INSTRUCTORS | The Studio

Studio Director &

Regeneration Community Praisers Instructor

Kenyatta Gordon Simmons

Kenyatta G. Simmons is the wife of the talented Janardus Simmonsa and proud mother of two beautiful girls, four-year-old Kalese and eleven-year-old, Kenley-Elizabeth. She is the Director and Coordinator of the award-winning “The Studio” Arts and Education. She has had her Studio business for 9 years and has been the director of Regeneration Community Praisers for 18 years. She has mentored over 225 young men and women in dance. She is celebrating her 20th year as an educator and school administrator. Her passion is to minister in dance, act, operate programs, present workshops, tutor and mentor children. Her ultimate goal is to mentor young people worldwide and show them what they can become. Kenyatta G. Simmons was born and raised most of her life in New York City, NY. She moved to Brewton, AL, in her middle school years. She graduated high school from T. R. Miller High School in Brewton, AL, following her dream of becoming a teacher. She attended the prestigious Judson College in Marion, AL where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She was blessed to do her internship in Alexander City at Stephens Elementary School and received a job with the Alexander City Schools System in 2005. In 2007, she started the Regeneration Community Praisers community dance team. She received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Troy University, Montgomery in 2007. She taught fourth grade for 11 years at Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School. She was awarded Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the 2013-2014 school years. In 2015, she was chosen as one of the top 5 Elementary finalists for the Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame housed at Jacksonville State University. Starting in 2016, she became an Instructional Coach and served in that position for four years at William L. Radney Elementary School. In December 2018, she received another Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama. In 2020, she became the Assistant Principal at Benjamin Russell High School. In 2021, she was given the opportunity to become the first District Reading Coordinator for Alexander City Schools. On April 10, 2022, she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In December of 2023, she was blessed to graduate with her Education Specialist Degree from The University of West Alabama. She was also promoted to the position of Director of Assessments and Accountability for the Alexander City Schools system. On a personal note, Mrs. Simmons has battled many health problems but God continues to bless her. In 2022 she was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease. In June 2023, she started dialysis and was on dialysis for 10 months. On May 2, 2024, God blessed her with a perfect kidney so she could continue to be an advocate for children in the community and a warrior for her family. Her favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Cheernastics Instructor

Jerlissa Russell

My name is Jerlissa Russell, I go by Lisa. I was born in Sylacauga, Alabama and was raised in Mustskeer Alley. I am a member of Greater Works Ministry. I am a Mother of 3 precious kids; Tajerious, Cory, and Zoey. I have cheered since I was five years old. When I got in the 6th grade, I tried out for the Middle School cheerleading squad and made it. My 7th and 8th grade cheer coach was Mrs. Cathy. I cheered at Benjamin Russell High School and my coach was Mrs. Park. My sister, Jasmine Russell Dixon, and I started and taught gymnastics classes for 4 years. Our classes were every summer at the Cooper Rec. Center. My sister Jasmine recently got married in 2020 and is a lawyer in Florida. She and her husband were blessed with a beautiful daughter in 2022. I have partnered with Mrs. Simmons for nine years and I’m the instructor of my very own cheernastics group.

Technique Instructor

Jaelyn Robinson

Jaelyn Robinson has had a heart for dance since the age of 4. She was a recreational dancer for 8 years. At the age of 9 she started assisting in the classroom. For the past 7 years Jaelyn has run her own Pre-K program, while also dancing in the competitive dance world. She has won many top awards and pushed herself to grow. Outside of dance, Jaelyn is a Sylacauga Chamber diplomat, the Drum Major for the BB Comer Marching Sound of Gold. Jaelyn is also part of the leadership team and many clubs at her school, where she is an officer of multiple. She strives for leadership and greatness in all she does. This is her third year as an instructor at The Studio A & E. She is a freshmen at the University of Alabama "Roll Tide".