Meet Guy Skinner | The Skinner Family – Owners / Directors of RISPA Performing Arts School
We had the good fortune of connecting with Guy Skinner and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Guy, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Founded in 2005, Renaissance International School of Performing Arts, now better known as RISPA, is the premier performing arts school in Milton, Georgia and the surrounding area. As business owners (Guy, Kelly, Macie, and Lexi Skinner), we strive to keep RISPA on the cutting edge of the industry and to provide an enriching and inspiring environment for youth artistic growth.
Witnessing the transformative power of performing arts on young minds fuels our deep appreciation and love for RISPA and the impact it has on young lives and the community at large. We are committed to fostering an environment of respect for individuals, love for the performing arts, and fun experiences for our students, parents, and staff. Contributing to the growth and development of our youth brings us immense joy. Seeing them grow in Acting, Singing, and Dancing, and watching their newfound confidence and skills, fills us with gratitude as we know it is preparing them for their diverse life pursuits.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We assumed ownership of RISPA in May 2024, continuing its legacy of top-tier pre-professional performing arts training and productions in North Fulton. Kelly is a longtime advocate for children’s education having worked for many years for Fulton County Schools as well as the Director of a Primrose School. She joined RISPA’s staff in 2012 after years as an actively engaged parent. Guy transitioned from a 39-year corporate career as an Executive. Assuming ownership of the business was a deepening of our family’s commitment to the studio and the performing arts. Our daughters, Macie and Lexi, both RISPA alumni, returned to the studio after college as teachers. Their majors in college were Music Therapy (Florida State) and Dance Performance/Choreography (Texas State) respectively. Inspired by our own RISPA journey, we acquired the business to uphold its tradition of enriching lives and nurturing a love for the performing arts. We have learned that running a business is a lot of work, but we find it deeply rewarding to witness the personal growth and joy it brings to the lives of children and their families.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Atlanta area is full of great things to do. When friends visit us, there are so many options for fun & entertainment to share with them. The time of year and weather generally dictate the type of activities to indulge in. Taking visitors to downtown Atlanta to see the Aquarium, Coke Museum, and/or Botanical Gardens is always fun. Taking a day trip to Helen, GA or hanging out at Lake Lanier are also great places to visit. We almost always go out to one or more of the wonderful venues at Avalon, Halcyon, and downtown Alpharetta. A favorite spot is Up on the Roof in Alpharetta which has great food and an amazing view of the City Center and distant Kennesaw Mountain.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We want to give a Shoutout to the RISPA family which is the collective group of parents, students, and our staff that support our establishment and each other. RISPA is a family friendly environment where people in the surrounding communities can engage and enjoy the performing arts. It is the support of the parents that enables their children to do what they love (Dance, Sing, and Act). We are grateful for them entrusting us with their children and their performing arts training. Our instructor and office staff are amazing with the tremendous love & support they show our students and their families. We love our RISPA family!!!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rispakids?igsh=MTdpOGx3dXd0aG5mMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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