The Abbott's Performing Arts Center staff is dedicated to presenting a professional and artistic approach to each of the disciplines offered. Click on the photos at right to learn more about each of our outstanding instructors.
|
|
| |
| APAC wants all their students to feel secure in taking risks, trying new things. Our talented staff treats all of our students with dignity and respect to build their self-confidence and self-esteem as dancers and individuals. We hope to instill a curiosity and love of dance and all the arts that will stay with students a lifetime as well as pass on the "traditions" of dance to the next generation. |
Paula Abbott-Barry, Artistic Director
Paula began her early training in Houston with Patsy Swayze and Glen Hunsucker. She was a featured dancer with the Houston Jazz Ballet Company. She has performed with every major (and many not so major) theater in Houston. While attending HSPVA (The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts), Ms. Abbott received the prestigious Presidential Scholar in the Arts Award. Paula has performed on Broadway and off as well as International and National Touring Shows.
Since opening APAC in 1988, Ms. Abbott has also taught at HSPVA, TUTS and the Houston Ballet Academy.
As a result of training, inspiration and talent, APAC has produced many fine dancers, who have received dance scholarships, gone on to professional dance careers or have been accepted and continue to train with prominent Arts Schools across the country.
Paula's most recent achievements include the birth of her first child, Mitchell James Barry and her receipt of the prestigious Teacher Recognition Award by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.
Back to top
Traci Carpenter
Traci started dancing at the age of 2 years old. Ms. Paula was one of her very first teachers. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, musical theater, drill, hip hop, contemporary, modern and lyrical. While on the APAC dance team, Traci choreographed her very first high point winning routine, and she was only 13 years old! As a dancer, Traci has performed across America and in Prague, Austria. In High School, Traci served as the Captain for the highly acclaimed Silverados Drill Team. Traci graduated Cum Laude from Cypress Creek High School, and has been involved with dance ever since. Traci was a member of the Texas State Stutters, and a dancer/choreographer for an Austin hip hop company called "The Roustabouts". Traci is the only person in the state of Texas to work for Varsity Owned United Spirit Association out of California.
For the USA, Traci teaches dance and leadership camps all around the country. Traci is a Head Instructor, a member of the Program Development Team and a Nationals Head. In the summer of 2010 Traci will embark on a new journey with some of her closest and talented friends bringing a new, edgy and professional dance company to schools and studios around Texas to provide dancers with training and the best choreography around. Traci graduated first in her class from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Theatre which has allowed her to create innovative choreography as well as put on some amazing shows. Traci has choreographed “Carousel” and “Pirates of Penzance” for which she was nominated for a Tommy Tune Award for Best Choreography. Currently, Traci is the Director of the Clear Creek Cavalier Dance Team. In her fourth year of directing she has brought the team to 3 National Championships and hopes to win another with her girls at the end of this year. She is very proud to have trained and choreographed for the 2009 Miss Drill Team Texas.
Traci thinks it is very important to stay current so she continues to dance and train with some of the industry’s best including: Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Shane Sparks, Dave Scott, Jeff Amesden, Dee Caspary and Cris Judd to name a few. Although a very talented dancer, Traci finds her heart in sharing her passion for dance with her students. Her high energy and way of delivering material have made a success out ofany student who has taken from her. Traci’s Choreography is in high demand due to her many nationally acclaimed winning pieces and her unique style. Her knowledge of dance and drill has aided many local High School Dance Teams, as well as high school teams in Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho and Las Vegas. We are so excited to have Traci back "home" and on staff at APAC. She is an awesome teacher with great energy and dedication.
Back to top
Christi Voag
Christi studied dance under the direction of Paula Abbott for 8 years. During that time she performed competitively with APAC's Dance Team. Christi was the recipient of the Dance Educators of America Ballet Scholarship many years in a row (92-96). She won both the title of Miss. D.E.A. in 1997 and a scholarship from LADF and many high point awards during her competition years.
Christi has performed with TUTS, the Southwest Jazz Ballet Company, Six Flags, Busch Gardens and Round Rock Entertainment. She has acted as Dance Captain, Soloist and Magician's Asst. and been a featured dancer in many shows. Christi attended Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and has studied with the best teachers in NYC and LA. Upon Graduation, she received and attended Sam Houston State University on a Ballet Scholarship.
Christi has devoted herself to teaching for the past four years, Her dancers have won many high point awards at competitions. Her choreography is outstanding - at Starbound Nationals in Canada, she was awarded "Most Innovative Choreography Award".
Christi and her husband Lucas are the proud parents of Isabelle, who was born in April of 2004. She has been on staff at APAC since 1999.
Back to top
 Lyndsay Lunsmann
Lyndsay is a 14 year APAC dance student. She is currently a member of the APAC dance team, and has been a staff member for 2 years. In addition to being a fantastic dancer, Lyndsay is also a wonderful gymnast. She studied Gymnastics with Ms. Stacey Accord here at APAC, and at Cypress Academy where she was asked to be a team member. She did the team for a bit, but decided she loved her dancing the best and has never looked back.
Lyndsay attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts here in Houston where she was a dance major. Lyndsay performed in her first professional show, Brigadoon, with Theater Under the Stars in Spring of 2004. Lyndsay was just hired for her second professional job. She will be dancing and singing her way around the world with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines very, very soon. Summer of 2004, She won the title of Ms. Starbound, and has been part of the Grand National Championship Winning dances for 4 years in a row!
Lyndsay has been awarded many high point awards and scholarships during her time on the APAC Dance Team, which has been a stepping-stone to bigger and better things! Lyndsay has studied in NYC and LA. Mrs. Paula is proud to have Lyndsay on staff, sharing her passion, dedication and experience with our younger dance students.
Back to top
Sarah Nave
Sarah Nave began dancing at the age of 10 and soon after was accepted into The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. While attending HSPVA she was accepted into the prestigious Houston Ballet Academy. Sarah was also privileged to study with the The Joffery Ballet School in New York for two years. Sarah’s Jazz training includes some of the industry’s best such as Keith Cross (Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago-Delia Stewart), Slam Gauwloos (Madonna & Britney Spears) Beth Gulledge- Brown (U.C.T Ballet Company- CAPAB Ballet Company), among others.
With her extensive training Sarah has been able to perform not only in the Houston area, but many other cities across the US, as well as Mexico and Austria. In 2002 she performed at Lincoln Center as a finalist at the Youth American Grand Prix in New York City. Sarah is currently the operations director for Studio 360, LLC and performs with the Round Rock Entertainment Company. She aspires to return to New York where she will continue attaining her dreams!
Back to top
Kristen Vickers
Mrs. Kristen Vickers has been with APAC since it's inception in 1988. She began dancing with Paula Abbott at the age of 9. Kristen was a member of the APAC Dance Team and won many high point awards and scholarships. Kristen graduated, with honors, from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she won the Music Fest Award and Scholarship. Kristen attended the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where she majored in Musical Theater. Kristen has studied with all the major teachers across the country- from LA to NYC.
Kristen has performed in several Industrial Shows and Stage Productions. Among her favorite roles she has performed are Meg in Little Women, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Kristen has performed locally in Theater Under the Stars productions of My Fair Lady, and Here's Love. Kristen's last performance was with Princess Cruise lines, where she danced and sang her way around the world.
Kristen first returned "home" to APAC when Paula had her baby. Kristen discovered she loved teaching and sharing her talent with the APAC Dancers. Since she began teaching she has won numerous awards for her unique style. She has been named "Top Teacher" and "Best Choreographer" at many regional and national events.
Kristen is the founder and Artistic Director of "Shiloh", a liturgical dance company. Shiloh has performed all over Texas, sharing their gift of dance with others. Kristen married Aaron Vickers in March of 2003, and together they are proud parents of a Jack Russell terrier called "Buttercup". Their true love is Aaron's daughter, Alyssa. Kristen hopes to be teaching for many years to come, and APAC is fortunate to have her sharing her gifts and talent with them.
Back to top
Dawn Dipple
Dawn has been dancing most of her life and is now part owner of North Harris Performing Arts a successful dance studio in Spring, TX. She has spent much time traveling in and out of Houston working with various instructors including Fred Strobel, Ken McCulloch, Randall Flinn, Priscilla Murphy, Naomi Glass, Clara Cravey, Steven Boyd & Wes Veldink. For the past two years Dawn has been one of the co-directors, choreographers, and members of Revolve Dance Company, while also doing some guest work with Ad Deum Dance Company and Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Houston. Dawn has spent many years working beside many talented and professional artists which have all been a passionate influence and inspiration through her journey of this art.
Back to top
Brittney Pineda
Brittney Pineda is thrilled to be teaching at APAC. Britt grew up in her mother’s studio taking ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. Brittney was an award winning dancer for her mother’s acclaimed dance team “Rhythm Masters”. Brittney has trained with some of the most famous names in the dance world, Henry LeTang, Jeremy Fullum, Wade Robson, and many more. Brittney is also an accomplished choreographer, winning many high point awards at various competitions. Brittney was a member of the Jersey Village Goldusters, and upon graduation was asked to tour with Marching Auxillaries to teach drill teams on a National Level. Brittney attended American Musical and Dramatic Arts Academy in New York City on scholarship. Since moving back to Houston, Brittney has choreographed NBC’s “Give me the Mike”. Brittney is excited to bring her knowledge and passion for dance here to the students at APAC.
Back to top
 Allison Stanley
Allison Stanley was born in Houston, Texas and started her dance training at the age of 7 years old. She began her training in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz with Paula Abbott of Abbott’s Performing Arts Center for 5 years. At the age of 12 she joined North Harris Performing Arts® in Spring, TX with Ken McCulloch, Amy Cain, and Dawn Dippel. In Allison’s 16 years of dance training she has worked with Fred Strobel, Naomi Glass, Damian Schwiethale, and Barbara Bears of Houston Ballet, Randall Flinn of Ad Deum Dance Company, Wes Veldink of the Wes Veldink Movement and other teachers and choreographers from Los Angeles and New York. She was also invited to dance in Tropea, Italy with it’s International Dance Meeting, and Project Dance in NY. Allison has been part owner of NHPA® for 5 years now and is currently part of NHPA®’s new professional company, Revolve Dance Company and works with NHPA® Dance Company. She has taught Ballet for Masters of Dance/ Masters, Upper Level for 3 years. Allison currently teaches Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Leaps & Turns and was just certified as a Pilates Mat Instructor.
Back to top
 Jessica Thayer
Jessica Thayer of Chicago, IL. began dancing with Mary Ann Corchran. At the age of 13 she relocated to Houston and began training with North Harris Performing Arts. Jessica has worked with such teachers/choreographers as: Ken McCulloch, Amy Cain, Dawn Dippel of NHPA ® , Fred Strobel, Barbara Bears, Naomi Glass, Damian Schwiethale of the Houston Ballet, Wes Veldink of the Wes Veldink Movement and many others from Los Angeles to New York City. Jessica has been dancing with NHPA for 11 years, and has been a partner of NHPA ® for 5yrs. She began teaching for NHPA ® in 1999, and also worked with Masters of Dance/ Masters the Upper Level from 2002-2005. She has also choreographed with both the NHPA ® Dance Company and Velocity Dance Company. As a member of Revolve Dance Company, Jessica has had the opportunity to perform at The International Dance Meeting, Italy (2004), Dance Sampler (2004), Testament with Ad Deum Dance Co. (2004/2005), Project Dance NY (2005). Jessica offers instruction in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Leaps & Turns and is also a certified mat Pilates instructor!
Back to top
 Haley Link
Haley has been dancing at APAC for the past 12 years and has been
assisting with younger students for the past 4 years. Haley is an 8 year
member of the competition dance team at APAC and has traveled to numerous
places in and out of the country performing, competing, and taking
classes. She is also a former member of the Langham Creek High School
Bailadoras where she was recognized for numerous awards such as
Outstanding Spirit of the Year. On Bailadoras, Haley competed in the team,
solo, and ensemble competitions where she placed in the top 10 with her
solo.
Haley is a junior at Langham Creek High School. She is an active member
in the S.A.V.E. Club, secretary of the Astronomy Club and an honor roll
student. Haley is also involved in the P.A.L.S. program where she goes
to elementary and middle schools in the district serving as a tutor and
mentor to younger students.
Once she completes high school, Haley plans to attend college and major in
environmental science while continuing her dance career.
Back to top
|
