Instructors Archive - Amy Blake Academy of Dance

Amy Blake, Owner/Artistic Director

As the owner and operator of her own successful dance studio for the past 14 years, Ms. Blake has secured a solid reputation for her professional teaching style and true commitment to her students. Concurrently she has maintained a Master Teacher staff position, touring around the United States and Canada, with Dance Olympus’ Fall and Summer Tour for over 14 years. As a Master Teacher, Amy has worked with dancers all across the country at various colleges, dance studios and conventions. Mrs. Blake is an adjudicator for competitions and has judged for Dance Masters of America, Hawaii International Dance Festival, Dance America and numerous others.

Amy’s formal training was under the close direction of Shelly Power’s Academy of Dance and the Houston Ballet Academy where she has also worked as a guest instructor for their Summer Intensive Program. Amy has received many scholarships and trained with numerous teachers and choreographers in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Professionally, Amy danced with Houston Grand Opera in such productions as Annie Get Your Gun and Attila the Hun. just to name a few, as well as Texas Dance Theater, Joan Karff’s New Dance Group, World Jazz Dance Congress and Kountry Fever in Las Vegas.

Mrs. Blake continues to give back to the community by presenting her biannual performance of The Nutcracker which is performed in local hospitals, nursing homes and shelters.

Amy’s mission is to not only educate, but to inspire the love of dance and passion for the arts in each student that she has the privilege of teaching. As such she mentors her Senior Company members, who desire to further their dance education in college, through the audition process. Former Amy Blake students have been accepted to dance programs at Southern Methodist University, Loyola Marymount-Los Angeles, Marymount Manhattan College and others.

Judith Winters Grywalski

Ms. Grywalski was trained at the renowned Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Texas under the direction of Ben Stevenson and Principal Teachers Anne St. Paul, Nicholas Polajenko and Nina Popovich along with additional training and coaching from legendary teachers from the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Michel Pannieff, and Natalie Krassovska. Ms. Grywalski joined the Dallas Ballet under the direction of George Skibine and Marjorie Tallchief dancing in classical and contemporary ballets as well as guest performances with Columbus Grand Opera and Columbus Dance Theater in Ohio.
Additional performing opportunities include working with jazz pioneer Gus Giordano in Chicago, Illinois and Dino Anderson of JazzDance Columbus.

Judith began teaching at BalletMet Dance Academy, Company School for BalletMet Columbus in 1991 under the direction of John McFall in Columbus Ohio, teaching in the lower school and adult programs working alongside respected teachers George Boft of the Bolshoi, Daryl Kamer and April Berry of the Alvin Ailey Company. In 1995 David Nixon became Artistic Director of the company and the school. Judith was invited to teach in the PreProfessional Program teaching technique and pointe under the direction of Prima Ballerina Yoko Ichino. Ms. Ichino developed a holistic approach to classical ballet training including floor exercises and set combinations to increase muscular understanding of turnout, flexibility, and extension. Additional teaching experience was working at Columbus City Ballet- Shir Li Wu Artistic Director- Formerly Hong Kong Ballet.

Ms. Grywalski is currently teaching at Galveston Ballet, Galveston, Texas, and Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance in Friendswood, Texas.

Keith Cross

Keith Cross believes great dancing is a blur of good training in all the elements of dance. Together Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance training has helped him create a new and fresh way of utilizing choreography. By using these dance forms, it has given him the understanding of the versatility a dancer can have. He believes that it is imperative that a dancer have the broad training with which the quality and level of dancing is endless.

Keith Anthony R. Cross: Artist in Residence Kinkaid School; Founder of Teundu Inc.; Artistic Director of Texas Dance Theatre (1990-1998); Master Teacher for Cross Jazz Tours; Consultant for American Dance Convention.

Mr. Cross has worked for such organizations as: Frank Fuher International, Texas Association for Physical Education Recreation on Dance, Texas Association of Teachers of Dancing Inc., The Peoples Workshop, MECA, Texas Commission on the Arts, Ft. Bend Arts Council, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, The Jewish Community Center, Houston Parks and Recreation Dept., Young Audiences of Houston, Dorace Allais for Houston Center League, Dance St. Louis, Mississippi Dance Association, Dixie Associations of Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America Inc., Dance Olympics of New York, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Okaloosa- Ft. Walton Community College, Pensacola Jr. College, University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Houston Community College, San Jacinto Jr. College, Louisiana State University, and Rice University. Mr. Cross’ teaching experiences include: The Jazz Dance World Congress, The International Ballet Festival, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Met, Jazz Met, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, City Ballet, Western Arkansas Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet, Allegro Ballet, Academy Lupec’s Mexico, Berry Stephen’s Academy of Dance Amsterdam, Uptown Dance Center, Amy Blake’s Dance Academy, Dancescapes By Joyce, City Dance, Pointstation Inc., Images Dance Ensemble, Delia Stewart Dance Co., Joseph Holmes’ Chicago Dance Theatre, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Third Coast Jazz, Claude Marchant Dance Theatre Sweden, Dance Explosion Rick Odems Paris, Opus One The Netherlands.

Keith’s television credits include: The Sammy Awards, Houston Grand Opera’s “Tremonisa”, NBC Chicago Emmies and Star Search 1990. He has worked with such talents as: Debbie Allen, Hinton Battle, Maurice Hines, James Brown, Luigi, Matt Mattox, Frank Hachett, Joe Tremaine and Gus Giordano.

Keith has been called the ballet dancer’s Master Jazz Teacher.

Dorrell Martin

Dorrell Martin is founder of the jazz and contemporary dance program, LEON Dance Arts that is associated with LEON Contemporary Dance Company, of which Martin is the Artistic Director. Martin is a full time faculty member at the St. John’s School in Houston, TX. He is on staff at the Amy Blake’s Dance Academy and West University Dance Center and continues to guest teach and choreograph throughout the U.S.

Martin is creator/former director of the Jazz and Contemporary Program at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and former Artistic Director of Houston Metropolitan Dance Company in Houston, TX.

Martin has a solid professional training and performance background. He was a soloist for the national and international touring company “A Few Good Men Dancin” and has danced in shows such as Aida, West Side Story, Lion King, Swing and appeared in the movie ENCHANTED. Martin has also performed with numerous professional companies, including Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Arch Dance, Locke Contemporary Dance, Elliot Feld Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and Richard Rivera’s PHYSUAL as well as Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. He has performed in venues such as Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Joyce SoHo, Blaktino at BAAD in the Bronx, Riverside Theatre and American Dance Festival with some of New York’s emerging choreographers. Martin appeared on the talk show THE VIEW with singer Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls. He has performed with recording artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna and Debra Cox.

He received Honorable Mention for Choreography at the World Jazz Congress in Washington D.C. 2000. In 2003 he founded Dorrell Martin Dance Fusion in Houston, TX, and the company made its international debut in Veracruz, Mexico, performing at the Festival Danza Cordoba. Martin graduated from The High School for the Performing Arts in Houston and continued his training at the North Carolina School where he received his BFA in Dance Theatre. Additional study included prestigious centers for dance such as Paul Taylor School, Feld Ballet, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, New York State Summer Intensive with the New York City Ballet and with various schools and companies throughout Europe. Martin has taken his experiences of working with such notable artists as choreographers Sean Curran, Daniel Ezralow, Kevin Wynn, Liz Imperio, Pattie Obey, Margo Sappington and others, to explore and find his own voice in movement. As a teacher, choreographer and director, Martin teaches jazz and contemporary dance throughout the country and has set works on colleges, universities, dance companies and schools, such as Belhaven College, Hope College, Lamar University, Muhlenberg College, Harrison High School in Michigan, Urban Soul Dance Company, SET Contemporary dance, High School Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX, Ballet Forte.

Caitlin Cannon Fagan

Caitlin began her professional career at 18, kicking eye-high at Radio City as a New York City Rockette. Select performing credits: TUTS productions of Urban Cowboy, White Christmas, Annie staring Sadie Sink, Spamalot, A Chorus Line, also Houston Grand Opera’s Show Boat and 7 seasons with Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre. Choreo credits include Figaro 90210 (Assistant Choreo, Off-Bway,) Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grease, Annie, Music Man.

Caitlin directed and choreographed the successful web series, Who Could Ask For Anything More. As an instructor, she has taught at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. So grateful to be a part of the Amy Blake dance family since 2017! For Mackenzie.

Caitlin-Cannon.com
@CaitlinCannonChoreo (IG)

Brittany Jaramillo

Brittany Jaramillo has been dancing since the age of 6. She attended Bonnie Siscoe’s School of Dance for several years where she also assisted many classes. In high school Brittany was a member of the Clear Brook Celebrities Drill Team and was a Senior Lieutenant. She began working for Amy Blake at the age of 15, teaching dance camps and other classes. Brittany attended the University of Houston Clear Lake where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently an elementary school teacher and is loving being back with her ABAD dance family after having her daughter, who is now taking dance classes!

Anicka Duncan

Anicka has been a dancer in the Houston area for the past 20 years, having trained at the Rowland Ballard School of Ballet, Kingwood Jazz & Company, and The High School for Performing and Visual Arts in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballroom, lyrical, and contemporary. After graduating high school, Anicka trained in collegiate dance and pom before returning to Houston to teach at The Dance Vault, Cypress Dance Project, Texas Academy of Dance, and Becky’s Academy of Dance teaching recreational and competitive dancers ages 2 years to 18 years of age. From 2018 to 2021, she was a professional cheerleader for Houston’s Major League Rugby team, the Houston Sabercats. Anicka continues teaching, training and performing throughout Houston to give her students the best possible training she can offer.

Amy Duncan

Amy Duncan has been a dancer, performer, choreographer and instructor for the past 36 years. Amy’s classical training was under Sheryl Rowland, former dancer with the Houston Ballet and under John Adamson, former dancer with the Royal Ballet of London and former Dancer with Houston Ballet. She also trained in Jazz and Tap with the Delia Stewart Jazz Dance Company, Glen Hunsucker, Jeff Lewis, Sharon Edlund and Kirsten Richnow.

Some of Amy’s Professional, television and stage credits are The Nutcracker, Society for the performing arts, Josaphine Johns generating company, Kingwood Jazz Civic Company, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Pro Bowl with Nsync (Honalulu, Hawaii), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Opening Number (NYC), Opening numbers for the Miss Texas Pageant organization.
Amy is an accomplished choreographer. She has choreographed for The Miss Texas Pageant organization regional opening numbers, for The Jerry Lewis Telethon, Orange Bowl Parade in Miami Florida, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, and for 6 Years the Pro Bowl Halftime Show in Hawaii with such artists as Nsync, and Jessica Simpson. Amy was also the director of Kingwood Jazz & Co, a semiprofessional and competitive dance company based in the Houston area for over 25 years. As director of KWJC Amy brought the company to its highest level and Pioneered bringing artistic value back to the competitive day world. Amy’s choreography for KWJC has won many awards at the regional and National levels in all genres. Amy was recognized for choreographic excellence at New York City Dance Alliance National Gala in NYC for her Pointe Duet choreography.

Amy has students who have gone on the dance in colleges and in major companies such as Boston conservatory, University of Arizona, The Juilliard School, Point Park University, UCLA, University of Utah, NYU, Alvin Ailey Certificate Program, Fordham University, SUNY Purchase, Marymount Manhattan, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Lorel Dance, Spamalot, NYC Rockettes, Ballet Hispanico, Neville Dance Company, LA Dance Project, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Eastman- Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Chuthis, Rock The Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago and many more.

Amy has a passion for the arts and enjoys passing this love along with her knowledge to her students and truly enjoys seeing their growth from year to year.

Shannon Watters

Shannon Watters is a dedicated and versatile dance educator, choreographer, and performer with over 20 years of experience spanning higher education, professional performance, and the competitive dance world. Originally from Dallas and now based in Houston, Shannon is thrilled to join the team at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance.

Shannon holds an MFA in Dance and Choreography from Jacksonville University and a BBA in Finance/Economics from Southern Methodist University. She has taught and choreographed for numerous private studios, drill teams, and collegiate programs. Her choreographic works have been performed both regionally and internationally, earning multiple awards and recognitions. She has also led master classes with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Dallas Stars Ice Girls. Her performing experience includes work with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Dallas Dance Company, American Spirit Dance Company, the Tanzsommer Tour, and various industrials.

Certified in both Power Pilates and Cecchetti ballet (Grades I & II), Shannon brings a deep understanding of dance technique, conditioning, and artistry to every class. She is passionate about inspiring dancers of all ages and levels and is excited to share her love of movement and mentorship with students in the season ahead.

Marsha Merrell

A love for dance and a passion for the arts at a young age are what led me to a career in Dance and Performing Arts. I have 45 years of teaching experience. I have always had a passion for and love of working with young children as well as special needs children. I have taught in many studios through the years including Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas and so enjoy my profession. Year-end recitals, holiday dances and the production of the Christmas play “The Nutcracker” are the main recitals I have participated in and choreographed for my students.

I was employed for 25 years at Boni’s Dance and Performing Arts Studio, where my specialty with the little ones included the following classes: “Mommy and Me” (18 months-2 yrs of age), Motor Development (2-3 yrs old), Pre-Ballet (3 yrs old), Ballet, Tap and Tumbling (4-8 yrs of age). I also thoroughly enjoy working with Senior citizens who are amazing Tappers!

Additionally, I am a certified instructor of “Rhythm Works”, a program dedicated to special needs children. While in Sealy, TX, where my husband was City Manager, I started a class for Senior Citizens. And, being a certified instructor, I introduced the “Chance to Dance” program for special needs children.
From Sealy, we moved to Lago Vista where I also taught at three different nursery schools, simultaneously. I have also taught part-time at In-Step Dance Studio.

Ariel "Berries" Coleman

A dynamic choreographer, mentor, and performer, Ariel “Berries” Coleman brings over a decade of professional dance experience to every stage she touches. A proud Texas A&M alum, Berries trained with the Aggie Dance Team and Fade to Black Dance Ensemble before becoming an original member and four-season veteran of the Houston Rockets Clutch City Dancers, where she served as team captain in her final year. Her professional journey also includes international performance with NBA Philippines, further extending her impact across global stages.

Berries is the founder of Berries Choreo, a vibrant dance community centered around performance training, self-expression, and empowerment. She provides choreography and mentorship to dancers at all levels, serving as both judge and choreographer for teams such as the Texas Southern University Sensations and the University of Houston Cougar Dolls.

Her performance credits include the Nutcracker Market Fashion Show, Kendra Scott’s Holiday Party, and a feature in Houston artist Izzar Thomas’s “Mucho Mango” music video. Known for her distinctive blend of hip hop and jazz, Berries delivers choreography that’s musical, expressive, and full of intention.

Whether leading a room full of dancers or mentoring one-on-one, Ariel Berries Coleman remains committed to building confidence, community, and connection through movement.

Jenna Metz

Jenna has been dancing for over 11 years and has trained in Classical Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. She grew up dancing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Feijoo Ballet School. She has also performed in many productions with Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre, her favorite role being Clara in The Nutcracker.

Jenna is currently pursuing a degree in Business at San Jacinto College. Jenna hopes to share her love of dance and the joy it brings her with her students. Something unique about Jenna is that she lived in Singapore during high school!

Sarah Jo Fazio

Sarah Jo Fazio currently lives in New York City and is choreographing and teaching all over the country. Her choreography credits include the Las Vegas show “Bite” for Molyneux Entertainment, the Carman “Heart of a Champion” tour which premiered on Pay Per View, the Dino “Christmas Spectacular” which aired on QVC, Six Flags productions all over the country, half time shows for the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City CAVS, and musicals such as “Crazy For You”, “Anything Goes”, “Damn Yankees”, “Grease”, “Les Miserables”, “Singing In The Rain”, and “Suessical-The Musical”. Sarah has also co-produced the show “Industrial Movement” for Silvertree Productions, and directed the show “Cirquo Magnifico” in Houston, TX. She most recently choreographed the UDMA fashion show, and appeared on CBS morning show. Sarah is the past recipient of the “America’s Young Choreographer Award”, and has worked with one of the original top ten American Idol contestants. Sarah has many CD’s on the Statler Recording Label as well as a dance instructional video for intermediate and advanced dancers.

Sarah is a graduate of Oklahoma City University, and recently won the Distinguished Alumni Award. Sarah works for many organizations including Dance Olympus, Masquerade, Tamjams, and Dance America.

Lexi Blake

Lexi Blake is a Point Park University graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude honors). Her love of dance began at the age of three; and, as a high schooler, was accepted to attend Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. There Lexi was selected to to play a lead role in the Parson’s Dance classic repertoire, The Letter. Throughout her years at Point Park, she also performed and was selected to be in concerts with works by John Heginbotham, Kiesha lalama, Crystal Fraizer, and Colleen Hooper. Prior to studying at POint Park University, Lexi was a member of the pre-professional program Houston Repertory Dance Ensemble under the direction of Keith Cross.

Lexi has set choreography on local studios in the Houston area, and has had several professional performance opportunities, such as a hired dancer for the Mary Kay Seminar under Larwell Productions in Dallas, TX for two consecutive summers. Lexi’s goal and vision consists of making connections within the dance community while sharing her passion for dance in an authentic way.

Nicole Bishop

Nicole Bishop is a passionate teacher and choreographer with over a decade of experience developing dancers across all levels. She trained at Tempe Dance Academy in Arizona. She interned at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, working closely with Jim Cooney, Sheila Barker, and Derek Mitchell.

Her professional career included kicking in feathers as a Bluebell in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! in Las Vegas, serving as Dance Captain in Dream in Guam, and performing in projects across New York, Vegas, and Phoenix, including Guys and Dolls, Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker, and Good Morning America.

Nicole’s teaching style is dynamic, expressive, and rooted in foundational technique. She’s choreographed hundreds of award-winning routines and thrives in the dance classroom where she builds a strong foundation and celebrates those breakthrough ah-ha! moments.

Her past student successes include The Ailey School, Boston Ballet II, Ballet Memphis, Ballet RI, Nashville Ballet, UT Dance Team, and many more.

Originally from Arizona and having built a teaching career in Houston, Nicole now calls Seattle home with family, where she continues to teach and choreograph.

Lorraine Hancock

Lorraine Hancock began working as the Office Manager at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance in July, 2013. As Office Manager, Lorraine maintains the studio software, is responsible for accounts payable & receivable, manages all student off-campus PE waivers, assists with all recital-related schedules and procedures, and helps dance families determine class schedules for their dancers.

Prior to working at ABAD, Lorraine has worked as a stay-at home mom (where she held just about every possible PTA position), owned her own Computer Moms franchise, and supported NASA back in the Space Shuttle days as an engineering contractor with Lockheed Martin. Lorraine has thoroughly enjoyed working with Amy and her staff and looks forward to many more fulfilling years at the studio!

Holly Conrad

Holly Conrad began working for ABAD in January, 2015. As Company Adminstrator, Holly assists with coordinating choreography week; registering our Companies for various conventions/competitions; managing all Company-related fees; and sizing, ordering and distributing all costumes (for Company members as well as studio-wide for the year-end recital).

Prior to working at ABAD, Holly was a substitute teacher in CCISD, taught preschool for 7 years, was on many PTA and band booster club boards, and enjoyed volunteering/directing with the Kids Hop Mentoring program. Holly enjoys watching our ABAD dancers grow and succeed in dance.

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