The RDA Team
Meet our 2024-2025 Teaching staff
Emily Hatch
Owner I Company Director I Nutcracker Director I Instructor
Currently Teaching: Acro, Ballet, Company, Primary Classes
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Several Lead Roles in Ballet Productions such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella & More
-
Former Company Member at Boni’s En Toure
-
Cheerleading Captain at The Woodland’s Christian Academy
-
Upon Graduating, Emily Attended Baylor University Pursuing both Cheerleading & Dance
-
Received her degree In both Entrepreneurship and Dance
-
As cheerleading captain, lead her team at the Women’s NCAA Final Four, the Men’s NCAA Elite Eight and the Texas Bowl
-
Worked at Joy’s School of Dance throughout her College Years
-
Upon Graduating from Baylor, continued teaching in San Antonio at Heather Stole’s School of Dance and then Frisco Dance Studio where she also became a Company Instructor, with award winning choreography
-
Emily opened Rockwall Dance Academy in 2016, alongside her Husband - Scott Hatch
Tori Carney
technique director I Choreographer & instructor
Currently Teaching: Technique, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Company, Tap I Instructor at RDA since 2017
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Grew up dancing in various styles and competing on competitive dance teams
-
In High School, was a Rockwall-Heath Highstepper and became the Captain of the Highsteppers her Senior Year
-
After Graduating high school, she became a member of one of the biggest Dance/Drill Team Corporations in the US: American Dance/Drill Team School.
-
Has also worked alongside drill teams in Rockwall, such as the Highsteppers and Starsteppers, providing basic instruction, choreographing and polishing field and contest dances
-
Graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelors in Performing Arts in Dance Performance
-
Has worked with Disney Cruise Lines aboard the Disney Fantasy
Alexi Grant
Company Administrator I Choreographer & instructor I Tap Director
Currently Teaching: Tap and Company I Instructor at RDA since 2018
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Grew up dancing at Steps A Dance Studio, Chamberlain School of Ballet, The Ballet Conservatory and Dance Industry Performing Arts Center
-
Has performed various roles with the Moscow Russian Ballet from 2008-2010
-
In High School, earned a position on Dallas' Drawbacks Youth Tap Ensemble under Katelyn Harris and Keira Leverton. As a member of DYTE, performed at various events such as National Tap Dance Day, Plane Dance Festival, Dance for the Planet and Good Morning Texas. Traveled to participate in tap festivals such as Soul to Sole, Third Cost Rhythm Project and Chicago Human Rhythm Project
-
Became a member of the Dallas Christian Chargerettes drill team and was recognized as an All-American Dancer in 2011 and 2012 by the American Drill Team Association.
-
Has been teaching dance since her Senior year of High School
-
Graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Communication Sciences & Disorders in order to pursue a career as a Speech Pathologist. She also obtained a minor in Dance and Child & Family Studies.
-
Alexi was the inaugural winner of Farmersville's Got Talent in 2021.
Mackenzie Bartlett
Ballet Director I Choreographer & instructor
Currently Teaching: Ballet, Primary Classes, Adult Ballet and Pointe I Instructor at RDA since 2022
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Began her training at Valentina Barsukova - building her classical background and technique through participation in several programs: The Kirov Academy (Washington DC), Bolshoi Ballet (NYC), A&A Ballet (Chicago) and Ballet West (Salt Lake City).
-
Following Ballet West’s 2017 season, she joined the Company as a trainee for 3 seasons.
-
Was hired into Ballet West II in 2020.
-
Highlights in her career include: Performing as the 4th Movement Principal in Balanchine’s Western Symphony, 1st Variation Soloist in Swan Lake Pas de Trios, Spring Fairy and Fairy Godmother in Pam Robinson’s Cinderella.
-
She also performed with Ballet West in several full length productions including: Michael Smuin’s Romeo and Juliet, Adam Sklute’s Giselle, Williams Christensen’s The Nutcracker, Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella and Jerome Robin’s Glass Pieces
-
She is a Current Company Member of the Avant Chamber Ballet
Kylie grigar
Primary Class Director I Choreographer & instructor
Currently Teaching: Ballet, Primary Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyr/Cont and Technique I Instructor at RDA since 2021
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Originally from Friendswood, TX where she began taking dance classes at a local studio when she was about 8yrs old.
-
She later worked at the studio as a teacher and assistant company director.
-
In 2020, she graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies.
-
She was a pre-k teacher before deciding to teach dance full-time.
-
Has worked as a teacher, choreographer, and company director for various studios around the DFW area for the past 4 years
.jpg)
Ani vera
Company choreographer & Instructor
Currently Teaching: Hip Hop I Instructor at RDA since 2024
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Ani is from Laredo, Tx and has been performing for over 30 years in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Salsa, Hip Hop & Musical Theatre
-
She graduated from Vidal M. Trevino School of Fine Arts and continued her education Texas A&M International University
-
After dancing collegiately, her professional career led her to dance for artists such as Will Smith, Thalia, Frankie J, Bryan Adams, Aquile and Selena Gomez.
-
She is a former NBA San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer, performed for the Dallas Cowboys and has toured the U.S and Canada with the C&C Productions.
-
Her theatrical training has landed her roles/choreography in productions with Project X Theater, Kitchen Dog, Theater 3 and Dallas Theater Centre.
-
She has become a well known name in the competitive gymnastics community as an award winning choreographer.
-
After a tour with Groove Dance Competition last year, she decided to get back into the dance studio and focus on dancers again. She is very excited to be back in the world she grew up in.
Abigail Jenkins
Choreographer & instructor I Nutcracker
Currently Teaching: Ballet & Tap I Instructor at RDA since 2017
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Began training in classical ballet under Judy & Brent Klophenstein in Dallas Ballet Center where she was a member of the Dallas Ballet Company.
-
After high school, studied jazz, modern and contemporary at Dallas College and became a trainee with Light of the World Christian Ballet in Syracuse, New York
-
There she studied ballet teaching, vocabulary, choreography, performance and dancer anatomy.
-
Began teaching at RDA in 2016 as a ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz instructor
-
Highest goal is teaching dancers confidence in self-expression and great reward of hard work
-
Currently a 3rd grade teacher at Amy Parks Elementary School in Heath, Tx
Raina Lopez
Choreographer & instructor I Dance Fitness I Dance Crew
Currently Teaching: Tap, Hip Hop and Dance Crew I Instructor at RDA since 2016
​
Education & Career Highlights
-
Has experience in dance, cheerleading, musical theater and fitness
-
Has choreographed for musicals such as Annie, Oklahoma, Grease, West Side Story and Shrek for local Theaters and Schools. Has also performed and choreographed for Rockwall Community Playhouse.
-
Has been teaching kids classes and adult cardio classes for 17 years
-
Has a degree in early childhood and special education from Texas Tech University
-
Member of “Mom Crew” here in DFW, a hip hop dance team for years, a performance hip hop team comprised of moms of all ages. With "Mom Crew", she has danced on So You Think You Can Dance (televised), World of Dance Championship in LA, New Kids on the Block Concert and more.
-
Has danced for 2 years with Solidify Dance Company, a lyrical praise team.
Becca Downs
Primary Class Instructor
Currently Teaching: Primary Classes I Instructor at RDA since 2023
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Has teaching experience since 2005 at various dance studios
-
Received a Bachelors of Arts (Dance) from Brigham Young University
-
Member, Officer and Choreographer for BYU’s dancEnsemble, performer and teacher for BYU’s Kinnect - a dance education outreach company
-
Dancer department scholarship recipient
-
Performed and Studied Abroad in Russia and China
Kenzie Jones
Ballet Instructor & Choreographer
Currently Teaching: Ballet and Pointe I Instructor at RDA since 2022
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Classically training since the age of 7, with Emerald Ballet Theater
-
Continued ballet training with Evergreen City Ballet, choreographing several pieces and acted as a student representative on the Board of Directors
-
Trained with Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz, former principals with Pacific Northwest Ballet
-
She has competed in Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) many times, placing third in classical pre-competitive age division and second and first in the Pas De Deux category, top 12 in the junior classical and contemporary categories and top 12 in the senior classical and contemporary categories.
-
Competed in the New York City finals for 4 years
-
Attended summer programs with Ballet West and American Ballet Theater in New York and Florida
-
Going into her 4th season as a company dancer for Ballet North Texas
Amy Lutes
Instructor
Currently Teaching: Drill Team Technique and Prep I Instructor at RDA since 2023
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Has been dancing since the age of 5
-
Attended Rockwall High School where she was a two year Captain of the RHS’s Stingerettes and a three year member of their elite dance team
-
Attended Kilgore College and danced as a World Famous Kilgore College Rangerette on the 67th line
-
During her time as a Rangerette, she performed in places such as New York, Connecticut, the Indianapolis 500, Dallas Cowboys games and the Cotton Bowl
-
Following Kilgore, she attended Texas Woman’s University where she earned her B.A. in English and Secondary Education
-
Assistant Director for the RHS’s Stingerettes for 6 years, where she also served as the JV Drill Team Director
-
Amy pursued her Master’s degree in School Counseling and currently works as a high school counselor
Contessa Barron
Student Instructor & Choreographer
Currently Teaching: Ballet I Instructor at RDA since 2022
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Contessa has studied dance for 13 year and is a current student at RDA
-
Has been a student assistant for 4 years and became an official Student Instructor for our 22/23 dance season
-
Began dancing at Grace Studio in Kaiserslautern, Germany and continued her studies at summer programs including Interlochen Arts Academy and Joffrey Ballet Schools.
-
Has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix and Reflections student choreography competitions.
-
Currently member of RDA’s BCPP Program under the training of Margot Martin
-
Has received lead roles in RDA’s production of The Nutcracker such as: Clara, Snow Queen, Dew Drop Fairy and Arabian
Ashley Reeves
Tiny Tots Instructor
Currently Teaching: Tiny Tots I Instructor at RDA since 2022
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Represented actress with the Cults Agency
-
Has been involved with he theatre and stage performance for over 25 years
-
Has performed and/or competed on various stages in the Los Angeles, New York and Dallas Area
-
Background in child education and lifelong experience in musical theatre
Rachael Kovar
Choreographer & instructor
Currently Teaching: Jazz I Instructor at RDA since 2021
​
Education & Career Highlights​
-
Growing up, danced at Joy Sharp School of Dance in Mesquite, Tx and Dance Force in Rockwall, Tx. Took Jazz, Tap and Ballet classes as well as Baton. She was a cheerleader in Middle School before becoming a Jacketbabe at Rockwall High School her freshman year.
-
Was an RHS Stingerette throughout High School. While a member of the Stingerettes, she was named "Miss High Kick" and danced on their competitive dance team.
-
Danced in her Sorority’s “Sing” where she served as “Sing Chair”, helping choreograph dances
-
Continued dancing while at Baylor University. She graduated from Baylor with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and is currently working as an SLP-A in Forney ISD.
Makayla Bartis
Choreographer & instructor
-
Current RDA Student Teacher - 7 years of Company
-
Cast in the Nutcracker with lead roles such as Clara, Arabian, and soon to be Snow Queen
-
Also a member of the BCPP here at RDA and will be competing a ballet variation this season at YAGP and ADC-IBC.
-
Junior in high school, and also a full-time (12 credit hr) college student through Southeastern University (SEU)’s online curriculum and earning an associates degree.
-
I consistently volunteer in the youth ministry at my church, have subbed and assisted classes at RDA, and babysit often.
-
I aspire to perform and teach dance in college and throughout my future career. I am so excited for the opportunity to teach classes RDA this year!!!
The RDA Team
Meet our Office staff
Madi bowen
office Manager
Lisa Backs
Front Desk
Jewel Latham
Marketing
Michaelle Carney
Front Desk