Cristin Jernigan began her training in Savannah, Georgia, at Ballet South, under the direction of Karena Brock Carlyle. She was also a student and company member at Hilton Head Dance Theater and Savannah Dance Theater. After graduating from high school, Cristin attended the University of Georgia where she received a degree in Child and Family Development and minor Dance Education. At UGA, she was accepted into the UGA Ballet Ensemble and had the opportunity to dance lead roles in the full length La Sylphide, La Bayadere, Nutcracker, and Giselle. In 2002, Cristin re-staged and performed the full length Giselle with the UGA Ballet Ensemble. Upon graduating, she joined Atlanta Festival Ballet Company where she performed lead roles in their productions of The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Carmina Burana, and The Little Mermaid. Cristin has been Artistic Director of The Cathedral Academy of Performing Arts, The Madison Dance Company, and Metro Movement Ensemble. She has staged many works including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, as well as choreographing full length originals such as The Who, Who Gained Hope (an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s “Grinch”) and Snow White. Cristin is glad to be back in her hometown of Savannah with her husband and three children, She has been a professor of dance at both Armstrong State University, and Savannah State University over the last five years. Cristin is delighted to join the Savannah Arts Academy Faculty as Director of Ballet.
Mr. Jernigan began dancing while in high school, receiving his formal training and undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Since then, Mr. Jernigan has performed all over the east coast including Universal Studios, Atlanta Festival Ballet, Gainesville Ballet, The Academy Dance Company, Augusta Ballet, Fayette Ballet, Dance South, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater, The Madison Dance Company, The Ashland Youth Ballet, Dance Arts Inc., as well as numerous contemporary/modern companies, such as Big House Dance Theater, Axam Dance Theater Experience, and Randy James Dance Works. Mr. Jernigan’s choreography has been commissioned all over the United States and he has taught numerous workshops for a variety of organizations ranging from public elementary schools, to high school bands, to independent arts organizations, to professional dance companies. Jay has served on the artistic staff of Hickory Hills Arts Academy, Georgia Dance Conservatory/Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater and most recently Savannah Arts Academy. His instruction includes Classical Partnering, Contemporary Partnering, Modern, Men’s Ballet and Musical Theater, and all of the ballet technique tlasses. He is glad to be a part of the arts in Savannah and wants to thank his wife for her unwavering support.