Michelle Denny, B.A., early childhood education, is the founder of Dance Discovery and the Central Ballet Theatre. She has over 30 years of dance training and has been teaching dance for 17 years. Michelle developed the Storytime Dance Curriculum used by all of the instructors to captivate the creative spirit of young dancers in order to develop dance technique. This foundation provides for strong, versatile dancers who not only develop precise dance technique, but also hold on to their ability to dance from the inside out. The aim is to preserve young dancers’ passion throughout their technical training at Dance Discovery and on into the Central Ballet Theatre program.

Cherami Steadman has been dancing for 24 years. Cherami trained at the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on a full scholarship and received a B.F.A. in dance/choreography. She has danced professionally all over the country. Currently she dances with two professional companies: Wideman/Davis Dance from New York, and Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company from Austin. Cherami has a very nurturing way with the children as she motivates them to work diligently to express their passion for dance. She has been working with children for the past eight years as a dance instructor, nanny, and Montessori assistant. Cherami is the proud mother of August (age 2).

Chell Garcia-Trias has been dancing for 30 years. As a Community Scholar at Columbia College Dance School, she earned a B.A. in dance and acting. Chell was artistic director for Brigid’s Daisy Dance Co. in San Francisco. She has traveled to St. Louis, Chicago, and San Francisco to dance professionally. Chell has 11 years of experience working with youth and has two children of her own, Isabella (age 4) and Elio (age 2). Chell currently music at Westminster Day School and theater and puppet making to at-risk youth at the Theatre Action Project in Austin. Chell believes that children’s confidence grows when they are given the opportunity to express themselves through dance, giving them the self-esteem to excel in all their endeavors. She captivates the attention of dance students of all ages.

Myia Little, teaching assistant, believes that all children have a special place in this world and the best way for them to express themselves is through dance. She has been working with children for 15 years as a professional nanny. She is completing her associate degree in dance this spring, and has 12 years of dance and gymnastics training. Myia danced professionally for Sally Jacques and was recently featured in her Requiem performance in downtown Austin. Her love for dance and tumbling—as well as her magical way with children—makes Myia a very effective teacher.

Emily Roe believes that dance creates opportunities for the soul, mind, and body to share and grow. She holds a B.A. in theater from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been dancing since 1982. Emily also performed in The Nutcracker as Giselle with the San Angelo Civic Ballet. She trained in ballet at UT–Austin, and currently studies at Ballet Austin Academy. She has nine years of experience working with children and has two children of her own, Mary (age 5) and Davis (age 8). She has experience teaching musical theatre as well as aerobics. Emily’s precision and warm demeanor make her an excellent instructor.