STAFF
STAFF
Melanie Newell
Founder & Co-Owner
Melanie Newell is the founding owner of Dance Dynamics established in 1997. She danced in her first dance recital at the age of 2.5 years old, in Greenville, Mississippi. Melanie studied ballet, tap, jazz, and acro for 16 years under Almyra and Jack Jackson. Almyra’s Broadway style of tap and jazz developed during her professional career in New York as a “June Taylor” dancer. Melanie also trained in gymnastics through high school, developing her skills on the apparatus as well as tumbling on the floor. She honed in on her flexibility in acro to master contortionist movement, and enjoyed performing her skills! Melanie attended Hinds Jr. College and was a member of the highly acclaimed “Hinds Hi-Steppers”, under the direction of the legendary Mrs. Anna Bee, one of the first drill teams known for their precision established in the U.S. Melanie continued her ballet training, taking class through her young adulthood at the professional company of Ballet Mississippi and The Jackson Ballet. Melanie also taught the sport of gymnastics for 12 years in Mississippi and in Texas in addition to teaching dance since 1990. Melanie’s team and solo choreography has won numerous National titles with Dance Dynamics over a 20 year span.
Lauren Martin
Co-Owner & Director
Lauren Martin has been the proud Co-Owner of Dance Dynamics since 2001, after graduating as an alumni dancer at DD. Over the years, she has invested her time in growing the program into one of the nations top award winning studios. In addition to running the studio and co-coaching the Worlds Teams, she is highly involved in the All-Star Dance industry. She is a USASF Connection Leader, Peer to Peer mentor, and serves on multiple United States All Star Federation advisory boards. One of her greatest accomplishments is, at the 2017 Dance Worlds, she was awarded Program Owner of the year, alongside Melanie Newell. As she enters her 27th season, she looks forward to serving the students, coaches and parents of Dance Dynamics to make it the best season yet.
Heather Drake
Worlds Team Coach
Administrative Assistant
Heather has been with Dance Dynamics since 2014 and shares over 20 years of coaching experience with our teams from the tiny age group through seniors. Heather started dancing at a young age at studios in the Spring area. She was a member of the Spring High School Starlettes where she served as the Major. After graduating high school, she became a member of The World-Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes where she had the privilege to perform for former Presidents, dance at the Cotton Bowl Halftime, travel to Singapore for the Chingay New Year Celebration, and many more prestigious performances. After her time at Kilgore, Heather went on to become a member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Pom Squad where they took home the title of NDA Collegiate National Champions. She served as Captain of the Pom Squad her second year and then became the Coach for two years. Heather taught at a competitive studio in the Spring area for 9 years and is the former co-owner of Fierce Dance Company. Heather’s routines have won numerous regional and national titles over the years in both the team and solo divisions. Her most recent accomplishment includes choreographing and coaching the Dance Dynamics Senior Large Pom Team to the Bronze Medal at The Dance Worlds 2021. Heather believes in a solid work ethic and is looking forward to continuing to build strong dancers and teams for our program.
Noa Tumpkin
Worlds Team Coach
Creative Director
Noa received his formal dance training from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale MI. Upon graduation, he has danced for Columbia City Ballet (SC), Washington Reflections (DC) and Bowen McCauley Dance (MD). He most recently danced for The Houston Metropolitan Dance Company (MetDance) for five seasons, where he trained in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap styles and worked with a wide array of choreographers which he feels has shaped his movement vocabulary immensely. Noa is currently entering his 10th year teaching at Dance Dynamics currently as Creative Director. Noa’s choreography has received many NATIONAL and WORLD titles and was named WORLD CHAMPION in 2016 and 2017. Through the USASF, Noa has sat on the RAB and currently sits on the NAB as the SW regional representative. Noa most recently became the Florida State University’s (FSU) Nationals Choreographer for the Jazz Division, where they were awarded 6th place ranking at Universal Dance Association (UDA) College Nationals in 2020 and 2nd in 2021 (Virtually). He has also worked with other dance teams across the country including Texas Tech Pom Squad, University of Pittsburgh, University of North Texas, Sam Houston State University and most recently Texas A&M.
genene wallis-mcgrath
director of ballet
Genene (she/her) is originally from Philadelphia, PA and is a founding member of Houston Contemporary, where she is currently dancing and performing. She graduated with a BA in dance from Point Park University. Genene has over fifteen years of concert dance experience working with companies such as Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and Met Dance. She is also the Studio and Education Director at the Institute of Contemporary Dance. Genene loves working with the dancers of Dance Dynamics and is looking forward to a great third season!
Devon Sells
college recruitment coordinator
Devon Sells is a choreographer in Houston, Texas with an extensive background in the competitive dance world. Her dance training began at a young age in the North Texas area at her home studio Dancer’s Studio Etc. She also studied at Dallas Black Dance Academy on scholarship for Jazz and Modern. She has had the opportunity to dance alongside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for performances with artists such as Toby Keith, Leanne Rhimes, Destiny’s Child, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood. She would later attend LSU, where she was a member of the LSU Tiger Girls and on the 2010 UDA College Hip Hop IA National Championship Team. She furthered her hip hop studies by attending Monsters of Hip Hop Dance Conventions where she received several scholarships and was chosen to dance background for Drake during a private Super Bowl performance, and Janelle Monae for a Texas Lotto Commercial. Currently Devon is the Elite Hip Hop coach at Dance Dynamics in Spring, Texas. She also teaches jazz, contemporary, and technique across the metroplex. She continues to choreograph pom, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary/lyrical dances for studios and drill teams across the United States.
brigitte labarrett geary
director of technical education
Brigitte LaBarrett Geary is originally from Allentown, PA, training and dancing with Joffrey Ballet School, First State Ballet Theater, Ballet Austin, Ballet Manila, Joffrey Ballet, Suzanne Farrell Ballet and The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. She had the opportunity to train closely under the late Gerald Arpino, Victor Wesley and John Magnus, along with Konstantin Kolotov, Christopher Fleming, Pasha Kambalov, and Suzanne Farrell.
After dancing with the Trainee company with Joffrey Ballet School and training for her teaching certification, Brigitte has gone on to teach at professional schools around the country, focusing on injury prevention, utilizing Cechetti, Joffrey and Vaganova methods. Brigitte has performed in many classical, neoclassical and Latin based works, as well as musical theater and off Broadway productions. Brigitte is an alumni of St. John's University in Queens, NY, studying in Business Law & Kinesiology. She is also a trained Barre and Spin instructor, along with certifications in Pilates, Progressive Ballet Technique, Nutrition and Personal Training.
As a former Studio Owner of CSQUARED, the Classical & Contemporary Movement Project, she now calls Dance Dynamics home and continues to teach across Texas. Brigitte focuses on giving her students an appreciation for technique and artistry, along with encouraging diversity and passion for all genres of dance. She also specializes in cross training, injury prevention and rehabilitation exercises for dancers. Her students have gone on to dance professionally around the world in ballet and dance companies, receiving scholarships to esteemed training programs, college dance programs and conservatories, as well as Collegiate and professional dance teams. Brigitte instructs Ballet, Pre Pointe & Pointe training, Strength and Conditioning, Jazz, Leaps & Turns, as well as consulting and mentoring in dance post high school pathways, cross training for dance and nutrition, continuing her goal of creating longevity and diversity in dancer education.
Melissa Powell
Tiny Team Director
Shining Stars
Melissa Powell has been with Dance Dynamics since 2007. She coaches our Tiny Teams and Exceptional Athlete dancers. Melissa received her degree in special education but always had a passion for the arts and has worked with drill teams, dance teams, color-guards, show choirs and musical theater groups for over 25 years. Her most recent accolades include our Tiny Team bringing home 2 National Titles from NDA in pom and lyrical as well as a National Title in Pom from Stage 8 Nationals.
As the coach of our DanceAbilities team, Shining Stars, Melissa has grown the program to include both a recreational class as well as a competitive team. In 2018, our Shining Stars earned an at-large bid to attend The Dance Worlds in Orlando Florida. Over the years Mrs. Melissa’s fondest memories include the “drive-in movie” Tiny Team party, “Ghouls just wanna have fun” Halloween event, Cupid’s Diner-father daughter dance class and of course all of her nicknames… “Ms Kissa, Ms Mawissa, Ms Alisa”. Melissa is not only a coach, but she was a Dance Dynamics dance mom as well. Her daughter danced at DD from age 8 through high school and continued her dance journey with Aggie Dance Team. Mrs. Melissa bleeds pink and zebra and loves getting to share her LOVE for dance with everyone involved!
Tiffany Ortego
Tiny Team Director
Shining Stars Assistant
Tiffany Ortego has been in the dance industry her entire life. From Derrick dolls to Klein Oak Strutters, all the way to being a University of Houston Cougar Doll for four years. After college, she went on to teaching and eventually owning her own studio until she gave it up to be a mother to her six kids. When her two daughters started at Dance Dynamics in 2011, she got the opportunity to become a staff member, and have been working with the Tiny Team and The Shining Stars ever since!
Jenny Allen
Worlds Team Coach
Jenny Allen has been with Dance Dynamics since 1998! She graduated from Sam Houston State University where she danced on the National champions orange pride dance team for 4 years. Jenny is the coach for the jazz teams at Dance Dynamics for the mini, youth, junior, and seniors age groups and has brought home numerous choreography awards, national championship titles, and world titles and choreographed our 2017 World Champion Senior Large Jazz routine. In 202, she coached and choreographed several undefeated teams including mini elite jazz, youth small jazz, and junior jazz. Her greatest accomplishment however is being the favorite teacher at Dance Dynamics! She absolutely loves being a part of this studio and getting to work with the most amazing staff and coaches who are dedicated and love what they do! Jenny recently celebrated winning the 2023 Worlds Jazz Champion, as well as 25 years at Dance Dynamics.
Lisa Wolff
Worlds Team Coach
Lisa grew up dancing competitively and was the captain of her high school drill team. She was awarded Miss Dance of Oklahoma from Dance Masters of America in 2003. Lisa earned her Bachelor's Degree from Oklahoma City University in Performing Arts as well as toured with the American Spirit Dance Company domestically and internationally. After graduating she performed multiple seasons at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, and around the Eastern Caribbean while sailing on a Holland America Cruise Ship. Lisa moved to Texas in 2007 and performed with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company for seven seasons. She has been an instructor at Dance Dynamics since 2010, and her dances have been awarded the prestigious title of World Champion at The Dance Worlds three times, most recently in 2023.
Christine Rodriguez
Team Coach
Christine has coached at Dance Dynamics since 1997, the first year of their existence. She has choreographed for soloists, ensembles, and teams over these years leading them to numerous national titles in the areas of jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pom, and hip-hop. From 2003-2005, Christine was an NFL cheerleader where she performed with Clay Walker, Chingy, Kelis, and in the 2004 SuperBowl halftime performance on stage with Kid Rock. As of 2021, she reestablished herself in the NFL world as Cheerleader Program Associate for the Houston Texans.
Madison Ortego
Team Coach
Madison Ortego has been with Dance Dynamics since 2008! She was a dancer on the Senior Worlds Team for 5 years and won 4 World Champion Titles with her team. Her love for teaching began when she was a freshman in high school, where she was given the opportunity to assist the younger age groups. She graduated high school with her Cosmetology license and since then has enjoyed doing hair and teaching dance!
Whitney Ballay
Tumbling Coach
Whitney Ballay has an extensive background in dance as well as Gymnastics, Cheerleading and Acro. Whitney was the Texas All-Around State Champion in her division of Gymnastics at the age of 13. Whitney also won numerous National solo Championship titles throughout her dance career from the time she was 10 years old, until she graduated high school.
Whitney teaches Acro along with dance technique, flexibility and strength and conditioning training. Whitney was also a cheerleader from 7th grade -12th grade when she graduated from The Woodlands High School. Whitney won numerous UCA and NCA All-American cheer titles and now teaches private lessons in cheer technique, such as Jumps, Motions, voice projection, and cleans cheers, chants and dances, along with tumbling.
Selinda Castillo Pursley
Tumbling Coach
Selinda Pursley has been coaching at Dance Dynamics since 2015. She has an extensive background in gymnastics, tumbling and Acro. Selinda started gymnastics at the age of 3, becoming a competitive gymnast at the age of 6. During her 8 years competing in the sport, she won numerous state, regional and national titles. Her passion for the sport has led her to coaching gymnastics and tumbling over 20 years now. During her years of coaching, she has taught preschool age gymnastics, developmental gymnastics, tumbling and upper level competitive gymnastics. She has had the privilege of coaching many talented gymnasts to state, regional and national competitions. Her tumbling and gymnastics background has also allowed her to work with many dancers over the past 10 years helping them develop and perfect their Acro skills.
sarah garcia
Team Coach
Originally from Killeen, TX, Sarah Garcia grew up dancing competitively and was a member of the Harker Heights High School Crimson Belle drill team. Continuing her dance education after high school, Sarah was a four year member of the Sam Houston State University Orange Pride Dance Team serving as the Captain for her last two years. With her Bachelor's degree in Health and Kinesiology from Sam Houston, Sarah began her collegiate coaching journey in 2009. Similarly, in 2010, Sarah began choreographing and coaching the Nationally ranked Dancin Bluebonnets in Spring, TX. Before moving home to be closer to her family, Sarah led the Orange Pride Dance team to 4 NDA College National Championship titles. While in Killeen, Sarah served as the assistant director at Killeen High School for two years. Simultaneously reuniting with the Orange Pride Dance team and the Dancin Bluebonnet staff as a Senior coach and choreographer, Sarah has led both groups to numerous National and World Titles. Sarah is beginning her 12th season as the Coach of the Orange Pride Dance team, earning 11 NDA National Championship Titles in Jazz and Team Performance. Sharing her joy of dance with many former students, Sarah treasures watching their careers flourish as Drill Team Directors, Studio Owners/Staff members, and Professional Dancers. She has had the privilege of being on staff with TrendSetters Dance as a Senior Staff Member and is now the Artistic Director. Sarah was the 2023 All-Stare choreographer for Texas Dance Educators Association, where she choreographed and set a routine on more than 300 top officers from across the state. With the support of her loving husband Joey, and their two beautiful children Scarlett and Joey Jr., Sarah is blessed to share her passion for dance with students and directors throughout the state.
mandy haring
TEAM COACH
Mandy is a Houston native, that loves sharing her passion for dance across Texas. As a child, she was a former Jr. Olympic Gymnast & spent many summers at Broadway Dance Center & Joffrey Ballet School. While majoring in Dance at the University of Texas at Austin she also danced with Ballet Austin & the San Antonio Silver Spur Dancers. She owned a very successful dance studio & National Champion competition team for 15 years. Her dancers have gone on to be Texan Cheerleaders, Rocket Power Dancers, Pulse Proteges, competitors on SYTYCD & members of numerous professional dance companies & college teams. Mandy worked at an All-Star studio for 4 years & fell in love with the USASF All-Star style. During her time there, Mandy had three teams awarded National Champions at the Dance Summit in the contemporary & jazz categories She is so excited to continue this journey as a part of the Dance Dynamics coaching staff!
Mandy is the proud director of iMpact Dance & Acro events & travels throughout Texas choreographing & consulting for school dance teams & dance studios alike. She's choreographed many National Champion dances & always pushes the envelope when incorporating props & storylines in her pieces. She is thrilled to start a new chapter with Dance Dynamics & share her passion with the DD family!
NAtalie stavinoha st.laurent
Team Coach
Natalie grew up in All-Star World, competing in both cheer and dance. She danced in the 3rd-ever Dance Worlds in 2009. Natalie was an athlete with Victory Vipers, where she started coaching as a teenager and later took over and directed the dance program. In 2017, she went on to open her own studio, Imperial Athletics. While owning and directing Imperial Athletics, her teams achieved countless awards, including 2 World Championship titles, 4 Summit Championship titles, and 10 NDA Championship titles. Natalie recently made the decision to close her studio after having her first child last year. While she is retiring as an owner, she is thrilled to enjoy her love of coaching again. She has a highly competitive spirit and especially enjoys pushing creative boundaries, instilling drive into the athletes she works with, and has a deep love for the hip-hop style