Our Teachers
Sandy Slayton-Mavrotheris
Sandy Slayton-Mavrotheris is the owner and director of Pulaski Performing Arts Center. Sandy teaches all levels of dance classes at PPAC. Sandy began her training at the young age of 3 in Bury St. Edmunds, England. She received the highest award possible by the Imperial Society of dancing at the age of 10. Upon moving to the United States, she has been trained in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Alabama. She began her teacher training in Little Rock, Arkansas with Sally Riggs at Studio One at the age of 13. Sandy has been trained in the arts of ballet, tap and jazz, and trained to teach all three. She danced competitively as a soloist in Arkansas and Illinois. In 1989, Sandy became involved with the Giles Heritage Theatre, and decided to open the Pulaski Performing Arts Center. While at GHT she sang, acted, and danced in over 25 productions. She has choreographed many musicals at GHT such as "Camelot," "Carousel," "The Music Man," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "My Fair Lady." Sandy was the choreographer for Martin Methodist College's show choir Daybreak for 14 years. While at MMC she choreographed "Godspell," "Cotton Patch Gospel" and several other musicals. She also choreographed "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for the Lynnville Area Arts Association. Sandy is active at Southern Tennessee Area Arts Center (STAAR) with directing and choreographing shows. She directed and choreographed “Footloose,” “Aladdin,” “Wizard of Oz,” and “Little Mermaid,” and “The Miracle Worker” to name a few.” She has also choreographed and directed "High School Musical," and "The Addams Family Musical,” "Nutcracker." "Lion King" and "Frozen" for STAAR. Her most recent production was “Newsies.” Sandy has also performed as Patsy Cline in the musical "Always Patsy Cline." Through the years, Sandy has choreographed many award-winning competition dances for PPAC's dance companies. Sandy is a member of First Baptist Church, Pulaski. She has a B.S. in Business Administration and is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. Sandy and her husband, Micah Mavrotheris, have two sons, Hub and Nick.
Amanda Manies
Born in Alabama, raised in Tennessee Mrs. Amanda began dancing at Ann's Studio of Dance in Huntsville Al. She joined PPAC after moving to Tennessee in 6th grade. Mrs. Amanda is a graduate of Giles County High School and Calhoun Community College. Over the years, Amanda has branched out to choreograph for marching bands, school dance teams, and theater groups in Pulaski and surrounding areas. .
During the day, Amanda is a PA - Professional Aunt to 4 of 6 nieces and nephews in Madison AL. Most recently she launched her own travel agency, ADVENTURE 41. Amanda and her husband, Dillon are active members of First Baptist Church in Pulaski. While she has taught at every level at PPAC, this year she will be focusing on the younger levels from our new MOMMY and ME class through first grade. She also hopes to host various workshops along the way!
Here's to year 32!
Jessie Ballard
A proud Pulaski native, Miss Jessie grew up dancing at PPAC and is thrilled to return as an instructor with over seven years of teaching experience. She is a graduate of Giles County High School, where she showcased her talent on the dance team, and she continued her education at TCAT-Pulaski and Calhoun Community College. Beyond the studio, Jessie is deeply dedicated to her community. She works at a local bank and serves as an EMT with the local Emergency Service—demonstrating her passion for helping others in every aspect of her life. This year, Miss Jessie will be teaching Pre-Dance and Pre-K classes at PPAC. She is excited to share her love of dance with the next generation and looks forward to watching each student grow in confidence, creativity, and joy.
Cate Pride
Cate was a student at PPAC for 15 and started teaching at the age of 15 as a student teacher. A 2017 Giles County High School graduate, Cate continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Education. While at USM, Cate trained heavily in ballet and modern dance, performed with the Repertory Dance Company and Performance Project, and worked with artists and companies such as Steve Zee, Chris and Lauren Grant, Melanie George, Collage Dance Collective, and artEmotion. She was a creative movement and ballet teacher for Stretch-N-Grow of Hattiesburg/Laurel for 2 years. Cate is currently the dance teacher at Richland Elementary School and resides in Prospect.
Tala Gvozdas
Tala Gvozdas is a homeschool graduate. She has been a student at PPAC for 17 years and Mrs. Sandy's Assistant for three years. Tala is very involved in theater and has performed in over 20 productions at STAAR Theater. Tala is also a part of PPAC's competition dance teams as a competitor.