Our teaching staff is a group of highly trained, experienced, and professional men and women who are eager to educate and inspire children of all ages. All of our teachers have worked in the professional dance world (past and present) and pride themselves on passing their knowledge and experience onto their students.
Michelle Stafford
Studio Director/Owner
Michelle Stafford is one of the top choreographers and dance instructors in the country. She is highly trained in all forms of dance. Michelle has trained with some of the top choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Andy Blankenbeuler, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Joe Lanteri and many more. Her passion for dance is second to none. Michelle continues to train with the top dance professionals in New York and Los Angeles to enrich her students in the art of dance.
Students under Michelle’s direction have won top honor awards and receive numerous dance scholarships at almost every dance competition and convention. Michelle continues to win Best Choreography Awards throughout the country. Her students have gone to college and to the professional arena to pursuer their dance career.
Michelle Stafford is truly your Next Step to becoming a well-trained dancer!
Rita Allen
Studio Owner
Jennifer Contreras
All Star Company Director / Instructor
Jen grew up in Duncanville, Texas where she began dancing at the age of 3. She grew up in a local studio studying in all genres throughout the years. Jen was a line member, Jr. Lieutenant and Senior Captain of the Duncanville High School High Hats Drill Team under the Direction of Kristi Beaty. She then went on to Navarro Jr. College where she was a Freshman Lieutenant and Sophomore Captain for the former Navarro College Showstoppers directed by Monica Aldama. She became an instructor, choreographer and adjudicator for American Dance/Drill Team School in 1998 and choreographed state and national level winning routines for her own teams, junior high schools, high schools and various colleges around the country. Jennifer continued her dance education and career with a dance major at Stephen F. Austin State University and was a 2 year member of the SFA Pom Squad. She has competed in 4 NDA Collegiate Nationals. While dancing at SFA, Jen also taught at the Lufkin Dance Academy under the direction/ ownership of Darlene Atkinson. She was privileged to teach all ages and genres and work with the performing company while at LDA. Jen then relocated back to the DFW area and became a member of the NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancers for 2 seasons and a full time instructor at the Dallas Power House of Dance under the direction/ownership of Shella Sattler. She then went on to be the assistant for the Mavericks Dancers and Shella Sattler. Jen, Shella Sattler and Michelle Stafford formed and created a studio drill/dance/ all star team within the studio to give dancers another avenue to pursue in 2004. Jen has been directing studio drill teams and training dancers who aspire to dance on a high school, college dance/drill team, or professional sports team for 20 years. Jennifer also began directing the NBA Developmental G-League Texas Legends Dancers (affiliates to the NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancers) in 2011 and is still the active director going into her 13th season with the Texas Legends sponsored and based out of Next Step Dance. Jen currently teaches combo technique classes to “little people” ages 2-5yrs in hopes to spark their love and passion for dance, jazz drill classes to all levels beginning at age 5-6yrs to adults to help improve their drill team skills needed, and directs all 5 Drill Company Teams from ages 5yr to Seniors in high school at Next Step Dance. Some of her former Drill Company and studio students have gone on to dance for the Kilgore College Rangerettes, Apache Belles, Texas Tech Pom Squad, SFA Pom Squad, University of Georgia Dance Dawgs, University of Georgia Georgettes, Arkansas Pom Squad, OU Pom, Baylor Songleaders, SMU Pom, Harvard Crimson Dance Team, University of North Texas Dancers, University of Texas Pom, OSU Pom. Jen’s also had a few students, but mostly former Texas Legends Dancers go on to make Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the former Dallas Mavericks Dancers, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers, Dallas Stars Ice Girls, Houston Texans Cheerleaders, Dallas Mavericks D-Town Crew, Oklahoma Thunder Dancers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors Dance Team, Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, LA Charger Girls, New Orleans Pelicans Dancers, St. Louis Blue Crew, Seattle Seahawk Dancers, New England Patriots Cheerleaders, and New Orleans Saints Cheer Krewe. Jen is in her 14th season with Next Step Dance and her Drill Companies, 13th season with her Texas Legends Dancers and in her 25th year of teaching dance to dancers of all ages. She enjoys boating, traveling and amusement parks especially Disney and Universal!!s She resides in Frisco, Texas with her husband, Bentley, of 16 years and they have a son Skyler who is a Freshman at SMU.
Ashley Thon
Assistant Performing Company Director / Instructor
Ashley began dancing at the age of 3 and grew up in the competitive dance world where she received numerous scholarships and overall awards. She went on to attend Oklahoma City University and graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance with a minor in History. At OCU, she was the deputy of the American Spirit Dance Company, co-directed the OCU Pep Dancers, and was taught the ins and outs of show business. Ashley has performed in theaters all over Texas, and also in the Rob Lake Magic Show and halftime performances with both the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. She has worked professionally at Busch Gardens Williamsburg where she was promoted to Dance Captain. She has most recently been performing in the Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO as a dancer and vocalist and was part of the 2012 Shoji Tabuchi touring show. Ashley is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the students at Next Step!
Cody Berkeley
Assistant Performing Company Director / Instructor
Originally from Dallas, TX, began dancing at age six and has trained to elite levels in many styles of dance, including: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap and Partnering. At 19, Cody was awarded a full tuition scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia courtesy of the NYCDA College Scholarship Foundation. Berkeley graduated in 2015 with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and received the Expressivity Award, in recognition of his outstanding performance and leadership excellence. He’s attended workshops with BodyTraffic, NW Dance Project, Springboard Danse Montreal and Joffrey Ballet School. In 2015 Cody joined Clairobscur Dance Company in Los Angeles under the direction of Laurie Sefton. Berkeley then returned home to Dallas to join Dark Circles Contemporary Dance USA for their 4th season where he performed the work of Madboots Dance, Joshua L. Peugh and Gregory Dolbashian. In the summer of 2017, Berkeley moved to New York City to work and teach for The Ellison Ballet School. During his time in NYC, Cody performed with Pigeonwing Dance under the direction of Gabrielle Lamb in numerous venues throughout the city. Additionally, he joined the inaugural cast of Step One Dance Company (RWS Global Entertainment) to tour and perform with Holland America Line . He also holds a close connection to The Edge School for Athletes in Calgary, Alberta and frequently teaches and adjudicates for VIEW Dance Challenge competition based in Canada. His award winning choreography has been shown at Young Arts Foundation high school finalists and Youth America Grand Prix in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Berkeley was awarded “Outstanding Choreographer 2018” by YAGP for his work on the students of Ellison Ballet on both regional and national levels. Berkeley previously led the contemporary program for The Ellison Ballet School and Greenwich Ballet Academy contemporary program and was recently awarded Outstanding Contemporary Coach from Universal ballet Competition in 2024 for his work on
Greenwich Ballet Academy. Cody now resides in Dallas, TX where he is Co-Company Director for Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center.
Yulia Ilina
Performing Company Ballet Director
6Yulia was born to professional championship athletes in Kiev, Ukraine. Enforced with a commitment to hard work, her mother took her to the “arts school” in Kiev at the age of 7. On seeing her physical abilities, famed dance professor, L. Shatilov exclaimed, “A child like this is born once in a hundred years. She must be professionally engaged in the ballet”. Yulia attended the Kiev Ballet School in 1991, the only specialized school in the Ukraine at trains professional ballet dancers. By the end of the fourth year that training, she had already been included in the corps de ballet scenes of the National Opera of Ukraine, among the older dancers. During the last year she danced solo, Pas De Deux and a number of modern dance compositions. Upon graduation, she was the only one in the class who received a contract with Eifman Ballet Theater (St. Petersburg, Russia). From 1999 to 2004, as a member of the theater, Yulia toured all over the world. She danced in the U.S., France, England, Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and other locations. In addition, Eifman’s Theater performed on numerous Russian stages including the Bolshoy Theater in Moscow. In 2004, Yulia decided to expand her experience in teaching and choreography. At the invitation of A. Andreev, honored artist of Russia and master of the St. Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy, she was selected as assistant teacher- choreographer of his Drama class. Working with students of the Drama Department opened new pathways of artistic thinking and ways to apply it through many mediums in the profession. Yulia realized that in order to dance well, one does not necessarily have to encompass perfect physique and ballet training. When creating choreography for students, she tried to focus not only on common rules, but also on individuality of the artist. Ultimately, applying the same principle, she choreographed several productions for Operetta Theater, such as “Sylva”, “Cinderella”, and “Mr. X”. The 2005 premieres of these productions were successfully held in Riga, Latvia; Vilnus, Lithuania, and are standard repertoire for the Operetta Theater program. In 2007, Yulia returned to performing on the stage and became a member of the St. Petersburg State Academic Theater named after L. Jacobson. A month after signing a contract, she was promoted to the position of Principal Dancer. As a Principal, she toured extensively with the Theater in Russia, U.S., Mexico, Germany, Japan and Israel. Yulia’s repertoire includes principal and soloist roles in many classical and contemporary ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Carmen and many more. Her performances received high critical acclaim. In 2010, the St. Petersburg Committee of Culture awarded Yulia the Diploma of Recognition: “for the best preservation of traditions and invaluable contribution to the development of Russian ballet”. In the conferral of her certification, to ascribe to the highest status for the Principal Dancer, the chairman of the Certification Commission stated: “Images of Ms. Ilina’s characters, written in secretly-fragile choreographic patters, unveils a saturated palette of her diverse personality. Each new work opens up new facets of her talent. She is able to lead and to assist the partners exceptionally well in the creative process.” In 2012 Yulia moved to the U.S. and became the guest Principal Dancers for the Avant Chamber Ballet, Collin County Ballet Theater, Denton Contemporary Ballet, International Ballet Theater, Mejia International Ballet and many others. As a teacher she worked for Hathaway Ballet Academy, Park Cities Dance, Studio A Dance and the Denton Ballet Conservatory. She also has been a guest teacher for University of North Texas, South Methodist University, Mississippi Ballet Theater, Texas Youth Ballet Conservatory and The Dance Space. In 2015 she graduated from the St. Petersburg State Theater Art Academy holding a Masters Degree in Teaching and Theater Administration.
Nick DiNicolangelo
Tap & NSTP Director / Instructor
Nick DiNicolangelo has spent his life sharing a passion for tap dance through education, choreography, and mentorship. Beginning his teaching career at just 15 years old, he has become one of the nation’s most respected tap educators and choreographers, known for his dynamic teaching style, innovative choreography, and unwavering passion for preserving and advancing the art of tap dance.
A charter member and captain of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble, Nick was also an original member of Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. Throughout his career, he has traveled extensively as a faculty member for leading dance conventions and continues to teach and choreograph for studios across the United States, helping dancers achieve success both on and off the stage.
In 2008, Nick founded the nationally recognized Syn.co.pate Tap Intensive, bringing together many of the country’s most accomplished tap artists to educate and inspire the next generation. He further expanded his vision in 2012 with the creation of the Hands Down Tap Project, a collaborative initiative dedicated to providing meaningful performance opportunities while fostering artistry, community, and mentorship among young tap dancers.
Michael “Sharpie” Sharp
All Star Company Assistant Director / Instructor
6Michael hails from Copperas Cove, Texas where he started out as a competitive cheerleader in high school. Sharpie earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Dance from Stephen F Austin State University where he was on scholarship for cheerleading for two years. After those 2 years he made SFA history by becoming the first male in history to be part of the nationally ranked SFA pom squad. He entered into the professional dance world as an acro-dancer in Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. He’s been a soloist dancer with the American Solstice Dance company and a dancer and featured silk performer for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. His dancing took him half way across the world to Tokyo, Japan where he was dance captain and a performer in the show ENCORE at Tokyo Disney Sea. He has also danced in the DFW area with Six Flags Over Texas, the Mary Kay Convention, and performed and choreographed the Miss Texas Pageant. He studied in various studios in New York, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and is now located in Dallas.
Katy Hunter
All Star Company Assistant Director / Instructor
88Katy began dancing at the age of three and has not stopped! She joined Drill Company at the age of 10 where she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Turns/Technique, and Drill. She served as an officer of her Jr High team as well as at John Paul II High School. In 2011, Katy Became a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes, and was also selected as a member of their elite team, Swingsters. During he time as a Rangerette she performed for Cotton Bowl, the 70th commemoration of Pearl Harbor, President Obama’s Inaugural Ball, and numerous parades and Cowboys football games. Furthering her education, Katy attended Texas A&M University where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Dance Science. She has been a staff member for American Dance and Drill Team Company for 5 years where she has conducted camps across Texas teaching choreography, leadership, and technique workshops.
Brook’Lyn Burke
Intermix Performing Company Director / Instructor
Brook’Lyn recently graduated from Texas A&M University. She was a captain and 3-year member of the Texas Aggie Dance Team, and received the 2026 E. Lynn Harris All-SEC award. Brook’Lyn grew up in the studio training and competing in all styles of dance. She also joined her high school dance team where she was a 3-year captain. She won multiple NDA national titles with her high school and college teams, and is an NDA all-American dancer. She has also guest taught and choreographed at various studios and schools around Texas. She is now continuing her dance and pre-pro training, hoping to someday be part of an NFL professional cheerleading team.
Lisa Holt
Ballroom Instructor
Lisa has been teaching in the dance industry for over 25 years. She has been a head instructor, program curriculum developer and choreographer for NCA Danz, NCA collegiate program, and USA dance. She is a former captain of the NCA national award winning Navarro college Showstoppers dance team, former 5 year veteran of the Dallas Mavericks Dancers, she has danced professionally in numerous shows, and infomercials, including Mary Kay, Beauty Control, and Juice Plus.
Her love for dance branched out into ballroom about 13 years ago. She taught for the nationally renowned program called Dancing Classrooms, which is featured in the films, “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Take the Lead”.
She and her partner, israel Peña developed and directed the ballroom dance program at Power House of Dance Dallas and Frisco for the past 9 years. Along with there program at the studio, they have taught numerous workshops, master classes, dance intensives, and given seminars to elementary, middle schools, high schools, and universities, including Booker T Washington HS, University of North Texas, TWU, and UTD.
She and her partner also compete professionally in the international Latin division and have competed all over the country and abroad. Their highlight to date was competing in London and at the Blackpool Dance Festival. She continues to train and study with award winning and world renown coaches,from all over the world, such as Shirley Ballas and Martin Lamb.
Israel Pena
Ballroom Instructor
Israel Peña, with his partner Lisa Holt, is currently an International Latin Ballroom competitor and a teacher. Motown born and Texas raised. Israel is a graduate from the University of North Texas, where he discovered his passion and love for dance teaching salsa classes in college. Shortly after graduating he began teaching Ballroom at a small independent studio in Grapevine Texas. From there Israel and Lisa started there own Ballroom program at Power House of Dance in both Frisco and Dallas and dedicated himself to becoming an International Latin Competitor. Israel has
since traveled and competed across the United States both with his partner and his students in all four ballroom genres. He has guest taught Master classes at Booker T. Washington, UTD, Texas Womens University, UNT, and numerous dance studios and public schools in the dfw metroplex. His biggest accomplishments include competing in both London and Blackpool at the Blackpool Dance festival, attending the World Dance Congress, and teaching children as a teaching artist for Dancing Classrooms. His most influential and continued inspiration come from being fortunate enough to work with, and continue to learn from, great coaches and world champion dancers including Martin Lamb, and Shirley Ballas. They have continued to influence his passion for knowledge in becoming a better dancer and teacher.
Ashley Miller
Underground Collective Hip Hop Co. Director / Instructor
Ashley Miller grew up in the competitive dance world from a young age and has spent more than 22 years teaching, choreographing, and mentoring dancers of all ages. She is passionate about inspiring dancers through creativity, education, and a genuine love for the art of dance.
Ashley trained extensively in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, tap and musical theatre. She attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before pursuing a professional career in both performance and choreography.
Her professional performance credits include touring throughout Europe with Tanzsommer, performing with the Urban Ballet Theatre, Dallas Summer Musicals’ The Wizard of Oz, and numerous productions of The Nutcracker with the Dallas Repertoire Ballet. She has also danced for a professional arena football team, performed in Dallas Cowboys halftime shows alongside artists including Destiny’s Child, Carrie Underwood, and more, appeared in the opening production of the Gospel Music Awards, and performed in pageants, music videos, and live productions across the country.
Her commercial credits include projects such as Beauty Control, Welcome to Texas, Chuck E. Cheese, and more. Ashley has also modeled and performed for Macy’s Department Store Fashion Shows and other commercial campaigns and live events.
As a choreographer, Ashley has worked alongside and assisted the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue and the Dallas Cowboys Rookie Squad, assisted with Dallas Cowboys halftime performances, and served as both choreographer and assistant choreographer for commercials, television productions, photo shoots, and live events. She has choreographed for dance studios, drill teams, schools, recording artists, and organizations across the United States, earning numerous choreography awards in multiple genres.
Today, Ashley serves as Faculty and Tour Manager for LUX The Experience, overseeing events including LUX, LUXDT, Ensō, and The Howling. She also serves as the Curriculum Coordinator for Kids ‘R’ Kids Castle Hills, where she supports teachers in implementing meaningful learning experiences and creating engaging, creative classroom environments that inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.
Whether in the classroom, rehearsal, or convention setting, Ashley strives to create an environment where dancers feel challenged, encouraged, and inspired to become the best version of themselves.
Taylor Goldman
Office Manager
13Taylor was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and began dancing at the age of three years old. She has trained in many styles including jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap, lyrical, and pom. She danced throughout high school and in college she became a member of the UNLV dance team, known as the Rebel Girls. The Rebel Girls performed at events such as men’s basketball and football, and they also competed at Nationals in Division 1A hip hop and pom. During her time at UNLV, the Rebel Girls placed in the top 5 consistently and in 2013 won a national championship in Division 1A Hip Hop. Along with being on the dance team, she also earned her bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. Taylor is currently the office manager at Next Step Dance and is excited to take on her new role as Mini and Jr. Texas Legends Director!
Joanie Fulmer
Office Staff
Younmi Kwak
Ballet Instructor
Derrick D. Redmon
Underground Collective Hip Hop Co. Director / Hip Hop Instructor
Local Lewisville High school graduate, Texas Tech University Alumni, and former “RAIDER RED” (the Texas Tech University Mascot), Derrick is no stranger to the world of dance or the entertainment business. Derrick has choreographed and performed globally and has been recognized and awarded as both a dancer and a choreographer. His credits include performing with Grammy award winning group Destiny’s Child during the 2004 Dallas Cowboys Visa Thanksgiving Day halftime show, principal dancer on the Tuaca Body Art Ball national tour for two years, and televised halftime performance during the MLS Soccer Championship just to name a few. He was also Assistant Choreographer for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders 2007 halftime show featuring Grammy award winner Kelly Clarkson and a 6-time Monsters of Hip Hop scholarship recipient. Not only has he choreographed for numerous competitve dance teams across the country where his work has won numerous awards, he also has choreographed corporate industrials and performances for companies such as JC Penney, Reebok, Pepsi, OG Coffee, the NFL, and the NCAA. Derrick continues to train with top choreographers in L.A., New York, Chicago, Dallas, and across the country and enjoys teaching and sharing his knowledge and love of dance with all.
Madeline Muth
Ballet Instructor
Madeline Muth grew up training at Grand Rapids Ballet School before continuing her pre-professional training at Boston Ballet School at Walnut Hill and The Rock School for Dance Education. She also spent summers training at Ballet West Academy, San Francisco Ballet School, the School of American Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Madeline recently graduated one year early from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet, an Outside Field in Education, and a minor in Psychology. While at Indiana University, she trained under world renowned faculty, performed numerous classical and contemporary works, choreographed original works, and served as a Resident Assistant for both the Indiana University Ballet Summer Intensive and The Rock School Summer Intensive, mentoring young dancers in and out of the studio.
This fall, Madeline will join Avant Chamber Ballet for the 2026–2027 season and is excited to begin this next chapter in Dallas. She is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging environment where dancers can build strong technical foundations, confidence, and a lifelong love of ballet!
Jasmine Mathew
Adaptive Fusion Instructor
Jasmine is the founder and choreographer of Jasmine’s Beat, an adaptive dance company. Currently, Jasmine’s Beat is working with students of all abilities at Next Step Dance to perform adaptive fusion dance (including different varieties of dance) as well as adaptive theater performance dance at North Texas Performing Arts of Plano-Starcatchers. Jasmine’s Beat aims to provide inclusive therapeutic dance classes to persons of all ages and all abilities, regardless of special need, in a neurotypical community setting. Jasmine is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, or Recreation Therapist. She has her degree of Therapeutic Recreation and Health Studies with a minor in Psychology from Temple University. She has worked for the past 18 years in various populations, including traumatic brain injury units, pediatric rehab, mental health hospitals, assisted living and nursing homes, as well as pediatric medical day centers. While using various recreational activities, Jasmine has often used dance as a means of therapy with beautiful results, including increase in self-esteem, spatial awareness, flexibility, stamina, leisure interest, self-pride, and healthy lifestyle changes for such patients. Jasmine has received an award from JCAHO (Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations) for expanding therapeutic recreation implementation. Jasmine’s passion for dance started at the age of 8, training under M.G. Dance Institute in Philadelphia, PA to perform bharatnatyam (classical Indian dance). She also continued to perform in musicals in high school, learning the basics of stage performance and theater performance dance. Jasmine continued to perform Bollywood dance at various festivals and shows, including India Day Parade and KALAA in Philadelphia, IACA welcoming ceremony for archbishops in Washington, DC, as well as ISAT shows at Temple University. Jasmine has also worked in New York as a teacher for Arya Dance Academy, while working as a therapist in nearby rehabilitation centers. She has also taught BollyFit classes to adults. While in TX, Jasmine has been trained by Stretch & Grow McKinney in introductory ballet and jazz techniques for preschool age students. Jasmine has various certifications, including Certified Group Fitness Instructor, CPR, and Certified Car Seat Safety Installer. She is also the SAGE TXPTA rep (Special And Gifted Ed) for her local elementary school. Jasmine is presently assistant directing and choreographing theater productions for students with disabilities at NTPA-Plano and seeking to expand classes at Next Step Dance to also include wheelchair dancing. Jasmine believes every person has the ability to dance and be accepted in the community through mutual passions. Jasmine has the love and support from her husband, Tino, and her 3 kids, T.J, Arielle and Leo.
~ ”What’s Your Beat?” ~
Leti Hinojosa
Hip Hop Instructor
Born and raised in South Texas, living in McAllen, TX most of her life, Leti started dancing at the age of 3. She was a dancer at Kelly’s Center Stage in McAllen where she was on their competitive All-Star team for 8 years and she was Major of her high school dance, the Nikki Rowe Tiaras, for 2 years. During her time in high school, she was a Power Dance 4 time National Champion soloist from 2003-2007.
Leti danced at the collegiate level for The University of Texas at Austin and served as Co-Captain. While living in Austin, she also danced for the Austin Spurs NBA Development team for one year. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies.
After college, she moved to Arlington, TX to attend The University of Texas at Arlington for graduate school. While attending graduate school, she became the head dance team coach for UTA in 2014 and in 2016, she became the Spirit Groups Coordinator and where she currently oversees the dance team, cheer team, mascots and the Wranglers.
She was a member of the Texas Legends Dance Team for 3 years and danced for the first and only hip-hop team in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers for one year.
Amelia Blair
Ballet Instructor
Amelia Blair from Newton, Iowa began her dance training at the age of eleven. She danced at Grace Ballet Studio, completing RAD exams, dancing in the student company, performing the lead role in The Snow Queen, and competing in local competitions, where she won various awards, as well as in the Indianapolis Youth America Grand Prix. She danced roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Stars & Stripes, Dracula, and Don Quixote. Ms. Blair began teaching and started her own summer dance programs while also attending intensives with Kansas City Ballet and Zion Dance Project to further her training. Upon graduation, she received the Royal Ballet of Iowa Scholarship and moved to New York to dance professionally with Light of the World Ballet. She performed on tour in the U.S. and internationally in Israel and China, as well as guest teaching. Ms. Blair was promoted to company member and placed on their teaching and administration staff, where she set original works on the company and danced the lead role in Cayla Noreau’s ballet Creation’s JOY. She joined Ballet Hartford in 2020, performing classical (Giselle, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Nutcracker), neoclassical, modern and contemporary works and continued teaching locally. She danced the lead role in Claire Kretzschmar’s (NYCB) Peter & the Wolf, performed with Project Dance NYC, choreographed and performed during Ballet Hartford’s annual Awakening Festival, and worked under many choreographers including Leyna Doran, Steve Rooks, Norbert De La Cruz III, Danielle Diniz, Vincent Hardy (Zion Dance Project), NSquared, Marc Spielberger (Miami City Ballet), Caleb Mitchell, Alizah Wilson, and Paiter Van Yperen (The Ailey School). She recently moved to the DFW area and is blessed to be dancing with Zion Dance Project II this upcoming season!
Kat Puryear
Jr. DCC Director
Originally from Charlotte, NC, Kat Puryear cheered with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 2019–2024, serving as a 2nd group leader, show group performer, and the ultimate hype woman for her team. She also represents the DCC as an All – Star.
Now, Kat proudly serves as Co-Director of the Jr. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, where she combines her leadership, choreography, and mentoring skills to inspire the next generation of performers. She loves helping young dancers grow in confidence while experiencing the tradition and spirit of America’s Sweethearts.
Outside of Jr. DCC, Kat is a commercial Realtor in the Dallas–Fort Worth market, helping businesses find the perfect space to grow. She lives with her cats, Arlo and Pote and her boyfriend Nigel – a future Navy pilot! She loves the adventure life constantly brings!
Ashlee Watts
Jr. DCC Director
Armani Latimer
Jr. DCC Director
Rachel Green
Mini/Jr. Legends Director
Gregory Dolbashian
Modern Instructor
Born and raised in NYC, Gregory Dolbashian trained at the Alvin Ailey School and graduated cum laude from SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory. He debuted The DASH Ensemble in 2010, with performances at The JOYCE Theater, Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York Live Arts, Guggenheim Works & Process, American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, DanceNOW, and nationally. Ballet commissions include Atlanta Ballet, St. Louis Ballet, Hamptons Dance Project, Cirio Collective, and Ballet Austin, with additional commissions by Daniil Simkin’s Intensio and ABT principal Hee Seo. His work has been commissioned by Juilliard, Princeton, Point Park, UNCSA, LINES Ballet, NYU, SUNY Purchase, and Fordham/Ailey. Gregory co-founded The DASH Academy and The PlaygroundNYC, and has served as a choreographic mentor for ABT Incubator and MOVENYC’s SWEAT LAB.
Maxim Tchernychev
Ballet Instructor
Mr. Tchernychev was born in Russia, at the age of ten he began his training at Novosibirsk State Ballet Academy. In 1988 as a part of a Russian delegation he participated in International Youth Festival in North Korea. Right after graduation in 1989 Mr. Tchernychev was invited by Y. Grigorovich ( director of Bolshoi Ballet) to join Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow. He was working with such distinguished teachers and coaches as Asaf Meserer, Mikhail Lavrovsky, Yuri Vladimirov and Boris Akimov. Mr. Tchernychev performed with Bolshoi Ballet Theatre throughout Russia, England, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Egypt, China, Hong-Kong, Japan and the USA. In October of 1993 he was invited to perform before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Dominion Theatre in London.
In December of 1994 at end of touring the USA, Mr. Tchernychev decided to stay and continue his dancing career in the US. He performed as a principal dancer and guest artist with several ballet companies. He also staged ballets and taught master classes in ballet schools and companies throughout the US. His principal roles included Swan lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Romeo and Juliet and Carmina Burana and many ballet and contemporary pieces that was choreographed for him. Critics have praised him for his dancing and its energy and “thrillingly masculine style”, last five years of his dancing career Mr. Tchernychev performed as a principal dancer and a ballet master with San Diego Ballet.
In 2001 Mr. Tchernychev founded San Diego Academy of Ballet and began his career as a coach, teacher and choreographer. Two of his students was awarded Tony Award for their performance as a Billy Elliot in the “Billy Elliot” musical on Broadway. His students are receiving contracts in leading ballet companies, as well as scholarships to a leading world ballet schools. He has being awarded, nationally and internationally recognized for his teaching and for his choreography. In 2016 Mr. Tchernychev founded California Professional Ballet Program in San Diego. In 2018 contracted to choreograph “Romeo and Juliette” for San Diego Lyric Opera.
In 2021 Mr. Tchernychev joined Elite Classical Coaching program, as a ballet master. He teaches Intermediate to Advanced levels, technique classes, mens classes, pas de duex, pointe, variations and character classes. Mr. Tchernychev have been consulting and collaborating with fashion designers in Russia and in US.
Zane Unger
Modern Instructor
Zane Unger is the Assistant Director of the Dance Conservatory at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA). A Dallas native and former Next Step Dance student, Zane earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Juilliard School and is a 2017 alumnus of BTWHSPVA. He was named a 2018 YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Dance and a 2016 Texas Young Master in Dance.
Zane performed internationally with Saarländisches Staatstheater in Germany under the direction of Stijn Celis, dancing works by Marco Goecke, Richard Siegal, and Celis. His repertoire also includes works by Martha Graham, Donald McKayle, Aszure Barton, Lar Lubovitch, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and he has collaborated on new creations with choreographers including Ohad Naharin, Bryan Arias, and Andrea Miller.
As a choreographer, Zane has created more than 35 works, including The Periodicity of Destruction and The Process of Forced Sensations. Now an educator and arts leader at BTWHSPVA, Zane is passionate about developing the next generation of dancers and is excited to return to Next Step Dance, where he spent formative years of his early dance training.
Noah Hutchison
Underground Collective Hip Hop Co. Director / Instructor
A Nashville native, Noah Hutchison grew up training at DC Dance Factory under teachers such as Nick Bass, Merissa Gassel, and Stephanie Campbell.
After graduating he quickly began his professional career such as performing in the CMA’s, music videos, commercials, movies, and contracted as a dancer for Celebrity Cruises.
He is now living in Dallas assisting for Blake McGrath, while simultaneously focusing on dance education. Noah focuses on instructing Contemporary, Jazz Funk, and HipHop with a heavy emphasis on house and footwork.
He accredits his parents, siblings, and DC dance Factory for believing in him to pursue his dreams and continue growing in the art form of dance.
Dr. Travis Morrison PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Strength & Conditioning Instructor
Dr. Travis brings expertise to our team with his experience as a professional dancer and fellowship training in Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
A Dallas native, Travis graduated from UT Dallas with a Bachelors in Molecular and Cellular Biology before pursuing his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at UT Medical Branch in Galveston. But his commitment to excellence didn’t stop there—Dr. Travis completed a rigorous Fellowship Training, dedicating three years to refine his skills and become a clinical expert in orthopedics.
Dr. Travis has a longstanding connection with the world of dance, having grown up in Dallas he began pursuing his passion for dance locally. He took his artistic pursuits to new heights by performing professionally with esteemed companies like the Colorado Ballet and City Ballet San Diego.
Since returning to his roots in Dallas, Dr. Travis has continued to grace the stage as a recurring guest artist with local dance companies, including Chamberlain Performing Arts, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Royale Ballet, and Tuzer Ballet.
When he’s not working diligently to empower his patients on their recovery journeys, you can find Dr. Morrison conquering indoor and outdoor rock climbing challenges.
Travis’s unwavering dedication lies in providing exceptional support and empowerment throughout the recovery process. His mission is to help dancers, performing artists, and all patients alike fully achieve their movement goals.
