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Our Promise… To provide highly trained instructors who set a good example for students on and off the dance floor, and whom are always striving to learn the latest trends and techniques in their genre of dance.
Amber Frishman, Owner + Director
Amber Frishman founded DanceXplosion to bring others all of the joy, experiences, and appreciation for the arts that dance has provided her. With over 24 years of dance training, 10 years of dance instructing, a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Development/Education, a college minor in Theatre and Dance, and 2 years of public school teaching experience Amber brings with her a diverse set of skills and talents, an understanding for children and their different learning styles, and a life-long passion for the beauty, creativity and freedom of dance. Amber has extensively studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, theatre, hip-hop and modern styles of dance. She has studied under Natalia Krasaska (Former Prima Ballerina of Ballet Russe in Russia), Max Stone of Steps on Broadway, Frank Hatchett of Broadway Dance Center, Shella Sattler (Current Director of the Dallas Mavericks Dancers), and many more individuals who have made a significant mark on the dance world.
During her training growing up in Dallas, Amber had various solo roles in a number of full length, full symphony-accompanied ballets such as The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty… She was First Lieutenant and Junior Lieutenant of her award-winning high school drill team, she was a member of her studio’s Senior Performing/Competition Company, and she was a dancer/singer in a full length production of The Music Man.
Amber moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas where she graduated with Highest Honors with a Major in Childhood Development/Education and a Minor in Theatre and Dance. While at UT she was one of only 3 freshman to make the UT Pom Squad. While on the Pom Squad she had the opportunity to dance at football and basketball games, travel to school events, and attend various camps/workshops. She was also a member of STEEL Dance Company, which focused on bringing professional level performances of jazz, lyrical, hip hop and theatre to the Austin community.
Upon graduation from UT, Amber continued to teach dance at various studios in Austin, in addition to teaching for 2 years in a public school classroom. She obtained official certifications in CPR/First Aid and Group Fitness/Aerobics instruction. Today, she continues to train and develop as a dancer/teacher at renowned dance venues in New York City such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, in addition to attending quarterly dance conventions with instructors from across the country.
Amber cannot imagine her life without dance. She looks forward to helping more students on their road to developing dance technique, gaining a passion for the arts, and increasing their own sense of pride and self-esteem.
Adam Frishman, Co-Owner + Studio Development (top)
Adam Frishman co-founded Dance Xplosion to help his wife realize her dream. Adam has known since he met Amber in high school that her goal was to open her own dance studio, and he leads the studio’s business and marketing operations. Adam also believes that the cultural arts will be a critical component for Austin as it grows and risks losing its identity, and is excited about inspiring the next generation of dancers who will shine on our stages.
Adam is on the Executive Board of American Repertory Ensemble (“ARE”). ARE is a performance company that offers world-class ballet and classical music in a unique performance format that presents the art forms as equals, and focuses on the convergence and interplay of dance and music. ARE presents new works in the presence of masterpieces, and produces an intensely eclectic variety of work that showcases its world-renowned artists’ exceptional classical technique and exemplary caliber. ARE is the only company of its kind outside of New York melding dance and music on this level and offering it in an intimate setting.
Nicole Johnson - Instructor (top) Nicole Johnson began dancing at the age of 4, studying ballet, jazz and tap, but by the age of 8 she focused her training solely on ballet. She joined Longview Ballet Theater, under the direction of Pat George Mitchell, and was a senior company member for 7 years. Under Ms. Mitchell’s direction, Nicole was trained in the Balanchine style of ballet with a focus toward lyrical and modern movement. While with Longview Ballet Theater, she received instruction from various guest teachers ranging from Martha Graham Dance, New York City Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet of Moscow. She danced many solo roles in Ms. Mitchell’s original productions beginning at the age of 13 through her senior year of high school.
Her love for ballet and dance continued on to Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, where she performed in the chorus of a number of plays and musicals. In addition, she was a member of the Rhodes dance team her sophomore year. As part of an internship her senior year, Nicole taught ballet at Dance Works Inc, a non-profit school for low-income, disadvantaged families. While teaching the younger children, she was invited to perform with the junior-high and high school students in their year-end production.
Upon graduation, Nicole began a career in advertising. Eventually it was time for a change and a chance to get back to her original passion of dance. Nicole and her husband, Will, welcomed their daughter in April of 2007 and felt it was the right time for her to begin pursuing a teaching career in dance. She is extremely excited to be working with Dance Xplosion and eager to help young students discover their own love for dance.
Marissa Wiseman – Maples - Instructor (top)
Marissa grew up in Tyler, Texas, studying ballet and jazz under the instruction of Pamela Erwin, Paula Sansom, and Helen Chambers. Eventually Marissa joined Tyler Civic Ballet. She performed in yearly Nutcracker productions and danced excerpts from many ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille, Mal Gardee, and Pas de Quatre.
Marissa’s first choreography experience came when she was a junior at Robert E. Lee High School. She was involved with the theater department and was asked to choreograph the musical Oklahoma! Since then, Marissa has choreographed Hello Dolly, Cinderella, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Christmas Carol, and Kiss Me Kate. Recently she choreographed the musical Godspell for Parkside Players in Queens, NY.
Marissa attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. At ASU she studied modern dance under the direction of Jennifer Tsukayama, Mary Fitzgerald, Kim Karpanty, and Karen Schupp. She performed many pieces during her time at ASU. She also participated in multiple Guest Artist Residencies and danced under renowned choreographers such as, Tere O’Connor. In May 2004, Marissa graduated with her BFA in Dance Choreography.
Shortly after graduating from ASU, Marissa moved to Brooklyn, NY. She taught dance at a studio in Long Island before being invited to serve as the dance instructor at a private high school. She taught ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical and intro to ballroom to all levels of students and she choreographed pieces from a variety of musicals for the school, including Fosse, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity and The Pajama Game. She also spent time in NY performing at WaxWorks, Chashama, and Artery Dance Festival under choreographers Leanne Schmidt and Felecia Hammond, and she had the opportunity to perform her own work at Artery Dance Festival.
Marissa and her husband, Darrell, made the move to Austin in Spring 08 and are happy to be back in Texas. She is excited about spreading her passion for dance, choreography, and the love of the arts with Dance Xplosion’s students of all ages.
Bethany Dougherty is a Cum Laude graduate of Texas Woman’s University who holds a B.A. in Dance with teaching certification and a minor in entrepreneurship. Dance has been her passion and life’s focus since the young age of two. She has been involved in dance companies such as Kinetic Artists Collective, DanceWorks, and TWU’s renowned modern improvisational dance company DanceLab. Throughout her dance studies, she has worked with many prominent dance artists. She has studied with Stephanie Milling-Robbins (Dayton Ballet and Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company), Sarah Gamblin (Bebe Miller Company), Melissa Young in Horton Technique (graduated from The Alvin Ailey School and currently is with Dallas Black Dance Theatre), Bill Young (Bill Young/ Colleen Thomas and Dancers), Doug Elkins (Artistic Director- Doug Elkins Dance Company), Larry Keigwin (Artistic Director- Larry Keigwin and Company), and the famous tap technician Darryl Retter.
She has over six years of experience teaching tap, ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, theatre dance, and creative dance. She has taught dance at Sheena’s Dance Academy in Frisco, TX, The Salvation Army’s School for Performing Arts in Plano, TX, Creekview High School and Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, TX and Dance -N- Drill in Tyler, TX. Bethany enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities and believes that all students are capable of learning dance. She motivates students through self-discovery and exploration. She believes that teaching should be focused around the individual student’s learning style and past experiences. She hopes to encourage Dance Xplosion’s generations to come by creating well-rounded dancers who can grow as technicians, performers, choreographers, and teachers.
Bethany Disbro - Instructor (top)
Bethany Disbro began dancing in California at the age of five studying ballet, hip hop, lyrical, modern and jazz. At 12 years old she decided to devote herself to lyrical and hip-hop. She primarily trained under renowned instructor Patsy Swayze and received guest instruction from master teacher/choreographers, such as Mia Michaels, Randi Lawrence and Stanley Martin. As a lower-classman she was Captain of her high school dance team and drill team, plus she was a member of her local theater group and color guard. She competed in numerous competitions and entered a six-time-winning solo. She choreographed various award-winning routines for the full team and attended Dance Intensives in which she had the opportunity to learn from master instructors from around the country.
Upon moving to Texas and Bethany became a member of Bowie High School's dance team known as ‘The Company’. She was active in Theatre Arts and performed in a wide variety of musicals including A Chorus Line and Chicago.
Bethany also had the unique experience to teach at a dance studio where she worked with autistic children. She instructed them in dance and helped them manage their disabilities. Bethany attends college in Austin with plans to major in Radiology and minor in her true love – dance. She looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge with Dance Xplosion’s students!
Holly Ayoub is enjoying her 15th year of dancing and has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and hip hop. At age three she began at Jackie's and soon moved to Let's Dance where she competed with the Applause Dance Team. At Austin Dance Arts she was a member of the Austin Jazz Ballet Company and studied the Cecchetti method of ballet. Holly was a two-year member and officer of the Bailey Middle School Star Strutters and she was a member of the Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble.
Currently, Holly is in her third year as a Bowie High School Silver Star. She serves as Senior Lieutenant and is a member of the Jazz and Tap Companies. She is excited to be part of Dance Xplosion’s community and working with all of the students!
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Copyright © 2008 DanceXplosion