Staff

Owner and program director, Kelly (Samford) Halcomb has called Duluth home since 1980.  She is a former Auburn University Dance Team member and Captain.  She has been working with gymnasts, dancers and cheerleaders of all ages for the past 18 years.  As a 1999 honor graduate of Auburn University, she majored in High School Science Education with an emphasis in Biology.  After teaching Biology and coaching cheerleading at Duluth High School for several years, she opened Cheer & Dance Atlanta with her husband Brent in 2002.   Kelly & Brent have five beautiful children, Emerson Cates (7)  Samford (6) Callaway Ann (4) Banks (2) and Mills (newborn)... and two crazy labs, McGraw & Lily!

Kelly oversees all Jayhawks All-Star coaches, class instructors and summer camps.  She is CPR and AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators) safety certified, a member of the Georgia High School Coaches Association and a member of the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association.  Kelly has captured three State Championships and a runner-up in Georgia High School as well as several National Championships at the All-Star level.  In 2006 she coached the Georgia & National High School Cheerleading Team of the Year and was a finalist for Georgia Coach of the Year.   Since then she has worked with high school squads from all over the Southeast. Kelly enjoys challenging the kids to progress in their skills while enthusiastically encouraging them every step of the way.  She makes it her mission to see every child leave the gym with a smile and a great feeling about their accomplishments. 

With CDA since 2007...

Rick grew up in Miami, Florida and began cheerleading for his high school in 1995.   He then went on to cheer two years for Top Gun Co-ed All-Stars where he won several National Championships.  After high school,
he made the varsity cheerleading team at University of Central Florida in 1998 and placed third at the UCA College National Championships in 1999—GO KNIGHTS!! 

He graduated from UCF with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies and a triple minor in history, business and education.  Following college, he continued to cheer for a couple adult open teams in the Orlando
area such as Orlando’s Best. 

Rick’s professional career in cheerleading began the summer of ‘95 not long after he started cheering for Miami Killian HS.  He began as a tumbling instructor and all-star.  Rick worked as a UCA instructor for 5 years with the Florida staff.  During the school year, he coached at top level Florida all-star gyms such as Polk County Galaxy and Freedom Athletics.
He began by choreographing his own all-star routines and then went on to work with other teams all over the
country and in Europe.

Rick works as an international instructor and choreographer working in Europe and Scandinavia.  He also acts a mentor for European coaches who like to learn more about choreography, cheer technique, and tumbling.  Rick has coached teams to numerous State and National titles throughout his career.

We are thrilled to have Rick at Cheer & Dance Atlanta since the Fall of 2007.  Rick works with our all-stars, high school squads and teaches beginner through elite tumbling classes.   Rick is well respected by students, coaches and parents alike for his knowledge and love of our sport! 

With CDA since 2011.....

Lennon is a graduate of Auburn University where he cheered, served as Men’s Coordinator for the cheerleading squad and received his Bachelor’s in Architecture. Lennon has been coaching tumbling and cheerleading for over fifteen years and was an NCA head instructor for six. He has choreographed numerous national championship winning teams across the country including Jayhawks teams…we are thrilled to have Lennon at Cheer & Dance Atlanta and on the Atlanta JayHawks Staff!!

With CDA since 2003...

Linsey was born and raised in Georgia. Growing up in the Lawrenceville/Snellville area, she graduated from South Gwinnett High School.  Linsey cheered throughout high school on the competition team at South Gwinnett and on All-Star teams at Force Cheerleading. She graduated from GA State University with a B.S. in Physical Education and Health.  In 2003 Linsey started coaching at CDA.  Since then she has coached numerous championship teams at CDA and has helped the gym progress from 100 kids to 600 kids and growing.....  She feels blessed to have found a job that she loves.  Each day Linsey looks forward to work because there is nothing more fulfilling then impacting a child's life.  Linsey is a true Jayhawk at heart!!!!!

With CDA since 2009...

Originally from Virgina beach, Virgina, Kendall moved to Duluth Georgia in 2002 were he attended Duluth Middle & Duluth High School.  Kendall started his cheerleading career with the Atlanta Jayhawks in the summer of 2002-2003.  With the Duluth High "CLAW Squad" he earned TWO GHSA High School Cheerleading State Championships, one in 2003-2004 in the AAAAA division and another in 2004-2005 in the first ever GHSA Coed division. After high school Kendall went off to college at the University of Louisville in Louisville Kentucky, winning a College National Championship in the Small Coed division. Kendall has earned 4 Cheersport Titles, 3 NCA All-star Titles, 2 GHSA State Titles, 1 NCA College National Title, as well as competing at the Cheerleading Worlds Competition in Orlando FL in 2006,2007,2008,2009 and 2010. Kendall joined the JayHawks staff in 2009 and looks forward to many more amazing seasons and memories with the Atlanta Jayhawks! 

With CDA since 2009...

A true Atlanta Native, Micah was born in downtown Atlanta at Georgia Baptist Hospital.  Growing up in Smyrna Micah spent his free time singing for the church and in his school's chorus program.  At 14, he attended Campbell High School and tired out for a local all-star program where he progressed into making their co-ed team.  Micah cheered all-stars for 2 1/2 years and began coaching tumbling classes and teams at United Stingrays in Kennesaw Georgia by the age of 16.  Since then Micah has gone on to coach with several successful programs, winning CHEERSPORT and also working with upper level gymnasts.  Micah attends Georgia State University where he cheered for three years and competed twice at NCA College Nationals.  Micah began coaching at CDA in 2009 and is one of our most beloved instructors on staff.  Micah coaches levels 1-5.  We are lucky to have Coach Micah!!
 

With CDA since 2004...

Jami Boleware was born and raised in South Florida where she trained as a Level 10 gymnast and was a member of the Meg Segretos Dance Company. In High School Jami was an All-American Cheerleader.  After high school she attended Auburn University where she was a member and captain of the Auburn University Tiger Pause Dance Team.  Jami graduated from Auburn with her BS in Exercise Science and her MS in Exercise Physiology.  

Jami has been coaching gymnastics and dance for over 16 years. Before joining the Atlanta JayHawks staff in 2004, Jami worked at Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta where she still serves as a choreographer.  Jami loves training and working with kids of all ages and it shows in her interactions with the kids at CDA.   She coaches tumbling classes of all levels and dance classes at Cheer & Dance Atlanta. 

Jami has a wonderful husband, Jason, and two beautiful daughters, Sara (4) and Lyla (2).  Jami stays at home with Sara and works at CDA part-time coaching cheer and dance teams for the JayHawks.  We are proud to have an experienced and well-respected coach like Jami on our staff!

Stephanie moved to the Atlanta area in 1998 where she attended Buford City Schools until graduation in 2008.  She cheered for Buford Middle and High School football, basketball, and competitive squads. In addition, Stephanie cheered for the Atlanta Jayhawks for her last two years of high school. After graduation, Stephanie attended Valdosta State University where she cheered for all four years. During her time at VSU, Stephanie was a part of the first All-Girl team to win a NCA National Championship.  She received Most Valuable Player in 2010, NCA College All-American and Female Academic Athlete of the Year in 2011 and Scholar Athlete in 2012.  She graduated in May 2012 Summa Cum Laude with a Middle Grade Education degree. She has worked with the Atlanta Jayhawks off and on during the summers since graduating from high school is happy to be back to work full-time with her Jayhawks cheer family.

Chase Castellanos was born and raised in Gwinnett County, Georgia. He began his career in cheerleading at the age of 17, cheering for the Shiloh S.W.A.T. team under the direction of Vince Chu. Chase attended college at the University of West Georgia, where he cheered for 3 years, winning two UCA College National Championships. Currently, Chase is a graduate student and cheerleader at the University of Georgia, where he is earning his masters in Sport Management and assists the UGA cheer team in coaching tumbling and collegiate level stunting. Chase is USASF certified levels 1-5, and has been coaching for 8 years.  We are thrilled to have Coach Chase on CDA's staff!!

Office Manager

All-Star Coordinator with CDA since 2003!

Assistant Office Manager

Devon was born in Hanua, Germany and moved to Suwannee, Georgia when she was 11 years old. She competed in gymnastics for 8 years and has been cheering for the Atlanta Jayhawks for the past 4 years. She competed with the JayHawks at Worlds in 2012.   She attends Peachtree Ridge High School and is cheering on Varsity Blue Pride as a Senior. Devon wants to continue to cheer throughout college and hopes to continue coaching past college. 

Born in Wheaton IL, she began gymnastics at age 3. She moved to Cincinnati, OH at age 11, in order to train at the elite level for gymnastics. Competing internationally for USA Gymnastics, she competed in over 20 different countries for the USA National Team, including the 2006 World Championships, placing 2nd as a team and 10th individually. In 2008, she began her collegiate career, competing for the University of Alabama Gymnastics Team. Some of her highlights include:

2011 & 2012 NCAA Gymnastics Team Champions
2009 & 2010 SEC Gymnastics Team Champions
2010 SEC Gymnastics Individual AA Champion
2010 Top 20 Female Athletes in the USA
2013 SEC Nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year

At the University of Alabama, Ashley received her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish/Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Sport Management.

Ashley has coached Gymnastics every summer for 5 years. She choreographs Beam and Floor Routines for Gymnastics as well. With her background in Gymnastics, she specializes in Tumbling, Flexibility, and Choreography.

We are thrilled to have Ashley at Cheer & Dance Atlanta as a tumbling coach!