quality instruction. quality instructors.
Robert Underwood Our director stepped in to the studio established more than 30 years ago by Margo Marshall and Gilbert Rome and built upon its tradition as a program offerring serious training based in classical ballet technique and took it to the next level. Robert began his training with Roman Jazinski in Tulsa, Oklahoma and upon graduation went straight into the company of American Ballet Theatre dancing for Mikhail Barryshnikov. A few years later while on tour with ABT, he met Mia Slavenska. Ms. Slavenska was a world renowned ballerina and taught dance with a unique perspective and passion. Robert took a year long leave of absence to train with Ms. Slavenska. He attributes his longevity and success as a dancer to that training and shares those techniques with others. This approach focuses on lifting and lenghtening and supports all dancers to achieve their best and dance in a healthy way. Robert went on to dance as a principal with ballet companies in Germany and Switzerland and toured the world. He returned to the US to ABT and ended his professional dancing career with Boston Ballet. He retired to Houston to be with his family and to work with Houston Ballet. When Studio of Dance was seeking a new director, he stepped into that role in 2005. Shortly after, he founded Ballet Theatre Houston. BTH is a pre-professional ballet company dedicated to developing a passion for dance in our community and producing annual performances of The Nutcracker and a Spring Show that includes restaged masterworks and world premiers.
Cece WhiteMs. Cece and her dance company, American Jazz Dance Company, have been part of the evolution of dance competitions over the past thirty years garnering national recognition. Her dancers have gone on to professional dance careers in New York, L.A. and around the world. Cece brings her training, experience and love of dance to her jazz and tap classes. AJDC offers competition and convention experience as well as access to top master instructors and choreographers.
Heidi Karel EricksonHeidi, a native of North Houston, trained at Joffrey's New School in New York and she danced professionally with The Met and with State Street Ballet in San Francisco. She teaches beginning pointe, ballet, jazz and contemporary. She is sought out as a choreographer and adjudicator.
Laurie Claypool
Ms. Laurie brings degrees in dance and educational design to provide the best in dance instruction for our youngest students. She leads our Discovery Dance program that incorporates basic ballet technique, creative movement, and elements of yoga to help get young dancers off to a great start while they have a great time. Dance helps active kids learn about self control and body awareness while it helps shy students to learn to enjoy being part of the group and the fun of performing in the yearend recital.
Jennifer Hutchinson
Jennifer joined our teaching team this year and currently teaches Jazz V on Thursday night which has come to be known as the "Broadway" class. Mrs. Hutchinson graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Houston and her resume includes theatre, TV and film. She recently taught for Boni's Dance and Performing Arts Studio. Her long list of training credentials includes graduation from performing arts high school (Pinellas Co. Center), two years at the Boston Conservatory of Music, The Broadway Theatre Project, and New York University.
April Coghill
Originally from Los Angeles, April began her dance training at the age of 5 in ballet, jazz-contemporay, tap and clogging. She trained and performed on stages throughout California and earned scholarships with Joe Tremaine and Hoctor's Dance Caravan. Her choreography has won top honors and national dance competitions such as Showstoppers and KAR.
Being a trained dancer, as well as an active dane mom, is not rare. What sets April apart is her career as a professional social work counselor. In direct contrast to the dance teachers and moms featured on popular cable shows, April's decision making and leadership approach ALWAYS navigates from the best interest of the child. April appreciates the positive energy and attitude at Studio of Dance and loves being our Hip Hop teacher. She is a founding member of The Cypress Dance Project which is temporarily housed at Studio of Dance while they work to establish their future home in the Cypress area.
Sarah Mohalley
Ms. Sarah loves teaching and her students respond to her positive approach and sharing of her training and technique in Ballet I and II on Mondays. She is a principal dancer with Ballet Theatre Houston having danced Sugarplum in the Nutcracker this year and has been accepted into University of Utah's ballet program and Ballet West's summer program. She is an excellent role model who will graduate with honors from Klein High School and is a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.