The RDA Team

Meet our 2025-2026 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 Lear

Program 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 Director 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 Oborny

BCPP 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

Stephanie Eggers

Choreographer & instructor

Currently Teaching: Ballet, Pointe, Primary Classes, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary I Instructor at RDA since 2025

Education & Career Highlights

Originally from Kildeer, IL. Grew up dancing at Barrington Dance Academy as well as attending Summer programs with Chicago Repertory Ballet, Ballet West and Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet.
Graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 with a BFA in Ballet Performance, BS in Biology with Honors and a Minor in Psychology.
While at OU, she performed in works including Falling Angels by Jiří Kylián, in Sleeping Beauty's Pas de Trios, Near Light by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Viva Vivaldi by Gerald Arpino, Signature by Price Suddarth, the Doll in William Christensen's The Nutcracker and I Rise by Amy Hall Garner.
Danced as a soloist in Ballet Vermont's Farm to Ballet Project in 2021 and as a principal in 2022.
While in Vermont, also the lead counselor in several ballet camps for Ballet Vermont and Spotlight Vermont Dance Studio.
After graduating, Stephanie danced with Ballet Quad Cities for two seasons and taught various dance styles at the Bettendorf Family Museum. Performed with Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance in Heather Maloy's world premiere of her Cleopatra in 2023.
Since moving to Dallas, has performed with Ballet Papillon, National Ballet of Texas, as a guest artist with the Movement Academy and Denton Ballet Academy and in the 2025 Seeds Concert by the Agora Artists.

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 Davis

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

Kenna McLaughlin

Instructor & Choreographer

Currently Teaching: Hip Hop, Technique, Drill Technique, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary I Instructor at RDA since 2025

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

Christina Papavassiliou

Instructor & Choreographer

Currently Teaching: Ballet and Pointe I Instructor at RDA since 2025

Education & Career Highlights

Originally from Buffalo, New York, started dancing under the direction of Maris Battaglia and then continued under Marcia Dale Weary at Central Pennsylvania Youth Baller.
During her early training years, she danced at several summer intensives including Charlotte Ballet, Kirov Academy of Ballet and Nashville Ballet.
Then went to Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana to continue her dance training and graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance.
While at Butler, she had the opportunity to perform in several ballets including Balanchine's Serenade, Giselle, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.
Currently dancing in her third season with Ballet North Texas as an apprentice.

Anna Vaughan

Instructor & Choreographer

Currently Teaching: Technique, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary I Instructor at RDA since 2025

Education & Career Highlights

Originally from Kansas City and attended Oklahoma City University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Performing Arts for Dance Performance.
After graduating, was hired to be a dancer of the Mary Kay National Seminars for 5 contracts.
From there, she went on to dance for companies such as Southwest Airlines, Taco Bell, Norwex, DIFFA and Lorna Jane Activewear. You can find Anna in a national commercial for Gold's Gym and dancing in a Chuck E. Cheese commercial.
When Anna is not performing, she spends her time passing on her passion for dance to the younger generation.
She has been awarded Outstanding Choreographer for one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, YAGP, and many other specialty awards.
She loves being able to help her students excel and grow in their crafts and hope to prepare them for the industry the best she can. Anna looks forward to being back in Texas and getting to dance with you!

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.

Student Instructors

Meet our Wonderful Student Teachers

Makayla Bartis

Student Instructor

Current RDA Student Teacher - 8 years of Company
Cast in the Nutcracker with lead roles such as Clara, Arabian, Snow Queen & soon to be Sugar Plum!
Also a member of the BCPP here at RDA and will be competing a ballet variation this season at YAGP and ADC-IBC.
Senior 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!!!

Kaley Kuykendall

Student Instructor

Current RDA Student Teacher - 5th Year of Company and 6th Year of Nutcracker.
Favorite Roles to play from the Nutcracker have been Clara and Arabian and is so excited to cast as the Snow Queen in RDA's 2025 Nutcracker!
Have choreographed and participated in musicals with Rockwall Community Playhouse and their Star Players program.
Last year, competed "Esmeralda's Entrance" through RDA's BCPP program and excited to compete at YAGP and ADC-IBC this season.
Junior in High School as a homeschool student attending Classical Conversations and COACH Rockwall co-ops.
Hopes to have a professional dance career one day and to continue teaching & performing.

The RDA Team

Meet our Office Staff

Madi Bowen

Studio Manager

Jewel Latham

Marketing

Lisa Backs

Front Desk

Michaelle Carney

Front Desk