Meet our dedicated team of dance instructors!
Molly Sullivan Peoples began her dance journey at the age of two and a half and has been passionately involved in dance for over twenty-five years. Her early start began under the guidance of her Aunt Debbie Dye and paved the way for her to begin student teaching at the age of thirteen. In 2019, Molly took over the family business, continuing the legacy with dedication and enthusiasm.
Molly specializes in teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop to children of all ages. Her teaching extends beyond the studio through an outreach program in daycare centers, where she brings ballet and fitness to preschoolers. Molly’s approach to teaching is rooted in her desire to inspire and motivate young dancers to chase their dreams.
Her leadership and positive energy have become the cornerstone of the studio’s environment. Molly’s classes are designed to be engaging and supportive, fostering both technical skills and a love for dance in her students. She is committed to creating a nurturing space where every student feels encouraged to express themselves and grow.
When she is not teaching, Molly enjoys contributing to the community and exploring new methods to enhance her students’ learning experiences. Her passion for dance and her dedication to her students’ development are evident in every aspect of her work.
In addition to her inspiring works in running the dance studio, Molly is also a wife and mother to three young children. Hobbies include; golf, working out, travel and holidays with her young family.
Molly Sullivan Peoples continues to be a driving force in the dance community, sharing her passion and style with all her students. Her unwavering commitment to dance education and her ability to inspire young dancers makes her a remarkable role model and dedicated leader in the industry.
Debbie Dye is the founder of Augusta Youth School of Dance, one of the area’s preeminent dance schools. Debbie is also one of our most experienced dance instructors. With over 40 years of dance and teaching experience, Debbie believes that the preschool age is the perfect time for children to learn basic dance principles and that this will serve them well the rest of their lives. She has trained thousands of students, primarily in the Augusta and North Augusta area, in ballet, tap, jazz, and fitness. Debbie Dye is focused on providing the best atmosphere of discipline, learning and fun.
Debbie is also the owner and Director of Busy Bodies Fitness, an outreach fitness/ gymnastics program taught in local childcare center. For more information please call Debbie Dye at 706-829-0681.
Jessica Haskins’ lifelong passion for dance began at the tender age of five. Her journey in the world of dance quickly evolved, and by the age of twelve, she was already sharing her knowledge as a student teacher. With over twenty-five years of experience, Jessica has had the privilege of training under notable instructors such as Debbie Dye, Pam Colson-Moye, and April Hartsell, each of whom contributed to her diverse and refined dance expertise.
Jessica pursued her higher education at Augusta University for three and a half years before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. This academic background provides a strong foundation that complements her professional roles. By day, she excels at Pinnacle Bank, where she supports small businesses, leveraging her business acumen to foster growth and success for her clients. In the evenings and on weekends, Jessica’s true passion shines as she dedicates her time to teaching dance, bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to her students.
Jessica’s teaching philosophy centers around inspiring her students and fostering a love for dance in a nurturing and supportive environment. She is committed to her students’ growth, not just as dancers but as individuals. Her classes are designed to be engaging and enjoyable, ensuring that every student finds joy in the art of dance while developing their skills and confidence.
Outside of her professional life, Jessica treasures spending quality time with her family and friends. She is married to Alex Haskins, who works for Richmond County, and together they have a daughter, Raelyn, who shares her mother’s enthusiasm for dance. The Haskins family cherishes their frequent trips to Disney World, where they create lasting memories.
Jessica Haskins continues to be an inspiring figure in the dance community. Her ability to seamlessly balance her career and personal life while sharing her love for dance with the next generation makes her a remarkable role model and a dedicated dance instructor. Through her unwavering commitment and passion, she leaves a lasting impact on her students and the broader dance community.
Cara Miller’s dance journey began at the age of 6 in Augusta, GA, where she spent 15 years competing in a wide range of styles, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, African, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She is passionate about teaching jazz to the competitive dance teams at Augusta Youth School of Dance. A proud DFA alumni, Cara holds a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Augusta University. In addition to her dance career, she is a skilled nutrition coach and fitness instructor at Oxygen Fitness Studio. Outside of her professional life, Cara values quality time with her family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeremy Miller, a talented chef, and together they raise their three children: daughters Caroline and Claire, who are both actively involved in dance at AYSD, and their young son, Journey.
Mrs. Kaleigh, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, has been dancing since the age of two. Her dance education spans various genres, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and Irish step dance.
With a degree in Early Childhood Education focused on Child Psychology, she contributes to the Columbia County School system as a substitute teacher. Relocating to Augusta in 2012 with her military spouse and two daughters, she actively engages in the Augusta Youth School of Dance faculty, teaching gymnastics, fitness, and ballet through the Augusta Youth School of Dance Day Care Outreach program, Busy Body Fitness.
Additionally, she serves as the Associate Teacher for the Sarah Costello Irish Dance Academy’s Georgia Chapter and collaborates closely with Mrs. Molly to host classes in Augusta.
Outside her professional pursuits, Mrs. Kaleigh indulges her love of travel with her family, leveraging her skills as a certified travel agent. By fulfilling her lifelong aspirations, she now combines her two greatest loves: dance and travel. Her guiding principle, eloquently captured by Martha Graham, is: “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
Rachel’s passion for dance ignited at AYSD when she was just five, marking the beginning of an inspiring journey. Alongside her commitment to dance, she embraced cheerleading and the color guard at Lakeside, demonstrating her multifaceted talents.
Transitioning into a teaching role three years ago, Rachel found joy in sharing her dance expertise with others. Jazz and hip hop emerged as her favored styles, reflecting her vibrant energy and creativity.
Presently, Rachel is dedicated to her academic pursuits, pursuing a degree in middle school education with a focus on STEAM.
Her commitment to holistic learning and interdisciplinary approaches defines her as a dedicated educator and artist.
Maggie Eastman, a nineteen-year-old dancer with a dedicated fifteen-year training journey, commenced her dance training at the age of four at Augusta Youth School of Dance (AYSD). As a 2024 Lakeside High School graduate, she held the esteemed position of Captain of the Competition Dance Team and was a founding member of the program. Throughout her high school years, Maggie showcased her versatility by excelling in both Dance and Cheerleading.
Currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education concurrently with her Dance studies in college, Maggie effortlessly integrates her passion for both disciplines. With a profound appreciation for Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Tap, she diligently refines her artistry and remains steadfast in her commitment to inspiring others through her unwavering dedication to Dance.
Maggie envisions establishing her own dance studio in the future, where she can share her passion for movement and provide mentorship to future generations of dancers.
Bella Windom, a seventeen-year-old dancer, has trained for over fifteen years in styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Pom, Musical Theatre, Sideline, and Game Day. As Captain of Lakeside High School’s Competition Dance Team, she leads with passion and dedication. She has trained with elite collegiate teams, including the UGA Georgettes, Clemson Rally Cats, Auburn Tiger Paws, and Georgia Tech Goldrush.
Beyond performing, Bella loves teaching middle school dancers as they refine their technique and master advanced skills. She finds fulfillment in seeing them succeed, whether winning at competitions or achieving new milestones.
In 2023, she was named Miss Augusta’s Teen and later honored as Augusta Good News’ November/December Inspiring Teen Woman of Augusta. A dedicated leader, Bella earned Mission Builder status with Team Tumorators on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) team and graduated from the Columbia County Youth Leadership Class of 2024. She is also a student in the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, balancing academics with her passion for dance.