GMDT Staff
Beth Hughes
Executive Director
 With more than 20 years of experience in the dance industry, Beth Hughes brings a wealth of expertise to GMDT and is motivated to move the company forward as a strong member of the arts community in Marietta. She previously served in various roles at the Birmingham Ballet from 2003 – 2018, such as assistant director, stage manager, balletmistress, and ballet instructor, and before that worked as the Director of Dance Studies for the Gadsden Community School for the Arts. In 2018, Hughes began working as costume manager at Georgia Dance Conservatory, and soon after entered the classroom as a ballet instructor in 2019. That same year, GMDT hired Hughes as the managing director of the company as well as assistant stage manager. Her aptitude for project management, maintaining balanced finances, and her deep understanding of the dance industry will help position GMDT for further growth and presence as a leader in the arts community.
Ashleigh Whitworth
Artistic Director
Ashleigh Yvette Whitworth was born and raised in Marietta, GA, and began her formal dance training at the Ruth Mitchell Dance Studio (now Georgia Dance Conservatory) at age seven.
In 2007, Ashleigh moved to Philadelphia to attend The University of the Arts under the Presidential Scholarship and Stone Dance Scholarship. Performance highlights at UArts include dancing principal roles in the works of Twyla Tharp, Louis Johnson, and William Forsythe. Ashleigh graduated in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance Performance and a Minor in Philosophy and Religion, earning the Stella Moore Prize for Four-Year Achievement, Outstanding Performance in Modern Dance, Outstanding Performance in All Dance Styles, the Choreography Prize, and the President's Award. She also had the honor to address the University of the Arts Graduating Class of 2011 as the Valedictory Speaker. Ashleigh has previously danced with Zane Booker's Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative (Philadelphia, PA) and Heidi Cruz's Dance Spora (Trenton, NJ); she has also worked as rehearsal director for UArts on projects under Douglas Becker (Ballet Frankfurt) and Sidra Bell (Sidra Bell Dance NY).
In 2014, Ms. Whitworth was named Artistic Director of GA Metro Dance Theatre (previously Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre). In 2019, Ms. Whitowrth and Gray Stoner became owners of Georgia Dance Conservatory.
Gray Stoner
Associate Artistic Director
Gray Stoner was born and raised in Atlanta and started dancing at age seven. She originally got into ballet to help her gymnastics training but quickly fell in love with the art of dance. From then on, Gray received her dance training from Georgia Dance Conservatory (formerly Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre). She received additional training from The Joffrey Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and was selected to participate in Regional Dance America's Craft of Choreography.
Ms. Stoner continued dancing and her education at The University of Arizona where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Elementary Education. While completing her BFA, she performed in signature pieces of highly regarded choreographers including Sam Watson, James Clouser and George Balanchine.
After graduation, she started teaching at Georgia Dance Conservatory and danced as a company member with Atlanta Dance Collective from 2015-2018. In 2016, she accepted the position of Assistant Artistic Director of GA Metro Dance Theatre. In 2019, Ms. Stoner and Ashleigh Whitworth became the owners of Georgia Dance Conservatory.
Leslie Jenkins
Managing Director
Leslie Jenkins is honored to join the GMDT staff as the Managing Director. A proud graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, along with a certificate in Marketing. Leslie worked for over 20 years in her family's business, Bruster's Ice Cream, where she served first as General Manager and then as Finance and HR Manager.
In addition to her professional experience, Leslie has dedicated her time to volunteering at her children's schools, her church, and GMDT. She has held numerous leadership positions, including President of Parents in Action, Treasurer of the PTA, Chair of Local Missions, and Front of House Guild Chair. She also served on the GMDT Board of Directors. Leslie and her husband are proud parents of two GMDT dancers and a son who attends Georgia Tech.