INSTRUCTORS

  Marion was born in Angers, France, and fell in love with dance at just four years old, when her parents brought her to her very first class. She began her formal dance education at the Conservatoire National de Région (CNR) d’Angers, where she graduated with a specialization in Jazz. Alongside her conservatory training, her passion for Hip Hop led her to train with local street dancers, giving her a well-rounded and versatile foundation.

At age 15, Marion began her professional dance career in France with La Compagnie des Spectacles Enchantés, touring nationally over two summers. She later moved to Italy to deepen her education and and graduated from the professional dance program at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy. She pursued her dreams and booked several national TV shows, summer tours, music videos, and films as a featured dancer, along with modeling gigs. 

She consistently performed in a dinner theatre company in Florence for five years and was later honored to step in as a choreographer.

Marion also performed with The Meltin Pot Dance Company, a hip hop company recognized with multiple awards at prestigious competitions such as Juste Debout(Paris), Dance Delight (Paris), and the Pinerolo Choreographic Awards(Italy). One of their works was selected to be performed in New York City—an international honor.

Her teaching journey began early by assisting her mentors, and she quickly discovered her talent for inspiring and empowering others through movement. Marion has continued to train extensively in elite studios across Europe, including Studio Harmonic and LAX Studios in Paris, IALS Roma, and Opus Ballet in Florence. After moving to the United States, she expanded her training at Broadway Dance Center and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles and Chicago, and numerous Atlanta studios such as Dance 411, Dance 101, Gotta Dance Atlanta, and Groove2Musik. She also trained in ballroom with Matt Watson from Ballroom in Motion in Augusta. 

Marion is also actively involved in local charity events and community outreach. She and her partner were honored with the People’s Choice Award at Dancing Stars of Augusta after raising the highest amount of donations to support the Alzheimer’s Association. She also participates annually in the Fake It to Make It show for Safe Homes, helping to raise funds and entertain the community through vibrant performances with her adult company.

Marion believes dance is for everyone—and that passion, consistency, and creativity can build not only strong technique but also strong character. She has been teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Jazz funk, Modern/Contemporary, and Heels for over 15 years, working with both children and adults, recreational dancers and competitive teams alike. 

She has trained and choreographed for competitive teams, with her work earning numerous accolades—including multiple judges' awards & first-place overalls consistently through the years, and most recently, a choreography award.

She is also the founder and artistic director of the Miscellaneous Dance Project, a local performance group that creates space for expressive, collaborative dance works by and for adults in the community.

Over the past years, Marion has poured her heart into sharing her passion with students —focusing on helping dancers grow not only technically, but artistically and confidently, too.

Inspired by her son's recent diagnosis and his difficulty learning in traditional activities and dance classes, Marion earned her Autism Certificate from IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards), to help further her mission to make dance accessible to all. 

In 2025, she brought her lifelong dream to life by founding Star Dance Academy—a studio rooted in passion, where every dancer’s journey is nurtured through high-quality training, dedication, and joy. It’s a space that encourages growth, values commitment, and celebrates the love of dance at every level. 

Her greatest supporters are her family—especially her husband and their two sons, Noah and Matteo, who inspire her every step of the way!

Born and raised in France, Christelle began her journey in dance through classical ballet training at the prestigious Boulogne-Billancourt Conservatory, Paris. She later expanded her education to include jazz, modern, contemporary, and even baroque dance, completing her studies at the Lycée Artistique in Paris with a Baccalauréat in Dance and Music, and later pursuing Art History and Archaeology at the Sorbonne.

With over three decades of experience as a dancer, performer, and teacher, her career spans multiple countries and platforms. 

After launching her teaching career in French conservatories, she transitioned to the stage and screen—dancing with contemporary and music-hall companies across Europe and Asia, appearing in high-profile television shows, tours, theater productions, and films in Italy. Her credits include performances on major Italian networks (Rai Uno, Rai 3, Mediaset), collaborations with well-known artists like Bob Sinclar and Gigi D’Alessio, and appearances in several feature films and national tours.

Since relocating to the United States in 2010, Christelle has remained deeply engaged in the dance community—taking ongoing training in ballet, hip hop, and modern dance, and contributing locally as a choreographer and team leader for performance and fundraising events. 

She also performs with the Miscellaneous Dance Project and continues to share her passion for dance with both students and audiences.

With a love for both teaching and performing, Christelle brings a wealth of knowledge, international experience, and heart to every class she teaches—encouraging students to find their own artistic voice and joy in movement.

Eliza McManus is a dedicated dance educator and choreographer originally from Prosperity, South Carolina. With over 15 years of dance experience, Eliza trained and competed with Stepping Out Dance Studio in Lexington, SC before pursuing her passion professionally.

She earned her degree in Dance and Child and Family Studies from Converse University, where she performed in numerous concerts, choreographed original works—including her senior capstone—and held various leadership roles such as rehearsal director and stage manager. Eliza is well-versed in teaching Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, and Lyrical, and brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to every class.

In addition to her collegiate and studio experience, Eliza has worked behind the scenes at regional dance competitions like DIVE Dance Competition and Star Talent Productions, gaining valuable insight into the broader dance industry. Currently, she shares her passion for movement as the K-5 dance teacher at East Aiken School of the Arts and as an instructor at Star Dance Academy.

Eliza is passionate about empowering dancers of all ages through creativity, discipline, and joy. Her well-rounded background in performance, choreography, education, and production makes her a vital part of our team and we are so thrilled to welcome her to Star Dance Academy!

Ashley Watson is a ballroom dancer, certified lifeguard and fitness enthusiast who fell in love with dance later in life. She didn't grow up a dancer, she married into it. As someone who found dance later in life, she spent years trying to find her space on the ballroom floor, often feeling like the odd one out. But what started as uncertainty turned into a passion for movement, music and helping others feel strong in their own skin.

Now a mom of two, Ashley keeps dancing and created Ballroom Burn for anyone who has ever felt like they wanted to learn ballroom dance but didn't have a partner. We are so excited to host her Ballroom Burn class and to have her share her knowledge in ballroom here at Star Dance Academy!

Santrena Hammonds, a native of Augusta, Georgia, is a passionate and accomplished dancer, choreographer, and instructor with a career rooted in versatility and creativity. Trained in a wide range of dance styles—including Salsa, Bachata, Rumba, Waltz, American Tango, Cha-Cha, Swing, Foxtrot, Hip Hop, African, Ballet, Liturgical, and Modern—Santrena brings depth, artistry, and cultural richness to every performance and choreographic piece.

Her professional experience spans both stage and studio. She began gaining recognition as a performer and choreographer for the Augusta Colts Football Team halftime show in 2007 and as a dancer with Third World Entertainment. Santrena has showcased her competitive ballroom and Latin dance skills at the Augusta Dance Challenge Showcase and has been featured in commercial and media projects such as the “Get Happy” commercialand the “My Shepard” music video by Claude Deuce.

From 2016 to 2019, she served as a Dance Instructor and Choreographer at Fusion Ballroom of Augusta, where she taught social and competitive ballroom styles. Her impact grew as a Pro Dancer and Choreographer with Dancing Stars of Augusta from 2017 to 2022, where she helped raise funds and awareness through performance.

From 2021 to 2023, she continued her leadership in dance education as a master instructor and choreographer, mentoring young dancers in both classical and contemporary genres.

She has contributed significantly to the local performing arts scene, dancing in The Augusta Players’ production of “The Wiz” and serving as choreographer for “Dreamgirls.” In 2022, she expanded her creative reach as the Assistant Choreographer for Russell Joel Brown’s “Mozart to Motown.”

With an unwavering dedication to the art of dance, Santrena Hammonds continues to shape and inspire through movement, performance, and mentorship.

MATT WATSON from BALLROOM IN MOTION WITH TEENA MARIE