Decatur native and 2008 DeKalb School of the Arts graduate Amber Jackson made her national television debut on Season 9 of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” on July 11.

Jackson, 21, was one of three metro Atlanta natives who made the top 20 on the dance show on June 27.

Jackson started dancing at the age of 14 at the Ballethnic Academy of Dance in East Point. She danced her way through high school at DSA and later enhanced her dance technique at Dancemakers of Atlanta studio, studying ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, pointe and hip-hop. 

Jackson has been an instructor at Dancemakers for the past four years.

In an interview with the show, Jackson said she was “overcome by a wave of emotions” when she became a contestant on the show.

“Completely full of joy and excitement, which wowed my heart,” she said. “In the midst of all that was going on inside, I thought, ‘Wow finally it’s my time.’ It’s a dream come true and I’m very thankful to finally have this opportunity.”

This season, the show will have a male winner and a female winner. Viewers can vote after each show for their favorite dancer to help them win the “So You Think You Can Dance” title.

The show airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox.