staff.html

Our staff

Joanna Bennett/Owner & Director - Prior to earning a BA degree from SMU, Ms. Bennett was active not only in SMU's Dance Department productions, but the Theatre Department's as well. With over twenty-five years teaching experience, she began her dance training in Galveston, having taught for local studios in that area as well as being involved in the Galveston Community Theatre. Before becoming the studio's Owner/Director in 1990, she was the previous owner's principal instructor. The studio has been in continuous operation for over forty-five years.

Over the years, Ms. Bennett's students have been scholarship recipients to the Oklahoma City University Dance Department, as well as numerous scholarships from AFGM Dancin', Starlight Productions, Dance Caravan, Break the Floor Productions, Tremaine Dance Conventions, Encore Preforming Arts showcase, Gregg Russell's 3-D Network and the Retter Academy of Dance in Agora Hills, California. Several students have toured as Caravan Kids on summer national tour. In addition, a number of the studio's assistants and competitive level dancers are participants in Hollywood Choreographer Debbie Allen's annual Summer Dance Intensive. Former students are currently serving as dance instructors in Cedar Hill, Georgetown and in Nevada. Many have continued in dance programs and on dance teams at SMU, Texas Tech, A&M, TCU, OCU and Kilgore.

Most recently, 2006 graduate Jenne Nelson was admitted on scholarship to Oklahoma City University as a Dance Major, 2005 graduate Leigh Herrin has performed in Southwest Texas University's 2006 and 2007 Dance Productions, 2007 Senior Amanda Green attended the Retter Academy of Dance Summer Dance Intensive in Los Angeles on full scholarship as well as being selected as a member of the SMU Dance Team. Senior Company member Saxon Wilson was one of fifty dancers attending by invitation the Broadway Dance Center Summer Intensive with Rhonda Miller.

Missie Williams - Having grown up in the studio, Missie began as a teaching assistant while in high school, becoming an instructor while attending UTA. She currently teaches all ages and levels of our students, both Recreational and Competitive Levels. In addition, she coordinates our increasingly popular Summer Dance Camps, " Princess Camp" for Pre-School and Kindergarten and "Diva Camp" for our elementary age dancers. Missie has been an instructor at the studio since 1989.

Sarah Samson - Having received all of her formative training at Stagedoor, Sarah recently obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University. An academic, as well as performance scholarship recipient, she was a member of their nationally recognized program and performed with the acclaimed American Spirit Dance Company. As a student, she was a frequent dance captain and served in roles such as stage manager and assistant stage manager. Sarah was on staff at All That Dance Studio in Moore, Oklahoma for three years where she choreographed several award winning routines for their Junior Company. Her choreography was seen in competitions throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Sarah has also assisted Los Angeles based choreographers Darryl Retter, Rhonda Miller, and Laurie Johnson during master classes held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She was featured in the Sept./2003 issue of Dancer Magazine as an upcoming young dancer in their "In The Spotlight" section. During the summer of 2005, she also studied at the St. Louis Annual Tap Festival. She is credited with our numerous Overall Performance Awards in the Teen and Senior Solo and Duet/Trio Divisions for the past three competition seasons. During the Summer of 2006 and 2007 Sarah's choreography swept the Senior Tap Duet/Trio Category at Tremaine/Dallas, receiving 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. During the 2006 Stage One Nationals, again, her choreography was awarded 1st Place Overall Performance in the Teen Duet/Trio Category. Sarah currently works with our Competition Level Dancers and is taking courses to obtain her secondary teaching certification in dance.

Susan Gilmartin - Like all the faculty, Susan has "grown up" at the studio. She has been an active performer and competitor with our Senior Competition Dancers. Having served as an assistant throughout high school, Susan begins her fourth year as an instructor. She will assist in all levels and teach Kindergarten Level Classes. Susan is a senior Broadcast Major at TCU. A great role model for our younger dancers, parents and students alike were pleased when "Miss Susan" decided to remain "local" for college.

Kim Sprong - Beginning her training at Stagedoor while an elementary school student, Kim quickly became an active member in our Competitive Dance Program. As a Junior Competitor, as well as a Senior Competitor, Kim's class has routinely been awarded Overall Performance Awards. Her 2005-2006 Overall and 1st Place Awards include: Tremaine, Stage One, Fire and Ice & AFGM Dancin'. Kim has been awarded scholarships from Encore Performing Arts Showcase, Fire and Ice Talent Competition and Retter Academy of Dance Summer Intensive.

Assistants

Members of our Teen and Senior Competition groups serve as teacher assistants in most of our classes, providing that "extra help" that is often needed.

	Stagedoor Faculty - Staff
	Our staff Joanna Bennett/Owner & Director - Prior to earning a BA degree from SMU, Ms. Bennett was active not only in SMU's Dance Department productions, but the Theatre Department's as well. With over twenty-five years teaching experience, she began her dance training in Galveston, having taught for local studios in that area as well as being involved in the Galveston Community Theatre. Before becoming the studio's Owner/Director in 1990, she was the previous owner's principal instructor. The studio has been in continuous operation for over forty-five years. Over the years, Ms. Bennett's students have been scholarship recipients to the Oklahoma City University Dance Department, as well as numerous scholarships from AFGM Dancin', Starlight Productions, Dance Caravan, Break the Floor Productions, Tremaine Dance Conventions, Encore Preforming Arts showcase, Gregg Russell's 3-D Network and the Retter Academy of Dance in Agora Hills, California. Several students have toured as Caravan Kids on summer national tour. In addition, a number of the studio's assistants and competitive level dancers are participants in Hollywood Choreographer Debbie Allen's annual Summer Dance Intensive. Former students are currently serving as dance instructors in Cedar Hill, Georgetown and in Nevada. Many have continued in dance programs and on dance teams at SMU, Texas Tech, A&M, TCU, OCU and Kilgore. Most recently, 2006 graduate Jenne Nelson was admitted on scholarship to Oklahoma City University as a Dance Major, 2005 graduate Leigh Herrin has performed in Southwest Texas University's 2006 and 2007 Dance Productions, 2007 Senior Amanda Green attended the Retter Academy of Dance Summer Dance Intensive in Los Angeles on full scholarship as well as being selected as a member of the SMU Dance Team. Senior Company member Saxon Wilson was one of fifty dancers attending by invitation the Broadway Dance Center Summer Intensive with Rhonda Miller. Missie Williams - Having grown up in the studio, Missie began as a teaching assistant while in high school, becoming an instructor while attending UTA. She currently teaches all ages and levels of our students, both Recreational and Competitive Levels. In addition, she coordinates our increasingly popular Summer Dance Camps, " Princess Camp" for Pre-School and Kindergarten and "Diva Camp" for our elementary age dancers. Missie has been an instructor at the studio since 1989. Sarah Samson - Having received all of her formative training at Stagedoor, Sarah recently obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University. An academic, as well as performance scholarship recipient, she was a member of their nationally recognized program and performed with the acclaimed American Spirit Dance Company. As a student, she was a frequent dance captain and served in roles such as stage manager and assistant stage manager. Sarah was on staff at All That Dance Studio in Moore, Oklahoma for three years where she choreographed several award winning routines for their Junior Company. Her choreography was seen in competitions throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Sarah has also assisted Los Angeles based choreographers Darryl Retter, Rhonda Miller, and Laurie Johnson during master classes held in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She was featured in the Sept./2003 issue of Dancer Magazine as an upcoming young dancer in their "In The Spotlight" section. During the summer of 2005, she also studied at the St. Louis Annual Tap Festival. She is credited with our numerous Overall Performance Awards in the Teen and Senior Solo and Duet/Trio Divisions for the past three competition seasons. During the Summer of 2006 and 2007 Sarah's choreography swept the Senior Tap Duet/Trio Category at Tremaine/Dallas, receiving 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. During the 2006 Stage One Nationals, again, her choreography was awarded 1st Place Overall Performance in the Teen Duet/Trio Category. Sarah currently works with our Competition Level Dancers and is taking courses to obtain her secondary teaching certification in dance. Susan Gilmartin - Like all the faculty, Susan has "grown up" at the studio. She has been an active performer and competitor with our Senior Competition Dancers. Having served as an assistant throughout high school, Susan begins her fourth year as an instructor. She will assist in all levels and teach Kindergarten Level Classes. Susan is a senior Broadcast Major at TCU. A great role model for our younger dancers, parents and students alike were pleased when "Miss Susan" decided to remain "local" for college. Kim Sprong - Beginning her training at Stagedoor while an elementary school student, Kim quickly became an active member in our Competitive Dance Program. As a Junior Competitor, as well as a Senior Competitor, Kim's class has routinely been awarded Overall Performance Awards. Her 2005-2006 Overall and 1st Place Awards include: Tremaine, Stage One, Fire and Ice & AFGM Dancin'. Kim has been awarded scholarships from Encore Performing Arts Showcase, Fire and Ice Talent Competition and Retter Academy of Dance Summer Intensive. Assistants Members of our Teen and Senior Competition groups serve as teacher assistants in most of our classes, providing that "extra help" that is often needed.
	In keeping abreast with current trends in dance, all faculty and assistants continue to study throughout the year with various dance organizations such as Tremaine Dance Conventions, L.A. Dance Magic, Al Gilbert Dance Seminars and Encore Performing Arts.

Stagedoor Faculty - Staff

Our staff

Assistants