Meet Our Team
At the heart of our dance studio is a passionate, talented, and dedicated team of instructors and staff. Each member brings a unique blend of experience, artistry, and care to create a supportive and inspiring environment for every dancer. From professional performers and certified teachers to welcoming front desk staff, our team is committed to nurturing students of all ages and levels—encouraging confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance.
Our Inspiring Dance Faculty
Maria Sorensen
Studio Owner and Executive Director
With over 30 years of experience in dance and drill team, Maria brings passion, leadership, and excellence to every aspect of her work. A former Colonel of her high school dance team and trained flamenco dancer, she went on to spend 13 years with American Drill Team School as an instructor, choreographer, adjudicator, and camp director—working with hundreds of school teams across Texas and beyond.
Maria earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas, graduating Cum Laude and being named Student Teacher of the Year in 1991. She was a member of the UNT Pom Squad, a Dallas Mavericks Dancer, and performed with the Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico in Dallas.
Her teaching career includes positions at Coppell Middle School West and Westwood High School. In 1998, she founded Star Dancers, a private junior dance team that has since grown into The Dance Academy—an award-winning studio known for excellence in all genres of dance. Maria’s programs reflect her belief that dance is a higher calling and should always be pursued with purpose, integrity, and heart.
She remains deeply grateful to Joyce Pennington, CEO of American Drill Team, for inspiring her journey as an educator and mentor.
Lauren Haggerty
Artistic Director of North Austin Ballet Theatre
Lauren Haggerty is a Texas native who began dancing at age three. She trained at Fort Bend Academy of Dance and graduated with honors from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). She continued her training on scholarship at the University of Oklahoma, and attended elite summer programs including Joffrey San Antonio, Joffrey Midwest, and the Craft of Choreography Conference.
Lauren was Principal Dancer and Rehearsal Director for BalletForte, performing lead roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and more. With over 18 years of teaching experience, she blends strong classical technique with a nurturing approach, helping students grow as dancers and artists.
She holds a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and has worked as a project manager. Outside the studio, Lauren enjoys time with her husband and two daughters and she continues to fuel her love of dance by competing in International Latin ballroom.
Elena Giannuzzi
Director of Academy Ballet Program
Elena Giannuzzi is a native of Austin, Texas, who began dancing at age two and trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and contemporary. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Pilates from Sam Houston State University, where she worked with renowned artists including Manuel Vignoulle, Bliss Kohlmyer, and Joshua L. Peugh.
Elena continued her training through the Dance Italia Program in Lucca, Italy, studying Countertechnique, Gaga, and repertory with international artists, and was selected as a scholarship student for the Gus Giordano Dance Company’s College Program in Chicago.
Her professional performance career includes work with Nicolay Dance Works, NobleMotion Dance, Social Movement Contemporary Dance, and The Axis Connect in Los Angeles and New York City. In 2018, she became a founding company member of Social Movement Contemporary Dance under Elijah Alhaji Gibson, touring and performing throughout Texas.
A passionate educator and mentor, Elena is recognized for her award-winning choreography and intentional approach to dancer development. With extensive experience directing pre-professional dance companies, she is dedicated to helping dancers achieve their long-term goals while fostering a collaborative, connected, and supportive dance community.
Megan Dolan
Assistant Director tDA Performance Company Acro, Jazz, Tap, Technique Instructor
Megan has been dancing for 38 years. During this time she has studied extensively in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, pointe,and acro/tumbling. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. While at SFASU, Megan was part of the college’s Repertory Dance Company as well as two traveling modern dance companies, Motor Dance and Real Women Dancing. While living in East Texas, Megan was given an opportunity to teach dance to all ages, levels and styles of dance. This opportunity sparked a passion for teaching dance. Having taught for the past 14 years in Austin, she continues to live her dream, teaching dance. Specializing in Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and Tap, she also loves teaching dance acro. After over 20 years of teaching competitive dance her choreography has won numerous national and regional titles in production, group, trio, duets and solos. You will see her all the time at the studio as she lives to teach dance, she also spends her free time teaching Pure Barre classes in Cedar Park, Texas.
Cellise Brown
Jazz and Contemporary Instructor
Houston native Cellise Brown began her training at Top Flight Dance Company and Allegro West Academy of Dance, later attending elite summer programs with Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She studied Dance, Education, and Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 2022.
Since then, Cellise has directed high school dance teams and taught at studios and schools across the Austin area. She continues her professional development through advanced programs like Sidra Bell’s MODULE, GagaLab in New York, and the Jacob Jonas Company Intensive in Italy.
Currently performing with artists including Allysen Hooks, Ty Graynor, and Dorothy O’Shea Overbey, Cellise brings her passion and performance experience into every class. She creates an inclusive, supportive environment where students are encouraged to express themselves and grow with confidence.
Natalie Steck
Academy Ballet Instructor
Natalie Steck began her dance training at age 4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Alwin School of the Dance. Over the years, she trained extensively with the Performer’s Ballet and Jazz Company and earned certifications in Checchetti levels I–VI. She also attended summer intensives with Ballet West and the Cecchetti Council of America.
Natalie was awarded a dance scholarship to Utah Valley University, where she initially pursued a BFA in Dance. After an injury shifted her path, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health in 2009 and later earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Utah.
Despite stepping away from performing, Natalie found her way back to dance through teaching. She began teaching ballet in 2009 and in 2013 became certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, Pre-Primary through Level 3. Drawing from her own disciplined training background, Natalie emphasizes strong technique and structure while fostering a love for movement in her students. She believes in the healing power of music and dance and is passionate about helping young dancers discover their place in the dance world.
Natalie lives in Georgetown with her husband Greg and their four daughters.
Kelly Lee
Academy Ballet Instructor
Kelly began her formal dance training at Fort Bend Academy of Dance in Richmond, TX, under the direction of Michael Banigan and Dianne Jarrell. She spent her summers training at prestigious programs including Joffrey Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Houston Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet.
Kelly graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts, where she focused on ballet and performance, training closely with Frank Smith, Kee-Juan Han, Fanchon Cordell, and Melissa Hayden. She continued her studies in the Graduate Program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, working with renowned instructors such as Dennis Marshall, Marjorie Grundvig, Pollyana Ribeiro, Janet Popeleski, and Alan Obuzor. From there, she was invited to join the company as an apprentice under the direction of Terrence Orr.
After two seasons with PBT, Kelly joined Ballet Tucson, where she danced for five seasons, performed several soloist roles, and had the privilege of working with Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner.
Now, Kelly is excited to share her knowledge and experience with the talented students at The Dance Academy—and she can’t wait to see y’all in class!
Havilah Blum
Academy Ballet Instructor
Havilah is grateful to be back in Texas after calling many places home. She danced professionally with Texas Ballet Theater under Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., from 2007–2013, performing in full-length ballets such as Dracula, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Coppélia, and The Nutcracker (as “Clara”), as well as End of Time and Balanchine’s Serenade and Theme and Variations.
Since retiring, she has spent nearly a decade teaching ballet on both coasts, focusing on strong classical technique, musicality, and artistry. She is also a piano accompanist for ballet classes, inspired by her mentor Peter Kim and other pianists who made music that truly moved dancers.
Outside of dance, Havilah enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, and traveling with her husband. A devoted mom of three boys and one daughter, she also values building meaningful connections within her church and community.
Angelina Barba
Hip Hop Instructor
Angelina Barba began her dance journey in Los Angeles at age 8, training in hip hop before moving to Austin, Texas. She spent five years competing with 2 Hype Hip Hop Company under Leslie Garcia and later joined the Rouse Royals drill team, serving as a line officer her senior year. That same year, she also danced with eSTREET Hip Hop Company under Justin Streeter.
Throughout her competitive career, Angelina earned Grand National titles, scholarships, and performance opportunities with industry mentors. Her passion for teaching has led her to instruct at studios and schools across the Austin area.
Angelina has directed pre-professional hip hop companies including eSTREET and recently served as the director and choreographer for REALM Hip Hop Company at The Dance Academy in Leander. Dedicated to growth as both an artist and educator, she continues to train, choreograph, and share her love of dance.
Leslie Garcia
Hip Hop Instructor
A former master instructor for the American Ballet Theatre Intensive Program, Leslie has spent the last 15 years working with school districts across Texas and teaching nationally at studios, camps, and competitions. She is also a music producer for competitive teams and a longtime local DJ in Austin.
Leslie continues to lead and inspire through Urban Dance Empire and The Empire Dance Company, training the next generation of dancers with passion and excellence.
Her extreme passion for music and dance, comedic teaching style, and dance knowledge makes her one of the most sought out dance instructors and choreographers in the U.S. Leslie was nicknamed the “First Lady of Hip Hop” in Austin, TX where she resides. We are blessed and honored to have her pouring into the students at tDA.
Lyrica Valcarcel
Preschool Instructor
Lyrica moved from Sacramento, California in 2021 and has loved making Austin her home ever since. She began dancing at the age of 7 at Elite Studio of Dance, where she trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and modern. Lyrica competed throughout her childhood and teenage years until she entered college.
She chose to deepen her love and understanding of movement by attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she graduated in 2020 with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Dance.
Lyrica is thrilled to be teaching at The Dance Academy and can’t wait to share her passion for movement with you in class!
Kara Hinckley
Preschool Instructor
Kara Hinckley began dancing at age 12 in Utah, training in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education from Utah Valley University, where she trained in Modern and performed with on scholarship with Synergy Dance Company for three years. Her choreography has been presented at university, conference, school, and community performances, and she was selected to help reset Doris Humphrey’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor with Repertory Dance Theater.
Since moving to Texas in 2019, Kara has taught and choreographed for schools and studios throughout the Austin area. She has taught Bollywood dance for the past five years and helped develop a hybrid Jazz and Bollywood competition team that competes locally. Kara is passionate about creating opportunities for dancers to explore diverse styles, develop strong technical foundations, and find their own artistic voices.
Sumangala Varun
Indian Classical Dance Instructor
Sumangala began her Bharatanatyam training in Kerala and continued under esteemed gurus in Udupi and Bangalore, completing her Senior Diploma and Visharad graduation. She holds a Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from Jain University and is a graded dancer with Doordarshan.
She has performed widely across India, the U.S., France, and Switzerland, and has served as both performer and judge in classical dance circles. A Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Sumangala has also taught at Benaka Natya Mandir, Bangalore.
Alongside dance, she holds degrees in Commerce and Journalism, and has worked as a writer, editor, and instructional designer. Her articles have appeared in Narthaki.com, Deccan Herald, and Gokulam.
She is honored to join the Dance Academy faculty and looks forward to working with a team dedicated to artistic excellence.
Season Mendez
Jazz, Ballet & Tap Teacher
Season grew up dancing in the Austin area and is an alumni of The Dance Academy. She received training and competed in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, and hip hop.
After high school, Season moved to Abilene, Texas, where she earned a degree in Finance and continued her passion for dance by teaching and directing a competition team at a local studio. During that time, she earned numerous awards for her choreography.
She is Acrobatic Arts ™️ certified and has continued to gain education and certifications for teaching and coaching children. You may also catch her sitting at the front desk, as she is a part of our office and administration staff!
Grace Morton
Academy Ballet Instructor
Originally from Seattle, WA, Grace received her early training at Dance Fremont under the direction of Vivian Little and Mary Reardon. In 2010, she continued her dance education in Oregon Ballet Theatre’s pre-professional division and joined Ballet Austin TWO in 2012. After joining the company in 2013, Grace has danced principal roles in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Serenade, and Concerto Barocco, and has appeared in works by Jessica Lang, Pontus Lidberg, Lar Lubovitch, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Pam Tanowitz, Septime Webre, Christopher Wheeldon, and many others. She has performed in Stephen Mills’ The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Marzipan), Hamlet (Ophelia), Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project, BELLE / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast (Belle), The Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), POE / A Tale of Madness (Sissy), and Carmina Burana. In the summer of 2019, she performed at the Jacob’s Pillow Opening Gala in Symbiotic Twin, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Grace is currently studying in the LEAP program at Saint Mary’s College in California and has a daughter who keeps her creativity flowing in all areas of her life.
Kelsey Anderson
Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Guest Instructors &
Choreographers
Orlando Canova
Guest Ballet Teacher and Choreographer
Orlando Julius Canova began his ballet training at Anaheim Ballet School before moving to New York City at age 16 to attend the School of American Ballet on a full tuition merit scholarship sponsored by Debbie Allen. He continued his training at Miami City Ballet School before joining The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, first as an Arpino Apprentice and later as a full company member. He also appeared in Robert Altman’s film The Company.
In 2005, Orlando joined Ballet Austin, where he worked with renowned choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Stephen Mills, Nicolo Fonte, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. He retired from Ballet Austin in 2020.
Orlando began teaching in 2004 and later taught upper-level ballet and founded the Men’s Program at Ballet Austin Academy. He has taught at numerous studios throughout Austin and continues to teach both group classes and private lessons. He now resides in New Jersey and is teaching at various studios in the area.
Morgan Stillman
New Jersey Ballet Member and Guest Ballet Teacher
Morgan Stillman began his ballet training with Project Ballet in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and continued his studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He joined Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2014, performing a wide range of principal and soloist roles before joining Ballet Austin in 2017.
At Ballet Austin, Morgan has performed featured and principal roles in works by renowned choreographers including Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, Jessica Lang, Lar Lubovitch, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, George Balanchine, and Christopher Wheeldon. His repertoire includes leading roles in Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, Poe / A Tale of Madness, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and The Firebird.
Morgan has also performed with Kim Robards Dance for over ten seasons, touring nationally, and has appeared with Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, the Naples International Dance Festival, and the National Choreographic Initiative.
Michael Burfield
Nashville Ballet Member and Guest Teacher
Michael, originally from Lubbock, TX, trained at Ballet Lubbock and Lone Star Ballet before earning full scholarships to summer programs at Kansas City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. After high school, he joined Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division, then Ballet Austin, where he spent three seasons performing works by Stephen Mills, including international tours of Light/The Holocaust and Humanity Project.
He later danced with Sarasota Ballet for four years as a Coryphée, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire by Balanchine, Ashton, MacMillan, Wheeldon, and others. Highlights include The Secret Garden, Jewels, Company B, and performances at Jacob’s Pillow and in NYC.
Since 2018, Michael has danced with Nashville Ballet, performing standout roles in Swan Lake, Lucy Negro Redux, Duo Concertante, Romeo and Juliet, and A Streetcar Named Desire.
Studio Administrators
