FACULTY
Kristan Ballard - Owner/Founder
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Stephanie Graff - Administrative Director
Originally from the Island of Guam, "Miss Kristan" has been teaching dance and choreographing for over 30 years. After moving to Texas in 1999, she became the director of a local dance studio’s competitive team in The Woodlands, repeatedly winning top recognition at national competitions for her choreography. Miss Kristan was trained on Guam with SKIP, Guam’s most elite dance company, by faculty from the Philippines, Japan, and the Mainland U.S., and also under industry notables such as Ray Leeper (of NUVO), Tina D’ Amato-Sidoni, and more. She grew up competing all over the US, and has performed at major venues such as the Jazz World Congress in D.C. She attended the University of Hawaii on a dance scholarship, danced professionally in Hawaii and New York City, and taught for several local performing arts troupes, drill teams, high schools, as well as SHSU. She also directed the casting and choreography for country singer Clay Walker's concerts. In addition to Miss Kristan's love of art in dance, she also loves art in words, which is why she not only holds degrees from the University of Hawaii and SHSU, but also a Ph.D in literature from The University of Houston. She and her husband Sam Ballard officially opened TADA in 2014, and with gratitude have seen it expand and thrive thanks to TADA's incredible faculty, dancers, and families. They live in The Woodlands with their two children Addison and Bailey.
Stephanie Graff - Administrative Director
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Stephanie Graff - Administrative Director
Stephanie Graff has been the Administrative Director since TADA's inception in 2014, and also played a key role in researching and establishing its Customer Service Management System and database. Stephanie has a BA in Psychology from Tulane University. She is originally from Dallas but has been in Houston and The Woodlands area for 25 years. She has two daughters, one a Junior in college and one a Junior at College Park High School, both previous Team TADA dancers. Stephanie has recently pursued a career in real estate - visit her for info! If you have billing or account questions you can contact her at administrative@dancetada.com.
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Jessica Norwood is the Executive Director of TADA. Jessica grew up in Houston, where she trained with North Harris Performing Arts, an icon in the community for excellence in dance, eventually becoming a teacher and a partner/owner in the NHPA facility. She became a member of the performing arts company REVOLVE, where she had the opportunity to work with an array of prominent dance figures such as Wes Veldink and Mia Michaels of NYC, Randal Flinn of Dance Ad Deum, as well as Houston Ballet's Barbara Bears, Fred Stroble, and Naomi Glass. In 2009 she became a Houston Texans Cheerleader, where she had the opportunity to go on many USO tours and lead as captain and choreographer. She has performed at venues and outreach programs all over the world and is exemplary in an array of disciplines. Miss Jessica was the first teacher hired at TADA in 2014. In addition to being a teacher she was also first TADA's recreational program director, later TADA's competitive team director for many successful years, and now is the Executive Director of TADA. She has two beautiful girls, Jaden and Parker! You may email her at TADA@dancetada.com
Amy Leonards -Ballet Director
Robyn Hinojosa - Team/Showstoppers Administrative Director
Jessica Norwood - Executive Director
Amy Leonards is Director of TADA's Ballet Program and holds a BA in the Performing Arts. Originally from Louisiana, Amy is classically trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, with a specialization in teaching Vaganova, Cecchetti, and RAD ballet methods. Miss Amy developed and implemented ballet curriculum as ballet director over several years for two performing arts schools in Los Angeles and San Franciso before joining us at TADA, while also pursuing a professional career in theater. She is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association, and some of her favorite roles include Hope in Anything Goes, Rose in Enchanted April (World Premiere), Marian in The Music Man, Maggie in A Chorus Line, and Jellylorum in Cats, to name a few. Amy also has international, national, and regional commercial and print credits, including Ford, Legal Zoom, LeapFrog, and Salesforce. We are honored and proud to acquire her as Ballet Director in 2021!
View more about Miss Amy on her website at https://www.amyfranklinleonards.com/
You may email her at ballet@dancetada.com
Robyn Hinojosa - Team/Showstoppers Administrative Director
Robyn Hinojosa - Team/Showstoppers Administrative Director
Robyn Hinojosa - Team/Showstoppers Administrative Director
Robyn Hinojosa is TADA's Administrative Director for the competitive program - for both Team TADA and Showstoppers. She has been an instructor in the local area for over 25 years. Originally from Conroe, Miss Robyn has been teaching and choreographing award-winning dances for TADA's competitive dance team for many years. In addition to her love of teaching, she is also CPR Certified and OSHA trained, and was a Pediatric Dental Assistant for 25 years. Robyn is the proud mom of two recent graduates. Her senior Abi danced on the Elite team at TADA, and is now majoring in the Performing Arts at Oklahoma City University. Miss Robyn is outstanding in creativity and professionalism, and we are grateful to have her on staff! Her email address is team@dancetada.com
Elizabeth Troxler - YBC Director
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Elizabeth Troxler is a NYC based director & choreographer with a passion to create stories full of emotion and heart. She has performed principal roles in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Les Sylphide & Don Quioxte with the Nacional Ballet de Panama and other classical companies. Elizabeth has performed in national tours and regional theater productions of Brigadoon, Sweet Charity, Beauty & the Beast, Mame and many more. Elizabeth has directed and choreographed new works (Daughter of Society, The Emily Dickinson Project - On This Wondrous Sea), many musicals (Cabaret, Bright Star, Matilda), various ballets (The Snow Queen, The Nutcracker, The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg), and a recent (COVID safely filmed) dance production entitled (Dancing Through…) in conjunction with The Tank & many NYC, regional & Broadway choreographers & performers. She is a certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and guest teaches and coaches students around the world. As a master teacher, she seeks to empower dancers of all levels to create a multifaceted versatility and strength of character that spans not only various dance styles, but also seeps into life.
Email her at ybc@dancetada.com
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Evelyn Toh, is a dance artist, teacher, and choreographer, based in Houston, TX. Originally from Singapore, she began her dance training at the Singapore Ballet Academy, where she completed her RAD Advanced 2 examination with distinction. As a recipient of Singapore’s prestigious National Arts Council Overseas scholarship, Evelyn graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance from The Boston Conservatory. She then obtained her MFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University, graduating with multiple awards, including the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. As a dance artist, Evelyn has had the pleasure of performing with John Mead Dance Company (Singapore), Ballet Rox, Nimbus Dance Works, Transitory Sound and Movement Collective, Joshua Manculich’s Whirlwind, MOMIX, THE Dance Company (Singapore) and NobleMotion Dance. While with MOMIX, she originated roles within the production Alchemy, touring extensively to countries such as Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Switzerland. Upon joining THE Dance Company, a leading contemporary dance company in Singapore, she had the privilege of performing in multiple productions and festivals throughout Asia. Evelyn’s choreographic work has been presented at Barnstorm Dance Festival (TX), THE Dance Company’s New Vision (Singapore), ACDA South-Central Gala, Dance Gallery Festival (TX and NY), and the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival (MA). Her teaching experience includes Visiting Professor at Sam Houston State University, Junior Academy Ballet and Modern faculty in Singapore’s School of the Arts, Assistant Director of Programming at NobleMotin Dance, and masterclasses at notable events such as Dance Gallery Festival, American College Dance Association Conference, Bailando Dance Festival, HTX Summer Intensive, and NobleMotion Dance Summer Intensive. Evelyn is currently the Team Artistic Director and Pre-Professional Program Director at Texas Academy of Dance Arts. You may email her at TeamAD@dancetada.com
Jenette Anzalone - Showstoppers Artistic Director
Evelyn Toh - Team TADA Artistic + Pre-Pro Collegiate Program Director
Jenette Anzalone - Showstoppers Artistic Director
Jenette Anzalone holds a BA in Ballet and Contemporary dance from the La Salle-SIA College of the Arts. A veteran teacher of over 20 years and the owner of Dance Circle Studios in Singapore, she has taught jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballroom, and ballet at various international schools, including La Salle-SIA and the National University of Singapore. She has choreographed and performed in several major productions including Broadway Our Way, Tune In and Turn Out, Sunrise, Sunset, among others, and was the lead dancer in Mercury Rising, the Musical and That’s Kit. She also starred in John Meade Dance Company’s production ofIcons. Throughout her career she received numerous accolades, including honors of distinction at the UK Royal Academy of Dance and the highest awards at The Dance Excellence International Dance Festival in Los Angeles. Jenette has an incredibly passionate and enthusiastic style of teaching all of her students, toddlers through adults! She has been teaching at TADA since 2015, and is currently TADA's Showstoppers Program Artistic Director. Email her at showstoppers@dancetada.com
Alyssa Boyd- Props/Wardrobe
Alyssa Boyd- Props/Wardrobe
Jenette Anzalone - Showstoppers Artistic Director
Alyssa Boyd is originally from Thibodaux, Louisiana, she moved to Texas in 2008.
Alyssa has been with TADA since its opening in 2014, along with her mom, TADA's Fairy Godmother Mrs.Rachelle and her sister Ms.Zoe. Alyssa began dancing at age 3 and found a love for ballet and performed several roles in the Nutcracker. In highschool, Alyssa took an interest in technical theatre and all things behind the scenes. Alyssa later attended Aveda Arts and Science Institute and graduated in 2021. She is so excited to be at TADA and can't wait to work with you. You can contact Ms.Alyssa about any and all wardrobe and prop information at costumes@dancetada.com
Ana Acevedo - RAD Lead
Alyssa Boyd- Props/Wardrobe
Ana Acevedo - RAD Lead
Ana Acevedo comes to us from El Salvador, where she received her training at the National School of Dance, Morena Celarie. She was a member of the prestigious Teatro de Danza Contemporanea (contemporary ballet company based in El Salvador) for many years, dancing to sold-out performances throughout El Salvador and the United States. She was honored to appear as a soloist in several performances including Paquita, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake among others. In 2005 she received her certification at the Royal Ballet Academy in London to teach the most advanced levels of ballet and pointe, and to submit students for testers for the RAD Global Examination. She has directed and choreographed numerous ballets, including The Nutcracker, Cats, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and was the Director of Ballet at HFAC in Houston. For more information about TADA's RAD Classes feel free to email Miss Ana. You can email her at RAD@dancetada.com
Joel Aguilera
Alyssa Boyd- Props/Wardrobe
Ana Acevedo - RAD Lead
Joel Aguilera is a Houston-based choreographer, instructor, and performer with an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and BFA in Dance from the University of Houston. As a performer, Aguilera has performed nationally and internationally including countries such as Albania, Montenegro, and Costa Rica. In Houston, Aguilera has opened up for John Legend, Pitbull, and Lil’ Wayne alongside Kreate Inc, entertained with Houston Rockets Launch Crew for two seasons, and currently spends his time teaching at several studios in the Greater Houston area. Aguilera is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Mezclada Dance Company and has presented his work in Houston, New York, Milwaukee, and St. Louis as well as in many dance festivals such as “Barnstorm Dance Fest”, “Emerging Choreographers Showcase”, ”16th Annual Celebration of Dance”, “Mind the Gap 8.0”, “Mind the Gap 13.0”, and “Texas Latino/a/x Contemporary Dance Festival” where he fuses his Breaking foundation with Modern dance and Latin Culture.
Ella Anzalone
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Ella Anzalone
Ella Anzalone has been dancing since she was just two years old. Originally from Singapore, she trained in many disciplines including ballet, flamenco, jazz, contemporary and more. Ella joined TADA in 2014 and quickly moved up the ranks in group and individual competitive dance. She has taken training from leading industry choreographers Brian Friedman, Eoghan Dillon, Mia Michaels, Rudy Abreu, and more, and inspiration from TADA faculty including her mother, Jenette. Along with being awarded Dancer of the Year at Streetz Nationals 2019, Ella has toured the US extensively with Streetz dance convention and others, Ella has performed professionally at industry events including Formality Live in Los Angeles, CA and national events. Since then, Ella has been honored to be TADA’s first student-faculty member and is now teaching and creating choreographed dances for TADAs competitive teams.
Beth Benjamin
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Ella Anzalone
Beth Benjamin was born in Philadelphia, but is now a Texan at heart! She started her ballet training at age 10 after performing professionally in the role of Nagana in the musical South Pacific. It was there she first saw professional dancers who inspired her to want to dance!
She was directed to train at the now Central Pa. Youth Ballet in Carlisle ,Pa. She trained with Marcia Dale Weary ,Vaganova method ,from age 11-17 dancing many roles from various Ballets including the Nutcracker, Les Syphides , Coppelia to Balanchine ballets such as Ramonda variations.
From there she was asked to join the Pa. Ballet Company as an apprentice and danced the role of Clara in the Nutcracker for next 2 years. She was under contract her second year and danced in ballets such as Symphony in C, The 4 Temperaments and Les Syphides.
The third year she broke both feet and thus ended her short lived ballet career. After that, Beth turned to teaching ballet . She has taught classical Ballet for over 30 years. During that time she taught classes for CPYB summer courses, Harrisburg Ballet, Campbelltown school of Ballet- owning that for a year-, Sarita’s School of Dance and Fitness America.
After having her children ,she discovered Pilates! Getting her first certification in Mat Pilates in 2008 ,Beth has trained extensively with Stott Pilates on all Pilates equipment and has specialties in pre and post natal Pilates and works with rehab to athletic conditioning.
She has certifications in Modern Pilates and Total Barre. She had instructed at various fitness Centers, Barre and Pilates studios before becoming the Pilates and Barre instructor at The Wellness Center on the ExxonMobil Campus where she instructed from 2015-2023, just retiring this past January.
Beth is excited to be teaching adult ballet again and mat Pilates class for TADA !
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Zoe Boyd received her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in General Business from Sam Houston State University in 2023. Zoe has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theater, lyrical, jazz funk, and contemporary for 18 years. She has, also, been able to perform works choreographed by several artists such as Mia Michaels, Mary Grace McNally, Eoghan Dillon, Easton Blake, and more. As an educated and well-rounded teacher, Zoe has had the opportunity to teach various styles in ages ranging from 5-18 at Texas Academy of Dance Arts since 2020. She is excited to work with your talented dancers for another great season!
Rebecca Bryan
Wesley Cordova
Zoe Boyd - Front Desk Lead
Rebecca Bryan, originally from Charlotte, NC, has been teaching dance to students of all ages for over 30
years. She has been a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance since 1996 and been a mentor to other teachers studying for their certification. She continues to enter students for
examinations in the Grades and Vocational levels consistently earning high marks, ranging from Merit to High Distinction. Ms. Bryan is an accomplished choreographer. Her original and staged repertoire includes Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Nutcracker, Of Kingdoms and Fairies, The Snow Child and many more. She has also choreographed overall award-winning pieces and coached students to compete at leading competitive organizations such as, YAGP, Revel, NYCDA, Groove, Nexstar, Platinum, In10sity and others. In 2017 she choreographed the opera “Vanessa” with the Sarasota Opera. Currently Ms. Bryan owns Sarasota Dance Academy in Sarasota, FL. She oversees all their programs and competitive teams. She is also working on certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Acrobatic Arts, and Adult safe practice of dance in “Silver Swans” of the RAD. Ms. Bryan enjoys passing on the love of ballet and all forms of dance to future generations of dancers. She also loves working with dancers one on one, coaching solos and ballet variations, building technique, and dance conditioning/flexibility training. She is very excited to bring her passion of dance and unique teaching style to TADA, where she hopes to inspire her students, small to tall, and nurture their love of dance.
Wesley Cordova
Wesley Cordova
Wesley Cordova
Wesley Cordova started dancing at the age of eight, and was instructed in various forms of dance at North Harris Performing Arts. While teaching at N.H.P.A Wesley became a member of Revolve Dance Company where he worked with Amy Cain and Dawn Dippel. Additionally, he was a cast member of Gothic South Production's, Revolve on Camera; a series of several dance films, directed by Benjamin Epps. He also performed in several East meets West productions, performed along side the Houston Symphony Orchestra, and has worked under Wes Veldink, the creative director of the Wes Veldink Movement in NYC. While acquiring his B.F.A. in dance at Sam Houston State University, he became a member of Noble Motion Dance and performed with the company for three years. Most recently he was a performer and dance captain for two Houston Grand Opera productions. He has studied under; Lindsey McGill, Randall Flinn, Elijah Alhaji Gibson, Andy Noble, Dionne Noble, Manuel Vigoulle, Amy Cain, and Dawn Dippel.
Kerry Godkins
Kerry Godkins
Kerry Godkins
MS. KERRY GODKINS is a career classical ballet instructor with nearly 20 years of experience in educating young dancers in the greater Houston area. Ms. Godkins began her training in north Houston under the tutelage of Angela Jackson and Barbara LeGault at American Academy of Dance. There she danced as a principal dancer with the pre-professional company Houston Dance Theatre. She spent many summers on scholarship at some of the best schools in the country including the Joffrey Ballet School and Lines Contemporary Ballet.
Kerry has served on the distinguished faculty of Rowland’s School of Ballet and Kingwood Dance Theatre for 13 years. She was the ballet mistress for Houston Dance Theatre for eight years where she set and rehearsed many of the classics including Sleeping Beauty, Firebird and Paquita, to name a few. Ms. Godkins spent two years in College Station helping to build the infrastructure for a professional track classical ballet program. Ms. Godkins has served on the faculty for Houston Ballet Academy’s lower school summer intensives as well.
Her students have gone on to enjoy professional performing careers with Tulsa Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and others. She is devoted to educating children in her beloved art of dance and strives to pass this love down to generations to come.
Monica Gomez
Kerry Godkins
Kerry Godkins
Monica Gomez is a native of Cuba; she graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba under the direction of Romona de Saa. Having studied under such renowned teachers as Fernando, Alberto and Alicia Alonso, Marta Iris Fernandez, Esvetlana Ballester, Loipa Araujo she went on to compete and received several first place awards and Gran Prix as both soloist and partner.
Ms Gomez dance professionally with the National Ballet of Cuba, where she has danced various works and performed internationally. In 2015, Ms Gomez joined Houston ballet as an apprentice and became soloist in 2019.
Since joining Houston ballet, she has dance to full length, ballet principal roles, like Kitri (Don Quixote, Ben Stevenson creation) Odil-Odette (Swan Lake, by Stanton Welch, Swanilda (Coppelia by Ben Stevenson), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty by Ben Stevenson) La Sylphide, David Bintley’s The Tempest, Mayerling by Kenneth McMillian, Valenciennes in Merry Widow by Ronal Hynd, Wendy in McIntyre’s Peter Pan, George Balanchine Rubies, Sylvia by Stanton Welch, Sugar Plum and Clara in the Nutcracker and many other principal roles as well as contemporary roles. In her teaching experience she has taught in numerous academies along the country and participated as a jury in Houston Ballet Académie.
Stephen Hanna
Kerry Godkins
Stephen Hanna
Stephen Hanna was a principal dancer in the New York City Ballet, and has performed in numerous musicals both on and off Broadway. Mr. Hanna started dancing at Shade Sisters Dance Studio at the age of 3 in Pittsburgh, and later The Center for Theatre Arts. He attended the Point Park College Conservatory ballet program under Roberto Munoz and was later accepted into The School of American Ballet in NYC where he trained with Stanley Williams, Andre Kramerevsky, and Richard Rapp. He performed in numerous ballets including A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Four Temperaments, Rubies, Valse Fantasie, Divertimento No.15, Symphony in Three Movements by Balanchine. Pas de Six from Napoli choreographed by Bournonville staged by Stanley Williams, and Christopher Wheeldon's Danse Bohemien. In 1997 he received the Mae. L. Wein award for outstanding promise and became a member of New York City Ballet where he was promoted to the rank of soloist in 2004, and one year later to a principal. He performed in Balanchine's A
Midsummer Night's Dream, Agon, Brahms Schoenberg Quartet, Chaconne, Concerto Barocco, Cortège Hongrois, Diamonds, Divertimento No. 15, Emeralds, The Four Temperaments, La Valse, Liebeslieder Walzer, The Nutcracker,, Robert Schumann's Davidsbundlertanze,
Serenade, Stars and Stripes, Symphony in C, and Tschaikovsky‘s Pas de Deux, Piano Concerto No. 2, Suite No. 3, and Western Symphony, to name a few. Mr. Hanna also appeared in the film Centerstage, and in 2008 he made his Broadway Debut in Billy Elliot The Musical which was a 10 time Tony Award Winner. While returning as a guest artist to the NYC Ballet, he performed in numerous musicals both on and off Broadway, including Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler, An American In Paris, On The Town, Billy Elliot The Musical, and Silence! The Musical. He has also performed in the Broadway touring cast of Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away, Phantom Of The Opera, Oklahoma, and many more. He also performed with Ballet Next and Intermezzo, performing works by Brian Reeder, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Claudia Schreier. This past spring Hanna made his Carnegie Hall debut in Candide, and has taught and choreographed at College of Charleston, the Joffrey Ballet School, and more. Also an actor, he appeared on television in All My Children, Boardwalk Empire, Momsters: When Moms Go Bad, and more. We are excited to welcome Mr. Hanna to our faculty!
Gracie Lee
Courtney Meier
Stephen Hanna
Gracie Lee grew up in Frisco, Texas and has been dancing since the age of 3. She began competitive dance training at Prodigy Dance and Performing Arts Centre studying Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Ballroom. Gracie competed throughout her childhood regionally and nationally at
numerous competitions such as: Jump, NUVO, 24 Seven, Star Power, Hall of Fame, NYCDA, YAGP and Studio of the Year at Dance Awards just to mention a few. Gracie has won multiple solo awards as well as being recognized as a Dance Awards Best Dancer top 10 finalist and has won a Duo Finalist Award at
YAGP International Dance Competition. Gracie has been honored to have performed choreography
from Emmy award winning choreographers and as well as receiving their mentorship. During her tenure
at Prodigy Dance and Performing Arts Centre, she developed the refined skills that are aligned with the needs of a top-tier dance instructor. Gracie assisted and helped grow the Boys Dance Too Program at Prodigy as well as teaching and helping with ensemble choreography and choreographing solos.
Gracie attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas for two years and was a member of the Repertory 1 dance conservatory and following that she attended North Texas Performing Arts School for two years with a focus on Musical Theatre. In addition to Gracie’s experience and training, she also attended the University of Memphis Musical Theater Program and recently graduated from the American Musical Dramatic Academy in New York
completing the Integrated Conservatory Program for Musical Theatre, Acting & Dance. Gracie is also a
Broadway Alliance Alumni alongside many Broadway Directors and Choreographers. In addition to being an a very dedicated competitive dancer throughout her childhood, Gracie got the
opportunity to play Velma in Chicago as well as a supporting lead in Legally Blonde at North Texas Performing Arts School. During her college career, she was in Pippen, R J & Z and had credits in Mary Poppins. Gracie was also cast as an actor in the Mean Girl Murders series. Gracie brings a lot of expertise at a young age and is very excited to continue her dance and Musical Theatre journey
teaching, mentoring and encouraging young artist.
Nao Kusuzaki
Courtney Meier
Courtney Meier
Nao Kusuzaki is a ballet instructor, choreographer, director, and mom to 2 young girls. Born in Japan, she began her ballet lessons at 3 years old, then in the U.S. with The Washington School of Ballet and Boston Ballet School. Her professional career started with Boston Ballet in 2001. In 2004 she joined Houston Ballet, and was promoted to Soloist in 2009. She has danced numerous leading roles in both classical and contemporary repertoire. Some of her featured roles include: The Sugarplum Fairy and
The Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Nikiya in La Bayadere, Madame Butterfly in Madame Butterfly, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, Sinfonietta, and Falling Angels, Stanton Welch’s Tu-Tu, William Forsythe’s In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Christopher Wheeldon’s Rush, and Mark Morris’s Pacific. In 2019, she was invited to stage Swan Lake and perform Odette/Odile with Victoria Ballet Theater. In addition to
her role as a dance artist, Nao enjoys collaborating with the community. She has produced Dance for Hope, a benefit Concert in response to Japan Earthquake of 2011, co-created TSURU with Asia Society Texas in 2015, and directed/danced in The 45th Anniversary Ballet Performance celebrating Houston and Chiba Sister City Relations, which premiered in July 22, 2017. In November, 2017, she directed/danced in the
revival of TSURU at the Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston, TX, where Nao was
commended by the Consulate General, Japan. Most recently, Nao was choreographer and artistic director for the work commissioned by Asia Society Texas, GENJI, which premiered to sold out shows. Nao is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers. She teaches locally, and nationally as guest faculty including at Regional Dance America Southwest festival, and in Japan. Nao is certified GYROTONIC® instructor since 2008. Using its movement methodology,
she guides dancers to increase their range of motion, joint stability, and strength safely and holistically.
Courtney Meier
Courtney Meier
Courtney Meier
Courtney Meier grew up dancing at Boni’s Dance and Performing Arts studio in The Woodlands, Tx starting out at the age of three. She trained in every genre, however jazz and ballet were her main focus. Courtney performed multiple roles in The Nutcracker during her time at Boni’s. Courtney took her love for dance and performing with her to college at Whitworth University in Washington state. She was a member of Whitworths performance dance team, Jubilation. After spending three years in Washington, Courtney ended up at Dallas Powerhouse of Dance. It was here that Courtney discovered her love for teaching kids. She was Assistant Director of the Power Squad performance team, Power House Mini competitive team and taught many of the recreational classes. After leaving Powerhouse, Courtney moved back to The Woodlands where she taught at many of the area studios. Courtney has choreographed award winning solos for area drill team students. She also judged many dance competitions and team tryouts around the state of Texas. Courtney currently resides in The Woodlands with her husband Garrett and their four children, Wesley, Madi, Noah and Zoë. She is excited to call TADA home.
Stephanie Moy
Meghan Sinclair
Whylan Rucker
Ms. Moy brings a depth of knowledge, insight, joy and inspiration to her teaching that is matched only by her unwavering quest to find the best for her students. An acclaimed dancer of extraordinary versatility, Ms. Moy’s career has taken her around the world. With the Boston Ballet Company, under the Direction of Founder E. Virginia Williams she has danced the works of: Petipa, Balanchine, Agnes de Mille, Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, and others. She has also danced for Ohio Ballet, Spokane Ballet, Rhode Island Festival Ballet, Ballet Theater of Boston, and the Boston Dance Company. The New York Times wrote of her featured performance as Amour, in Rudolf Nureyev’s “Don Quixote”, “.. Stephanie Moy’s great success as the Cupid figure, A more darting, mischievous and totally alive in the classical spirit, was well deserved!”. These are qualities her students might well recognize in her classes. She has taught at the Boston School of Ballet, Boston Conservatory, Ballet Theater of Boston, Ohio Ballet & Festival Ballet of RI. In addition, she was the director of the American Academy of Dance in Mansfield MA from 2001 to 2014. Ms. Moy’s charisma is matched by her professionalism, making her classes inspiring for all who study with her.
Whylan Rucker
Meghan Sinclair
Whylan Rucker
Whylan Rucker, a Beaumont Texas native, has studied the art of dance through various styles, including, ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and musical theater since the age of 6. She served as captain of her Drill Team, a member of her high school dance company, classically trained at The Beaumont Ballet Theatre (also known as Bonnie Cokinos School of Dance) and trained competitively at Taylor Dance Studio. She amplified her dance training through various conventions and competitions, including Dance Masters of America, JUMP, LA Dance Magic, International Dance Challenge, and West Coast Dance Explosion.
During her collegiate years, Whylan enhanced her experience as a choreographer and director by working at The Art of Dance Studio, teaching ballet, jazz and contemporary, and directing the dance team at her high school alma mater. She also gained collegiate dance experience as a 3 year member of the Lamar University Dance Team, where she continued grow in performances and choreography. As an advocate for education, Whylan continued to receive a teaching degree in English, Speech and Dance, while attending graduate school and earning additional degrees in Masters of Business Administration and Educational Leadership.
Currently, she resides in Houston, Texas, where she teaches both commercial and recreational dance classes and serves as a high school dance director. As director, Whylan has lead her team to an outstanding victory, earning consecutive Overall Grand Championship awards, High Point Apex Award, Best in Style, Judge’s Awards, Crowd Pleasers Awards, and Best in Entertainment; she’s also earned Best in Choreography and Artistic Vision.
Under TheWhy Dance & Consultant Services, LLC., Whylan shares her knowledge and passion for dance by offering a plethora of dance services to various schools and dance studios across the region. Her goal is to spread her passion and knowledge for dance and performing arts, with a focus on execution and performance quality. More importantly, she has the true desire to help dancers of all backgrounds understand WHY they love to dance.
Meghan Sinclair
Meghan Sinclair
Meghan Sinclair
Meghan Sinclair is a versatile creative artist, educator and choreographer. Her formative training included classical ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. She trained under master teachers, including Rebecca Bryan RAD RTS, Gillian Davis ARAD RTS, Delise Teamer RAD RTS, and Catriona Steel RAD RTS. She studied with Phillip Burnham while training for her Vocational RAD exams. Over the years she performed a multitude of variations, contemporary and jazz works. Meghan has 20 years experience teaching ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary and tap to students of all levels. Not only have her ballet students earned several Merits of Distinction and solo placement awards with RAD exams, her students have also earned top awards, overall placements, and workshop scholarships from conventions and competitions including: Youth America Grand Prix, NYCDA, 24Seven, Jump, Revel, Radix, and Dance Educators of America, to name a few. She is Acrobatic Arts certified, a founding IDEA member, and studio owner of Sarasota Academy of Dance. Meghan has encompassed the passion of discipline, love of performance and the heart and patience for teaching.
Davis Stumberg
Davis Stumberg
Meghan Sinclair
Davis Stumberg graduated from the University of North Texas with his BA in Dance in 2014. Davis' areas of specialty include modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, aerial arts, and acrobatics. His teaching style is one of a kind, energetic and uplifting, and he often incorporates elements of balance, strength, and flexibility into his teaching method. He is often requested at TADA, as his love of teaching and care for his students is truly magnetic. Aside from his dance training he was a collegiate and competitive cheerleader, and has taught gymnastics and cheerleading for many years. He has been a guest artist for Noble Motion, and performed in the Houston Grand Opera’s productions Rusalka and Faust. He has performed professionally with Open Dance Project and FRAME dance, and performs frequently at various venues locally and nationally.