Owner

Dari has been trained by some of the greatest teachers in the country. She received extensive ballet training from Jo Rowan, a George Balanchine prodigy and Ford Jarrell, who danced in many Fred Astaire movies was her private tap instructor. Dari also studied in Los Angeles with Joe Tremaine, Katherine Knapp and Roland Dupree. She has danced professionally in almost every venue. Through regular trips to New York’s most prestigious dance studios on Broadway, Dari ensures her students receive the most up-to-date choreography and instruction. Dari is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and has performed with Vic Damone, Reba McEntire and other celebrities. Her career also includes performing in music videos, a member of the American Spirit Dance Company, the Dance Artists of Tulsa, and has performed on stage and television across the United States and Canada. Dari also co-hosted the television show “Star Shine”, a program to offer young performers an opportunity to showcase their talents.

I’m very excited to bring Tagir into the studio. He graduated with honors from N. Chelny College of Arts in Russia as an artist of ensemble (classic ballet, character dance, modern dance). From 2010 to present Tagir studied in Moscow State University of Arts and Culture in ballet, character dance and acrobatics. He was a soloist in the Russian National Theatre ‘Golden Ring’ touring Russia, Germany, France, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. He was also a member of the Russian National Ballet Theatre. He is very enthusiastic to bring his knowledge and skills to the U.S.

Preschool, Baton Twirling & Heart & Sole. Chere has had a love of dance and twirling for many years. She has experience in ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, cheer and twirling. She was a feature twirler and head cheerleader in high school and a competitive twirler for 7 years as a soloist and as a member of the USTA Orange Blossoms Twirl Team. She has competed in many twirling pageants and won numerous awards. Chere was also a finalist in the Miss Black Oklahoma State University Pageant with a combination dance and twirl number as her talent. She has taught baton twirling at MDA for 3 years and this past year began teaching PreCombo, and Heart & Sole dance class. Chere is excited to introduce the excitement of dance to the little ones!

Children’s Ballet, Tap & Hip Hop

Theresa begins her 8th year as a teacher at MDA and is very passionate about seeing her dancers improve throughout the year. She has studied all forms of dance, including drill team in middle and high school. Theresa also taught jazz and drill team in Beeville, Tx Before moving to McKinney. Some of her extensive training includes aerobics, yoga and personal fitness. Her daughter Alena, has received regional and national honors as a dancer.

Advanced Tap
Texas Tap Legend 2010

Terry WolterWe are very excited to welcome back Terry for her 5th year at MDA. She is certified by Dance Educaters of America & has taught for Dance Masters of America. At Ursuline Academy, Terry created and directed the dance department. She is the founder and artistic director of “The Rhythm Junkies”, has instructed at the Hocaday School for 8 years and is the former owner of Dance Traxx. Her resume includes 20 years heading the Tap Department for Buster Coopers Studios, judging national competitions, and serving as an executive board member of the National Tap Dance Day & the Dallas Dance Council. She has choreographed numerous pageants, Theater Three, & Dallas Theater Center performances.

Fabienne has been with MDA for seven years. Her enthusiasm for teaching and her wonderful choreography abilities make her a favorite for our little dancers. Trained in ballet,tap, jazz & modern, she began dancing at age 4 through her teen years in Amiens, France and master classes in Paris. Her passion is seeing her students grow into beautiful dancers.

Tap & Hip Hop

Jessi begins her 15th year as a student and her 5th year as the beginner/intermediate tap and hip hop teacher at MDA. She has taken all forms of dance: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Music Theatre, and Tumbling. Jessi has also been a member of the competitive team, Elm Street Dancers, since the age of 7 winning numerous overall awards at various regional and national competitions. She was also a featured dancer at the National Showstopper American Dance Championships televised in Myrtle Beach, SC. Jessi has also studied with Tap Kids for two summer intensives in New York with top tap masters across the country. In her “free” time, Jessi studies acting for film and takes voice lessons. She travels to Los Angeles regularly for auditions and has been fortunate to be in several commercials, industrials, and voiceover projects. She was also a guest star in an episode of Saving Grace and appeared on three episodes of Barney. Jessi is definitely passionate about the entertainment industry! And she is excited to share that passion with children at MDA!

Int./Adv. Ballet, Lyrical & Jazz

We are honored to add Ms. Kimberley to our staff this year. She has extensive ballet training in Vaganova and Cecchetti styles. She also has in-depth training in jazz, lyrical , theater jazz, tap, contemporary and modern. Kimberley has 14 years professional dance experience including 16 contracts in a wide range of venues including the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team. She brings a happy, healthy learning environment to students of all ages so that their knowledge and dance experience continues to improve through technique, style, ability, and love of dance.

Adv. Hip Hop & Competition

Pamela has a passion for all genres of dance, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and Liturgical are her fortes. She is currently an instructor Hip Hop Heels of Dallas and Nike Rockstar. Pamela was a Dallas Desperados Dancer, Dallas Cowboys Arena Football League. Also she has performed in various events such as the BET Soul Train Awards, Avon FM, American Heart Association, MLS National Soccer Championship, NHL Season Opening, Move to Groove Ball, The Official NFL Superbowl Party, House of Blues featuring Drake, Dallas Hip Hop Festival, eWomen Network, and several world-wide company Industrial Shows. We are thrilled to have Pamela on the MDA staff! (Photo coming soon)