About Us

Canopy Studio is a community arts center that is dedicated to enriching the culture of our community and the lives of individuals through flying dance trapeze, movement education and performance arts. Canopy is a resource for local artists and all individuals, regardless of background, age, or physical ability, providing instruction in movement arts and a much-needed venue for viewing and participating in performances.

We seek to reach out to diverse populations in our community allowing everyone to benefit from our programs, classes, and performances. We offer in-house training for instructors through artist residencies, workshops, and mentoring. Classes currently offered include trapeze as movement education and performance arts for children, teens and adults; aerial silks; Pilates; conditioning; and yoga.

Canopy provides a safe space for creation and collaboration with artists of all mediums … visual, literary, and musical. We are building links to artists and teachers in communities everywhere, bringing new performances and learning opportunities to Northeast Georgia.

Canopy Studio Staff

Canopy Studio's Repertory Company began with Founder Susan Murphy and a group of eight women who believed in the idea of Canopy when it was a dilapidated warehouse. We raised funds, networked, and helped raise the roof. Today Repertory has 15 active members who form the core of our performing and teaching programs. The Company, under the artistic direction of Melissa Roberts , presents two major shows a year, in fall and spring. Classes are held year round. With 23 year-round classes a week in addition to student performances, birthday parties, workshops, fundraising and community outreach, Repertory's commitment embodies ongoing acts of love and faith.

Members of Canopy's 2010 Repertory Company:

Mazie Bowen
Annette Byrd
Rabun Dekle
Anna Gore
Mary Jessica Hammes
Jenna Hencinski
Carlynn Kenna
Chris Knightes
Carrie Kretzer
Allyson Mann
Lindy Pals
Julie Phillips
Lauren Puls
April Moore Skelton
Dana Skelton
Melissa Wilson
Ann Lily-Woodruff
Allison Workman


In addition to the teachers from our Repertory Company, we also have a committed group of teachers that help instruct our classes.  All of our teachers make up the stable center of Canopy.

Other Canopy Teachers:

Holly Blanchard
Amber Jarrard
Eleanor Kuntz

Canopy Studio Board of Directors

The Canopy Studio Board of Directors are a group of dedicated individuals who give so much of their time and effort to ensure that Canopy is a thriving community arts center.

The current members of Canopy's Board are:

1. Willie Banks
   Sally Coenen  
   Vicki Christopher Joiner
   Jessica Hunt, Secretary
   Carlynn Kenna
   Joaquin Madrid, President
2. Amanda Martin, Vice President
   Michael Massey, Treasurer
3. Sarah Morang
   Lili Ouzts, Ex Officio