OWNER/DIRECTOR OF DANCE

Broadway Dance Center NYC • Steps on Broadway • The Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio of New York • The Barrow Group Acting Studio • Acrobatic Arts’ Teacher Certification Program

Born and raised in the High Country, Suzanne has been dancing since the age of two. She trained in classical ballet, first as a child and then again as an adult, under the private instruction of former professional dancer Diane Smole. After graduating from Watauga High School, Suzanne moved to New York to continue her education in the arts. There she trained under world-renowned masters Frank Hatchett at Broadway Dance Center and Paul Taylor at Steps on Broadway, among many other New York-based dancers and choreographers. She received her acting training with NYC’s HB Studios and The Barrow Group, and has performed professionally in theatre, television, and film. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, featured roles have included Law & Order SVU (NBC), The Mysteries of Laura (NBC), Vinyl (HBO), Gotham (Fox), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), and national commercials for Pizza Hut and Ben’s Original. In the theatre, Suzanne has appeared as Mayella in To Kill A Mockingbird at Virginia Repertory Theatre, and as Bruno/Yamba in Shipwrecked!, Lady Caroline Bramble in Enchanted April, Molly Aster in the regional premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher, and Johnna in August: Osage County, all with Company of Fools in Idaho. Suzanne served as a dance instructor and choreographer at Dancin’ Debbie’s in Ashe County for over 10 years, and her students consistently received top awards from premier dance competitions, both regionally and nationally. Suzanne has also received numerous Choreography and Judges’ Awards including Fancy Feet (Tap), the Entertainment Award, the Epic Moment Award, and the Award of Excellence in Choreography. Suzanne is a certified instructor of tumbling and acro through the Acrobatic Arts’ Teacher Certification Program. As HCPAA Director of Dance, Suzanne is proud to expand on the legacy her aunt Debbie Little built for over 40 years, inspiring and encouraging generations of students through her generosity, spirit, and love of dance. Suzanne is also the grateful mother of two children, Jack Dean and Emmagene, who have brought her more joy than she could have ever imagined.

BALLET INSTRUCTOR

East Carolina University, BFA in Dance • Michigan State University, Cecchetti Ballet Certification

Jina Motts is originally from Concord, North Carolina, and has danced since she was a young child in the disciplines of Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. She was selected to attend Governor's School East as a sophomore in high school and went on to continue her studies at East Carolina University, receiving her BFA in 1985. Jina stayed on at ECU for a year as a part-time Lecturer in the Theatre & Dance Department. In the summers between her time at ECU, Jina studied in New York with Peter Sparling of the Martha Graham Company. She earned her Cecchetti Ballet Certification at Michigan State University, and has acquired several other certifications to include Fitness and Pilates. In subsequent years Jina trained with multiple artists such as Pat Pertalion, Mavis Ray, Petrus Van Myrden, and Margaret Craske, who were affiliated with NC School of the Arts. Performance and choreography experience throughout the east and west coasts include Dance Impressions Company, ECU Performance Company, The Lost Colony, Carowinds, and JoAnn Warner Dance Troupe, as well as over 30 years of artistic direction of her own studios. Jina recently moved to Ashe County from Davidson, NC following her husband’s retirement, and her desire to educate and motivate young dancers to be their personal best has brought her back into the studios at High Country Performing Arts Academy. She looks forward to being a part of the HCPAA community where she will instruct both the Technique I and Technique II classes for the 2023/2024 season.