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The Paper | Thursday, March 15, 2012
DANCE from page 3B
Studio plans to be nonprofit, extend its outreach performers. Greg Russell, private dance instructor for the late Michael Jackson, made a visit to the studio to choreograph the Dance Company’s tribute to the pop musician. Russell, who was working with Michael Jackson on a tap number for his show that was in development when he died, shared with Heather Wayne’s girls the dance, The Tribute, which he and Michael put together. It was part of the Feb. 11 show at Brenau’s Pearce Auditorium. “He has said Heather’s is the only group he has shared the number with,” said Jon Wayne. Other famous guest instructors have taken the floor at the academy including Jessica King, a top 10 finalist in “So You Think You Can Dance,” who performed at the Feb. 11 Heather Wayne Dance Academy show in Gainesville. According to her husband,
Jon Wayne, Heather hooked up with Jessica and other top dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance” when she got backstage passes for some of her girls to meet the dancers when they were in Gwinnett. She got email addresses and has welcomed several to her studio to work with and inspire her dancers. Twitch, Will Wingfield and Brent Borbon are among the performers who have presented masters workshops Last month’s show was mini-show with the big production coming in May. This weekend is the studio-hosted children’s consignment sale March 16-17. Spring/Summer clothes, toys, baby furniture, children’s linens and dance accessories will be available. There will be a seller’s preview sale on March 16 from 6-8 p.m. and the sale will open to the public on March 17 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. with all items at half price
For The Paper
Heather Wayne’s Performing Arts Dance Academy’s performances will be on the campus of Brenau University. The recent Feb. 11 performance included “So You Think You Can Dance” performer Jessica King. after 4. Seeking nonprofit status The trophies and ribbons add to the already presti-
gious reputation of the studio but Heather Wayne has set her sights upon an even higher mark. Paperwork has been filed to deem the business as a rec-
ognized nonprofit. Through fundraising the vision has become one of giving back to the community through scholarship opportunities and free performances.
With an auditorium at Brenau University already secured for all of their shows, this dream of reaching out may not be too far down the road.
New Winder-Barrow campus for Lanier Tech may come By Carman Peterson Regional staff Relief is in sight for Lanier Technical College’s Winder-Barrow campus, which has been filled to capacity in its downtown location for several years. The Georgia House of Representatives passed a budget this week which, if approved by the state Senate and Gov. Nathan Deal, will include a $16 million bond for the local Lanier Tech campus. Rep. Terry England, who heads the House Education Appropriations committee, said the budget will probably be approved by the Senate by the end of the month. If approved, the bond will provide funds for the planning, design, and construction of a satellite campus in Barrow. This is not the first time Lanier Tech has been on the verge of state-level funding. England said both the House and Senate approved a $16 million bond several years ago which would have placed a campus on donated land near
the Barrow Crossing shopping center, but the bond was vetoed by then-Governor Sonny Perdue. England said he is not concerned about history repeating itself. “I think we’re in good shape,” he said. “Gov. Deal is a pleasure to work with ... Even though $16 million is a lot of money, it’s a small piece of all we’ve been able to do to move [education in Georgia] forward.” Mike Light, spokesman for the Technical College Systems of Georgia, was also optimistic about the bond. “It’s an outstanding opportunity to expand Lanier Tech’s presence in Barrow County,” Light said. “It’s something that’s overdue, because the current facility is filled to capacity.” According to Light, Lanier Tech will pursue a partnership with Barrow County Schools to build a Career Academy campus for joint use. Last May, the Barrow County Board of Education purchased 114 acres near Highways 53 and 316 to be used for the Career Academy, which is tentatively scheduled to open in 2014.
“This [bond] is the perfect ingredient in that mix, and would be a perfect opportunity for us to partner with Barrow Schools,” he said. England also anticipates a partnership between the college and school district. “If they go ahead with the joint campus for the Career Academy, they’ll get the opportunities for kids who are in dual enrollment or move-on-when-ready to do seamless transitions between college and high school,” he said. “They can walk down the hallway rather than driving across town.” England also said the additional campus would allow more opportunities for adult education and evening classes. If approved by the Senate and Gov. Deal, the bond would be part of the FY 2013 budget which goes into effect July 1. The bonds would then need to be sold. Light said the earliest he expects to see revenue from the bond package is 2013.