Directors & Instructors

Carol Ann Maggioto

Owner, Artistic Director

Carol Ann Maggiotto holds a BA from Southern Methodist University, MA from TWU, and has over 40 years teaching experience. Carol Ann began her dance training at Ballet Academy of Tyler. She was an Apache Belle and show choir member at Tyler Junior College. After moving to Dallas & graduating from SMU, she continued her studio dance training with ballet from Joyce Seabourne-Bader, jazz with Lyndette Bader and tap with Terry Wolter and Buster Cooper. Carol Ann’s love of musical theatre came from working with NYC choreographers Utah Ground and Al Gilliam at TJC. The highlight was dancing and singing back up to Sandy Duncan for an ABC movie of the week. She has served as Dance Captain in numerous musicals in the Dallas area with her favorite roles being Dream Laurie from Oklahoma and Louise from Carousel. She studied with legends Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, David Howard, and Mia Michaels. She danced professionally with the Kesheth Company and the Pieces Ensemble.

Carol Ann is a member of the Dallas Dance Council, Dance Studio Owners Association, and Dallas Dance Network. Carol Ann gave back to the community by serving as Chair of Rowlett's Arts and Humanities Commission for 7 years, Community Entertainment Coordinator for Rowlett’s Pecan Fest and Festival of Freedom for 5 years. Even though being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, Carol Ann continues to stay on top of the latest dance trends by attending multiple dance conventions every year. “My job is to make sure our students have strong technical roots and then give them the wings to soar to their dreams. I love that no matter how far they go in those pursuits and achievements, when in town they always come home to take class.”

Tiffany Hester

Assistant Studio Director

Ballet Company Director

Ballet Department Head

Tiffany graduated from University of Maryland with a degree in Dance Education. She received her dance training from Steps on Broadway, New Jersey Ballet, Princeton Repertory Ballet, Garden State Ballet, and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Tiffany has taught and choreographed all forms of dance for over 15 years. Classically trained in ballet, Tiffany has performed lead roles in many. Her favorites are the leads in Nutcracker and Coppelia. She has choreographed and directed productions of Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia and Don Quixote. She has been a Judge for both Starpower Nationals and Power of Dance Nationals dance competitions. Her company dancers have won national titles and her alumni students have continued their dance careers on Broadway and in professional dance companies. With an eye for detail and an emphasis on technique, Tiffany enjoys creating unique pieces and helping dancers achieve their potential.

Kyra McCarty

Assistant Studio Director

Performance Company Director

Kyra McCarty is a May 2010 graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Alabama, receiving her diploma with a concentration in dance. In May 2014, she graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with dual degrees in Dance (BFA) and Mathematics (BS). Throughout her dance career, she has received scholarships to train with Tremaine Dance Convention, Hubbard Street Dance/Lou Conte Dance Studio, Bates Dance Festival, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to train at various summer and winter intensives including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, International Ballet Competition, Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, and the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD). Ms. McCarty has numerous years of teaching experience with Dallas Black Dance Academy, Oxford Ballet School, and the Deborah Kaye School of Dance both in Oxford, Mississippi. Currently, Ms. McCarty performs and is rehearsal director for 8&1 Dance Company, in addition to serving as dance instructor and company director for Rowlett Dance Academy. She loves working with and inspiring students by nurturing their passions and helping them reach their full potential.

Nick Leos

Instructor

Nick Leos is a theatre director and choreographer originally from Mesquite, Texas. He recently returned to Dallas from London, where he received an MFA in Theatre Directing from East 15 Acting School, founded by Margaret Walker and based on the work of Joan Littlewood’s famed Theatre Workshop. DIRECTING: small hours by Lucy Kirkwood and Ed Hime (US Premiere, FIT2019), The Skin of Our Teeth (Mountain View College), Macbeth (Company of Rowlett Performers), Antony & Cleopatra (Stockwell Playhouse, Off-West-End), Free Solo: A New Musical by Jack Godfrey and Celine Snippe (World Premiere, Drayton Arms Theatre, Off-West-End), In the Continuum by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter (Bread & Roses Theatre). CHOREOGRAPHY: The Drowsy Chaperone, Mame, Damn Yankees, The Wedding Singer, Curtains, High School Musical, The Pajama Game, and more. He currently teaches in the theatre departments at Eastfield College and Mountain View College, teaches theatre dance at Rowlett Dance Academy, is a company member of Danielle Georgoiu Dance Group, and runs Leos Ensemble—a theatre group focused on plays with international themes. www.nickleos.com

Eliza Kline

Instructor

Eliza is a May graduate of Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology along with a double minor in Sociology and Philosophy. While at OSU, she choreographed show performances for various university groups, winning the titles of Best Female Performer, Best All-Around Choreography (4 years), and Most Entertaining Choreography. Eliza trained at Dallas Powerhouse and Dove Academy of Dance Arts in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Contemporary. In high school,

she was part of the nationally known country dance team, Mustang Stampede. “I have been dancing for about 13 years now and have been teaching since I graduated high school! I have a passion for teaching and such a strong love for music

and movement I really couldn't imagine my life without it. I trained and competed in Dallas for nine years of my life, and have been on stage since I was about 3 years old. I am active in Pure Barre and plan to start their instructor training program. My goal is to pursue what I love and be able to incorporate dance as a therapeutic and artistic outlet for myself and for my students. I am so excited to join the Rowlett Dance Family and to continue to create, grow and dance together!" Eliza will be teaching Jazz , hip hop and contemporary on Monday nights. Her high energy classes and enthusiasm will motivate even the shyest dancer.

Caitlyn Steele

Instructor

Caitlyn Steele comes to us from California where she grew up as a studio competitive dancer. She studied on scholarship with both the Rockettes Summer Intensive and the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive. She was then admitted into and graduated from the Joffrey Ballet Professional Training Program. Caitlyn currently dances professionally with the Ballet North Texas.