Dr. Wallace Taylor

Owner & Artistic Director 

Dr. Wallace Taylor is a business leader, philanthropist, engaged scholar, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the owner of Taylor Holdings International with business interests in the United States, Thailand, and South America. Dr. Taylor is the owner of Taylor Academy of Fine Arts, owner of Tucker Taekwondo Center, and Founder/CEO of The Taylor Foundation for the Arts. A native of British Guyana, he has an extensive background in health consulting and kinesiology. He has worked with and established collaborative partnerships with notable organizations such as Georgia State University, The University of West Georgia, DeKalb County Government, The City of Tucker, City of Clarkston, and The YWCA to improve health regimes and propagate the study of Fine Arts in the form of Dance, Acting, Pottery, Martial Arts, Musical Performance, and Photography. He created The Taylor Academy of Fine Arts as a medium to spread the benefits of artistic expression. Dr.Taylor is a professionally trained Latin Dancer and Instructor. 

Dr. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science from Georgia State University with concentrations in Exercise Science and corporate fitness and a double Master Degree designation in Taekwondo from Kukkiwon(South Korea). He has also attained a Masters of Business Administration from the Sorrel College of Business of Troy State University and a Masters of Internet Technology from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. Wallace Taylor received his Doctorate in Business from Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business and continues publication in organizational theory, management, and intercultural business. Dr. Taylor is a chairman member of The World Affairs Council of Atlanta where he supports the mission of interculturalism and globalization. He is currently a publishing Research Associate with Georgia State University's Center of Engaged Business Research (CEBR) and mentors undergraduates and graduate students of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute.

Aye Kodsup, MS, MPH

Managing Director

"Ms. Aye" is a scientist, martial artist, professional photographer, and graphic designer. She is the Managing Director of the Taylor Academy of Fine Arts, Tucker Taekwondo Center, and Executive Director of Taylor Foundation for the Arts. She began with the dance department in October 2009. She enjoys Latin dancing(Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue) and performs traditional Thai dances. She has been a TAFA Production Director for a total of 18 productions. She is a certified 4th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo from Kukkiwon(South Korea) and USA Taekwondo. She shares her love of the sport by teaching professionally for the Tucker Taekwondo Center.

Ms. Aye has a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Fishery Biology with honors from Kasetsart University. Her undergraduate degree was undertaken with a full scholarship in addition to the highest GPA award earned each semester. Ms. Aye’s Master of Science degree in Fishery Science was also marked by the highest GPA of her graduating class. Her second master degree is in Public Health from Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. A Ph.D. in Public Health is in her sights and soon to follow.

 Ms. Aye’s passion is humanitarian work. She is fascinated with how much arts and science coincide with promoting a healthy lifestyle. This has fueled her drive to volunteer her time with The Taylor Foundation Arts’s community and international outreach projects. Most notably, Ms. Aye has collaborated with TFA’s Thailand Children’s Relief, Girls in Action, and Puerto Rico Relief, by combining her knowledge of arts and public health to support others.

Ms. Jennie Ortega

Lead Dance Instructor/ Ballet Mistress 

Jennifer Smith Ortega began training in sixth grade at the Athens School of Ballet, directed by Syd Bowen after being inspired at a performance by the Georgia Ballet of Coppelia. Two years later, she became a member of Athens Ballet Theatre, under the direction of Stanley Zompakos. She spent her senior year of high school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet training under Marcia Dale Weary where she received fifteen ballet classes per week. She joined the Augusta Ballet Company, under the direction of Ron Colton then spent the next year training under Karel Shook in New York at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Jennifer continued her ballet training at the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet with Lupe Serano.  Jennifer is thankful for her many fine teachers, most of whom were former members of New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. 

Jennie's teaching experience includes three years at the Jean Willimas School of Ballet and Germantown Dance Theatre, a regional honor company in Philadelphia, teaching children and adults of all levels and ages. She transferred as a dance major from the University of Georgia to Temple University and earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary  Education. Jennie also holds a Ballet Teacher's Training Certificate from David Howard in New York, and a Cecchetti Council of America Teacher Examination Certificate.

Jennie and her husband Jose have lived in Tucker since 1995 and are blessed to be the parents of five grown children. She danced for many years as a member of Praise in Motion and directed Redeemer Dance Ministry from 1994 to 1999 which culminated in a full-length production of Pilgrim Progress. She directed Tucker Classical Ballet from 2006 to 2015, and has served as Lead Dance Instructor and Ballet Mistress of the Taylor Academy of Fine Arts since 2018.

Email: Jennie@TaylorFineArts.com

Ms. Elaine Wadsworth

Guest Dance Instructor / Choreographer

Miss Elaine is thrilled to share her passion for dance with Taylor Academy of Fine Arts.  Her ballet training began at The Atlanta Ballet.  She studied acting at American Conservatory Theater and Solvang Theaterfest in California.  Most recently, she performed the role of Nurse in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern.  Favorite roles include Titania/Hippolita in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern and Carmen for Georgia Ballet’s “Carmen.”  Her dance credits include performing with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, The San Francisco Opera Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theater, Eglevsky Ballet, and, for 15 years, with Lee  Harper Dancers and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  She choreographed “Dance of the Furies” for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and “The Ugly Duckling” which was presented at The Piccallo Spoletto Festival in Charleston.   She starred as Dr. Grady Hilltop in the film Therapeia.  For two years, she toured as an assistant for Magic of David Copperfield.   Because her career includes both acting and dance, she brings a unique perspective when teaching the performing arts. 

Mr. Slava Belinsky

Guest Dance Instructor / Choreographer

Born in Chisinau, Moldova. Slava Belinsky received his Ballet training from famous Bolshoi School in Moscow, Russia and Kiev Academy of Ballet in the Ukraine. He spent two years with the State Army Dance Company as Ballet Master and Choreographer. He has been a principal dancer with Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theater (Ukraine), and Theatrul Natoinal de Opera si Ballet " Maria Biesu" (Republic Moldova).

 Since 1991, Slava has been residing in the USA. He has performed with the following companies in the U.S: Pennsylvania Ballet, Dance Theatre of Wilkes- Barre, PA, Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware, Manassas Ballet Company, VA. His repertory includes in "Giselle," "Swan Lake," " The Nutcracker," "Raymonda," “Coppelia," " Cinderella," " La Bayadere," " Romeo and Juliet," " Sleeping Beauty" and " Don Quixote." He has toured in the USA with " Russian Roulette Show" (Reno NV, Los Angeles CA, Miami Beach FL, Atlantic City NJ). He spent nine months with Happy Dance Ballet School in Monchengladbach Germany and Chisinau Ballet School in Moldova. Slava was teaching at a professional Ballet company in Europe, Chisinau Opera and Ballet Theater (Republic of Moldova). He toured the United States three times with the Donetsk Ballet Company before joining the Russian Ballet of Delaware USA.

Mr. Belinsky was praised for his commanding and charismatic presence on stage as well as his classical technique. He was chosen to play the role of Mercutio in " Romeo and Juliet"- choreographed by Daniel Baudendistel of the Joffrey Ballet. New York City Ballet, principal dancer, choreographer Robert La Fosse cast Mr. Belinsky in the lead role of the "Entertainer" in his Ballet " Rags." He performed in several ballet pieces, choreographed by Leslie Brown- principal dancer of American Ballet Theater. Performed as a guest artist and taught master classes and choreographed across the USA and Europe Mr. Belinsky brings 30 years of experience as a Professional Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer. Mr. Belinsky has taught professional ballet companies and many schools; he has 18 years in Ballet, Pointe, Solo variations, Pas de deux, Character Dance, and Partnering.

Slava successfully organized a tour to Germany for Woodbridge School of Dance inc. VA.

In 2013 Slava joined the North Atlanta Dance Academy, one of Georgia's finest dance schools as a Ballet teacher and Choreographer.



Jennifer Taylor

Guest Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Jennifer Taylor "Miss Jenn" has been dancing and acting since she was nine years old. She grew up in a military family where her dad was a tuba player for the U.S. Navy. She started her teaching career in 1995 working with Mrs. Ortega at Redeemer Dance Ministry and Tucker Ballet. Miss Jenn has directed several children's plays including Music Man Jr. at Onstage Atlanta and James and the Giant Peach at Momentum Arts. Regarding her expertise in ballet, theatre, and music, Miss Jenn has beautifully chroegrahed and stage-lighting designed the TAFA's seasonal performances held at the Woddruff Arts Center. She enjoys teaching Creative Movement and Beginner Ballet as well as working with children who enjoy dance and theatre. Miss Jenn has four children of her own, all who love theatre, dance and the arts.