CORNELIA, Ga. — Hillary Myers took her first dance steps in Cornelia at age 5. Decades later, the Habersham County native has returned home to help a new generation of dancers discover the same joy and confidence she found in the studio.
Myers began dancing at the former Dance-A-Lott studio in Cornelia. She later attended Kennesaw State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in modern dance. After graduation, she danced professionally and taught in the Atlanta area for 12 years.
In 2022, Myers returned to Cornelia with her husband and daughter and began developing Foothills Dance Studio.
“I had the pull to bring a dance studio to Cornelia, where I grew up and where the love of dance was first instilled in me,” Myers said.
Building a place for dancers to thrive
Foothills Dance Studio opened for its first season in 2024 and recently moved into a new, 5,000-square-foot facility at 400 North Main Street in Cornelia. With three dance studios, the facility offers aspiring dancers plenty of room to stretch, learn and grow.
Foothills offers tap, ballet, contemporary and modern dance, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, theatrical dance and acro — a combination of acrobatics, gymnastics and dance — for students ages 3 to 18. A weekly adult barre class is also available.
Myers said working with young beginners is especially meaningful.
“I love being their first introduction to dance,” Myers said. “They are so fun and so silly, and they remind me on a daily basis that, in life, we’re meant to have fun.”
A commitment shared by the whole family
Some families spend several days each week at the studio as their children participate in multiple classes.
Habersham County resident Derrick Brown said his daughter, Miranda Brown, takes several classes and participates in competitive dance. Miranda has trained since she was 5 and previously attended other studios.
Her interest in competing and helping younger dancers keeps the family at Foothills five to six days each week, Brown said.
“Miranda has told us that if she couldn’t compete, she would quit,” Brown said of his daughter’s commitment to competition. “She loves it here. If Miranda didn’t love it, we wouldn’t do it.”
Charlotte Greer of Demorest has two daughters participating this season: 3-year-old Blakely and 7-year-old Gracen.
“Ms. Hillary is so sweet, and her communication skills make it even better,” Greer said.
Gracen said she enjoys both the friendships and instruction she finds at the studio.
“I love spending time with my friends and learning new moves,” she said.
Take the first step
Foothills Dance Studio provides recreational and competitive instruction for beginning and experienced dancers from Habersham County and the surrounding area.
To register, visit Foothills Dance Studios online or contact Hillary Myers at [email protected], 706-963-0647.
Don’t miss what everyone in town is talking about.
Join 4,000+ locals and choose our free newsletter covering news, events and the stories shaping our region.
