Kathy Dupuy started dancing seriously in high school and has continued to take classes and had the opportunity to perform through various studios in Austin. Through the years, dance has proven a great way for her to stay fit after having 4 kids and maintaining a busy lifestyle. She has successfully pioneered multiple businesses from start up to maturity including Texas’ largest household staffing service, Mom’s Best Friend, which she founded in 1994. She and her husband, Stuart, now run this together, along with the College Sitters & Tutors Barton Springs franchise. She also started and ran a residential care, assisted living home for seniors, for 10 years. Kathy has served on various boards, and her companies have been recognized for outstanding achievement, as well as a commitment to giving back to the local community. As a dancer herself and mom of 4 kids who all danced at one point or another, Kathy understands the need for a high quality studio environment catering to the needs of both adults and children, thus the creation of Balance Dance Studios in 2012. Kathy’s business expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her passion for the art of dance, create the perfect combination for her role as studio owner of Balance Dance Studios. Kathy purchased a Round Rock studio, The Dance Spot, in 2017, and now manages both locations. Kathy and her family reside in Southwest Austin and are the proud parents of Grace, Kaitlyn, and James and Jordan.
Mandy Anstey graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of South Florida in 2013. Amanda has performed, choreographed and trained all over the world including Paris, France and Beijing, China. After graduation, she moved to Orlando, FL where she was the lead performer for the dance theater company VarieTEASE for 5 years under the direction of Blue Star. VarieTEASE dance company has been awarded “Top Dance Company of Orlando” for the past 5 years. In 2015, Amanda received her Yoga Teaching Certification from Asheville Yoga Center.
As an educator, Amanda has produced, choreographed and directed multiple dance concerts and musical theater productions, for all ages for the past 17 years. She created two successful dance programs at Paredes Middle School (Austin, TX) and University High School Performing Arts Magnet (Orlando, FL) from ground zero. While at University High School, her impact resulted in the school receiving the national award of “Top Magnet School” in 2021. Her career in dance education values movers of all levels and promotes character building through the vehicle of dance.
Her choreography offers a fresh outlook on life. Her show “Let Go” and “Forgotten Memoirs” performed in the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2017 and 2019, both pieces were asked by patrons to perform in venues throughout the state of Florida. In 2016, the American Association of University of Women offered Amanda a grant to create a curriculum and dance film for her show, “Let Go”. The curriculum and dance film creates awareness around self-defeat and guides the viewers to become the master of their mind.
Clara Bolivar Clara began dancing around 8 years old in Dallas, Texas. She trained under her mentor, Giovanni Allen. Additional training includes 6 years with Groundworks Dance Company, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, the Ailey Studios, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and UT Austin dance-major courses. She has always enjoyed working with children and loves watching the progression of her students!
George Bohn started performing in California at an early age with Vernon Russell who set the foundation for much of his dance career. By age 13, George had performed on television, in an Equity Summer Stock package, and at the San Francisco Opera House with the Kirov ballet. After earning an English degree from St. Mary’s College, he toured throughout the Northwest United States and internationally performing ballets and choreographing in countries such as Mexico, Germany, and the Netherlands; eventually performing with Disney-on-Parade in South Africa before moving to New York City. George’s New York credits include Gypsy with Angela Lansbury, several Off-Off Broadway shows, The American Dance Machine, and Not So New Faces where he originated the “Flipper Dance” with choreographer Terry Rieser, While in New York, he was recruited by the esteemed choreographer Henry LeTang to travel to Las Vegas to perform in a revue of The Cotton Club coinciding with the release of the film starring Gregory Hines. Once back in New York, George joined DancEllington, a concert tap company founded by Gregory and Maurice Hines and led by Mercedes Ellington, Duke Ellington’s granddaughter. In addition to performing and touring with the company, George made his New York choreographic debut creating the Russian and Sugarplum Fairy dances in DancEllington’s premier of Cracker Jazz—Peter and the Duke, to Ellington’s famous arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite, as well as assisting Ms. Ellington in choreographing for Andre Heller’s Body and Soul which opened at the Munich Opera House and toured in Germany and Austria. George also created and performed A Simple Song with his longtime friend, Broadway actor Bob Fitch for the group Dancers Over Forty before closing a 30 year chapter on his New York career and moving to Aus9n to be closer to family. His current projects include teaching, maintaining his YouTube channel and originating the Austin Rhythm Incubator. He is working on a full-length creative project specific to Texas which will encompass many different dance forms. He is also developing a state-of-the-art tap shoe.
Mia Skylar Borjas is a local dancer in Austin, TX. In 2022, she started her dance journey when she was searching for a new way to stay active and became passionate about dancing. She loves to share her love of dancing with friends, family and other dancers. When she’s not dancing, she’s studying to be a graphic designer at ACC. Mia is super excited to be teaching at both TDS & BDS. She looks forward to sharing her enjoyment of dance and support others on their dance journey.
Christine Bourgeois Autin, a native of Baton Rouge, LA, has been teaching ballet for 25 years and most recently taught at Revolution Dance Company in Baton Rouge, LA. She implemented the first dance program at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge in 2006, was Director of Dance, a Pilates instructor, and Psychology teacher at Episcopal High School of Baton Rouge from 2007-2011, as well as Co-Director and choreographer of The Bridges Project for the 2008 Young! Tanzsommer Tour in Austria and Germany.
Christine was also the Production Stage Manager for Debbie Allen for her productions of “Dreams”, “Just Dance”, and “All the Right Moves”, has appeared on Mario Lopez’s “Name Your Adventure” on NBC, was a guest dancer for Luciano Pavarotti’s Concert Gala in Baton Rouge, and danced with former NBA player Glen Davis, the first year of Dancing with Big Buddy.Christine has trained around the globe, such as the Royal Ballet in London, Joffrey II in San Antonio, Joffrey Ballet in NYC, & The Rock School in Pennsylvania. She was also accepted into the School of American Ballet in NYC, Virginia School of the Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Houston Ballet School. She was a principal dancer with Louisiana Dance Theater and Mid City Dance Project, & also performed with the Delta Festival Ballet & Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. She is certified in Kathy Corey Pilates (formerly West Coast Pilates) for Mat and small apparatus, Reformer, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector, Cadillac, and Ladder Barrel. She is also certified in PiYo, Progressing Ballet Technique, a Merge Level I practitioner, and recently completed the Dance Teacher Training with Australian physiotherapist, Lisa Howell. She is a 200-hour RYT & member of the Yoga Alliance, a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS), a NASM Virtual Coaching Specialist, an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, a Fascial Fitness Trainer, & an Advanced Instructor & Master Trainee with Buti Yoga, certified in all 7 formats.Being a lifelong lover of learning, Christine is currently working on the Brain Longevity Therapy Training Certification with the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, and will begin her 300-hour YTT & Ayurvedic Nutrition Certification this summer. Christine is excited to share her love of ballet, yoga, and fitness in and around Austin, TX, where she currently resides with her family.
Harper Burgy Bio Coming Soon!
Hannah Christian Formerly Hannah Bettes, began training at The Central Florida Ballet School. She then went on to train at Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL, and finished her training at The Royal Ballet School in London. She has won multiple awards, including the Gold Medal in both the Junior & Senior Division at Youth America Grand Prix, the Silver Medal two years in a row at the World Ballet Competition, the Bronze Medal at The Beijing International Dance Invitational, as well as the 2nd prize and the “Audience Choice Award” at the prestigious Prix De Lausanne. Shortly after her arrival at the Royal Ballet School, she was chosen as the Nadia Nernia Scholar. During her time at RBS, she danced with The Royal Ballet, performed at Buckingham Palace, was choreographed by Liam Scarlett, and worked with David Dawson. She then joined the Boston Ballet in 2014 and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2017. Her most notable roles include the Principal Pas Girl in William Forsythe’s ‘Artifact,’ Aurora in ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ Sugar Plum in Mikko Nissinen’s ‘The Nutcracker,’ Pas Girl in Jerome Robbin’s Fancy-Free, and Effy in Bournonville’s ‘La Slyphide. Hannah stopped dancing in 2018 to pursue other avenues and attend ministry school in Dallas, TX. After completing the program at Lifestyle Christianity University, she moved to Austin in 2019 and began teaching full-time. She later received her Pilates certification on all seven apparatus through Club Pilates in 2020. She has taught Ballet at Alisa’s Dance Academy, Muv Dance & Fitness, Texas Academy of Ballet, Harmony Center for the Creative Arts in Marble Falls, and The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas in San Antonio. She is passionate about working with young dancers to build up and encourage them in their faith through dance. She has taught all over the USA, including but not limited to MA, FL, CA, AZ, & TX.Some of her additional achievements include being on the cover of Pointe Magazine and being featured in Dance Magazine and Dance Spirit.
Natalie Cortez Natalie Cortez brings over a decade of dance and choreography experience to the studio. She grew up training in multiple styles as a competitive dancer and served as head choreographer for her high school’s musical theatre productions. She continued her dance journey as a member of her college sport club team, the Arizona State Dancing Devils. During her four years on the team, she performed at school functions and community events, and held multiple leadership roles. Natalie has performed annually with her collegiate team at Disney Springs, competed at both regional and national levels, and participated in a wide range of dance workshops and conventions. Her teaching experience spans various age groups, and she is passionate about helping young dancers build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of movement.
Mersaydez Elizardo – Bio Coming Soon
Nicole Dugdale grew up doing competitive gymnastics in Texas and Missouri, training and competing across both states. At 14 years old, she switched to dance and fell in love with ballet and jazz. In high school, she performed as much as possible in dance, musicals, plays, choir, and color guard. She continued her dance training at Brigham Young University, earning a BA in Dance Performance with a contemporary emphasis. While in school, she performed and choreographed with BYU’s dancEnsemble. She also performed the lead role in a dance-based children’s play, touring in China and throughout Utah.
After graduating in 2014, Nicole went on to perform professionally with Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company and later Creators Dance Project. She enjoyed working with a variety of choreographers, performing in site-specific shows, and setting original works of her own. Since moving to Austin, she’s begun dancing with Spaces of Fontana- a contemporary company focused on human connections.
Nicole loves sharing her passion for movement with students of all ages. She has been teaching many styles of dance and acro in studios for 13 years now! She’s taught extensively in both competitive and recreational environments. She really cares about each student as an individual and wants her students to always leave her classes feeling confident and amazing. In addition to dancing and teaching, she enjoys her roles as a wife and a mom to her three adorable kids- Maddy, Kenna, and Noah. She’s excited to join the BDS family! “
Kira Fredericks began dancing at the age of four at Betty Jacks School of Dance in San Marcos. It quickly became a large passion for her. While there, she practiced Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary. It was very apparent to her that she truly enjoyed the art that is dance. Later she went on to join her High School Drill team. She graduated from San Marcos High School, and is currently attending Huston Tillotson University. She is very excited, and so grateful to share her passion of dance through teaching at Balance Dance Studios.
Jose “Zay” Galdamez is an artist and choreographer born in Inglewood, California and raised in Austin, Texas. Jose did not begin formally training in any style of dance until they were an adult but quickly fell in love with the connection that it gave him with music. Jose’s disciplines include hip hop and house, but he continues to train in other styles such as waving and locking. Although Jose did not get to experience a formal education as a studio trained dancer, he is a true believer that with hard work, anyone can achieve anything.
Georgia Garner – Bio Coming Soon
Li Gilbert– Li Gilbert is a versatile dance artist and educator with a strong foundation in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre. She earned her BFA in Dance Theatre from AMDA Los Angeles and has trained at top institutions like Millennium Dance Complex, The Edge, and Playground LA.Her performance credits include Collabor8 Hip Hop Company, World of Dance LA, Urban Street Jam, Choreographers Carnival Ball, Jete’, and the Semi-pro California Wolf Pack dance team. She also toured nationally with Showbiz National Talent, working as a master class teacher, backstage coordinator, judge, and competition auditor. In addition, Li also worked as the Tour Convention Manager for RADIX under Break The Floor Productions, overseeing large-scale tour operations and managing artist relations across the country.
Li has taught at multiple studios across Los Angeles and Oklahoma, working with students of all ages and levels. Her teaching approach blends technical precision with expressive artistry, and she is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers through structured, engaging, and supportive instruction. In addition to her artistic work, Li brings leadership experience from the fitness and retail sectors, where she excels in team leadership, client relations, and operational management skills she also applies in the studio and rehearsal space. Li is committed to nurturing dancers in both skill and spirit, and brings a professional, energetic, and collaborative presence to every studio she works with.
Sydney Gladden My name is Sydney Gladden. I am a freshman at the University of Texas studying dance. I have been dancing for about 15 years. I grew up dancing at The Dance Spot and was a member of my high school drill team as well. I have a huge passion for dance and I love getting to share it with others.
Shawna Hesketh started dancing at an early age, at her one-room studio, in her small central Texas hometown. Her love of dance continued to grow, and she went on to join her high school’s drill/dance team, and then began teaching dance at the age of 16. She attended Sam Houston State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in Photography and Dance. While at SHSU, she was in several performances, including a graduate thesis, and also worked in the costume department for their Nutcracker production. After moving to Austin, she got back into dance full-time, diving into ballroom dancing. Shawna then joined Balance Dance Studios, in the fall of 2012, in its inaugural year. Since then, she has created a home and family with Balance, and now gets to share this journey with her two children, as she watches them dance and grow.
Jake Howard is originally from Jacksonville, FL, where he received his early dance training from Linda Jenkins, Laurie Picinich-Byrd, and Ihaiah Miller at the Florida Ballet Conservatory. Following a move to Austin, TX with his family as a teenager he continued his training at Ballet Austin and attended summer intensive programs with The School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. Once he graduated high school, he was invited to join Ballet Austin’s Butler Fellowship program and after two seasons was promoted to Ballet Austin’s Second Company. He eventually went on to dance with and choreograph for professional companies around the country such as Ballet Tucson, South Valley Ballet, and New Ballet. Throughout his career as a dancer, he enjoyed performing works by renowned choreographers such as Stephen Mills, Septime Webre, Paul Vasterling, and George Balanchine.
During his time as a professional dancer, he began teaching outside of his rehearsal schedule. He loved teaching so much that he became an ABT® certified teacher after successfully completing the teacher training intensive of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. He really enjoys having the opportunity to share the knowledge he’s gained throughout his years as a professional dancer with his students.
Anna Kerwin began dancing when she was 6. When she was 13, she decided to take her dance training to the next level and joined various competitive teams at her studio. Anna then switched to Balance Dance Studios for her senior year in order to further her artistic training by joining Ignite and AYCB. Anna is currently attending Texas State University for Exercise Sports Science and Dance. Anna has always enjoyed teaching/assisting and can’t wait to help your children learn about dance!
Monica Landois Meet Monica Landois, a Mompreneneur of two boys who inspires others to live passionately and find a fun way to move their bodies. She has been leading unique group fitness classes in Austin for over 12 years. Her fitness classes are designed to uplift you in a positive community that leaves you wanting more. She is passionate about helping others build confidence through dance and movement. It’s an extremely powerful experience that changes people’s lives all around. She facilitates a healing space through movement that empowers you. Monica is the creator of all her dance fitness routines and choreographies. She programs all her fitness classes in her own distinctive way. You have a fun experience in each class she teaches.
Monica is an Austinite and first generation here as her family originates from Monterrey, Mexico. She is bilingual and didn’t learn English until grade school. This was a challenge for her growing up. She loves encouraging others from different cultural backgrounds to create space for themselves confidently.
Monica is a true jack of all trades when it comes to Dance and Fitness. She can adapt her creative work for anything. She collaborates with other local artists, High School Dance Teams, and Businesses.
Kyrie Lloyd began her dance training in Philadelphia, PA where she studied classical ballet, modern, jazz, and tap. Upon graduating high school, she attended Palm Beach Atlantic University earning a degree in dance. While at PBA, she had the opportunity to study under Demetrius Klein of Demetrius Klein Dance Company, Jin Young Lee from NYCB, and Eileen Hebron from ABT. She also performed and choreographed original work for the university’s dance ensemble. Since graduating college, she has been teaching at dance studios teaching all levels of dance, with an emphasis on ballet and modern dance. She also teaches barre fitness classes for teens and adults. She has performed for various South Florida dance companies and artists including Demetrius Klein Dance Company, REACH; A Dance Theater Collective, and Florida Grand Ballet. In addition, she has worked with MUSE Theater Company and has performed works such as CHICAGO and A Chorus Line.
Anabelle Maples is a passionate dancer and educator who graduated from the University of Houston with a minor in dance. Throughout her academic career, Anabelle had the opportunity to perform in numerous works and study under esteemed professors and choreographers. Her dedication led her to join a pre-professional ensemble group, where she continued to hone her craft.
Anabelle’s love for dance extends beyond performance; she finds joy in teaching young children and inspiring their creativity. Her approach is rooted in creating a supportive environment that fosters growth and confidence. By blending her extensive training with a nurturing attitude, Anabelle aims to instill a lifelong appreciation for dance in her students, helping them discover their own potential and passion for the art form.
Natalia Maravi was born to dance. From dancing on the bleachers of a football game at 5 years old, to choreographing a dance performance for her and her friends for their 5th grade class talent show, to tearing it up on the dance floor of many clubs as an adult. However, it wasn’t until she was 26 years old that she took her first dance class and started her training. She fell in love immediately and got to work. She’s taken a ton of hip hop classes and heels classes and has traveled to LA to train with Brinn Nicole and Tevyn Cole. Her passion for dance and teaching runs very deep and she is grateful for every opportunity to shake her hips and flip her hair.
Kate McCann fell in love with dance at an early age. The way that movement and music creates its own unique form of artistry has had an unparalleled impact on her life, both in and outside of the studio. She has been working with children since the age of 14, and has found that one of her greatest joys is being able to share her passions with a younger generation. Because Kate didn’t start her formal dance training until high school she is a huge proponent of self discipline, and regards dance as the medium which taught her that all things are achievable through hard work and diligence. It was at Balance Dance Studios she cultivated this understanding, as she is one of our very own Push Dance Company alumni. Kate looks forward to teaching, training, and exploring movement with you!
Chantel Mead is a seasoned vocalist, performer, recording artist, and voice educator. While she loves the stage & studio, she is also passionate about helping others more fully understand their voice, fall in love with their own unique sound, and feel truly confident with their voice in the world.
Chantel has a BFA in Musical Theater, Minor in Classical Voice, graduate work in Vocal Pedagogy, over 20 years of experience, both as a performer & educator, and is continually attending trainings to stay up to date on the most current vocal science available.
Chantel grew up in the hill country, but found herself happily tucked away in Boulder, CO after college where she lived, performed and taught for over 12 years. During her time in Boulder she was the Children’s Choir Director at Sacred Heart of Mary for 5 years, directed multiple youth musicals with multiple local performance companies, and founded her own teaching studio.
In 2010, she and her husband moved to NYC where she took a full time position as the Music Teacher and Performing Arts Director at the Stephen Gaynor School. 2013 brought the blessing of their daughter, and they decided to move back to the hill country to raise her close to Grandma & Grandpa!
Here in Austin, Chantel homeschools her daughter, runs her own voice studio (private lessons, audition & performance coaching, voice related masterclasses, & singing camps), is in her 9th year of directing the musical at the Austin Jewish Academy, and is the Youth Choir director at the First UU Church of Austin.
Clay Moore Originally from Houston, Clay Moore grew up as a competitive dancer. After graduating, he trained in Los Angeles and New York City where he has trained and worked with the Edge Performing Arts, Mark Morris Dance, Terrill Mitchel, and Dorrell Martin before relocating to Austin Tx. Now an Austin based choreographer and performer, he is a current company member with Blue Lapis Light where he trains and performs in aerial apparatus. He has been featured in works with ARCOS Dance, BLiPSWiTCH, Jennifer Sherburn, Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company, and many more. Clay has been featured in local ATX musicians music videos Including Tomar & the FCs. Clay shares his passion for movement by teaching and choreography with non-profit groups and schools in the AISD and LISD and non-profit groups. He is excited to be back with the CTDC family where he’ll be working the admin desk and hopping in to sub classes from time to time.
Jennifer Moulton Aerial first lifted Jennifer, literally and figuratively in the early 2000s, sparking a lifelong love for movement, flight, and the freedom of being suspended in the air. In 2019, she became certified through Fly With Grace Yoga Studio, officially beginning her journey as an aerial yoga teacher. Since then, it’s been a joyful path of growing her own wings and discovering the magic of creating shapes in the air with flowing fabric. She currently teaches adult aerial classes and is now thrilled to bring that same magic to kids, helping them build strength, confidence, and creativity as they learn to soar, swing, and smile from the hammock fabric.
Her journey into yoga deepened during a challenging chapter of her life. In 2018, she received a kidney transplant after battling an autoimmune condition that caused her kidneys to fail. That life-changing moment became her greatest gift in disguise. It led her to healing, yoga, and a new way of living with more lightness, purpose, and joy.
In 2019, she traveled to Rishikesh, India, where she completed her 200-hour teacher training in Ashtanga and Hatha yoga. Her classes are filled with warmth, intentional movement, and her signature sound healing using a set of eight resonant metal singing bowls. Whether swinging in the air or lying on the ground, she helps others both young and old find calm, confidence, and connection through movement and sound.
If your child is ready to stretch, fly, and have fun in a supportive and playful space, she can’t wait to meet them. And if you’re an adult who’s curious, she invites you to come experience the joy too—it’s never too late to grow your wings! Let’s fly together!
Mark Moy A veteran instructor and choreographer with over 25 years of teaching experience, Mark has a passion for teaching the love of dance. Beginner and advanced students alike benefit from his warm, enthusiastic, and patient style. Mark’s greatest joy is watching his students have the “lightbulb” moment. Mark tries various approaches for presenting concepts until that happens for each and every student.In 2005, Mark was one of the founding owners who opened Austin Uptown Dance and owned and operated Rhythmic Motion School of Dance 2008 – 2012. Giving back to the Austin community and participation and local charitable events is important to Mark. In 2011 and 2012, he was a featured dance professional in the Lake Travis Dancing with the Stars event to benefit the Lake Travis Community Library, and in 2011 & 2016, he was a featured professional in the Dancing with the Stars Austin, benefiting the Center for Child Protection. He has been president of the prestigious Mayfair Dance Club since 2020.
Specialties: Social Ballroom, Competitive Ballroom, Pro-Am instructor/coach for American Smooth and Rhythm, International Standard and Latin.
Teaches: Ballroom – Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz,
Latin/Rhythm – Rumba, Bolero, Cha Cha, Mambo, Samba, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Hustle, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Paso Doble, Jive
Selena Offenberg is originally from Munich, Gemany, and enjoyed a 14-year professional career; Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden and Nuremberg City Ballet, Germany; Paul Henry Dance Company, London; Concert Dance Theater, Munich; Michael Mao Dance and Dance Imprints, NYC.
Selena worked with choreographers Royston Maldoom of the Scottish Ballet and Mauricio Wainroth of Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal. She also trained with Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv; Ballet Rambert and Michael Clark in London; David Parsons and Alvin Ailey School in NYC.
In the fashion industry, Selena was a dance model in fashion shows with Nike, Reebok, Goldwell, Wella, and Mercedes Benz. Selena also worked as a personal trainer with members of the HBO Fitness Center, NYC, and in Miami. From 2007 to 2013, Selena was ballet mistress, instructor (all ages) and administrative director with the New Mexico Dance Theater School and Performance Company.
Kelsey Oliver, an Austin native, is a freelance choreographer, performer, and artist in the digs for ridiculously experimental theatre, video, and dance. As she has taught a wide swath of styles, commercial/competitive dance forms, as well as experiential post-modern explorations, Kelsey has more recently fallen in love with Momentum + Floorwork, her squirrelly take on contemporary movement. Routinely in scrappy, maximalist, humor-struck collaborations, Kelsey has worked with Frank Wo/Men Collective, Rude Mechanicals, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, Magdalena Jarkowiec, Heloise Gold, Thee Gay Agenda, Body Shift, + more. Kelsey received a B.F.A. in Dance in 2015, studying at the University of Texas at Austin and Le Centre National de Danse Contemporaine in Angers, France. She has also been an adjudicator, choreographer, and dance instructor for studios and teams throughout Texas.
Ally Rodriguez started dancing at the age of three years and has been moving ever since. She has 22 years of experience in tap, acro, jazz, contemporary and ballet and has been a student and teacher back home in San Antonio at Amy’s All Stars Dance Studio. With her love for dance, she was a part of her high school dance team for all four years and was colonel her senior year. Above all, she enjoys working with kids and is currently a middle school social studies teacher.
Dani Simmons, CPT, FMT is a wellness professional that focuses solely on dancers health, fitness, and performance. A native Texan, Dani grew up dancing in the DFW area from a young age. She was heavily involved in her dance studio as a student teacher and was captain of her drill team. She then went on to study dance in college until her early twenties when hip injuries pushed her in another direction. This is where her passion for training and educating dancers about their bodies began.
She then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at Texas State University, where she specialized in dancer’s strength training. Years of dance coupled with a formal education in kinesiology and physiology allow Dani to help dancers keep their bodies safe and reduce injuries so they can continue their passion for a lifetime. She has worked in fitness boutiques and dance studios across Texas as a faculty member and masterclass teacher with a focus on teaching and advocating for healthy physical, mental and emotional development of dancers.
Dani is a professional member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science as well as the National Dance Education Organization. She has contributed to many different organizations by writing articles and publications centered around dancers injury prevention training and development.
You can find Dani teaching youth classes for CTDC north and south locations as well as adult FUSE bungee fitness classes and private training sessions. When not teaching, she is hiking with her pups, taking yoga classes, or traveling the country.
Emmalie Smith Since the age of three, Emmalie has studied a wide range of dance styles. A Texas native, she began her training at a local studio in The Woodlands, where she quickly discovered her passion and calling for dance. She went on to train with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company’s pre-professional program, MET Too, while also attending the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston under the direction of LuAnne Carter.
After her freshman year, Emmalie relocated to North Carolina to study at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), under the leadership of ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe. While at UNCSA, she performed works by renowned choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, Lucinda Childs, and Merce Cunningham. She later continued her education at SUNY Purchase in New York, earning her BFA in Dance and graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2019. During her time at Purchase, she had the opportunity to perform in venues such as the Martha Graham Studio Theater and work alongside many esteemed artists and choreographers.
Emmalie has been teaching in the greater Austin area for the past five years. In 2023, she launched an adult ballet program with the City of Georgetown, creating an inclusive space that emphasized the joy of learning and connection through movement. From 2023–2025, she also taught at Ballet Austin Academy, working with young dancers from early childhood through middle school at both the downtown campus and the Dell Jewish Community Center.
Emmalie is an ABT® Certified Teacher, having completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is committed to continuing her training and bringing high-quality, developmentally appropriate ballet education to her students.
A passionate supporter of the arts, Emmalie enjoys attending the symphony and ballet, exploring local coffee shops, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She lives in Buda, TX, with her husband and their dog, Maisy. Emmalie is thrilled to join the Balance Dance Studios family this summer and looks forward to inspiring and supporting students of all ages.
Melinda Shuka – Bio Coming Soon
Haley Sikes is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher based out of the Austin area. She started dancing at the age of three, training in many different styles, with a focus on hip hop and contemporary. Haley has been teaching dance for the past five years, and her resume includes working for Prestige Dance Convention, choreographing for many Hip Hop crews all over Texas, and being a background dancer for local artists. She has a fresh new view that she uses to spark creativity among other young artists.
Ms. Haley is also the Director of the award-winning UGK Hip Hop Crew!
Amanda Thompson started dancing at 2 years old and tumbling at 4 years old. She has danced competitively for 27 years, yes even as an adult, and has attended numerous intensives and workshops throughout the US to continue enhancing her dance skills and technique. She was on her high school dance team all 4 years. She also served as the Historian her junior year and 1st Lieutenant senior year. Entering college to study Psychology and Special Education, she also joined her college dance team and began attending the Rockettes Summer Intensive. She continued attending RSI each year from 2014 to 2019. She then went back to school to get her master’s in social work at the University of Southern California.
Starting as an assistant teacher helped inspire Amanda’s future career. Her goal is to become a dance therapist and allow children and adults with disabilities to express themselves through the art of dance. Amanda loves working with children and teaching them dance and tumbling. Her belief is that dancing has made her a better and stronger person and dances/tumbles every chance she gets.
Quincy Tresemer Quincy’s dance story started in Norman, Oklahoma, when she was just 2 years old, and she hasn’t stopped moving since. With nearly three decades of experience in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and pom, her love for dance has only grown stronger over the years.
She was a member of the Norman North Pom squad for 4 years and later danced her way onto the OU Pom squad. After earning her entrepreneurship degree from the University of Oklahoma, Quincy combined her business savvy with her passion for dance to help launch and manage a dance company for six successful years.
As a teacher, Quincy has choreographed competition pieces all around Oklahoma and crafted shows for Sooner Theatre. She’s taught at various studios across the OKC metro area and founded Momentum Dance, offering an array of one off open classes for all ages and skill levels to participate, as well as private lessons for students not limited to technique and first dances for couples on their wedding day.
Recently, Quincy packed up her talents and made the move to Austin, TX, where she’s excited to continue growing as a teacher and choreographer. Her dance journey is all about sharing her love for the art form and inspiring others to find joy in movement.
Angie Weiss – Bio Coming Soon!
Alex Wood Alex Wood is a dancer and artist, originally from Michigan. He studied dance at Marymount Manhattan College, with a concentration in choreography. Since college, he has worked with several dance companies & performance art groups, including Ann Liv Young Dance Company, as well as creating independent works.