Kathleen Connolly Grbic
Artistic Director
Kathleen began dancing in 1973 with her mentor Linda English. She is a dance department graduate of the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied with various guest artist. In 1988, Kathleen became a certified member of the dance organization, Dance Masters of America and has served on its Board as the Chapter Secretary. In 1990, she opened Connolly Dance Arts to bring her love of dance to dance students in this area. Kathleen has directed her students in many outstanding recital productions, such as The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Toy Story. She is the Artistic Director for the award winning CDA Performing Company, whose members have won numerous awards and titles in dance competitions. To keep teaching ideas and techniques fresh, she attends conventions and workshops. Kathleen has taught children and adults since 1983. She is also CPR certified.
Artistic Director
Kathleen began dancing in 1973 with her mentor Linda English. She is a dance department graduate of the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied with various guest artist. In 1988, Kathleen became a certified member of the dance organization, Dance Masters of America and has served on its Board as the Chapter Secretary. In 1990, she opened Connolly Dance Arts to bring her love of dance to dance students in this area. Kathleen has directed her students in many outstanding recital productions, such as The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Toy Story. She is the Artistic Director for the award winning CDA Performing Company, whose members have won numerous awards and titles in dance competitions. To keep teaching ideas and techniques fresh, she attends conventions and workshops. Kathleen has taught children and adults since 1983. She is also CPR certified.
Houston, TX 77077
TEL: 281-497-6626
FAX: 281-497-0956
Blair Buras
Teacher and Choreographer
Blair is an intern with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. She received a BS in Dietetics with a minor in Dance and an MS in Human Nutrition and Food from Louisiana State University. Blair was an LSU Golden Girl and a member of the LSU Dance Ensemble during her years there. She received additional dance training from the Debbie Allen Dance Intensive, Edge PErforming Art Center, Broadway Dance center, Rockette Summer Intensive, and Louisiana Alliance for Dance Festival. Blair has several years of teaching and choreography experience, inluding Tari's School of Dance in Baton Rouge, Covington High School, University High School, Silliman Institute, St. Scholastica Academy, LSU, and American All-Star.
Teacher and Choreographer
Blair is an intern with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. She received a BS in Dietetics with a minor in Dance and an MS in Human Nutrition and Food from Louisiana State University. Blair was an LSU Golden Girl and a member of the LSU Dance Ensemble during her years there. She received additional dance training from the Debbie Allen Dance Intensive, Edge PErforming Art Center, Broadway Dance center, Rockette Summer Intensive, and Louisiana Alliance for Dance Festival. Blair has several years of teaching and choreography experience, inluding Tari's School of Dance in Baton Rouge, Covington High School, University High School, Silliman Institute, St. Scholastica Academy, LSU, and American All-Star.
Katrina Fernandez
Teacher and Choreographer
One of the original members of the Connolly Dance Arts Company, Katrina has been dancing, choreographing here for 15 years. She has been teaching hip-hop and acro at CDA for 3 years. In addition to her teaching, performing, and choreography skills, Katrina also assists in the costume designs for solo and group pieces performed in competition. Katrina has been a member of the Connolly Dance Arts Performing Company for 12 years and was a 4-year member of Westside High Schools nationally-acclaimed Inertia Dance Company, with numerous awards and achievements to her credit. Currently a junior at the University of Houston, she is working towards obtaining her Bachelors degree in Business and Design.
Teacher and Choreographer
One of the original members of the Connolly Dance Arts Company, Katrina has been dancing, choreographing here for 15 years. She has been teaching hip-hop and acro at CDA for 3 years. In addition to her teaching, performing, and choreography skills, Katrina also assists in the costume designs for solo and group pieces performed in competition. Katrina has been a member of the Connolly Dance Arts Performing Company for 12 years and was a 4-year member of Westside High Schools nationally-acclaimed Inertia Dance Company, with numerous awards and achievements to her credit. Currently a junior at the University of Houston, she is working towards obtaining her Bachelors degree in Business and Design.
Katie Heintz
Teacher and Choreographer
Katie Heintz recently moved to Houston and is an apprentice dancer with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Buffalo and has trained with the Zodiaque Dance Company and the Rochester City Ballet. Katie was a scholarship student at Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and a touring assistant to the faculty of Tremaine Dance Conventions. Credits include stage performances with Configuration Dance, Zodiaque Dance Company, Summer Showcase, solo performance with Stars Night Out, United Way commercials, Dalai Lama Peace Convention, and CFA Gala Benefit.
Teacher and Choreographer
Katie Heintz recently moved to Houston and is an apprentice dancer with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Buffalo and has trained with the Zodiaque Dance Company and the Rochester City Ballet. Katie was a scholarship student at Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and a touring assistant to the faculty of Tremaine Dance Conventions. Credits include stage performances with Configuration Dance, Zodiaque Dance Company, Summer Showcase, solo performance with Stars Night Out, United Way commercials, Dalai Lama Peace Convention, and CFA Gala Benefit.
Michelle Wells
Teacher and Choreographer
Michelle Wells started dancing at the age of nine. In the fall of 1998, she moved with her family to Sugar Land, joined the Angel's Dance Team of Austin High School and enrolled at Fort Bend Academy of Dance for advanced ballet training. She became officer of her dance team, joined the company, "Ballet Forte", and placed high honors in solo works with the Angels, received National Championships and Best Choreography awards, and performed in Disney World with select dancers from the team. In 2001, she enrolled as a Dance Major at Southwest Texas State Univeristy where she was trained by top modern professionals and began teaching at two well renowned studios. Michelled moved back to Houston in 2003 and teaches dance city-wide. Using dance skills in other areas of fitness, Michelle works as a Personal Fitness Trainer at Memorial Athletic Club and the Westlake Club and trains clients in their homes. She is a Group Exercise Instructor of Muscle classes and Cardio classes, specializes in Cardio Dance, Balletone and PIYO (pilates/yoga) and serves as the Teen Fit Coordinator at Memorial Athletic Club, training instructors and teens to workout safely and effectively. Michelle currently works with the Step It Up, Inc., company, traveling to various schools and chuch settings to integrate dance programs in Christ-centered ways. Michelle dances with Solaris, a company working with Round Rock Entertainment and is finishing her pre-medical degree in Biology and Psychology at Houston Baptist University.
Teacher and Choreographer
Michelle Wells started dancing at the age of nine. In the fall of 1998, she moved with her family to Sugar Land, joined the Angel's Dance Team of Austin High School and enrolled at Fort Bend Academy of Dance for advanced ballet training. She became officer of her dance team, joined the company, "Ballet Forte", and placed high honors in solo works with the Angels, received National Championships and Best Choreography awards, and performed in Disney World with select dancers from the team. In 2001, she enrolled as a Dance Major at Southwest Texas State Univeristy where she was trained by top modern professionals and began teaching at two well renowned studios. Michelled moved back to Houston in 2003 and teaches dance city-wide. Using dance skills in other areas of fitness, Michelle works as a Personal Fitness Trainer at Memorial Athletic Club and the Westlake Club and trains clients in their homes. She is a Group Exercise Instructor of Muscle classes and Cardio classes, specializes in Cardio Dance, Balletone and PIYO (pilates/yoga) and serves as the Teen Fit Coordinator at Memorial Athletic Club, training instructors and teens to workout safely and effectively. Michelle currently works with the Step It Up, Inc., company, traveling to various schools and chuch settings to integrate dance programs in Christ-centered ways. Michelle dances with Solaris, a company working with Round Rock Entertainment and is finishing her pre-medical degree in Biology and Psychology at Houston Baptist University.
Elizabeth Lucrezio
Teacher and Choreographer
Elizabeth is from Upstate, New York where she received a summa cum laude, dual degree in Fine Arts and Performing Arts. Elizabeth relocated to Philadelphia, PA where she trained with the professional modern dnace company, At Marah. Shortly thereafter, she traveled back to upstate NY where she established dance classes in her community, which grew to include two annual productions, in addition to personally performing in local theatres and guest teaching in various schools. She then moved to New York City where she served as office manager and graphic/web designer for the "Project Dance Foundation", a non-profit organization seeking to inspire, connect, and educate dancers nationwide. She also served as Production Assistant for Project Dance Times Square as well as the assistant for the Los Angeles shows. While in NYC, Elizabeth also stage managed a Mid-town Production, choreographed an Equity Showcase and furthered her dance training at Steps, Broadway Dance, and DanceSpace. Elizabeth currently trains with the Houston-based modern dance company, Dance Ad Deum, teaches pilates and dance locally, and enjoys working in the CDA office as well as teaching classes here.
Teacher and Choreographer
Elizabeth is from Upstate, New York where she received a summa cum laude, dual degree in Fine Arts and Performing Arts. Elizabeth relocated to Philadelphia, PA where she trained with the professional modern dnace company, At Marah. Shortly thereafter, she traveled back to upstate NY where she established dance classes in her community, which grew to include two annual productions, in addition to personally performing in local theatres and guest teaching in various schools. She then moved to New York City where she served as office manager and graphic/web designer for the "Project Dance Foundation", a non-profit organization seeking to inspire, connect, and educate dancers nationwide. She also served as Production Assistant for Project Dance Times Square as well as the assistant for the Los Angeles shows. While in NYC, Elizabeth also stage managed a Mid-town Production, choreographed an Equity Showcase and furthered her dance training at Steps, Broadway Dance, and DanceSpace. Elizabeth currently trains with the Houston-based modern dance company, Dance Ad Deum, teaches pilates and dance locally, and enjoys working in the CDA office as well as teaching classes here.
Sarah Drury
Teacher and Choreographer
Sarah has been a student at CDA for 12 years and a member of the Performing Company for 8 years. In addition to hr training at CDA, she has received training from Dance Masters of America local and national conventions. Performance credits includes Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit Concert, Houston Youth Emerge, Kaleidoscope at the TAPHERD Convention in Fort Worth and the National TAPHERD convention in Baltimore. As a member of the CDA Performing Company, Sarah was 2nd runner-up at the 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas Pageant, and as a member of Westside High School's Inertia Dance Company she was the National Champion Soloist at the 2007 Marching Auxilary Competition in San Antonio. Sarah is currently a junior at Westside High School.
Teacher and Choreographer
Sarah has been a student at CDA for 12 years and a member of the Performing Company for 8 years. In addition to hr training at CDA, she has received training from Dance Masters of America local and national conventions. Performance credits includes Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit Concert, Houston Youth Emerge, Kaleidoscope at the TAPHERD Convention in Fort Worth and the National TAPHERD convention in Baltimore. As a member of the CDA Performing Company, Sarah was 2nd runner-up at the 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas Pageant, and as a member of Westside High School's Inertia Dance Company she was the National Champion Soloist at the 2007 Marching Auxilary Competition in San Antonio. Sarah is currently a junior at Westside High School.
Courtney Myers
Teacher and Choreographer
Courtney has been studying dance for 13 years and has been a student at CDA and a member of the Performing Company. In addition to her training at CDA she has received training from Catriona Steel, Houston Ballet Academy, Steven Boyd, and HSPVA. Courtney has performed on stage as a soloist in Allegro Ballet of Houston's Nutcracker, Steven Boyd Dance Ensemble and HSPVA performances. She has attended numerous conventions including Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, NYCDA, LA DanceForce, LA Dance Magic, Cross Connections & Tremaine and has won numerous convention scholarships. She received honors on her Vocational R.A.D. (Royal Academy of Dance) Ballet Exams. Courtney is the DMA 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas and the 2007 Stage One National Overall Senior Soloist. Courtney is currently a junior at the High School of Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA).
Teacher and Choreographer
Courtney has been studying dance for 13 years and has been a student at CDA and a member of the Performing Company. In addition to her training at CDA she has received training from Catriona Steel, Houston Ballet Academy, Steven Boyd, and HSPVA. Courtney has performed on stage as a soloist in Allegro Ballet of Houston's Nutcracker, Steven Boyd Dance Ensemble and HSPVA performances. She has attended numerous conventions including Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, NYCDA, LA DanceForce, LA Dance Magic, Cross Connections & Tremaine and has won numerous convention scholarships. She received honors on her Vocational R.A.D. (Royal Academy of Dance) Ballet Exams. Courtney is the DMA 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas and the 2007 Stage One National Overall Senior Soloist. Courtney is currently a junior at the High School of Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA).
Brandi Shallenberger
Teacher and Choreographer
Brandi has been a student a CDA for 11 years and a member of the Performing Company for 9 years. She has also been a member of the local hip-hop company WyldStyl. In addition to her training at CDA, Brandi has received training from Dance Masters of America local and national conventions, National Dance Gala in Miami, and Theater Under The Stars. Performance credits include Dancers Responding to AIDS Benefit Concert, Houston Youth Emerge, Kaleidoscope at the TAPHERD Convention in Fort Worth, GoodPhil Games at UT Austin, Dance Houston 2006, and Exxon/Mobil National Convention. While competing with the CDA Performing Company, Brandi won the DMA Tap Scholarship in 2005 and 2007 and received the High Tap Score and the High Interview Score at the 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas competition. Brandi is currently a junior at Westside High School; her college interests include journalism, communications, and advertising.
Teacher and Choreographer
Brandi has been a student a CDA for 11 years and a member of the Performing Company for 9 years. She has also been a member of the local hip-hop company WyldStyl. In addition to her training at CDA, Brandi has received training from Dance Masters of America local and national conventions, National Dance Gala in Miami, and Theater Under The Stars. Performance credits include Dancers Responding to AIDS Benefit Concert, Houston Youth Emerge, Kaleidoscope at the TAPHERD Convention in Fort Worth, GoodPhil Games at UT Austin, Dance Houston 2006, and Exxon/Mobil National Convention. While competing with the CDA Performing Company, Brandi won the DMA Tap Scholarship in 2005 and 2007 and received the High Tap Score and the High Interview Score at the 2007 Teen Miss Dance of Texas competition. Brandi is currently a junior at Westside High School; her college interests include journalism, communications, and advertising.
Lauren Garson
Teacher and Choreographer
Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University in December 2004 with a BFA in Dance. She recently moved to Texas to join the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company as an apprentice. In Pittsburgh, PA she performed with the Playhouse Dance Company and with Junction Dance Theatre. She also studied at the Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts, Point Park pre-professional program, Broadway Dance Center, STEPS pre-professional program, and the Limon Institute. Industrials include work with the Civic Light Opera and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lauren has taught ballet, pointe, jazz/lyrical, modern gymnastics and tap to dancers ranging in ages two through adult for the past six years. She has also choreographed award-winning competitive routines.
Teacher and Choreographer
Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University in December 2004 with a BFA in Dance. She recently moved to Texas to join the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company as an apprentice. In Pittsburgh, PA she performed with the Playhouse Dance Company and with Junction Dance Theatre. She also studied at the Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts, Point Park pre-professional program, Broadway Dance Center, STEPS pre-professional program, and the Limon Institute. Industrials include work with the Civic Light Opera and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lauren has taught ballet, pointe, jazz/lyrical, modern gymnastics and tap to dancers ranging in ages two through adult for the past six years. She has also choreographed award-winning competitive routines.
Marlana Walsh
Teacher and Choreographer
Marlana Walsh is from Massachusetts and graduated from Point Park College in 2001 with a BA in Dance. She has performed many roles in the Point Park College Dance Company as well as dancing at the American College Dance Festival. her choreography was selected to be presented at ACDFA in Bowling Green, Ohio in 2001. Since then her work has been reque4sted and presented at numerous events including the International Summer Dance Festival, Annual AIDS Benefit and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center's Met Too. Going into her second year with the company, Marlana has performed at the Texas Contemporary Dance Festival, Dallas Morning News Dance Festival and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress. She is currently a member of the staff at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center and numerous recognized dance schools throughout the Houston area. She also serves as Dancer Liaison for the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company.
Teacher and Choreographer
Marlana Walsh is from Massachusetts and graduated from Point Park College in 2001 with a BA in Dance. She has performed many roles in the Point Park College Dance Company as well as dancing at the American College Dance Festival. her choreography was selected to be presented at ACDFA in Bowling Green, Ohio in 2001. Since then her work has been reque4sted and presented at numerous events including the International Summer Dance Festival, Annual AIDS Benefit and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center's Met Too. Going into her second year with the company, Marlana has performed at the Texas Contemporary Dance Festival, Dallas Morning News Dance Festival and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress. She is currently a member of the staff at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center and numerous recognized dance schools throughout the Houston area. She also serves as Dancer Liaison for the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company.