Community Highlights: Meet Heather Wayne of Heather Wayne Performing Arts and Founder and President of Heather Wayne Dance Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Wayne.

Heather, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a young child, I loved performing, dancing, and leading others in every activity I joined. Growing up in a small town, I knew there was so much more out there to learn and experience. I traveled with my dance teacher to conventions and competitions, and I would envy the dancers who had teams that could train, grow, and travel together. I was determined that one day, I would create a place where children could have those same opportunities. That determination led me to earn a dance scholarship to Brenau University, where I graduated with a BFA in Dance Pedagogy. After college, I taught in schools and studios across Georgia, but I always held onto the vision of creating my own performing arts school. When I met my husband, Jon Wayne, I told him from the start that opening a dance studio was part of my future. In fact, when he proposed, I only said yes after he promised we would pursue that dream together! In our first year of marriage, we opened Heather Wayne Performing Arts in 2003.
Over the years, HWPA has grown into more than I ever imagined. My goal from the beginning was to provide exceptional training in dance and acting, create unforgettable performance opportunities, and build a competitive company where students could train at an elite level. I also wanted to help bridge dancers into the next step—whether college programs or professional entertainment careers. Along the way, I’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Ella Kay and Adelyn, who have grown up in the studio and shared this journey with me.
As the studio grew, I also felt a strong calling to give back. That’s when I founded Heather Wayne Dance Company, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. HWDC helps families in financial need with the additional expenses of competitions and working with top industry leaders. Each year we host our largest fundraiser, the “So You Think You Can Run” 5K and Fun Run, and we sponsor up to five local families at Christmas, providing gifts and support during hardships. Our dancers also perform in local parades, volunteer at community events, and serve at elementary school programs. One of our most meaningful projects has been producing Sensory Friendly Field Trip Shows for our community dance concert—welcoming special needs classrooms from across the region to experience the joy of live performance in a safe, supportive environment. The last two years have been incredibly successful, and we hope to make this outreach even bigger in the years ahead.
Through it all, I’ve been blessed to combine our faith, family, and business. With Jon’s support, we expanded into a 10,000 sq. ft. training facility for HWPA. We later built a 40,000 sq. ft. performing arts center, The Venue at Friendship Springs, which now hosts our productions, dance competitions, and community events ranging from weddings to church gatherings, celebrations and business meetings. It hasn’t always been easy—balancing family life, business demands, and high-level productions and events—but through the grace of God, we’ve stayed grounded and committed.
Our mission is to transform the lives of children by developing confident, passionate leaders who embody creativity, discipline, and excellence. We are dedicated to providing safe and inspiring spaces where families and communities can connect, celebrate, and thrive together through faith, business, and the arts.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been deeply rewarding, but certainly not without challenges. When I first opened the studio, things felt right—I knew God had His hand on the business and that I was doing exactly what He called me to do. Even so, the weight of responsibility was heavy. In that first year, I was teaching full-time at The Lovett School during the day and running classes at HWPA in the afternoons and evenings, often working 15–18 hour days. But when you’re passionate about what you love, the long hours don’t feel like a burden—they feel like purpose.

As the business grew, my husband Jon and I worked tirelessly to build a permanent facility for HWPA. Within 3.5 years, we moved into our current location, which we literally built from the ground up. Of course, building and maintaining a facility brings its own financial and logistical struggles, and we’ve leaned on God’s grace every step of the way to cover costs and keep moving forward. Some months have been easier than others, but through faith and hard work, we’ve managed.

People have also been a defining part of our journey. I’ve been blessed to work with incredible teachers, staff, and families, but there have also been difficult moments when relationships didn’t fit our environment or trust was broken. Those experiences have been hard but valuable lessons in leadership.

On a personal level, raising two daughters in the studio has been both one of the greatest blessings and one of the hardest challenges. For 18 years, I’ve never gone to work without my girls by my side. That’s a rare gift, but it also meant that the pressures of studio life touched every part of our family. Jon and I have had to work side by side to balance business and family, always striving to keep faith, family, and work in the right order. I often say that working with your spouse means learning to “stay in your lane” and lean into your strengths—your business superpowers—to make it all work.

The financial responsibility is another constant weight, as so many staff members and families depend on us for their own livelihood and opportunities. Making wise business decisions, scaling carefully, and keeping up with bills and payroll has been a challenge at times, but God has always provided a way.

The most difficult season came during COVID, when both of our businesses—HWPA and The Venue at Friendship Springs—were forced to shut down. Our entire mission is built around community, connection, and gathering, and suddenly none of that was possible. It was through faith that we found the creativity to pivot. We quickly moved classes online, hosted Facebook Live dance parties, and even organized a virtual talent show where children could perform and families from around the world could watch together. We also reimagined our recital into what we called the “Corona Cital”—a stage experience with 5–7 dancers at a time in costume, livestreamed for families. It wasn’t easy, but it kept our dancers inspired and our families connected.

Through it all, our struggles have strengthened our faith and deepened our mission. We’ve learned that while the road may not be smooth, it is guided, and every challenge has pushed us to grow, serve, and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in our community.

We’ve been impressed with Heather Wayne Performing Arts and Founder and President of Heather Wayne Dance Company a 501 (c) 3 Non for profit Organization, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Heather Wayne Performing Arts, we don’t just teach dance and acting—we shape leaders, inspire confidence, and create world-class opportunities that last a lifetime. This makes us the very best is our unwavering commitment to purpose, where every student and family is valued.

Excellence in Training:
From ballet and jazz to hip hop, tap, musical theatre, and acting, our students receive top-level instruction designed to challenge, inspire, and develop their fullest potential. Our elite competitive teams are trained to perform at the highest standards, preparing dancers not only for the stage but also for college programs and professional careers in the arts.

Transformational Experiences:
We are known for our professional-quality productions, high-level classes, and friendly environment that gives every child the thrill of performing arts on and off the stage. Our signature slogan is WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE SPOTLIGHT! Whether it’s a young dancer’s first recital or a senior’s last competitive season, performing in a parade or a studio showcase, each experience is carefully crafted to be unforgettable.

Developing Leaders for Life:
Beyond technique, we instill creativity, discipline, work ethic, and confidence—qualities that shape strong leaders in every walk of life. Our goal is not just to train great performers but to prepare extraordinary children into high-level leaders who are independent, determined, well-rounded, self-motivated and confident adults.

Community Service Impact:
At Heather Wayne Dance Company (501(c)(3)), community service is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission extends far beyond the studio walls—we are committed to using the performing arts as a vehicle to serve, uplift, and inspire. Each year, we provide scholarships to students who might not otherwise have access to elite training, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent a child from pursuing their passion. We sponsor local families facing hardships, especially around the holidays, delivering not just gifts but hope and comfort when it is needed most.
Our largest annual fundraiser, the So You Think You Can Run 5K & Fun Run, has become a signature community event, uniting families, local businesses, and supporters the shared goal of expanding opportunities for young artists. Beyond raising funds, it creates a spirit of togetherness that reflects our belief that the arts thrive when the community thrives.
One of our proudest and most impactful initiatives is our Sensory Friendly Field Trip shows, offered during our community dance concerts. These performances invite children from special needs classrooms across the region to experience the magic of live dance in a safe, welcoming environment where they can move, laugh, and react freely and be themselves. For many of these children, it is their very first time attending a live performance—and the joy, freedom, and inclusion they experience is nothing short of life-changing. Over the past two years, hundreds of students and teachers have participated, and we are committed to growing this program so that every special needs classroom in our area has the opportunity to attend.
Through these efforts and more, we strive to create lasting impact—not just by training dancers, but by building a stronger, more connected community. At Heather Wayne Dance Company, service is not an afterthought—it is our calling, and it is what makes our work truly meaningful.

Our FAB (Fabulous After School) Program:
At HWPA, it makes life easier for parents and more exciting for kids! Children are picked up from school, get their homework completed, and enjoy daily activities in the creative arts—all in a safe, structured, and fun environment. We keep them engaged and inspired until parents can get off work, giving families peace of mind and students a FABulous end to their day.

A Place to Belong:
Above all, HWPA is more than a studio—it’s a family. For over 23 years, we have built a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where children grow, have lots of fun, families connect, and goals and dreams are nurtured.

At HWPA, passion meets purpose. We are where children find their spotlight, families build lifelong memories, and the performing arts transform lives for the better. More than a studio – It is Students, Family and Community in the Spotlight!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is to stay grounded in Faith. My business, Heather Wayne Performing Arts, has always been led by God’s hand, and only He could have created the miracles I’ve witnessed through this work. I’ve seen children, parents, and families walk through some of life’s hardest challenges, and yet the consistency of HWPA—the classes, the teams, the studio family—has been a safe place where they could find encouragement, healing, and strength. That is God working through my business to reach others.

In my own seasons of hardship, hurt, and challenges, it has been my faith that has carried me forward. When I felt weighed down by friction or setbacks, God moved those mountains and reminded me of the mission I was called to.

The joy of this work is immeasurable—watching students plant little seeds in the performing arts and then blossom during those golden years of growing up is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I have had the privilege of witnessing success, perseverance, and accomplishment in so many different forms. I’ve also been given the gift of learning from families of diverse backgrounds, gaining wisdom that has shaped and blessed my own personal life.

At the heart of it all is community and family. Having a family of my own, I know that the people you surround yourself with shape your future. I am beyond grateful to be surrounded by some of the most amazing students and families—relationships that began in the studio often grow into deep friendships and chosen family. That is the truest blessing of this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.HeatherWaynePerformingArts.com
• Instagram: @HeatherWayneStudio
• Facebook: Heather Wayne’s Performing Arts
• Youtube: Heather Wayne Performing Arts
• Other: @theheatherwaynestudio – tik tok