DIRECTOR

Carol Ann Maggiotto holds a B.A. from SMU, M.A. from TWU, and has 29 years teaching experience. She served as Dance Captain in numerous musicals and has national T.V. credits.  She has studied with Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, David Howard,  and is a member of the Dallas Dance Council. Carol Ann is Chair of the City of Rowlett Arts & Humanities Commission.  She was also selected to serve on the Mayor's special events committee.

 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Patti Gattis  is a graduate of both the Middle School and High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas.  She studied tap and jazz with Buster Cooper & Terry Wolter and ballet with Joyce Seaborne Bader & Densil Adams.  Patti toured with the Buster Cooper Dancers to International Dance Festivals in France & Spain. She received additional training from Joe Tremaine, L.A. Danceforce. The Centre and Dance Educators of America. Patti is certified to teach the Cecchetti method of ballet.

 

OFFICE MANAGER

Patty McNabb received her BA in Psychology from Cal State Northridge.  Patty keeps the front desk running smoothly and designs our program books and website.

 

ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER

Laura Hendershot is a valued part of our staff and also works in the personnel department for the City of Garland. Daughter Tiffany has danced and assisted at RDA for many years. Laura keeps our merchandise and roll books up-to-date.

 

INSTRUCTORS:

 

Michelle Blum-Schuetz:  is a graduate of Booker T. Washington HS  for the Performing & Visual Arts and studied extensively with Madame  Krassovska, Jacques d’Amboise, Jerry Bywaters-Cochran, Andrei Ustinov and Robert Joffrey.  Michelle has performed in many ballets including “Statues” featuring a role choreographed for her, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Coppelia,  and the world premier of Giselle by Valery & Galina Panov. Michelle currently dances with the Krassovska Ballet Jeunesse and is on the Board of  Directors for the Allen Civic Ballet.

 

Courtney Capley:  joins our staff after extensive training at RDA for more than 10 years.  Courtney studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and drill.  She was on the competitive jazz team, competitive tap team and competitive drill team.  Courtney is a graduate of Rowlett H.S. where she was on the varsity drill team.  Courtney has a teaching degree in special education.

 

Sherri Fozkos:  has a B.A. from Youngstown State University in Ohio.  She is a certified teacher and teaches at Steadham Elementary.  Sherri was selected as "Teacher of the Year"!  Sherri has experience in many areas.  She has been a Cheerleader, a Danceline Advisor, a Competition Choreographer and a Dance instructor. 

 

Audra Johnson is new to the RDA teaching staff. She has a rich variety of dance skills including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and yes, even bellydancing.  Audra has been dancing since she was 5 and was a student teacher for 7 years. Audra taught at the renowned "Peppermint School" in Rockwall for many years.

 

Casey Prentice trained for thirteen years at RDA in jazz, ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical, hip hop and tap.  She was a member of the RDA award winning competitive team.  She has won numerous awards and scholarships including a JUMP scholarship to NY and a scholarship from Dan Karaty for Break the Floor in L.A.  While in NY, Casey trained with Nick Lazzarini, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary and Napoleon D’Umo.  Casey has been on staff with Starmakers Dance & Performance Camps and with Unity Dance Company in Waco.  She  was selected to perform with the renowned Dallas Dance Company and invited to join the National Dance Alliance (NDA) staff.

 

Dawn Prentice:  has a B.A. degree from Southeastern Louisiana State University where she performed with the University Dancers.  She has also performed with The Master's Production Company in Colorado.  Dawn is a former Miss Slidell pageant winner and  judges for the American Dance/ Drill Team School.  She is the choreographer for SOFA and Identity Fine Arts.  While Dawn enjoys teaching the discipline and creative art of dance to all ages, she is a favorite among the preschoolers and their parents with her cheerful and loving personality.  Dawn is also a certified swim instructor.

 

GUEST TEACHER:

Margaret Kochan:  Mrs. Kochan designed this program especially for the RDA families.  She studied Physical Education and Dance in Europe and has an Advanced Teaching Certificates from Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc.  Margaret has competed in professional and Pro-Am competitions in Europe and the USA.  She has been teaching  ballroom dancing for 16 years and brings a lot of experience in instructing couples and single students alike.

 

 

Sarah  Lewis:  began her dance training at RDA where she performed with our jazz and tap companies, learned the art of teaching preschool classes from our beloved Ms. Molly, and was a student choreographer.  Her senior year, she was accepted into the Irving Ballet and has since trained and performed with the Abilene Ballet Theatre, Ballet Abilene, and has received theatrical training with the Abilene Repertory Theatre. Sarah has started a hip-hop performance team at her church and received her Pilates certification.