Instructors

Pilar Wilder

Georgette Pilar Wilder began her dance career in her hometown of Augusta, GA. There, her mother Orlando C. Wilder, enrolled her in ballet, tap, and jazz dance at Martinez Evans, Augusta West Dance and Cutno Dance Studios. Pilar peformed as a principal member of the West African dance company A.B.A.T.S.U. Pilar moved to Macon, GA, in the fall of 1997 to attend the historic Wesleyan College. As a freshman, she started the West African dance club called Harambee AfricanTribal Sounds Unlimited (Harambee!!!). That group is now known as Hayiya Dance Theatre, Inc., Macon’s oldest West African Dance Ensemble.

While attending Wesleyan, Pilar performed as a principal member and choreographer of Harambee!!!, Expressions Dance Ensemble, and the Wesleyan College Dance Ensemble. On January 17, 2001 the college senior opened Hayiya Dance Theatre. She graduated as Wesleyan Woman of Success 2001. Soon after, she taught as an adjunct professor at Fort Valley State University, instructor at Macon State College, dance teacher at Tubman African American Museum, and Artist-In-Residence for the Macon Arts Alliance concurrently. Pilar served as the first dance instructor and Fine Arts Department Chair for Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School from 2004 to 2009. While there she was also awarded the honor of Teacher Of The Year 2007-2008. (Read more…)

Princess Davis
Princess is a female vocalist, songwriter, choreographer, and dancer who also arranges her own material while also designing her own promotional graphics. Her upbeat, hype rhymes and electrifying music is not only catchy but will uplift the self-esteem of others and make you want to move. Born in the hometown of Little Richard, Otis Redding, Young Jeezy and Lena Horne, she was “born to be a star “. Princess made the transition from the small stage to worldwide recognition with her first live appearance on a nationally televised show: BET’s 106&Park Wild-Out Wednesday.

At the age 19, Princess La’Shelle became the youngest Continuing Education Instructor at Macon State College in Macon, Georgia. Princess is a principal ensemble member of Middle Georgia’s oldest West African dance ensemble still in existence. Formally, known as Harambee African Tribal Sounds Unlimited, the company is currently known as Hayiya Dance Theatre Performing Ensemble. Her acts included not only dancing but playing traditional West African instruments and staging assisting. As a host the local TV magazine show “The 478”, Princess La’Shelle covered legendary groups Silk, H-Town, Troop,etc. Princess La’Shelle struck a positive chord with fans with her hottest self-written dance hit “Tear It Up” created by Russ Castello.

Princess La’Shelle has showcased her musical craft in some of the largest events and venues including Blaze The Stage New York, Georgia World Congress Center, Apache Café Atlanta, A-Town Day Festival, National Night Out, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Collaborating with Platinum recording artist Willie Morris of Cameo, winner of TLC’s “R U That Girl” show Oso Krispie and multi-nominated Grammy award producer Noble.

Colby Marshall
Colby Marshall grew up in Macon, Georgia, before attending college at The University of Georgia. After finishing up at her alma mater, Colby moved back home to pursue the two loves of her life: writing and dance. Writer by day, dancer and choreographer by night, Colby is active in local theatres as an actress and choreographer as well as a member of the Board of Directors at Macon Little Theatre. She is a volunteer for Canine Companions for Independence, a group that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Colby most recently choreographed the opening number for M Food and Culture’s annual Foodies! Award Show and choreography in My Fair Lady at Theatre Macon.

Janice Shephard
Janice is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritional Consultant and Zumba Instructor. She teaches and organizes fitness classes and workshop that focus on the health and well-being of women and children. Janice’s energy is infectious making her classes highly sought after. Her goal is to facilitate healthy changes and lifestyles choices that can lead to a longer more fit life. In addition to classes at Hayiya, Janice leads fitness classes and workshops at various locations through Middle Georgia and privately.

Lorreine Bator
A transplant to Macon from New York, by way of Orlando, Florida, Lorreine is a perfect example of the old adage “You’re never too old to start something new.” After training and competing in ballroom for four years, Lorreine discovered and fell in love with belly dance in 2005. Lorreine considers belly dance to be liberating, confidence building and says “just feels good!” Having studied beginner belly dance under Maisha Greene, Lorreine teaches a “Just for Fun” class at Hayiya. Join her to discover your inner goddess.