Jessie Bonanno, Guild Dance Director has an extensive background in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz and Tap Dance.  She began her dance training at the age of 3.  Over the years she has worked with such notable instructors as Robert Barnett (Former Artistic Director of Atlanta Ballet), Mary Munro (RAD), Maniya Barredo (former member of Joffrey Ballet and former Prima Ballerina for Atlanta Ballet), Nicholas Pacana, Cornelius Carter and Carl Ratcliff.  Her studies continued with Diane Callahan (former member of San Francisco Ballet), Carol Smiarowski, Heidi Longwith, Stanislav Issaev (Principal dancer with Moscow State Ballet Theater), Amy Card Lillios, Andrea Pell, Vincas Green, Jolie Long and Martha Goodman.

In 1999, Ms. Bonanno earned her B.F.A. in Dance Pedagogy from Brenau University after being awarded a four year dance merit scholarship.  Her studies included Ballet, Modern and Jazz Techniques, teaching internships with Gainesville School of Ballet, Ballet Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology for Dancers, Music for Dancers and Improvisation as well as Dance Practicum, Choreography and extensive performance credits.  While attending Brenau University, she performed soloist roles with Gainesville Ballet and Brenau Dance Ensemble as well as making guest appearances on other projects.  Ms. Bonanno was also a substitute dance instructor for Brenau University and Gainesville School of Ballet.

Since moving to this area, Ms. Bonanno has taught and choreographed for Dalton School of Ballet, Baker-VanCura Ballet Centre, Mountain Laurel Dance Studios, Bessy Smith Hall and created a dance program for The Lutheran School in Chattanooga, TN.  She has also been invited to judge for the state of Georgia in the Georgia Governor's Honors program for many years.  Since 2001 and prior to joining the Guild, she owned and directed Dalton School of Ballet and Ballet Dalton.  In 2005, she merged Dalton School of Ballet with the Guild and became the Director of Dance.  Ms. Bonanno is also currently serving her third term as one of only four dance panelists across the state of Georgia for Georgia Council for the Arts.  She and her husband Ryan reside in Chattanooga, TN with their son Riley and daughter Finley.

Elizabeth Fisher, dance instructor, Guild Shop manager and Snow Queen production Co-Director received her training from the Virginia School of the Arts, Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA, Alabama Ballet, Georgia Governor's Honors program, Gainesville Ballet, Dalton School of Ballet, Woodstock School of Ballet and Ruth Mitchell of Marietta, Ga.  She has also worked with such notable instructors as Wes Chapman (Artistic Director of Alabama Ballet and former principal dancer with American Ballet Theater), Shawn Black (former principal ballerina with American Ballet Theater), Petrus Bosman and dancers from Boston Ballet and Alabama Ballet.  Ms. Fisher has been accepted into various prestigious summer dance intensive programs such as Joffrey Ballet's professional trainee program where she received a scholarship.  While living in Springfield, Missouri, Elizabeth taught for and performed with the Springfield Ballet, choreographed for the Springfield Opera's 25th Celebration Gala and staged and coached the Moscow Ballet's Children's choreography for their touring performance of "The Great Russian Nutcracker."

Prior to moving, Ms. Fisher taught and choreographed for Dalton School of Ballet and Ballet Dalton for three years, then moved to Springfield, Missouri and returned to Dalton in August of 2005 with her husband Matt and thier son Jacob and currently teaches for the Creative Arts Guild and Ballet Dalton.  She also judges for the Georgia Governor's Honors program.

Kara Marcum, Dance Instructor is a New Hampshire native and began her dance training at the age of five.  She received regional and national recognition by the age of 10 and has performed professionally in the United States and overseas.  Ms. Marcum has trained with industry professionals such as Frank Hatchett, Ann Reinking and Brian Friedman.

After continuing her dance education at Florida State University, she moved to Arlington, Texas where she taught at A Step in Time dance studio.  Ms. Marcum choreographed for the competition dance team as well as advanced levels of jazz and lyrical.  After returning to Florida, Mrs. Marcum taught at John Leggio's Center for the Performing Arts where for 5 years she was an integral part of the dance curriculum conception and growth.  She also choreographed and performed in such shows as Chicago and Swing!  Mrs. Marcum can also be found judging competitions for On Tour Dance Challenge around the nation and teaching master classes for Florida Dance Masters.

Mrs. Marcum recently relocated to Chattanooga, TN with her husband Caleb and daugher Jade and has just welcomed a new addition Brody into their household.  She has been on staff with the Guild since 2007.

Ryan Bonanno, Certified Athletic Trainer volunteers his time and expertise to the Creative Arts Guild to care for our dancers.  Ryan's background includes a degree in Exercise Physiology from UTC, Certification from NATA Board of Certification and a license from the states of Tennessee and Georgia.  He currently works at Hamilton Sports Medicine, a division of Hamilton Medical Center and cares for the Southeast High School athletes.  The Guild puts its student's development first and foremost and strives to make appropriate decisions for training progressions including pointe shoe readiness, programming and equipment use.

For questions regarding the dance department or employment opportunities within the dance department, please contact Dance Director Jessie Bonanno at 706-259-7264 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .