Dane Burch  Dane grew up in Oregon, where he started training in dance at the age of 10. He quickly fell in love with movement and the expressiveness of it. He moved to Los Angeles, when he was 18, with a scholarship to EDGE Performing Arts Center. After completing his training, he continued to dance and perform. He worked with Tremaine Dance Convention for 5 years. He also worked for Move Dance Competitions, where he judged and taught master classes all around the U.S. In 2008, Dane moved to Austin. He is now the Co-director of Rise Dance Company and Reverence Dance Project. He works for numerous studios and high schools all around Texas. He loves sharing his knowledge and love for dance with all.

Jairus Carr Jairus started his dance training at seven-years-old. Since then, Jairus has trained with Austin’s top instructors and choreographers, but Jairus primarily trained here, at Balance Dance Studios. Starting here when he was twelve, Jairus grew up and trained with Balance’s very own Push Dance Company. This allowed him to learn and understand Balance’s core message: Finding our balance in heart, soul, and mind. In more recent years, Jairus has danced with many local artists, such as the Early Era Collective, Jennifer Sherburn, and the UT student body. Jairus can’t wait to teach you!

Lauren Cranford  Lauren Cranford began dancing when she was 3 but discovered her love of cardio dance in 2011. She feels that dance fitness classes are the perfect way to get a dynamic workout with heart-pumping, calorie-blasting, easy-to-follow moves. As a regular attendee at Balance Dance Studios, she is now taking her passion for cardio dance to the next level by becoming an instructor. Her goal is to help others gain strength and confidence, regardless of their dance background. When she is not teaching classes, you can find Lauren cooking, participating in dance battles, or spending time with her dog, Olive.

Maranda Creamer  Maranda Creamer loves living a fit, healthy and active lifestyle. She has over a decade of cheerleading and gymnastics experience. Maranda began tumbling at age 9, and then cheered from middle school to college. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Texas State University, she moved to Austin where she now resides. Maranda is a licensed Zumba and Zumba Toning instructor, and also holds certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as AFAA Group Exercise. She is excited to bring her own spin to Zumba classes and provide fun, safe and effective dance cardio workouts. She brings a balance of various international music styles and rhythms to her classes, and strives to make each class different so that her students are constantly challenged.

Tracy Dunivan  A native Texan, Tracy has successfully coached and guided the careers of young performers for over 25 years. Because of her strong training and diverse performance abilities, she undertook many artistic endeavors and opportunities, including choreography gigs and acting roles in local and regional playhouses including Houston’s renowned Theatre Under the Stars. During the evolution of her career, she began to specialize in training and promoting young actors. Through her highly successful SHOKIDZ acting classes in Houston and Los Angeles, a “career changing” professional level seminar series, and her artist management company, numerous young actors found their niche and began rewarding careers. She helped launch the professional careers of Hilary & Haylie Duff, Renee’ Olstead,  the late Skye McCole Bartusiak, Sarah Hagan, Mariah Parks, and Jinhee Joung. Tracy saw a need within the competitive and pre-professional dance community for better performance understanding; so, she developed an innovative approach to teaching dancers how to honestly, organically and fully create and interpret the “story” of the choreography given them. Tracy’s goal is to help her clients recognize their full potential so they may realize all life’s gifts!

Courtney Edgerton  Courtney Edgerton trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern for 10 years at Ballet Conservatory in Lewisville, Texas. She studied tap under Buster Cooper, where she discovered her love for the art. In addition, she was a member of LakeCities Ballet Theatre II for two years. Throughout high school, she danced and competed with Next Step Performing Arts School in Frisco, Texas. Courtney graduated from The University of Texas and is currently in Integrative Medical School here in Austin. She has enjoyed dancing and teaching here in Austin!  

Kim Frueh  I have been practicing yoga for 7 years and teaching for almost 3 years. Yoga came into my life while I was working at a very difficult and mentally exhaustive job. I was looking for a way to find peace and balance in my life, while continuing to work on my physical self. Being a dancer my whole life, yoga seemed a very natural fit, with it’s graceful and strong postures. I love the practice of yoga because it is challenging and introspective and a great way to turn off the busy outside world. I received my teacher training with Malia Scott and Chrispy Bhaghat Singh at Say Om Yoga through the e3 Vinyasa 200 hour teacher training. My goal is to share this incredible practice of yoga, meeting students where they are, with challenges and support, hoping they find the same joy, emotional freedom and personal strength. Namaste.

Kenah Fuller   Starting at the age of 3, Kenah has pursued her love for dance. Kenah was classically trained in Ballet and has danced on pointe for over 5 years. Along with her dance background, Kenah is an avid gymnast who is strong in power tumbling. Throughout her training she pursued a variety of genres of dance and competed in multiple styles including acro, modern, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and hip hop as well. She began student teaching at 17 and is adamant to continue to share her love for the arts with students.

Taylor Harbin   Taylor Noel Harbin was born and raised in Dayton, OH where she began dancing in a creative movement class at the Jeraldine School of Dance. From there she attended Stivers School of the Performing Arts studying dance and choir. In addition to dancing in her school Taylor trained with form Dayton Ballet principal dancer Barbara Pontecorvo at Pontecorvo Studios later joining their pre-professional company Gem City Ballet. Upon graduating from High School Taylor initially attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she studied for a year and was able to perform a Martha Graham original piece ‘Heretic’. Later Transferring to University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where she studied ballet and performed in Giselle, original pieces set by her professors, and fellow classmates.During her junior and senior year of school Taylor joined the Louisville Ballet as a Corps de Ballet dancer. Later retiring at Ballet Austin. 

Kelsy Leyendecker  Kelsy Leyendecker is our assistant director of Elevate and PUSH Dand Company’s Opal director. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has been teaching since the age of 16 years old. She began her studies and competitive years at Irvine Dance Academy but went on to receive training at some of the best studios in the country in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, cheer, tumbling, and musical theatre. She has had the opportunity to study under legends such Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Molly Lynch, Christine Baltes, Jerome Robins, and Susan Stroman. In addition to them, she credits much of her growth and passion to her mentor, Monie Adamson who is a 3 time Emmy nominee and 2004 American Choreography Award winner. While still in school, she began choreographing young for her high school show choir and other local area theatre and children’s programs. As a diverse and performer, Kelsy danced as an extra on a couple TV shows, strutted the parade routes and stages of Disneyland as well as toured parts of the US as a member of the company, “Dance N’ ETC” and the “Concordia professional Chamber Choir”. She quickly found her passion in musical theatre and was cast in multiple theatre company ensembles such as “Guys and Dolls”, “Cabaret” and “Oklahoma” as well as lead roles such as Penny in “Swingtime” and Carol in “South Pacific”. She is proud to be a part of the Austin dance community and loves teaching all her students of all ages at Balance Dance Studios.

Andi Loo  Native to Texas, Andi Loo graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Spanish and quickly jumped on the earliest flight to Los Angeles. While in L.A., Andi worked for a local newspaper while studying dance at local venues. She recalls pre-Zumba days in L.A. being filled with healthy doses of “Latin Hip Hop” and “Salsa-esque” aerobics. Needless to say, her love and commitment to dancing grew quickly and after 3 children and a move back to Texas, she found her passion in teaching dance fitness classes.

Jessica Stroh  Jessica Stroh began her love affaire with dance at the age of 3 in Ocala, Florida. She joined the Marion Ballet Theater and performed for 8 years under the direction of Nicole Benson and was a part of numerous ballets; performing notable roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Odette, and Princess Florine. In 2015, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Psychology from the University of South Florida receiving the notable BRAVO! Scholarship in Dance Award. Under further scholarships, Jessica trained with Sarasota Ballet Company, Bodytraffic, Repertory Dance Theatre, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, and USF’s Dance in Paris Program. Jessica has had the privilege of performing works by world-renown artists including Ohad Naharin, Alonzo King, Maurice Causey, and Robert Moses. In 2016, Jessica moved to New York City where she had the honor of working and collaborating with Colleen Thomas Dance, Dugal Dance Projects, Alexeya EM, Rosie DeAngelo, Bryce Dance Company, and BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance. In NYC, Jessica taught with Greenhouse Arts Center and Global Community Charter School. She has choreographed, performed, and taught in NYC, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Paris, France. She is the recipient of Brooklyn-based Spoke the Hub’s 2018 People’s Choice Award where she presented an evening-length work with collaborator, Laura Mobley. Jessica now resides in Austin, TX and joyfully teaches at Ballet Austin and creates with her performance company, Alt Project, alongside co-creator, Laura Mobley. Altproject.co

Emily Lofton  Emily Lofton is a Texas native who enjoys yoga and pilates, walking long trails with her husband and consuming all types of art. She graduated with the class of 2020 from the University of Oklahoma’s Ballet Pedagogy program with a minor in Psychology and special focus in childhood development. While attending OU, Emily worked closely with Nilas Martins and performed Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, a standout in her educational experience. Emily worked with Jan Fugit and Rebecca Herrin on further developing her voice as a teacher, and is grateful to join Balance Dance Studios and The Dance Spot beginning June of 2020.

Mark Moy  A veteran instructor and choreographer with over 20 years of teaching experience, Mark has a passion for teaching the love of dance. Beginner and advance 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.

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 served on the Board of Directors of the prestigious Mayfair Dance Club from 2011 – 2013 and served as Membership Chair of the organization in 2014.

Quinton Weathers  Quinton Weathers started dancing at the age of eight, at Joyce Willett School of Dance in Austin, TX. He studied in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, gymnastics and also performed with Body Talk Dance Company. He won numerous scholarships from L.A. Dance Force, Urban Jamm, West Coast Dance Explosion and New York City Dance Alliance. At twelve he started training at the Edge in Los Angeles, where he trained with Bill Prudich, Mandy Moore, Adam Parsons, Doug Caldwell, Malaya, Tabitha & Napoleon, Marty Kudelka, and Roger Lee to name a few. Quinton’s fresh choreography and outgoing attitude has made him a sought after teacher and choreographer. He has taught master classes all over the United States, Canada, Korea and Japan. Quinton has judged and taught for Break the Floor Productions, V.I.P, Flow 40 and Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. For five years he taught lyrical, jazz and hip-hop at Simi Dance Center in Simi Valley, California. His students won numerous scholarships and awards and have gone on to work as professional dancers. He has also had the opportunity to assist award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore in Seoul, Korea at the International Jazz Festival and at the Edge. Quinton lived in Los Angeles for five years and is still represented by Bloc Talent Agency. He has worked with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Angie Stone, Snoop Dogg, Salt & Pepa, Kylie Minogue, Anastasia, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Solange Knowles, Yasmeen, Parker Posey and Chris Katan. His T.V. and film credits include Nickelodeon’s “All That” and “Taina,” “2002 Olympics,” “Soul Train”, “Trading Spaces,” “Varsity Blues,” “Honey,” “Adam and Steve” and “Dreamgirls”. He has done commercials and industrials for “So You Think You Can Dance,” I-pod, Motorola, Smashbox Cosmetics, Nintendo, Diesel and Levi Jeans, Nike, 7-up and Pepsi. Quinton was also a dancer on the American Idol 2 Tour and traveled around the U.S. and Canada. Quinton is now back in Austin, TX and has his own dance studio, The Dance Spot.

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.