...It begins with a single step
404-622-2585 Email:Info@journeyartscenter.org
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Meet Our Board
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.
Samara Michelle, BA , MEd.
JPAC Artistic Director
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.
JPAC Artistic Director
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, BS, 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 three 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.
Tori22@mac.com
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 three 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.
Tori22@mac.com
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.
| Journey Performing Arts Center, Inc Georgia 501(c) (3) Tax Exempt Corporation |
Danielle Elliott
Executive Director
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
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
Candice Elliott
Board Chair
Candice Joanne Elliott’s passion for dance began at the tender age of 2 years old. 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
attended Clark Atlanta University working towards 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 the dance and the arts. She currently takes several adult classes at
Journey Performing Arts Center and at other studios throughout Atlanta. Candice is
currently the Outreach Coordinator for Journey Performing Arts Center. Through
outreach she has the opportunity to expose and enlighten other children and teens to the
benefits dance and the arts brought to her life. Candice looks forward to working with
outreach because she is adamant in her beliefs that without the outlet of dance and the
arts she would not be the well rounded young woman she is today. Candice was just
recently voted Chairman of the Board for Journey Performing Arts Center. In her spare
time Candice enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, playing with
Sunny bird, and most of all DANCING!
celliott313@yahoo.com
Board Chair
Candice Joanne Elliott’s passion for dance began at the tender age of 2 years old. 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
attended Clark Atlanta University working towards 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 the dance and the arts. She currently takes several adult classes at
Journey Performing Arts Center and at other studios throughout Atlanta. Candice is
currently the Outreach Coordinator for Journey Performing Arts Center. Through
outreach she has the opportunity to expose and enlighten other children and teens to the
benefits dance and the arts brought to her life. Candice looks forward to working with
outreach because she is adamant in her beliefs that without the outlet of dance and the
arts she would not be the well rounded young woman she is today. Candice was just
recently voted Chairman of the Board for Journey Performing Arts Center. In her spare
time Candice enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, playing with
Sunny bird, and most of all DANCING!
celliott313@yahoo.com
