Faculty & Staff
Kathleen Connolly
Artistic Director & Owner
Kathleen began her dancing career in 1973. She is a dance department graduate of the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied with various guest artists. In 1988, Kathleen became a certified member of the internationally accredited dance organization, Dance Masters of America, and has served on its Board. 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 and competitions. 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.
Aimee Wendrock
Office Manager
Aimee's daughter Ashleigh has been a CDA student since the age of four and is a member of the performing company and Intensive Dance Program. Aimee's experience as an IDP parent prepared her well for the role of Office Manager. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Houston and currently resides in Katy with her husband James and their two children.
Joeley Fowler
Company Director/Instructor
Joeley has been dancing and performing since the age of two. She has competed at regional and national levels across the country where she won numerous group, duo, and solo awards. In 2006 she won the title of Miss Star Power at the Starpower National competition in San Antonio. She was involved in her high school dance team all four years and was head captain her senior year. Joeley received four All-American awards, Top All-American her senior year, and an Excellence in Leadership award. She taught for the National Dance Alliance from 2007-2009 at the high school and collegiate levels. She was also a head instructor for NDA. Joeley has taught for studios in both Kansas and Texas. She recently moved to Houston from Austin where she was a member of the professional company Verge. She now resides in Deer Park and teaches for CDA's Katy and Satellite locations.
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Mia Angelini
Dance Instructor
Mia Angelini is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in Dance. While at Point Park, she performed works by choreographers such as, Doug Varone, Kiesha Lalama, Sidra Bell, Garfield Lemonius, and Kellie Hodges. She also had the opportunity to perform in the International Choreography
Competition as a part of the 2012 Jazz Dance World Congress. Mia is very excited
to be a part of the Houston Met Dance Company this season as a trainee.
Competition as a part of the 2012 Jazz Dance World Congress. Mia is very excited
to be a part of the Houston Met Dance Company this season as a trainee.
Sarah Chybrzynski
Dance Instructor
Sarah Chybrzynski is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Point Park University and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts. Sarah has performed in multiple productions including such roles as Serena in Legally Blonde and Maggie Winslow in A Chorus Line. She has choreographed numbers in productions including Chicago, High School Musical, ad Seussical.
Sarah has also performed at Starmakers, Cedar Point Live Entertainment and Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Sarah is looking forward to being an instructor at Connolly Dance Arts.
Sarah has also performed at Starmakers, Cedar Point Live Entertainment and Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Sarah is looking forward to being an instructor at Connolly Dance Arts.
Ally Evans
Dance Instructor
After training at Starstruck Dance Academy in Denver for 12 years, Ally left for Los Angeles to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Dance And Theater at Loyola Marymount University. She began her professional career performing in 2006 as a Los Angeles Laker Girl and also a Lakers TV Host. In 2007, Ally toured internationally as one of only two principal female dancers for multi-platinum recording artist Rihanna. Since then she has been a dancer, actor, and model in many successful music videos, movies, TV, print and runway. Some of her resume includes working with artists; Gladys Knight, Wayne Brady, Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, and Jay Z, as well as being a part of the MTV Movie Awards, BET, TRL, NBC's "1 vs. 100, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Seventeen Magazine, and so much more. Now Ally lives in Katy, TX with her two kids and still enjoys performing, teaching and choreographing.
Amber Gray
Musical Theater Instructor
Amber is a proud Texan; born and raised in Katy, Tx. Her first major performances were with the Houston Children’s Chorus where they performed around the area for weddings, concerts, the opening of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (with Lyle Lovett, Maureen Mcgovern, and Tommy Tune), Superbowl XXXVIII Pre-game show with Josh Groban, and for the Former President Bush and his wife. Amber graduated from Taylor High School where she was the President of her drama department, and choreographed multiple dance numbers/scenes that received honorable mentions and qualified for Nationals at the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska. Amber attended Rockford College and received her BFA in Musical Theatre. There she trained with Chicago Broadway/Regional Choreographers, Teachers, and Directors in voice, dance, theatre. She attended multiple workshops and master classes that focused mainly on musical theatre style dance, tap, and jazz. While in school Amber starred and was featured in over 11 musicals and plays, was the President of the Theatre Club on campus, and was part of the Varsity Regent Cheerleading squad. Her junior year she was cast in one of the lead roles at the Artist Ensemble theatre. Here is where she earned her Equity Membership candidacy. After graduating she worked at Clinton Showboat Theatre, located on the Mississippi River, as a company member for their show season. She now resides in Katy where she has directed, assisted directed, and choreographed shows at Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center. Amber volunteers as a KYF Cheerleading Coach and is the Musical Theater instructor at CDA. She continues to attend professional auditions in New York, Chicago, and all around the country.
Kierstan Hernandez
(picture coming soon)
Kierstan has been dancing since the age of three at Kinard Dance Studio, where she learned the Cecchetti style of ballet. She has studied ballet, point, jazz and hip-hop styles of dance. Keirstan was on the Kempner Brigade Dance Team all four year of high school where she held Jr. and Sr. Lieutenant on the officer line. She's taken master classes with Travis Wall, Joshua Allen, and Stacy Tookey to name a few. She performed in the 2009 Orange Bowl and 2010 MLS game and participated in the flash mob with SoREAl dance crew for the movie Step Up Revolution. Keirstan wants to help spread the love of dance to others by performing and teaching. She is excited to be a part of Connolly Dance Arts.
Erica Kerr
Dance Instructor
Born and raised in Katy I started dancing at the age of 4. I loved ballet and
always knew I wanted to be a dance teacher. I went to Mayde Creek High School
and was a member of the Martinettes for 4 years. After high school I went to Sam
Houston State University for a degree in dance and minor in education. I performed in several modern and ballet productions with the company. I was also a member of their dance sorority XTE. I have taught ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical for the past 5 years and have assisted in developing the choreograpy for several productions. I teach 2 year olds up through level 3. I am eager to pass on my knowledge and passion for dance. This will be my first year with Connolly Dance Arts and
couldn't be more excited!
always knew I wanted to be a dance teacher. I went to Mayde Creek High School
and was a member of the Martinettes for 4 years. After high school I went to Sam
Houston State University for a degree in dance and minor in education. I performed in several modern and ballet productions with the company. I was also a member of their dance sorority XTE. I have taught ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical for the past 5 years and have assisted in developing the choreograpy for several productions. I teach 2 year olds up through level 3. I am eager to pass on my knowledge and passion for dance. This will be my first year with Connolly Dance Arts and
couldn't be more excited!
Lauren Mast
Dance Instructor
Lauren Mast began her dance training at age three at several
studios in Massachusetts, including Interstate Dance, The Dancing Center
Unlimited, Andover Ballet, and Karla Pattevina Dance Academy. At age ten she
performed in her first Nucracker with New England Civic Ballet, where she
completed the remainder of her training through high school and college. While
at New England Civic Ballet, Lauren performed in several productions of the
Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the premiere of The Enchanted Glen
by Phyllis George.
Lauren attended Bucknell University on a dance merit scholarship
for degrees in Geology and Dance, studying under Er-Dong Hu and Kelly Knox. She
performed with Bucknell Dance Company, Bucknell Swing Dance Club, Latino Dance
Corner, and KARAR Praise Dance Ministry. While performing at Bucknell, Lauren
worked with ballet, jazz and modern choreographers such as Peter Anastos, Salim
“Slam” Gauwloos, Cathy Young, Simone Ferro, Li-Chou Cheng, Denise Lapointe, and
Michael Foley. This is Lauren’s first year teaching ballet and tap at Connolly
Dance Arts and she couldn’t be more excited to pass on her knowledge and love of
dance. Lauren lives in Houston with her husband and
daughter.
studios in Massachusetts, including Interstate Dance, The Dancing Center
Unlimited, Andover Ballet, and Karla Pattevina Dance Academy. At age ten she
performed in her first Nucracker with New England Civic Ballet, where she
completed the remainder of her training through high school and college. While
at New England Civic Ballet, Lauren performed in several productions of the
Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the premiere of The Enchanted Glen
by Phyllis George.
Lauren attended Bucknell University on a dance merit scholarship
for degrees in Geology and Dance, studying under Er-Dong Hu and Kelly Knox. She
performed with Bucknell Dance Company, Bucknell Swing Dance Club, Latino Dance
Corner, and KARAR Praise Dance Ministry. While performing at Bucknell, Lauren
worked with ballet, jazz and modern choreographers such as Peter Anastos, Salim
“Slam” Gauwloos, Cathy Young, Simone Ferro, Li-Chou Cheng, Denise Lapointe, and
Michael Foley. This is Lauren’s first year teaching ballet and tap at Connolly
Dance Arts and she couldn’t be more excited to pass on her knowledge and love of
dance. Lauren lives in Houston with her husband and
daughter.
Kim Turner
Dance Instructor
Kim began dancing at age four under the direction of Debbe Busby at Busby Dance Center in Victoria, Texas.
She was a member of the Victoria Ballet Theatre for four years. Kim was accepted into both Joffrey Ballet and Ballet Austin's summer intensive programs. Kim traveled with the Victoria Ballet Theatre to the Regional Dance America for several years. She also had the privilege to attend the Tanzsommer Dance Festival in Austria and Germany to perform and take master classes with the ballet company.
Kim was a member of the drill team at St. Joseph High School. She was an officer for her team and Captain her senior year. She choreographed a number of the team's dance performances, as well as solos for other dancers.
Kim received her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Dance. She performed in Kista Tucker's Dance Company, the Sam Houston Dance Company performances at Bernevelder in Houston, and Dances at 8.
Kim continues to take dance classes and perform with City Dance professional dance company. She has passed the content exam for obtaining her Teaching certification in Dance 8-12 grades. Kim has been teaching dance to all ages since 2008 and she is excited to teach at Connolly Dance Arts.
She was a member of the Victoria Ballet Theatre for four years. Kim was accepted into both Joffrey Ballet and Ballet Austin's summer intensive programs. Kim traveled with the Victoria Ballet Theatre to the Regional Dance America for several years. She also had the privilege to attend the Tanzsommer Dance Festival in Austria and Germany to perform and take master classes with the ballet company.
Kim was a member of the drill team at St. Joseph High School. She was an officer for her team and Captain her senior year. She choreographed a number of the team's dance performances, as well as solos for other dancers.
Kim received her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Dance. She performed in Kista Tucker's Dance Company, the Sam Houston Dance Company performances at Bernevelder in Houston, and Dances at 8.
Kim continues to take dance classes and perform with City Dance professional dance company. She has passed the content exam for obtaining her Teaching certification in Dance 8-12 grades. Kim has been teaching dance to all ages since 2008 and she is excited to teach at Connolly Dance Arts.
Keith Cross
Ballet Instructor
Keith 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 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. 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.
Convention.
Mr. Cross 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. 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.
Melissa Vann
Dance Instructor
Melissa has been dancing and performing since age three. She grew up dancing in the Francie Mckee Dance Studio in Ida Grove, Iowa. In high school, Melissa was the Captain and Choreographer for the Football and Basketball Cheerleading Squads and the Little Cheerleader Camps. Melissa attended Iowa State University where she was a performing member and Secretary of the dance group Orchesis l. The group performed throughout the year at both Regional and National College Dance Festivals. In the Spring of 2002 Melissa performed with members of the Orchesis group at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Melissa currently resides in Katy, Texas with her husband and children. Melissa is an Elementary School Teacher and has a home-based bakery business. She teaches Preschool and Level l classes at CDA.
