship, acrobatics, cheer-tumbling, and gymnastics. She began assisting at the age of 12, with In Time Dance & Gymnastics, which started a love for teaching and working with younger students. While at Forsyth Christian School, she participated in other extracurricular activities which included being Captain for the Varsity Cheerleaders for 3 years, and Assistant Coach for the Junior Cheerleaders. She also began teaching classes for In Time Dance & Gymnastics, where she incorporated her ability to adapt to the needs of her students. She is attending North Georgia College, where she is working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Dawn Harrill-Hudson, Dance Instructor
Dawn has over 29 years of dance experience in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, and ballroom dancing. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education degree from the University of Georgia and a minor in Drama. She was the Founder and Artistic Director of Freedom of Movement Dance Academy in Athens, Georgia. In her early training, Dawn was a member of Atlanta Dance Unlimited and The Susan Chambers Dance Company. She has received many first place and scholarship awards at various dance workshops and dance competitions around the country. Dawn has been fortunate enough to have outstanding training from many talented teachers including Janet Robertson, Dr. Mark Wheeler, Nick Lazarini, Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Mike Minery, Bala Sarasvati, and Kenneth Green. Dawn was a five year member of the pre-professional CORE Dance Company and the 1998 Southeastern Ballroom Dance Champion. After college Dawn founded the Freedom of Movement Dance Academy and was the proud owner for 10 years. Upon growth of the studio, Dawn became artistic director and chose a new studio owner so the school could accommodate the growing dancer population. Dawn also spent three years as the jazz dance adjunct professor for the University of Georgia Dance Department. Dawn has most recently been recognized for her choreographic talents from Nextar dance Competition, Showbiz Dance Competition, and she was selected Best Choreographer at the Access Broadway Dance Competition. Some of her most recent works are on tour with the Chattanooga Ballet and Central Florida Ballet. Dawn’s dancers have been awarded the award of Technical Excellence at the Nexstar Dance Competition two years in a row. Several of her dancers have gone on to professional dance careers and/or college dance programs. The past several years, Dawn has traveled around the southeast creating choreography for several dance companies such as the Chattanooga Ballet, Central Florida Ballet, and the World Ballet Competition, as well as judging at various dance competitions. Her credits include musicals, dramas, ballets, and choreography for regional, national, and international events. We are thrilled to have Dawn on our Faculty at CDA and know she will bring a lot of dance knowledge and experience to our dancers.