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.” Recently, she choreographed “Grease” and “High School Musical,” and "The Addams Family Musical," and "Nutcracker." 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 where she enjoys being a Sunday School teacher for the baby class. 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. They live on their family’s farm in the Prospect community
Abby Norwood
Abby is a 2016 graduate of Martin Methodist College and teaches Kindergarten at Pulaski Elementary School. Abby has been dancing at PPAC for twenty-three years. She was a student and assistant teacher for eight years, and has taught predance, prek, and Kinder/1st classes for the past four years. This year Abby will be teaching predance, prek, and Kinder/1st classes. Abby is very involved with the Operation Christmas Child project at New Zion Baptist Church where she is a regular member. She is the daughter of Fred and Lea Bell of Pulaski and has an older sister, Audrey, and a younger brother, Nic. Mrs. Abby lives in Pulaski with her husband Ryan.
Amanda Manies
Amanda has been at PPAC for 25 years. This year she will be teaching Junior Advanced classes. She began her dancing career at the age of 3 in Huntsville, Alabama and became a student at PPAC at the age of 12. She was a part of Color Guard at GCHS and performed for two years with Arts Afire, a Christian based dance company in Huntsville. She performed at Vanderbilt University with the Band of Gold as a color guard member. She has also worked with local theaters including GHT, Lynnville Area Arts, and STAAR both on stage and behind the scenes. She has been the assistant director for PPAC’s recitals since 2004. She is the coach for the award winning Lawrence County High School Dance Team. Amanda lives in Pulaski with her husband, Dillon. Currently, Amanda is the Administrative Assistant at Re/Max Southern Real Estate and is a member of First Baptist Church Pulaski.
Jessie Ballard
Jessie has been a dancer at PPAC for 8 years. She has been a student teacher for two years and will be teaching a PreK and Kinder/1st dance this semester. Jessie is a graduate of Giles County High School and TCAT. Jessie lives in Pulaski and is an Administrative Assistant for Ivy Crest Assisted Living Facility in Pulaski.