the team
Linda Holland began studying Ballet at age 4 with Francis Schofield in Harlingen Texas. At 17 she attended Southwest Ballet Center directed by William Martin-Viscount. During her years at Southwest Ballet Center she was a soloist in performances of Swan Lake, Giselle, and Napoli. At 18 she began Harlingen Ballet Center and later Harlingen Concert Ballet Inc. a civic ballet company whose purpose was to expose ballet students in South Texas to full length classical ballets. Holland also performed and toured with Texas Ballet under Soili Arvola and Leo Ahonen. Upon moving to Austin, Holland worked with Ballet Austin Academy where she was instrumental in setting up the professional track for students, initiated the Snap-To program for 3rd graders and was responsible for instruction and rehearsal of the Nutcracker children. In 2002 Holland began studying International Standard and Latin Ballroom where she competes in both styles. Her passion for Ballet, Ballroom dance and fitness are the inspiration for Dance Institute.
Lindsay trained with Joee Schapiro School of Dance Houston starting at the age of five. She competed and performed in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Lindsay taught ages 2-18 at JSSD for over 5 years. She choreographed performance and competition pieces for the school. When Lindsay moved to Austin, she taught at Dance Associates and started training in International Ballroom. She has been competing with her partner for over three years and has won first place at the Harvard Invitational Competition. While at Dance Associates, Lindsay worked in an outreach program where she taught Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Gymnastics.  OMAR LOPEZAdministrative Assistant Omar, an Austin native, has over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry as a violinist, singer/songwriter, and performing and recording artist. In addition to having been a part of Austin's hardest-working Latin-jazz band, THE BREW, since 2001, Omar also has two solo albums of his own original fusion instrumental and inspirational pop-rock vocal compositions to his credit - "FOREVER RED" (released in 2005) and "EXPERIENCE" (released in 2007). His third album, "MIRRORS AND MEMORIES", will be available in late 2009. To support his up-and-coming solo career, he fronts his own live band, with whom he has given energetic and message-driven concerts around North America in performing arts centers, churches, and at high schools and colleges. He joins the Dance Institute in Summer 2009 as part of the administrative team and front desk staff.  DANNY DAVILADanny began dancing at the age of five. From that early age he knew that dancing would be his life long profession and passion. After many years of dedicated training, Danny now coaches, choreographs, judges, and instructs ballroom dance.
Danny has chosen to specialize in the Latin styles of dance and is known for passionate and spicy disposition on the dance floor. "Dancing with Danny is always a blast!" Danny teaches children and adults in both group classes and private lessons. He enjoys working with performance teams and performs at local charity functions, most recently, Dancing with the Austin Stars. Danny's passion and love for dance has allowed him to compete around the world. Danny and Rhonda Gray ar the winners of the 2008 Dancing with the Stars Austin.  SABRINA BARKERSabrina's passion for Ballroom dance began in Austin where she studied with many World Champions in both the Standard and Latin styles of dance. Since 1996 , she has competed, taught, and performed full-time. She is certified "highly commended" through ISTD in Standard and Latin. In the Spring of 2007 she choreographed the CBS TV pilot, "Swingtown", is currently A One World Artist, and the Director of Dancing with the Austin Stars. In additional to her group classes, Sabrina is available for private lessons in Ballroom, Latin, and Social Dancing.  Kim CabeKim was born with the spirit of dance. Her love for the art of dance manifested while in middle school. Teaching and working with children began during high school and grew to be her passion. She was a Lake Travis High School Cavalette dance team member and two year officer, ending her senior year as Captain. During this time Kim choreographed solos and team routines, competed locally and nationally and was repeatedly recognized as an All-American Dancer. Kim continued in dance on a scholarship to Blinn College where she was a two year member of the Blinn College Treasures Dance Team; traveling, performing at sport functions and competing nationally. Her dance education became of utmost importance thus Kim moved to San Marcos and obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Dance at Texas State University. During her studies of dance, she landed a teaching position at the Hermann and Sons School of Dance in New Braunfels, where she later became the studio's director. Further training was obtained in assisting dance directors at Bailey Middle School in Austin and San Marcos High School; conventions and master classes enhance her education and training. In 2007, Kim was the NEW Junior Demi Company Instructor for ages 7-9 and later became the coordinator for Heather O'Hara's company, Blast Dance Convention. Kim frequently trains individuals for dance auditions and competitions as well as choreographs and trains high school dance teams for contests. Establishing lasting relationships with students, other dancers, and instructors comes easily for her. Your child will undoubtedly come home loving Ms. Kim.  Mary Ann EblerMary Ann Ebler began studying Tap and Ballet at the age of 5 in Whitestone, NY just outside of New York City. Five years later she and her family relocated to Puerto Rico where she studied Flamenco, Ballet and Jazz at Sanders Dance Academy. By the age of 12, Mary Ann was on full scholarship and an assistant teacher for the baby ballet and beginner jazz and flamenco classes. At the age of 15, Mary Ann became a principal dancer for the Sanders Dance Academy performance group. With the Sanders Dance Academy, she performed Argentine malambo, flamenco and folkloric dances from South American countries as well as jazz. After graduating high school, Mary Ann started her professional dance career with an Argentine Gaucho review and Marcelo's Fiesta Flamenca. This started a career that took her into many dance genres including working as a regular on television and as a back up dancer for guest artists. She danced at Radio City Music Hall as a backup dancer with Menudo and Madision Square Garden with the famous Puerto Rican performer, Iris Chacon. Growing up in Puerto Rico was beneficial to her as merengue and salsa were always the order of the day. Everyone danced! Mary Ann returned to New York City as a young adult and continued her study of ballet and jazz. Mary Ann moved to Long Island, NY after getting married and taught Jazz at Orlando School of Dance in Huntington and also became a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Huntington YMCA, Of course, with a dance and fitness background and the passion for Latin dance music, ZUMBA was a perfect transition. Mary Ann loves the music, the cardio workout and the incorporated dance moves. Zumba is for people of all ages and all fitness levels. Mary Ann's favorite Zumba motto is "Ditch the workout, join the Party!" - that sums it all up.  RANDY FERGUSON Randy Ferguson began ballroom dancing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During his 17 years of professional competition, he and his partner Lynn won numerous titles in both American Rhythm and American Smooth divisions. They were 3 times undefeated United States American Style 9 dance Champions and 12 times United States American Smooth finalists. They were known for the elegance and passion they brought to the American style of dancing. Randy has and still dances with and trains many nationally ranked Pro/Am competitors. He loves teaching anyone from the basic beginner to the most competitive Professional competitor. He is best known for his ability to teach good solid dancing while at the same time keeping the atmosphere fun and stress free. Randy is available for private lessons in American Rhythm, Smooth and International Standard in both Austin and Houston.  DENIS GENERALOVDenis was born in Russia, where his mother still teaches dance today. He began is Ballroom dance training at the age of 8, and by the time he was 10 he was activley competing in the Junior ranks. Earning the titles of Junior and later Youth Ballroom Champion of Southern Russia. At the age of 16 Denis moved to the US, where he continued is dance training and competitive career. Denis and his Jolie have won a number of titles, including the U.S. National 10-Dance Championships (best in ballroom and latin). Denis has been teaching professionally since 2002. In January 2008 Denis and his wife and partner Jolie moved from the San Fransico Bay area and will make Austin their new home. Denis teaches group classes and is available for private lessons.  Beth Ann Hawley Beth Ann Hawley holds Texas teaching certification in Dance Education, and is the former Director of the Lake Travis High School Cavalettes. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a BA in Theatre & Dance. While at UT, Beth Ann cheered on the longhorns as a member and assistant coach of the Texas Pom Squad. She also holds an Associate of Arts from Kilgore College, where she was a member of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. She was a 4-year member of her high school drill team, The Colony Topcats, where served as Captain. Beth Ann attended The Dance Institute of Dallas with strict, competitive training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Beth Ann will be the director of DI's performance Academy's Kick Company and Junior Elite & Junior Demi companies.
Jessica, an attorney with Fleckman & McGlynn, has had a fascination with ballroom dancing since she took group classes as a teenager and won a local Mambo championship in the days of “Dirty Dancing”. A native of The Netherlands, Jessica studies and competes in the international style of all ten ballroom and Latin dances. Jessica is excited to be part of the Dance Institute team as its general counsel. In addition, she is looking forward to improving her own skills, and introducing her husband and two daughters to ballroom dancing, all under the auspices of the talented staff at Dance Institute.  ERIC MIDGLEYEric was born in Canada and began his dance career in 1979, performing throughout western Canada and the Pacific Northwest with the Veselka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble. He graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and was a member of Ballet Florida and Ballet Austin. Audiences in Austin and Edinburgh have also enjoyed his performances with American Repertory Ensemble. Eric has originated dozens of classical, contemporary, and character roles as a principal dancer and became known not only for his technique, but also for his versatility and artistry. Performing an extremely wide repertoire, he has performed throughout Canada and the US, as well as in France, Scotland, Slovenia and Italy. Eric co-founded and directed Step Ahead – Ballet Florida’s Choreographic Workshop encouraging new choreographers and producing over 40 new works. As a choreographer, he has made dances for students, workshops, and companies ranging in style from folk to modern. He is currently working as a freelance dance artist, teaching, performing, and choreographing, bringing to the stage a widely varied background in design, music, and dance.
 KATHERINE PARRKatherine (Kat) Parr began dancing ballet at the age of five and studied with schools in Nacogdoches, Plano, and San Antonio, Texas. She later received a scholarship and spent two years with the Joffrey Ballet / New School University BFA program in New York City. She was then offered a position with the Minnesota Ballet where she danced professionally for four years. While with the company she toured and danced principal and soloist roles in classical ballet, modern, and jazz performances. Due to an injury, Kat left the company and began learning and teaching ballroom dance while also creating choreography for musicals and competitions. She teaches American style ballroom and Latin dance as well as social dancing (salsa, country western, etc.) Kat and her partner, attorney Bill Jones were the 2007 champions of the very first Dancing with the Austin Stars. Kat teaches classes and private lessons in both ballet and ballroom at Dance Institute.  GINA PATTERSONPerforming on the world's stages since she was sixteen when she toured Europe with the Pittsburgh Opera, Gina is known as a versatile, consummate performer. She has danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Ballet Austin, Ballet Florida, and American Repertory Ensemble, performing in the US, Canada, Iceland, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and France. She has appeared at the Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Since 2008, she has been working as a freelance dance artist. Ms. Patterson's choreography has been presented internationally, winning the prestigious Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, the B.Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Choreographer, and has been chosen four times by Ballet Builder's Showcase in New York. She has created original works for Ballet Austin, Richmond Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Florida, Dayton Ballet, Ballet Met, Dance Works Chicago, Ballet Pacifica, Hubbard Street 2, Ballet Austin II, the National Choreographic Initiative, Ballet East, Montana Ballet and the University of Iowa, among others.  Laura PelligrinoLaura Pellegrino arrived in Baltimore in fall of 2003 and immediately become one of the most visible faces on the Baltimore/DC Tango scene. She spent 2 years studying with many of the U.S.’ and all of Washington DC's most esteemed teachers, as well as with all of the world's foremost teachers of Argentine Tango that passed through the nation's capital before quitting her job (and her band), selling her house, packing her dogs and moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina where she could devote herself to the dance on a full-time basis. There she spent another 2 years, embracing both its traditional past as well as its most current incarnation, and studying with Masters from both ends of the spectrum which has given Laura a strong foundation from which to develop her own dance as well as her own particular brand of teaching. A strong belief that technical proficiency is the foundation upon which improvisation and musicality can most easily flourish has guided her own dance and she relays that to her students with a tremendous sense of enthusiasm and fun. When she is not in Argentina or teaching elsewhere in the U.S. Laura can be found teaching Tango full-time in Austin Tx.  CURTIS PREVOSTCurtis Prevost has been dancing most of his adult life. He is known for his great wit and fun loving approach to dance. Dancing and competing in Austin since 1999, he has studied with Ballroom Champions including John Wood, Stephen Hilliar, Stephen Cullip, Igor and Irina Suvorov, Glen Weiss, and many others. In 2008 Curtis won the US Amateur Smooth Championship with Olga Curd.  Michelle StuckeyMichelle Stuckey was born and raised in Austin, Tx. As a child she trained and competed in gymnastics, winning many awards such as “Most Dedicated Gymnast” from the legendary Bela Karolyi. At fifteen she began training and competing in dance. Michelle competed with Broadway Performance Academy’s first Senior Elite Company with whom she performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Harley Davidson Fashion show, and Encore Nationals in Las Vegas. Now she is finishing her BFA in Dance at the University of Texas. Since dancing with BPA she has performed professionally with Zachary Scott Theater in Jesus Christ Superstar and their 75th Anniversary Gala Concert. She has also performed in The Producers with Georgetown Palace Theater. In the spring of 2008 she performed at The Long Center Opening Gala. Also in the spring of 2008 she was filmed in a featured role for Terrence Mallick’s Tree Of Life starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn set to release in 2010. In the summer of 2008 she got the opportunity to dance in the Young! Tanzsommer tour in Austria. Most recently in May of 2009 she choreographed and danced in the University of Texas main stage show Ears and Feet.
Connie has always danced. From her first solo tap performance at her annual elementary school recital to currently dancing her favorite Latin styles and teaching Zumba. Born in Dallas,Texas, she studied ballet and tap at Atkinson's School of Ballet. Her family moved to California where her dance world opened up. She choreographed and danced modern pieces in high school. She took a break from dance in college to compete in sports and pursue other creative endeavors. Her love of dance called her back and she studied at Earl Manning Studio in Long Beach, CA. She trained, taught and competed in Hustle and expanded her dance repertoire to include American Style ballroom. She moved to Austin 10 years ago and found a vital and thriving dance community. Her repertoire now includes 16 dances and she is currently studying Argentine Tango and Salsa with National Champions. Her love of movement and Latin rhythms naturally led her to Zumba. Teaching Zumba is her greatest joy. Connie says, "by teaching Zumba, not only do I get to experience the joy and freedom of using my dance background to move and be fit, I experience the joy on other's faces as they feel the music and move in ways they had never expected. I must agree with Martha Graham who said 'dance is the language of the soul'. I love to move. It is what I was born to do."
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Phone: 512-346-6612
6612 Sitio Del Rio
Austin, TX 78730
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LINDSAY LEBLANC
