MARGO SMOLIK Studio Manager
is a Houston-based dance artist with over two decades of training. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Houston and furthered her Contemporary practice abroad in Paris, France in 2024. Margo has performed with Mezclada under the direction of Joel Aguilera, 6 Degrees under the direction of Toni Valle, The Lockin’ Keez under the direction of Brenden Winkfield, and Rivkah French Choreography under the direction of Rivkah French. She has also had the privilege of working collaboratively with Solero Flamenco and Dr. Gabriela Estrada in Phoenix: Renacer in 2024. In addition to her dancing, Margo teaches at Dance Du Coeur in Sugar Land, TX and co-manages Hunter Dance Center. She loves facilitating students’ discoveries and celebrating dance as an accessible, rewarding practice. Margo is excited to dive into her first season with Open Dance Project!
ELYSSA VEGA Studio Manager
is a versatile dance teacher with over twenty years of training and a decade of teaching experience. A Dance B.F.A. graduate from the University of Houston (UH), she was a member of the UH Dance Ensemble and narrated school shows in the Young Audiences Touring Company. She received the Joanna Friesen scholarship, performed in numerous concerts, and showcased choreography at various Houston venues such as Zilkha Hall. At the beginning of her time at UH she joined Dayton Academy of Dance studio in Davton, TX as an instructor and competition choreographer in all styles of dance. She was the former head director of the JV Lassos and assistant director of the Lariaettes at Dobie High School from 2021-2023. Vega is a previous company member of PDC Works, guest with Chapman Dance, and a current core dancer of Mezclada Dance Company. Her original choreography has also been featured in festivals such as the TX Latino Contemporary Dance Festival & Best of Fringe. Vega has most recently begun her own choreography and teaching business Momentum Movement in partnership with Lizzy Aguilera in which she travels to high schools allowing them to experience quality dance training and team building. She plans to continue to dance and grow as an artist and choreographer and continue to utilize her diverse dance experience to motivate, educate, and elevate dance students all around the Houston area. Vega is very fond of Hunter Dance Center and is extremely grateful to have begun her HDC co-manager journey!
MADELINE MONTGOMERY Administrative Assistant
Holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied under Dierdre Carberry of American Ballet Theatre, Jieng Qi of Ballet West, and Tricia Sundbeck of Cincinnati Ballet. In addition to ballet, she has studied extensively in modern and jazz. During her collegiate training, her most notable performances include soloist in “Paquita”, soloist in Shauna Steele’s contemporary work “Falling Upwards”, and corps of George Balanchine’s “Serenade”, staged by Joysanne Sidimus of New York City Ballet. Previous training came primarily from Kansas City Ballet, where she had the opportunity to perform alongside the company in The Nutcracker. Throughout college and upon graduation she had the opportunity to dance in professional productions with Dayton Ballet and Virginia National Ballet. She is thrilled to now be part of the Houston dance community- especially Hunter Dance Center!
SARAH LYMAN Aerial Program Director
is an aerial artist and alumna of the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She joined the Hunter Dance Center family in 2015, and now serves as Aerial Program Director. Sarah has previously appeared in Open Dance Project’s immersive dance theater performances, including ‘Bout a Stranger (2017)and Dada Gert (2018), as well as family audience productions of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Peter & Wendy during her time as an apprentice with the company from 2016-2018. Most recently, she has been a guest artist with ODP for ALICE! (2024) and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2025).
JOSHUA DE ALBA* Aerial Dance Instructor (Adult & Youth Aerial, Adult Modern)
has been dancing and choreographing in Houston, Texas for nearly a decade. Originally a native of Central Florida, Joshua received his Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Northwestern State University in 2016. While his training focused largely on classical modern, ballet, and jazz. Joshua has also worked as a choreographer, actor, singer, musician, aerialist, stage combatant, and even as an event coordinator. Joshua’s choreography has received awards at the American Dance Festival, and he has had the distinct pleasure of teaching 8 different nationally competitive programs across the country. Professional credits include Houston Grand Opera, Cirque la Vie, The Theatre Under the Stars, Hope Stone Inc., and NobleMotion Dance. Joshua is thrilled to be back for his seventh season with Open Dance Project!
JADE DEVAULT Pilates Instructor
is a Houston based professional dance artist, choreographer, movement educator, and Certified Pilates Instructor. She was first introduced to Pilates while acquiring her BFA in Performance and Choreography from Texas State University. Jade has discovered Pilates is vital to her own ability to remain injury free during her rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule. She is excited to share the unique benefits of Pilates and functional movement with others.
BRIT THETFORD DEVEAU Pilates Instructor
is the owner of DEVEAU Wellness Haus, a place where integrative movement & wellness meet through 1:1 coaching. Originally from Quinlan, Texas, Deveau has been an active member of the dance community in Houston for over a decade. She is a founding member & collaborator of two of Houston’s leading dance companies: Open Dance Project & NobleMotion Dance. Deveau has performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater where she was recognized as a “beautiful and fluid dancer” (broadwayreview.com) in the Dance Gallery Festival. Deveau is currently on the Health and Wellness team at The Houston Ballet Academy & Hunter Dance Center teaching Pilates in group and private settings. Deveau holds a Master of Fine Art in Dance from Sam Houston State University and is comprehensively certified as a Peak Pilates instructor.
SONIA ENGMAN Dance Instructor (House, Hip Hop, Conditioning, Ballet)
is a professional choreographer, performer, educator, and certified personal trainer with an emphasis in modern dance, ballet, and street/club styles such as hip hop and house dance. Sonia received her BA in Contemporary Dance with a minor in Arts Management in 2016 from the University of New Mexico. She has also studied with many masters of dance at the American Dance Festival, the American College Dance Association, and the Joffrey Ballet in New York City. Having such a diverse background and training has allowed her to fill many different roles in her professional career. Sonia’s career has consisted of an array of dance and dance theater productions like a multi-disciplinary/multimedia performance in the Alps of Austria with Lawine Torrén. She is currently in her third season as a company member of Open Dance Project, a dance theater company that specializes in immersive dance theater, her second season as a company member of Mezclada Dance Company, a company that blends contemporary dance and street styles with Latin dance, and a member of Assorted Flavas Crew, a street dance crew that has been based in Houston, Texas for 25 years. She most recently performed as a principle dancer with Bace Productions Motown Revue at The Miller Outdoor Theater. Sonia has presented her own choreography through ACDA, the University of New Mexico, with Open Dance Project at Miller Outdoor Theater and at the Match Theater in Houston, Texas. Sonia views art and the education of art as a means of social change. She is passionate about teaching dance and feels that expression through movement is a necessity in life.
ATTICUS GRIFFIN* Dance Instructor (Contemporary)
started dancing at age 18 in his hometown of Burleson, Texas. He continued his training at Texas State University, and later the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography. While in Austin he began working as a freelance dancer, performing with multiple dance companies such as Ballet Concerto, Chamacos Dance Company, Dance Theatre X, NobleMotion Dance, and other guest performances. His most notable appearance was in the inaugural cast of Ventana Ballet in Austin, Texas as the Nutcracker in The Watchmakers Song. He has been a rehearsal director and choreographer for Open Dance Project 2 for productions Wonka!, Peter and Wendy, and Alice, and was a featured choreographer for recent ODP production Shortcuts. He recently completed the Countertechnique Teacher Training Program in Amsterdam, and received his Teaching Certificate. He is one of only two certified Countertechnique teachers in the state of Texas. This is his fourth season as an artist with Open Dance Project.
EMILY JESSE Aerial Instructor (Adult Level 3)
trains, teaches, and performs on various aerial apparatuses including silks, trapeze, rope, and custom fabricated apparatuses. As an instructor, she works to empower students both in class and in their daily lives; a love of aerial allows people to accomplish goals they never believed possible. Prior to teaching at Hunter, Emily spent seven years teaching trapeze and fabric at VauLt. She completed fabric and trapeze/lyra level 1-3 teacher trainings with VauLt in Houston, TX and Paper Doll Militia’s Level 1 Aerial Silks in Oakland, CA. She has attended festivals including the Irish Aerial Dance Festival, Edinburgh Aerial and Acro Convention, and Frequent Flyers Productions’ Aerial Dance Festival with aerialists from all over the world, each one influencing her teaching style and training strategy. Emily is thrilled to be a part of Hunter Dance Center and to share her love of aerial arts with the Houston community!
TAYLOR MCANULTY Dance Instructor (Acro Dance, Stretch & Flexibility)
has been an integral part of Open Dance Project since its founding in 2015 under the artistic direction of Annie Arnoult. Over nine seasons, she has developed a versatile and compelling performance style, excelling in both immersive and traditional stage productions. Previously she performed with Psophonia Dance Company under the direction of Sophia Torres, along with performing in many festivals across Texas including “Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival” and “254 Dance Festival.” In 2014 she was a featured soloist in the original score of Robert Paterson “The Book of Goddesses.” Primarily trained in Houston, Taylor has cultivated an engaging presence with a deep passion for storytelling through movement, captivating audiences with her expressive and dynamic performances. Her work spans a diverse range of styles, consistently pushing creative boundaries. Taylor continues to evolve as a performer, bringing energy, authenticity, and a profound connection to each role they embody.
MADELYN MANLOVE* Dance Instructor (Ballet, Modern, Floor-Barre®)
is a San Antonio native who began her dance training at the age of three and trained with Collective Dance Artistry since its opening under the direction of Ashley Lopez. After high school, she attended The University of Texas at Austin where she received a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Kinesiology. While completing her undergrad, she studied with Charles O. Anderson, Erica Gionfriddo, Gesel Mason, Andrea Beckham, Tina Curren, among others. This is her fourth season with Open Dance Project and Hunter Dance Center. In addition, she is also an Advanced Lagree Fitness trainer and teaches at FORM Lagree.
LINDSEY McGILL Dance Instructor (Ballet, MUNZ BARRE®)
was born in Houston, Texas where she trained at the Houston Ballet Academy under the direction of Ben Stevenson, Clara Cravey, and Priscilla Nathan Murphy. Since graduating from Houston Ballet, Lindsey has worked with Hope Stone Dance, Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble, iMEE, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, O Dance, NobleMotion Dance, The Next Stage Project, KDNY, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2. In addition to teaching ballet to intermediate – professional level adult dancers at Hunter Dance Center, she teaches at Houston Ballet Academy and is beloved throughout the adult ballet community here in Houston.
SETH McPHAIL Dance Instructor (Adult Modern)
was born in Hartford, Connecticut, but escaped to Houston at the age of 2. Seth grew up in Friendswood, TX where he graduated high school and began his dance training at San Jacinto College South at the age of 18. He went on to obtain a BFA in dance from Sam Houston State University where he studied under Jennifer Pontius, Andy Noble, Dionne Sparkman Noble, Erin Reck, and Jonathan Charles. After graduating, Seth spend two years dancing at sea with Royal Caribbean Productions where he performed the musical Hairspray. Since returning, Seth has performed with Open Dance Project, NobleMotion Dance, Hope Stone Dance, and METdance. Recently, he had the opportunity to perform with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance at Jacobs Pillow’s in Massachusetts. Currently, Seth teaches dance at Hunter Dance Center.
FIRAT KAZBEK ÖZSOY Dance Instructor (Ballet)
was born into a family of artists and started studying ballet at Hacettepe University National Conservatory in Ankara, Turkey. He is a graduate of the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest Hungary. He graduated with honors and moved to the United States at 19 years old. He danced with Delta Festival Ballet and worked with Fernando Bujones at Texas Christian University. He was invited to join the Houston Ballet under the direction of Ben Stevenson and Stanton Welch where he performed the roles of Ptolomy in Cleopatra, Jester in Cinderella, Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Gopak in Nutcracker, Duet in Five Poems, Rooster in La Fille Mal Gardee, John in Peter Pan, Dr. Suess in Touched, Coyote in Tales of Texas, Pas de Cinq in Suite en Blanc, Jaguar in Fire Bird, Soloist in Ketubah, Soloist in Miraculous Mandarin. His repertoire includes roles in Dracula, Sleeping Beauty, Snow Maiden, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Peer Gynt, and Romeo and Juliet, Manon, Gloria, Second Before the Ground, The Shadow, Madame Butterfly, Divergence, Giselle, La Sylphide, Merry Widow, Etudes and Graduation Ball. Mr. Özsoy teaches ballet to students and professionals at the University of Houston and guest teaches nationally and internationally. Fırat is a Professional Audio Engineer and Sound Designer working in theatre, dance, live concerts and film.
CAMEO RENEÉ Dance Instructor (Broadway Bound, Tippy Toes, Ballet, Modern, Jazz)
a Kansas City, Missouri native, is a versatile performer, choreographer, and educator. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a BFA in Dance and Performance. During her time in Kansas City, Cameo had the privilege of working with esteemed companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Störling Dance Theater, further shaping her artistry. Now in her sixth season with Open Dance Project, Cameo has established herself as a prominent figure in Houston’s performing arts community. She has done various performances around the Houston area as well as a Black Angel for Tobe Nwigwe, danced with the Urban Souls Dance Company, and contributed as both a performer and choreographer for the Houston Urban Nutcracker for the past 3 years. Beyond the stage, Cameo is the Co-Owner of The LockinKeez Dance Company, which she co-founded with her partner, Brenden Winkfield. Through her work, she continues to inspire audiences and nurture the next generation of dancers.
LORI RUTLEDGE Aerial Instructor (Adult Level 2, Straps)
started teaching in the pole community with Sheila Kelley’s S Factor in 2009, then started taking aerial classes in early 2010 at Gyrotonic Houston. Once she became an intermediate-level student, she received formal teacher training in aerial fabric levels 1, 2, 3, and hammock condition for beginner through advanced levels in January 2012 through the course of the year at Vault Houston (formally Gyrotonic Houston). The following year she received formal teacher training for intermediate/advanced aerial fabric and taught all levels at Vault Houston through December 2016. She began teaching at Hunter Dance Center in December 2016 and The Artz (formally Vault Houston) in 2017 where she’s an assistant director for the adult program and teacher trainer. She has performed in local shows including performances with the Houston Grand Opera from 2014-2018.
JAIME GARCIA VERGARA* Dance Instructor (Modern, Aerial, Circus Arts, Musical Theater Jazz)
is a dancer from Cali, Colombia. Jaime began his dance journey with a Colombian folkloric company in 2010 where he studied various dance styles such as Salsa, Paso Doble, and Rumba. From 2013-2015 Jaime became a member of FrenetiCore Dance Company where he began to receive his introduction to Ballet and Modern dance techniques. During this time Jaime was also able to work with many incredibly talented choreographers including Jane Weiner, Jennifer Salter, Rebecca French, Laura Harrell, Ashley Horn, and Annie Arnoult. While at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Jaime had the opportunity to work with Erin Reck, Jennifer Mabus, Dionne Noble and Joshua Peugh amongst other great choreographers. Jaime has a BFA in Dance and a Pilates Certification, teaches Latin, Modern, and Aerial at Hunter Dance Center and is in his seventh season with Open Dance Project.
SPENCER GAVIN HERING Dance Instructor (Int/Adv Adult Ballet)
born in Munich, Germany, is the son of two professional ballet dancers. With a life immersed in the arts, Spencer began training with his mother Cecilia Hering in Redlands, California at the age of 16. After two years at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, he joined Ballet Pacifica in Irvine, California and has since danced as a principal artist with Maximum Dance Company/Ballet Gamonet, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Miami Contemporary Dance Company, Island Moving Co., State Street Ballet as a Principal, and Hope Stone Dance Company. Mr. Hering is a Co-Founding Director of iMEE, established 2009, where he danced as a principal artist for eight seasons.
Mr. Hering served as Island Moving Company’s (IMC) Associate Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer and Ballet Master for two seasons in Newport, Rhode Island. He was a Co-Founding member of the five week, summer dance festival, the Houston Dance Festival: HERE & NOW. Mr. Hering most recently served as Ballet Master for Vitacca Vocational School for Dance in Houston, TX 2018-2020 where he continued his passion for training and mentoring young artists.
Spencer draws inspiration from limitless possibilities, as well as boundaries. To bring curiosity, to cause wonderment and to provoke different thought is his arts’ purpose. To share his love, his voice and his interpretation of the world, is ultimately what he wishes to reveal. Through his life experiences as a dancer, Spencer has found infinite inspiration from time shared with other dancers, choreographers and directors. Mr. Hering is currently a faculty teacher at Houston Ballet Academy.
“We dance to actively engage, and inspire the audience’s mental perspective, to grow and evolve. The art of dance is primal, universal and can be voiced through an unlimited amount of movement… Infinite Movement Ever Evolving.” -S.G. Hering
CAROL SMITHERMAN ANGLIN Dance Instructor (Modern: Horton Technique, Ballet)
is a renowned ballet teacher, modern teacher, choreographer and adjudicator, with 40 years of experience. She was the founding Artistic Director of the Louisiana Dance Foundation and resident dance company, Louisiana Dance Theatre. Ms. Anglin received her MFA from University of Oklahoma’s School of Dance in 2019. As a Ballet and Modern teaching artist, Carol has taught globally in Russia, Europe, and Canada. She was one of 18 international teachers accepted to New York University to train with Mme. Claude Bessy and Serge Golovine, Directors of the Paris Opera Ballet School. She completed the Intermediate and Advanced Horton Pedagogy Courses at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York (2011, 2017, 2020) and the National Dance Educator Organization’s Annual Conferences in Miami (2019) and virtually (2020, 2021).
*Open Dance Project Company Members/Apprentices photos by Lynn Lane.