           |
|
  |
|
|
Amber Frishman - Owner + Studio Director
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. 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. Marissa Wiseman-Maples - Instructor (top)
Marissa’s first choreography experience came when she was a junior at Robert E. Lee High School when she was asked to choreograph the musical Oklahoma! Since then, Marissa has choreographed Hello Dolly, Cinderella, 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. 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, 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. After graduating from ASU, Marissa moved to Brooklyn, NY. She taught dance at a studio in Long Island before being invited to serve as 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. She also choreographed pieces from a variety of musicals for the school, including Fosse, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity and The Pajama Game. She 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 2008 and are happy to be back in Texas. Marissa has become a member of the Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company (KDHDC), a collaborative contemporary dance company that presents an evolving repertory of original modern dance works designed to engage audiences on a meaningful level. Marissa enjoys spreading her passion for dance and love of the arts with Dance Xplosion’s students! Tiffany Plante - Instructor (top)
Growing up in Minnesota Tiffany trained at the Woodbury Dance Center. She was the Featured Dancer and Vocalist for more than 6 full-scale theater productions such as Footloose, Our Town and FAME, and as a member of the Woodbury High School Cabaret she kindled her love and work in choreography. From there she moved to Gustavus Adolphos College where she was a Member of the school’s Dance Company and Captain and Choreographer of the Dance Team. Amidst her dancing Tiffany earned her Management Degree with a Dance Minor, and even branched into costume design for 3 years while her teams competed at the UDA National Championships. She also regularly taught at the Gustavus Kids Clinic and St. Paul Children’s Theater. Most recently, Tiffany was a dancer, choreographer, aerialist and wardrobe manager for the Holland America and Royal Caribbean cruise lines. She also taught Master Classes at several studios in Minnesota before making the move to Austin. She loves being part of the Dance Xplosion family! Heather Duncan - Instructor (top)
After high school Heather joined the Texas Aggie Dance Team and performed in Reed Arena at all Men’s and Women’s basketball games. She also received a Minor in Dance from A&M while earning her degree in Journalism. Her love for dance grew as she studied with Molly Snell, Christine Bergeron and Carisa Armstrong. She attended festivals such as ACDFA and AHPERD and received the Dance Minor of the Year award from the National Dance Association. While in College Station she was blessed with the opportunity to teach jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop to all ages at A&M Dance Academy. Heather has also trained at Broadway Dance Center in New York City taking classes from Tracy Stanfield, Pam Chaney, Germaine Salsberg and Sheila Barker. She has also trained at EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and has attended master classes by Mia Michaels, Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Chris Judd and Dave Scott. From 2005-2008 Heather was the Assistant Director of the Westlake High School Hyline Dance Team. There she taught Dance 1-4. She also choreographed jazz, hip hop, contemporary, modern, tap, high kick, and pom routines for Varsity and JV football game halftime shows and the dance department’s two annual shows – Spotlight and Zenith. Heather brings the same passion and creativity to Dance Xplosion! Samantha Velasco - Instructor (top)
She began college at Austin Community College majoring in Journalism but felt the urge to dance and teach. She then transferred to Texas State University in San Marcos as a Dance major and became a member of the Orchesis Dance Company her second semester. While a member of Orchesis she had the chance to take master classes, do community service, and perform in their annual showing of Dancers in Flight . Samantha was chosen to attend the American College Dance Festival in February of 2008 where she had a week-long intensive of many styles of dance. Samantha continues to dance at Texas State and has been privileged to take class from guest artists from the Erick Hawkins Dance Company and the Zenon Dance Company. She continues to fall in love with dance and choreography and looks forward to setting her own piece this semester. Samantha was also a member of the Austin Lady Wranglers, the dance team for the Austin Wranglers Arena Football Team. Since graduating from Texas State Samantha has continued to dance, choreograph and instruct. In addition to teaching at Dance Xplosion, Samantha teaches dance and is the Assistant Drill Team Instructor at Austin High School. Samantha is thrilled to be part of Dance Xplosion! Jessica Anderson - Instructor (top)
As a student and performer, Jessica has been on stage for dozens of shows and showcases, including full-length ballet performances of Swan Lake (soloist), Giselle (soloist) and Sleeping Beauty (soloist). Jessica was also a character performer (dance, sing, act) for several musicals, including My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate and an annual Broadway Review. Jessica grew up dancing in Colorado Springs before moving to California to attend San Francisco State University where she earned her BA in Dance with Honors. While in San Francisco, Jessica danced various roles in The Nutcracker with the California Ballet: San Diego and the Colorado Springs Symphony for six years. She also served as Student Director of the University’s 17-member pre-professional Dance Company. In addition to annual performances and workshops, Jessica’s dance company toured to local schools and taught master classes (jazz, ballet, contemporary) to high school students interested in pursuing dance in college. As a teacher, Jessica has been working with students for close to 8 years. She has led pre-school to high school aged classes, in genres ranging from introductory creative dance to jazz, hip hop and ballet. Joining the Dance Xplosion family was one of the first steps Jessica took after moving to Austin and she is thrilled to work with our students and families! Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart - Instructor (top)-Attended North Carolina School of the Arts, Nutmeg Ballet & NYU MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Melissa Griffin - Instructor (top)-Trained in classical ballet, jazz, tap, spanish and character dancing MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Michelle Nyert - Instructor (top)-Trained in jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop for more than 12 years Nikki Boatenhamer - Instructor (top)-Trained in jazz, ballet, tap, modern and clogging MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Morgan Eddy - Instructor (top)-Trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe and lyrical MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Daniela Ruiz - Instructor (top)-Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Buenos Aires, Argentina MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Alexa Spence - Instructor (top)-Trained in jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet and pointe MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Brittany Shane - Instructor (top)-Trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, cheer, African and Latin
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Valerie Gonzalez - Instructor (top)-More than 7 years of teaching experience including teaching in pre-schools, after school programs and summer camps
-Worked as a Dance Specialist and Aerobic Instructor for various after school programs
-Vast dance, performing and teaching experience in contemporary, lyrical, modern, creative dance, ballroom, hip hop, tap and jazz
-Training in voice, dance and acting from schools such as Texas State School of Acting, Kia Hellman Actors Studio, Zachary Scott Theatre Performing Arts School, Ballet Austin, Atomic Dance Factory, Edge Performing Arts Center and Busby Dance Center
-Graduate of The University of Texas at Austin
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON! Nicole Johnson - Instructor + Office Manager (top)
Her love for ballet and dance continued on to Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, where she performed in several plays and musicals. In addition, she was a member of the Rhodes dance team. 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 advanced high school students in their year-end production. Upon graduation, Nicole began a successful career in advertising. Since then Nicole and her husband have welcomed two daughters and this change inspired her to return to her original passion of dance. In addition to teaching, Nicole serves as the studio's Office Manager. Nicole loves working with Dance Xplosion's students to help them discover their own love for dance. Camille Hodgins - Instructor (top)
Camille danced throughout high school under the direction of Bethany Dudley and Jennifer Dawson at Bowie High School. In addition to performing solos Camille was a teaching assistant for Ms. Dudley, helping with warm-ups and choreographing new pieces. She also had the opportunity to take private instruction from Danielle Ricci, the Director of the Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble. Most recently, Camille coached gymnastics for ages 3 to 14 at National Elite Gymnastics. Camille brings great energy, ideas and compassion to Dance Xplosion. Katie Feiock McCall - Instructor (top)
While in school Katie was a resident artist and danced and choreographed professionally for the Tulsa Contemporary Dance Theater. Following graduation, Katie founded and directed the Monica Huggins Dance Theater; while there Katie led the presentation and programming of two full seasons, in addition to outreach programs like the Tulsa Dance Showcase and Monica Moves (a K-12 community arts education program). Most recently, Katie danced and choreographed for the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater. Since moving to Austin she has joined the Ballet East Dance Company which provides a platform for the development of dancers and choreographers and a reinvestment in the infrastructure of under-served communities. Katie has been teaching myriad genres of dance for more than 10 years. While in Oklahoma she was an artistic instructor at the Monte Cassino Early Development Learning Center, the Harwelden Institute, the Dance Academy at the Jewish Community Center, Oklahoma Performing Arts, South Tulsa Dance Company, and Tulsa Ballet Theater. While in North Carolina she instructed for Buncombe County, Idea Factory, and with the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater. Katie was also very involved in the community, serving on the Education and Outreach Committee of Terpsicorps Theater of Dance, Asheville’s fully professional ballet company. Katie has taught and choreographed at all levels and loves being part of Dance Xplosion! Tara Shelton - Assistant Instructor + Desk Staff (top)Cindy McCraw - Desk Staff (top)Teri Horvat - Desk Staff (top)Adam Frishman - Owner + Studio Development (top)
Adam also serves as the Director of Corporate Development at MWR Legal, a full-service legal and consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs start, grow and protect fast-growing businesses. Working alongside the firm's partners, Adam serves a unique role and does strategy consulting which complements the firm's legal recommendations. 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. In addition to these responsibilities, Adam plays on a Premier Division Men’s League soccer team. He was on the Fast 50 Advisory Board for the Austin Business Journal, and is a former 5-term Board Member of the Austin chapter of the American Marketing Association. Adam is a graduate of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Marketing with Honors and a Minor in Psychology.
|
|
Amber Frishman founded DanceXplosion to bring others all of the joy, experiences, and appreciation for the arts that dance has provided her. With over 25 years of dance training, 12 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.
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 pieces from many ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille, Mal Gardee, and Pas de Quatre. 
Tiffany Plante has loved dancing for more than 20 years. As a choreographer and teacher, she uses her extensive performance experience – ranging from jazz, tap and lyrical to ballet, hip hop and musical theater – to create high energy and motivational classes that push her dancers to new heights.
Heather Duncan is proud to be part of the staff at Dance Xplosion in her 11th year of teaching dance. She grew up in Tyler, Texas where she began taking dance at the age of 2 from Candy Crocker Jordan. In high school she joined the Elite Dance Company at Candy Crocker School of Dance and was an officer on the Robert E. Lee Southern Belle Drill Team under the direction of Kellye Price.
Samantha Velasco began dancing when she was 10 years old at Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas learning the art of Mexican folk dance and traditions. Entering high school she searched for a new style of dance and became a member of the Tex-Ann Dance Team at David Crockett High School in Austin. She served as Junior Lieutenant and then Co-Captain her senior year where she earned several awards for her solos and was named Tex-Ann of the Year.
Jessica Anderson has spent almost her entire life dancing – and has loved every moment of it. She has studied a wide range of dance styles, with a focus on ballet, jazz and modern having over 15 years of training in each.
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. 
Camille Hodgins has been dancing for more than 16 years and has studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop and modern. Born in New Orleans, she began her training at the American Ballet Company where she studied ballet, tap and jazz. She also discovered gymnastics and cheerleading at a young age, taking classes and performing at the Metarie Playground. Growing up she was a member of the Ursuline Academy (N.O.L.A.) Lionettes Dance Team and spent her summers at dance camps, intensives and cheerleading clinics.
Katie Feiock McCall has a lifelong love for dance. She has been a student, professional dancer, instructor and choreographer. As a child she began in ballet and tap and soon found herself performing tap, modern, lyrical, jazz and musical theater at studios across Tulsa. Katie followed her passion to college where she enrolled as a Modern Dance Major at TCU, and ultimately received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts Management and a Minor in Business from the University of Tulsa.
Adam Frishman co-founded Dance Xplosion to help his wife and best friend realize her dream. Adam leads the studio's business and marketing operations. Adam also believes that the cultural arts play a critical role for Austin as it continues to grow and shape its community identity, and he is excited about helping inspire the next generation of artists and dancers.Copyright © 2010 DanceXplosion