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Faculty
Our faculty is made up of experienced, passionate instructors who are committed to helping dancers grow in skill, confidence, and creativity. Each teacher brings a unique blend of professional training and genuine care to every class.
Patti Rutland-Simpson
Founder/Director
Patti Rutland-Simpson taught dance for over 40 years in Dothan and worked for 20 years as a master teacher choreographer and judge for Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Atlanta’s Jazz on Tap Festival, and The Black College Dance Exchange. In 2005, Patti was awarded the prestigious choreographic award, The Leo’s Dancewear Gold Shoe at The Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago garnering such notices as “…volatile and full of almost uncontrollable energy.” from Dance Magazine and “…the creativity of Patti Rutland allowed hip-hop to take a concert stand” from Time Out New York. In April of 2025, Patti officially retired but promised not to disappear because she loves to watch the kids grow up and become the next generation of artists. She is enjoying spending time at the beach with her hubby Bret and her dogs.
Barbara Leger
Brundidge Studio Manager
Barbara is originally from Northeast Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications. In 1998 she married Rodney Leger in North Carolina and they moved to Alabama the next year. After several years of working for the United Methodist Children's Home, she returned to school to pursue a new career as a Licensed Massage Therapist, which she continues to enjoy. Since beginning her work at PRJ Barbara has trained as a Creative Movement Teacher, Backstage Manager, and PRJ Arts & Innovation liaison with Pike County Elementary Schools.As the parent of a dancer (faculty member Mackenzie Leger) who attends Troy University, she is happy to fill the role as Office Manager for Patti Rutland Jazz. Her favorite aspect of the job is getting to know the families and seeing the dancers grow into confident and happy people. And one thing is for sure, she is loved by everyone that walks through the doors!
Camille Whaley
Headland Studio Manager/Team Leader
Camille Whaley is a dedicated teacher and leader at PRJ, serving as our Headland studio manager and longtime instructor. Originally from Fort Gaines, Georgia, she trained at Oz Dance Center and was part of the original Patti Rutland Jazz company before continuing her dance education at Florida State University. She returned to the Wiregrass in 2006 and rejoined PRJ, where she has taught dancers of all ages for nearly two decades.
Camille is passionate about contemporary dance and values growth over perfection, believing that dance is about becoming better than you were yesterday. She especially loves the sense of community within the studio and finds joy in moments when older dancers support the younger ones—without being asked.
As a proud dance mom to her son Cabe, who performs with the PRJ team, Camille shares a special bond with the studio and its mission. She’s grateful for her roots with PRJ founder Patti Rutland Simpson, who’s been a lifelong influence in her journey.
Christina Cervone
Team Leader
Christina was raised in Newnan, GA, received training at Dance Contempra in classical and contemporary styles of dance including ballet, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip hop, and contemporary. In addition, she studied musical theatre, acting, and voice while also performing at The Legacy Theatre. At the collegiate level, she studied ballet, contemporary, tap, improvisation, contemporary partnering, composition & choreography I and II, modern/contemporary history, ballet history, contemporary pedagogy, and ballet pedagogy. Christina graduated from Troy University with a BFA in Dance where she was served as the President of Tau Delta Theta, a dance honor society connected to the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Christina is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her dance career, Christina worked with choreographers James Boyd, Dominique Angel, Adrienne Hicks, James Kinney, Gregory Dolbashian, Nicki Loud, Kelsey Metz, Michael McBride, Lloyd Culbreath, Katie Breland, Mitchell A. Finke, and Chris Coates along with other guest artists. Christina’s passion for teaching has played a major role in her life since she was in high school. She worked her way from teacher’s assistant to solo teacher and now serves as a dance teacher, choreographer, and performance team director for Patti Rutland Jazz.
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Alex Folkes
Team Leader
Alex Folkes began pursuing her dance career in the small town of Headland, Alabama. Up until the age of 17, she trained at various competitive studios around Alabama and had the opportunity to compete her own choreography. In doing so, she received multiple student choreography awards along with many outstanding performance scholarships. Alex is now a recent graduate of Troy University receiving a BFA in dance. She had the opportunity to train with James Boyd, Dominique Palmer, Adrienne Hicks, Kelsey Metz, Michael McBride, Caitlin Parish, and many more. Throughout her college career, she has produced three large works that have been performed in college showcases, the Alabama Dance Festival, and the 2022 and 2023 DAP Festival in Pietrasanta, Italy. Alex has a passion for choreography as well as dance education. Going into her third year of teaching at Patti Rutland Jazz, Alex is so excited to have a part in growing students’ dance education and training through her roles as teacher, choreographer and performance team director for Patti Rutland Jazz
Brittney Holmes
Instructor
Brittney Holmes is a dynamic performer and educator—a true triple threat with experience in singing, dancing, and acting. She received her professional training from Chipola College and developed her dance foundation through Oz Dance Center and Millsaps Dance Studio.
Brittney is known throughout the Southeast for her choreography, working regularly with show choirs, theatre departments, and dance teams. She also served as choreographer for the Dothan High School Dance Line and continues to bring high-energy, creative vision to every project she touches.
At PRJ, Brittney is our resident hip hop instructor at the Headland studio and the creative force behind Santa’s Workshop—yes, she's that Brittney! She’s also a proud dance mom to her daughter Jalonni, a member of our Performance Team, and brings both passion and heart to everything she does.
