Hidden Gems: Meet Makenzie Collier of Georgia Dance Lab

Today we’d like to introduce you to Makenzie Collier.

Hi Makenzie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing at the age of 13, and from the moment I began, I knew it was something I was meant to do. Dance quickly became my passion and the path I wanted to follow. As I grew, I began training at Dance 411 in Atlanta, which opened so many incredible doors for me. I was eventually signed to their talent agency and had the opportunity to work with amazing choreographers, perform in movies and television shows such as Senior Year, Insatiable, and The Darkest Minds, and dance alongside artists like Kanye West, Ashanti, and Jagged Edge. I even had the privilege of performing at the BMI Awards — experiences that truly shaped me as a performer.

Even though much of my training and professional work took place in Atlanta, I’ve always lived in Forsyth. Making that drive back and forth gave me a deep appreciation for opportunity — and it’s always been a dream of mine to bring that same level of training and inspiration to Middle Georgia. I wanted dancers here to experience what I did growing up — to have access to quality instruction, professional experiences, and a supportive community without having to leave home.

That dream became Georgia Dance Lab — a place built on passion, creativity, and opportunity. My goal has always been to show that big dreams can start right here in our own backyard, and to give every dancer who walks through our doors the confidence to chase them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening a business is never easy, and I truly put my everything into bringing Georgia Dance Lab to life. There were so many late nights, long days, and moments of uncertainty — but I had so much faith that it was all going to work out. Deep down, I knew this was what I was meant to be doing. I felt called to create something special, something that would make a difference in my community — and that belief kept me going even when things were hard.

I couldn’t have done it without the people around me. My parents, my partner, and my dance family have carried me through the toughest moments of this journey. They’ve been there for every high and low, encouraging me when things got stressful and reminding me why I started. Their support, along with the love from our incredible studio community, is truly what got me through the challenges of starting my business.

Every struggle was worth it — because now I get to wake up every day doing what I love!!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and small business owner — and I’m proud to wear all of those titles. I own Georgia Dance Lab in Forsyth, where I specialize in teaching all styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, pointe, and musical theatre. I also direct and choreograph for our award-winning Georgia Dance Lab Competition Team, which competes throughout the Southeast at both regional and national levels.

Outside of the studio, I’ve had the privilege of choreographing several stage productions for Mary Persons High School, including Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Big Fish. Theatre has always held a special place in my heart, and getting to combine my love of storytelling and movement in that way has been incredibly rewarding.

When I’m not teaching or choreographing, I’m usually cutting music, planning shows, or simply being there for my students — whether that means offering advice, being a shoulder to cry on, or just listening when they need someone to talk to. My dancers know that I care about them far beyond their technique; I care about who they are as people.

I also hold a B.A. in Clinical Psychology and an M.S. in Criminal Justice, which have helped me understand how to connect with and support my students on a deeper level. I focus not just on creating strong dancers, but confident, kind, and resilient individuals.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been being named Forsyth’s Best Dance Studio by the Macon/Monroe Reporter in 2025. But more than any award, I’m proud of the environment we’ve built at Georgia Dance Lab — a place that combines professional-level training with a family-like atmosphere. Our studio’s science theme, “the Lab,” represents our approach to dance: experiment, grow, and discover. My goal has always been to bring big opportunities to Middle Georgia and to prove that incredible things can be built right here at home.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to work with and support what we’re doing at Georgia Dance Lab! We love collaborating with other artists, performers, and local organizations to bring dance into the community and create something truly special. We’ve had the opportunity to perform alongside incredible talent and take part in meaningful events — from Dancers for Hope, which raises money for the Jay’s Hope Foundation, to opening for master magician and illusionist Evan Dupree at The Rose Theater. We’re also performing at the Festival of Lights this year and performing at an Atlanta Gladiators Hockey Game and continue to take part in many other community events that celebrate creativity and connection.

For dancers and families, the best way to get involved is to join our growing GDL family — whether that’s through classes, workshops, or performances. We welcome dancers of all ages and levels, and we’re always looking for new ways to bring opportunity and inspiration to Middle Georgia.

Community support means the world to us — from attending our free shows and cheering on our dancers, to sponsoring our events, enrolling in classes, or even just sharing our posts online. Every bit of encouragement helps us continue to grow and give back.

Pricing:

• $65 for a 1 hr class
• $50 for a 45 minute class

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.georgiadancelab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gadancelab/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560047678724

Image Credits
Harrison Foster Photography