Cumming Dance Academy

Niki Jernigan Watkins, Owner, Founder, Artistic Director

Celebrating 21 years of Cumming Dance Academy!

Miss Niki, as most know her, began her training at the young age of 3 with Carol Eason School of Dance and Pritchett-Pippin Studios in Americus, Georgia under the direction of Carol Eason and Judy Dabbs, respectively. She is classically trained in ballet, pointe, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and jazz. Niki performed for 10 years under Judy Dabbs before joining The Dance Company-Americus to begin her career as a dance instructor. She has traveled professionally all over the world, most notably, Paris, France to perform at Euro-Disney.

Niki is a graduate of Valdosta State University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater/Dance. Niki’s professional credits include:  The Dance Company – Americus, The Dance Company – Gainesville, The Dance Company – Albany, Inner-City Contemporary Dance Company (I-CAN), Gerlock Dance Studio, Buford School of Ballet, VSU Repertory Dancers where she served as Dance Captain. Niki has also participated in Falcons Half-Time Shows and been on judge’s panels and served as Mistress of Ceremonies for numerous pageants and live events over the years.

Niki was chosen to play Helen of Troy in the first original choreo-drama, “Dr. Faustus” by renowned choreographer Eric Brandt Nielson.  In VSU’s performance of “Dancing Into The Millennium 2000,” she was featured in a Latin Ballroom piece choreographed specifically for she and her partner. In the same year, she traveled on children’s tour of “The Magic of Dance” where she served as Dance Captain and was featured for the ballet, tap, jazz, and ballroom segments.

Miss Niki has been featured on many cover articles regarding her affect on the youth of this community over the years. She has contributed to countless elementary school programs and continues to be a partner in education with local schools in the area.

Opening the original CDA in 2003 in a one room location on Elm Street, she grew quickly and opened an adjoining studio next door. In 2006, she built her own 7,500 sq. foot free standing building in downtown Cumming, the plans of which were originally drawn on a napkin by her years before.

In 2012, Miss Niki opened her second location with the addition of CDA II on Elm Street. Quickly thereafter, she opened two additional studios downstairs of her CDA II location taking her Cumming presence to 6 studio rooms for dance education.

In 2017, Miss Niki expanded to Dawsonville with the opening of CDA North. Since originally opening CDA in 2003, she has expanded 3 times, built her own custom facility, and opened 3 locations.  Her love of dance and children has spread to many young dancers over the years all over the state of Georgia.

In 2023, CDA celebrated its 20th year in business in Forsyth County with a sold out week of shows entitled “Puttin’ On The Ritz, A 20 Year Anniversary Event.” CDA Dancers performed for over 5,000 audience members throughout the 9 shows. It was a truly monumental moment for Miss Niki to see what her dream as a little girl has turned into.

While celebrating the 20th year, Miss Niki was named “Best of the Best” and proudly looks forward to continuing to grow Cumming Dance Academy in the years ahead.

At Cumming Dance Academy, we do not say the “R” word - “recital”. Our studio provides top notch productions similar to those that can be found in any off-Broadway theater house. Miss Niki does not simply give our dancers a stage to dance on, she provides them the opportunity to perform in a class act production in which CDA has become known for.

Miss Niki lives in Dawsonville with her husband Chet. She has one 14 year old son, Cash and a white lab named “Strait”. She continues to teach dance and manages CDA’s 3 locations with the help of her amazing office team! She credits the success of CDA to the amazing staff she surrounds herself with.

Testimony from long-time dance parent at CDA….

Niki J. Watkins is shaping Forsyth County.  She is contributing to the fabric of our county’s future through her work with students at Cumming Dance Academy, but she is supporting the framework of our here and now by supporting ongoing projects at local schools and charities.  Her hand is in everything.  She sponsors events both large and small at elementary through high school and beyond.

She gets involved with efforts that have nothing to do with dance, but all about supporting kids and promoting good deeds and good character and helping others.  She consistently encourages students to work hard and get involved and give back through their talents.  She is setting the bar high being an A #1 example of just how to do that. Mrs. Niki never hesitates to offer her support to a cause and she is impacting all of those around her.  Her willingness to work hard at her own business all the while supporting her local community any way she can is second to none.  In 2015 she has sponsored numerous charity events and lent her name and resources to a variety of groups as a mentor.  Her ability to stay relevant and relate to the children and youth of our community is key to her success.  She is constantly growing and changing to keep up with the attentions of our kids. She has grown her studio to three locations now to reach an ever increasing audience of families who seek her out for her ability to impact their children in a positive way.  Niki J. Watkins is makes each and every day unforgettable and should be recognized for making CDA a great place for the kids of Forsyth County.