The Owners
Aspire Dance Arts was created by husband and wife team Jamie and Christine Newnham. The pair met whilst working for Royal Caribbean Cruiselines in the summer of 2012. Christine and Jamie went on to do five contracts together performing all over the world including Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, as well as various islands in the Caribbean. After finishing their time with Royal Caribbean, Jamie and Christine were married in the fall of 2017. The two always aspired to create a home for performers to learn and grow and to be able to share their passion and experiences with the next generation. After alot of hard work and commitment, Aspire Dance Arts was created in the fall of 2018. Christine and Jamie could not be happier to have made their dream a reality and now reside in Ballground, Georgia with their three kids Bella, Leighton and Cameron and their two dogs Squidge and Lulu.
JAMIE
NEWNHAM
Jamie Newnham studied Musical Theater from a young age at the Medway School of Music in England. After training under the prestigious singing teacher Stuart Barr, Jamie joined the Youth Show Choir of London where he performed in various shows and events across London before attending the London School of Musical Theatre graduating in 2004. He has worked professionally in the industry since 2005 touring in shows across Europe and England and performing with the West End Chorus in London before joining cruise ships in 2008. Jamie joined the renowned Cunard Queen Victoria as lead vocalist. Thereafter, he began to work for Royal Caribbean as a lead vocalist touring the world for five years before working with the casting team of Saturday Night Fever and joining the cast of the musical as ‘Monty’ a featured actor, acting captain and fight captain.
Jamie has worked diligently on his craft for 20+ years and has extensive knowledge in musical theater, performing, directing, and voice. Understanding the need for physical fitness within the industry, Jamie worked for most of his career with fellow performers helping with fitness goals and personal training in general. Jamie received his certification from the American Council on Exercise and worked as a personal trainer with clients ranging from early 20’s to late 70’s on a variety of things. Jamie is also Acrobatic Arts certified and has adjudicated regional and national competitions with Dance Mania International. He has directed multiple Broadway Kids and Jr Musicals and looks forward to directing his first full book musical this fall.
A Native of Woodstock Georgia, Christine's passion for dance began at the age of six with the dream of becoming a professional dancer. She trained in all styles of dance throughout her youth and represented the state of Georgia in the 2006 Governor’s Honors Program as a dance major. Christine was awarded a scholarship to further her education with Steps on Broadway in New York before getting accepted to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she went on to pursue her dance degree.
During her college years, Christine was awarded a scholarship to train with Giordano Dance Chicago and furthered her dance training with classes at Broadway Dance Center and The Joffrey Ballet School. Christine was also part of the Xhale Dance Company in Philadelphia under the direction of Michael Susten. Ultimately Christine earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education Graduating with Honors.
Some of Christine’s notable performance credits include Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and park swing at Busch Gardens in Virginia. Christine also spent five years dancing around the world working for Royal Caribbean Productions as a Dance Captain and Aerial Captain. Christine performed in the hit Broadway show “Saturday Night Fever” the Musical where she understudied the roles of Annette, Maria, Doreen and Linda. Christine also performed in aerial shows on various apparatus under the direction of C5.
Christine has over 30 years of dance training and has taught at numerous dance studios across the United States for over 20 years. She is an award winning choreographer, a member of the Dance Masters of America organization and an adjudicator for various dance competitions. Aspire Dance Arts is the culmination of years of practice, experience and dedication to her craft and is truly a dream come true. Christine is the proud mom of three kids and two Frenchies.
CHRISTINE
NEWNHAM
The Aspire Staff
Madeleine
Johnson
Growing up in Newnan, GA, Madeleine trained at a variety of studios in the south Atlanta area, such as Southern Arc Dance Centre under Paulo Manso de Sousa and Kyle Kahn Studios under Kyle Kahn. She trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz (Fosse and commercial), hip hop, pointe, and tap throughout her adolescence. During these years, she competed and took master classes from various choreographers, in addition to gaining paid performance experience. After graduating from Newnan High School in 2018, she attended the University of Georgia, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance and a BSFCS in Consumer Journalism in May of 2022.
During her time at UGA, she trained in ballet under Colleen Barnes and Dr. Lisa Fusillo, in contemporary-modern styles under Bala Sarasvati and Rebecca Gose, and in jazz under Barbara Powers. She performed in the Spring Dance Concert under several faculty members, performed and choreographed for the Young Choreographer’s Series/Senior Exit Concert, attended American Collegiate Dance Conferences, and was a member of CORE: Contemporary and Aerial Dance. She also performed in the University of Georgia's first Black history concert "UBUNTU" under Jason Aryeh in both West African and contemporary styles.
Since graduating, Madeleine performed in a Small Box Series (2023) under Allison Wakeford. In 2024, she worked on a contemporary and aerial dance project with her former professor, Bala Sarasvati. She also attended Staibdance Italy in July 2024 where she learned under various well-known instructors and completed a performance in Sant'Agata. In addition, she was a member of Lauren Overstreet’s Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company during their third season from 2024 to 2025.
Madeleine hopes to continue growing in her training and education, while moving and creating works that highlight personal artistry and creative expression. She is very excited to be back this season!
Jewanda Lanier is a teacher, choreographer, and an established performer. As a Georgia native, Jewanda is a proud graduate of Point Park University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography, and her MBA in Business Management. Starting dance at the age of 5, she competitively trained and competed in various styles; ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe, musical theatre, modern, and hip-hop. While pursuing her degree at PPU, Jewanda performed in works by Mark Burrell, Jim Cooney, Rocker Verastique, Kiki Lucas, and also worked on Missa Brevis, choreographed by José Limón, staged through the Limón Institute. Most recently, she has performed in Hairspray and Mamma Mia! for Royal Caribbean. Other regional theater musical performances include Footloose, Fame, and Legally Blonde. Aside from musicals, Jewanda has performed with Ballethnic Ballet Company, and has also been seen performing at special events including the Martin Luther King Jr. Monumental Celebration in Washington D.C., a tribute to Joseph E. Lowry’s 92nd Birthday Celebration in Atlanta, GA, and The Children’s Hospital’s 125th year celebration in Pittsburgh, PA. Outside of performing, Jewanda has participated in and judged pageants, judges dance competitions, and enjoys cooking, baking, reading Victorian-era classics, and travelling. She gives all glory to God, and is blessed to share her knowledge and gifts with others around her.
Jewanda
Lanier
Kristina Deamer, raised in Pennsylvania, has been dancing since age 3 at Lionville School of Dance. Here, she trained in styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and musical theater. With this training, she has competed at various competitions some including Imagine Dance Challenge and YAGP. Kristina has won multiple high placing and title awards. In 2023, Kristina continued her ballet career as a student trainee with the Georgia Ballet. With this company, she has performed in ballets such as Cinderella, The Nutcracker, and A Midnight Summers Dream. She is excited to continue this education as a company member with the Georgia Ballet. Kristina is so excited to be back teaching at Aspire where she can help many students learn to love dance the way she does.
Kristina
Deamer
Leora Yardis is a Canton native. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and became an assistant teacher at Aspire at the age of 16 training directly under Christine and Jamie Newnham. Leora has been teaching her own classes at Aspire for three years. She graduated from Reinhardt University in 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Studies. Leora has always been passionate about dance, and her favorite styles are ballet and tap! Over the years, Aspire has become a second home to her, and she has performed the featured roles of Dorothy, Tinkerbell, and the Mad Hatter in their spring shows. She is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with her students this season.
In addition to teaching, Leora works as the marketing assistant for the Cherokee County History Center. You can also catch her running the lights for all shows performed at the Falany Performing Arts Center in Reinhardt.
Leora
Yardis
Hope
Burt
Hope Burt was born in Detroit Michigan but raised in Southern California and Central Florida. She began dancing at the age of 10 and immediately discovered her passion! Hope quickly developed a love for all dance styles but through intensive training and hard work reached a high level of accomplishment in Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz and Lyrical. She later added ballroom to her repertoire.
Hope has won numerous awards and scholarships including a full scholarship to Dance Educators of America’s Ballet Seminar where she trained under nationally renowned ballet instructors. Her achievements include; Being the first African American to receive the dancer of the year at her childhood studio. Winning the Leap Contest and being featured on the front page of the competition website. Hope has performed annually as one of the featured soloist in the Nutcracker Ballet, Held at the Maxwell C. King Center. She has also gone on to perform at the Mercedes Benz Stadium for the "Beloved" benefit, The Kennedy Space Center, Morgan State University, Disneyland and toured around the country performing.
In addition to performance, Hope is a choreographer/Instructor known throughout Atlanta for creating innovative and unique choreography. Dancing for 21 years & teaching for over 14 years her love for all 160 of her students is still going strong helping them to reach their fullest potential. Many of her students have been accepted into prestigious summer intensives, and college dance programs such as Juilliard, NYU, University of Georgia, University of Alabama, and Point Park University.
Hope has recently received a “top choreography” award from Hall of Fame competition, her work has been featured at Disney Springs, Gas South Theater. She is currently a judging official for Empire, GHSA (Georgia High School Association) and a Judge/Convention Teacher for Inspire Dance Competition.
Laurie Alcorn has been involved in the world of dance and performing arts for more than 20 years- as a dance/performing arts mom, volunteer, and full-time staff member and office manager at a local dance school in Georgia. She is thrilled to continue serving students and families alongside Jamie, Christine, and the entire Aspire Dance Arts team.
For Laurie, the most rewarding part of this work is watching students dream, grow, and develop their craft while offering encouragement and support along the way. She is honored to be part of a community that helps young people discover their confidence, passion, and joy through dance, singing, and acting.
