| .....it begins with a single step |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| TUITION tap here |
| Meet Our Board |
| Journey Performing Arts Center, Inc Georgia 501(c) (3) Tax Exempt Corporation |
The JPAC Board of Directors is comprised of four dynamic women from diverse backgrounds
whose shared passion is our commitment to the success of Journey Performing Arts Center.
whose shared passion is our commitment to the success of Journey Performing Arts Center.
Samara Michelle, BA , MEd.
Artistic Director
JPAC Board Member
This Atlanta transplant is originally from Detroit, Michigan; which is where Samara Michelle was
initially introduced to dance. Samara became immersed in the arts at a young age studying Ballet,
Jazz, Modern, African and Hip hop at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. After years of studying
dance with Detroit-Windsor she became a performing member of the Detroit Windsor Second
Dance Company as well as the Cass Tech Dance Workshop.
After moving to Atlanta to continue her studies, Samara went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in
Health and Physical Education at Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree in Educational
Leadership from Georgia State University. Samara Michelle has traveled across that country
performing. She has been honored at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival for her choreography,
performed in the All City Dance concerts across Michigan, toured at the Music Hall and has been
featured at Cobo Hall performing for the annual Toys for Tots program.
Samara’s passion for youth and dance inspired her to direct Journey Performing Arts Center. Her
vision is to make Journey a permanent fixture in the Atlanta Community. You can find Samara in a
local dance studio, spending time with her turtles Red and Jazzy or out and about enjoying Atlanta’
s night life in her spare time.
Artistic Director
JPAC Board Member
This Atlanta transplant is originally from Detroit, Michigan; which is where Samara Michelle was
initially introduced to dance. Samara became immersed in the arts at a young age studying Ballet,
Jazz, Modern, African and Hip hop at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. After years of studying
dance with Detroit-Windsor she became a performing member of the Detroit Windsor Second
Dance Company as well as the Cass Tech Dance Workshop.
After moving to Atlanta to continue her studies, Samara went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in
Health and Physical Education at Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree in Educational
Leadership from Georgia State University. Samara Michelle has traveled across that country
performing. She has been honored at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival for her choreography,
performed in the All City Dance concerts across Michigan, toured at the Music Hall and has been
featured at Cobo Hall performing for the annual Toys for Tots program.
Samara’s passion for youth and dance inspired her to direct Journey Performing Arts Center. Her
vision is to make Journey a permanent fixture in the Atlanta Community. You can find Samara in a
local dance studio, spending time with her turtles Red and Jazzy or out and about enjoying Atlanta’
s night life in her spare time.
Tori Lutkowski, BFA
JPAC Board Member
Originally from a small town in Tennessee, Tori now calls Atlanta home. As a child
Tori participated in local dance classes and performances and a love of the arts still
presides in her heart.
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications, Tori worked for 10
years in the printing and advertising industry. She then went back to school and
received a Bachelors of Fine Art in photography. Shortly after, the family grew and
Tori is now a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful preschoolers.
Tori’s interest in the arts, children and the community, along with her daughter’s
great experience at Journey, inspired her to become a member of the Journey team.
JPAC Board Member
Originally from a small town in Tennessee, Tori now calls Atlanta home. As a child
Tori participated in local dance classes and performances and a love of the arts still
presides in her heart.
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications, Tori worked for 10
years in the printing and advertising industry. She then went back to school and
received a Bachelors of Fine Art in photography. Shortly after, the family grew and
Tori is now a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful preschoolers.
Tori’s interest in the arts, children and the community, along with her daughter’s
great experience at Journey, inspired her to become a member of the Journey team.
Sabrina McConnell BA ,MEd, MS
JPAC Board Member
Sabrina McConnell is an English teacher at Southeastern High School of Technology, Detroit,
Michigan. Ms. McConnell received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Marygrove College,
Detroit Michigan in 1998, a Master of Education degree in reading from Marygrove College in
2001, and a Master of Library Information Science from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
in 2002.
In 2002, Ms. McConnell and her 10th grade students won 2nd place in Detroit Walk of Stars All
City Competition, performing a skit concerning the civil rights movement and the Greensboro,
North Carolina sit-in. Ms. McConnell currently teaches 10th and 11th grade English at
Southeastern High School. She also works with Operation Graduation, which is a tutorial program
assisting students who need credit hours to graduate. In addition to teaching, Ms. McConnell was
the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) Coordinator from 2000-2003. Ms.
McConnell is currently directing her 10th grade students in a production of A Raisin in the Sun. In
addition to teaching, she is the director of TEEN Co-op entrepreneurship program. The program
was created to teach underprivileged teens business and entrepreneur skills.
Sabrina is also a wife, mother of two and grandmother of one. She resides with her husband in
Detroit MI. In her spare time you will find he traveling, dancing or taking aerobics.
JPAC Board Member
Sabrina McConnell is an English teacher at Southeastern High School of Technology, Detroit,
Michigan. Ms. McConnell received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Marygrove College,
Detroit Michigan in 1998, a Master of Education degree in reading from Marygrove College in
2001, and a Master of Library Information Science from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
in 2002.
In 2002, Ms. McConnell and her 10th grade students won 2nd place in Detroit Walk of Stars All
City Competition, performing a skit concerning the civil rights movement and the Greensboro,
North Carolina sit-in. Ms. McConnell currently teaches 10th and 11th grade English at
Southeastern High School. She also works with Operation Graduation, which is a tutorial program
assisting students who need credit hours to graduate. In addition to teaching, Ms. McConnell was
the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) Coordinator from 2000-2003. Ms.
McConnell is currently directing her 10th grade students in a production of A Raisin in the Sun. In
addition to teaching, she is the director of TEEN Co-op entrepreneurship program. The program
was created to teach underprivileged teens business and entrepreneur skills.
Sabrina is also a wife, mother of two and grandmother of one. She resides with her husband in
Detroit MI. In her spare time you will find he traveling, dancing or taking aerobics.
Danielle Elliott
Executive Director
JPAC Board Member
Danielle Elliott is the business manager for Journey Performing Arts Center. Growing up in
Detroit dancing was her life. It all started at the young age of 2. At the age of 6
she began dancing at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. Danielle was a member of
the Detroit Windsor Jr Dance Company and has performed at the Fox Theatre, Music
Hall, Cobo Hall in Detroit, various venues throughout Michigan and in Bermuda. She
continued her dance training until going away to school in Atlanta. She attended
Clark Atlanta University majoring in Criminal Justice. After school she worked many
years in the banking industry. Over the years she became discouraged with
corporate America and went back to her roots, her love; the Arts. Danielle really
enjoys working and growing with Journey.
dmelliott@journeyartscenter.org
Executive Director
JPAC Board Member
Danielle Elliott is the business manager for Journey Performing Arts Center. Growing up in
Detroit dancing was her life. It all started at the young age of 2. At the age of 6
she began dancing at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. Danielle was a member of
the Detroit Windsor Jr Dance Company and has performed at the Fox Theatre, Music
Hall, Cobo Hall in Detroit, various venues throughout Michigan and in Bermuda. She
continued her dance training until going away to school in Atlanta. She attended
Clark Atlanta University majoring in Criminal Justice. After school she worked many
years in the banking industry. Over the years she became discouraged with
corporate America and went back to her roots, her love; the Arts. Danielle really
enjoys working and growing with Journey.
dmelliott@journeyartscenter.org
| Business Office 14 Moreland Ave NE Atlanta GA 30307 Email:Info@JourneyArtsCenter.org 404-622-2585 |
Hanna JonesHardimon
JPAC Board Chair
Hanna Gale Jones is a longtime Journey Board member who is the Board chair for 2010. Her
active involvement in the Journey's Board allows Hanna to extend the joy of dance and
entertainment to the Atlanta community. After graduating from Danville High School in 1975,
Hanna joined the United States Air Force. While stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi,
Mississippi, Hanna embarked on her chosen avocation of event planning with a successful party
she threw. Her business, 2 Queens Productions, delivers unique innovative and culturally diverse
entertainment and services at affordable prices, and to bring people and communities together on
common ground.
Hanna currently resides in Atlanta with her husband Ricky, their sons and their families. Hanna is
retired from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and is an Adjunct Social Work Professor for the
University System of Georgia and a Contractor for Social Work P.R.N/Atlanta. She is a champion
for all things Journey and infuses the board with her spirit and support.
JPAC Board Chair
Hanna Gale Jones is a longtime Journey Board member who is the Board chair for 2010. Her
active involvement in the Journey's Board allows Hanna to extend the joy of dance and
entertainment to the Atlanta community. After graduating from Danville High School in 1975,
Hanna joined the United States Air Force. While stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi,
Mississippi, Hanna embarked on her chosen avocation of event planning with a successful party
she threw. Her business, 2 Queens Productions, delivers unique innovative and culturally diverse
entertainment and services at affordable prices, and to bring people and communities together on
common ground.
Hanna currently resides in Atlanta with her husband Ricky, their sons and their families. Hanna is
retired from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and is an Adjunct Social Work Professor for the
University System of Georgia and a Contractor for Social Work P.R.N/Atlanta. She is a champion
for all things Journey and infuses the board with her spirit and support.
Candice Elliott
Outreach Director
JPAC Board Member
Candice Joanne Elliott’s passion for dance began at the tender age of 3 years old in Detroit.
Since then she has been surrounded by the arts in every aspect of her life. As a child she
balanced playing the violin and viola, gymnastics, cheerleading, and attending classes with her
aunt at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. It was at Detroit-Windsor she realized dance was an
intricate part of her life. She excelled in classes such as Jazz, Tap, Modern, African, Ballet and
Pointe. She was a member of the teen mentorship program which taught her responsibility,
confidence, work ethic, team work, and a plethora of other traits that she still carries with her
today. At 15 she became a member of the Detroit–Windsor Jr. Dance Company, where she
continued her dance education throughout high school. Throughout her dance career she has
performed at Cobo Hall, The Fox Theatre, The Music Hall, Hart Plaza, and various other venues
from Michigan to Bermuda. Candice graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a B.S in
Mathematics. After college she worked several years in the banking and finance industry.
Through it all Candice never lost her love for dance and the arts. She takes several adult classes
at Journey Performing Arts Center and at other studios throughout Atlanta. Candice is currently
the Outreach Director for Journey Performing Arts Center. Through outreach she has the
opportunity to expose and enlighten other children and teens about the benefits dance and the
arts brought to her life. Candice believes that without her training in dance and exposure to the
arts she wouldn’t be the well-rounded woman she is today. She loves working with outreach
because she is adamant about teaching children the same concepts that helped to shape who
she is. In her spare time Candice enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping,
playing with Sunny bird, and most of all DANCING!
Outreach Director
JPAC Board Member
Candice Joanne Elliott’s passion for dance began at the tender age of 3 years old in Detroit.
Since then she has been surrounded by the arts in every aspect of her life. As a child she
balanced playing the violin and viola, gymnastics, cheerleading, and attending classes with her
aunt at Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy. It was at Detroit-Windsor she realized dance was an
intricate part of her life. She excelled in classes such as Jazz, Tap, Modern, African, Ballet and
Pointe. She was a member of the teen mentorship program which taught her responsibility,
confidence, work ethic, team work, and a plethora of other traits that she still carries with her
today. At 15 she became a member of the Detroit–Windsor Jr. Dance Company, where she
continued her dance education throughout high school. Throughout her dance career she has
performed at Cobo Hall, The Fox Theatre, The Music Hall, Hart Plaza, and various other venues
from Michigan to Bermuda. Candice graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a B.S in
Mathematics. After college she worked several years in the banking and finance industry.
Through it all Candice never lost her love for dance and the arts. She takes several adult classes
at Journey Performing Arts Center and at other studios throughout Atlanta. Candice is currently
the Outreach Director for Journey Performing Arts Center. Through outreach she has the
opportunity to expose and enlighten other children and teens about the benefits dance and the
arts brought to her life. Candice believes that without her training in dance and exposure to the
arts she wouldn’t be the well-rounded woman she is today. She loves working with outreach
because she is adamant about teaching children the same concepts that helped to shape who
she is. In her spare time Candice enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping,
playing with Sunny bird, and most of all DANCING!
