Southern Performing Arts Academy

10/13/2026

The 2026-2027 Season has flown by!

We’ve been nominated again for Best of Gwinnett!

Please vote for us here: https://www.guidetogwinnett.com/united-states/lawrenceville/arts-entertainment/southern-performing-arts-academy

08/03/2026

Our 2026-2027 Season starts Monday August 10!

Not registered yet? Join us for Open House on Saturday August 8 between 10:30-1:00 to register!

📸: Baylee Vidal Co.

07/15/2026

06/23/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate the last of our seniors: Valencia Crawford

Valencia has been dancing with SPAA for 12 years and SBT for 8.

She graduated from Brookwood High School with Honors and an AP Scholar. She participated in the dance program and Beta Club at Brookwood and was also a FFA member. She received a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Valencia will be attending Kennesaw State University honor college and double major in dance and plant science to become a botanist.

Words from our Senior:

“Don’t let anything stop you from doing what you love. My favorite memory: I remember the time right before we did Aladdin and me and my friends wanted to perform the tap dance.  A friend showed us the dance and we practiced a lot and practiced putting our tap shoes fast until we got it. That night we were able to perform the dance in-sync with each other. I think that’s the thing I am going to miss, all of us trying to work together trying to accomplish great things.”

Congrats Valencia!

06/20/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate Katie Hayes

Katie has been dancing at SPAA for 15 years and SBT for 8 years.

She graduated from Peachtree Ridge High School with honors, 5 college credits and has lettered in fine arts and academics. She was a member of the Ridge Varsity Dance Team (1st place at State in 2025), and a member of Peachtree Ridge Playhouse where they performed and won 3 awards at the Shulers in 2026. She also attended Governors Honors Program for Dance in 2025.

This fall, Katie will be attending the University of North Georgia where she will be Majoring in Nursing to get my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

Words from our Senior:

“One of my favorite memories is being able to help and visit guest dancers before and during shows.”

Congrats Katie!

06/17/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate: Salome Mendoza

Salome has been dancing with SPAA for 3 years.

She graduated from Grayson high school with honors with her tech of commercial photography and also got a certification in adobe photoshop.

She is planning to go to SCAD and study fashion marketing and management.

Words from our senior:

“One thing I’ll really miss is the time I spent in every dance. It was the one place where I could forget about everything for a while and just enjoy the moment. I’m going to miss dancing, laughing nonstop at my classmates’ comments, and all the memories we made together. They always knew how to make me laugh so bad, and those moments meant a lot to me.”

Congrats Salome!

06/16/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate: Aleisha Batista

Aleisha has been dancing with SPAA for 5 years.

She graduated from Dacula High school and was a part of the Pilot Program and SkillsUSA at Maxwell.

After high school she plans to further her education and become either a pilot or flight attendant.

Words from our senior:

“I will miss end of the year recitals and the feeling I get on stage.”

Congrats Aleisha!

06/15/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate: Rihanna Dima

Rihanna has been dancing for 15 years and with SPAA for almost 12 years.

She graduated from Central Gwinnett High School with honors, and awarded medals and cords from Beta Club, HOSA, NHS, the SOTA Department, and Legacy Leaders. 

Rihanna is going to GGC at first and then transferring to UGA for their Psychology program and then continuing to get her doctorate to become a licensed Clinical Psychologist.

Words from our Senior:

“My favorite memory was watching the seniors I looked up to dance in their final show, getting to watch them pour all their emotion onto the floor inspired me.”

Congrats Rihanna!

06/14/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate: Liana Armstrong

Liana has been dancing with SPAA for 3 years.

She graduated from Archer High School with honors, where she was a part of French Honors Society, Wind Symphony as a first chair flute and also a Merit scholar.

She will be attending Savannah State University,  majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Psychology. 

Words from our senior:

“I will miss learning new routines and the anticipation of performing for an audience. I love the stage.”

Congrats Liana!

06/13/2026

💫S E N I O R  S P O T L I G H T💫

Today we celebrate: Miranda Wolfe

Miranda has been dancing with SPAA for 5 years.

She just graduated from Brookwood High School and plans to attend Kennesaw State University this fall.

Congrats Miranda!