Ballet.
Tap.
Jazz.
Pom.
Hip-Hop.
Competition Teams.
Tumbling.
Ages 2-18 Yr.
38619 FM 1774 Magnolia, TX 77355
(281)-356-1822
Office Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 3:30 - 8:00 PM
Fridays 9:45 -11:45 AM
DANCE CONNECTIONS
MEET OUR STAFF
Kaitlin Hanus
Owner, Director & Instructor
Kaitlin is in her 10th year of ownership of Dance Connections. She has been dancing since the age of three. Kaitlin studied ballet, tap and jazz extensively and danced competitively for seventeen years. During those years, Kaitlin won many solo, duet and team awards at numerous dance competitions including: American Dance, Showtime and Crowd Pleasers Dance. In those years she won several national titles. Most recently, Kaitlin continued her dance career as a World Famous Kilgore College Rangerette under the direction of Dana Blair and Shelley Wayne. During her time as a Rangerette, she was fortunate enough to perform at the Texas State Society's Black Tie and Boots Inugural Ball in Washington, D.C., McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, and Dallas Crystal Charity Ball. In her years of owning the studio she has performed in the Macy`s Thanksgiving Day Parade and has furthered her education at several dance conventions including Nuvo & 24/7 Dance. Kaitlin has thirteen years of direct teaching experience and is loving her career in mentoring dancers at Dance Connections. Kaitlin also owns Antique Rose Florist located in Magnolia. Kaitlin resides in Houston, TX.
Holly Moore
Administrative Director & Instructor
Holly has been dancing since the age of two. She was a company member at Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School for ten years, where she trained in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Performing at the Wortham Theater every year, she had the privilege of featuring in The Nutcracker with the Houston Ballet. In high school, she was a member of Morton Ranch High School's Maverick Belles Dance Team, where she continued her training competitively in many more styles, such as lyrical, pom, hip hop, modern, and kick. She earned numerous solo, small ensemble, and team awards, including three national championships. She was an Elite Team member during her Junior and Senior year and on Kick Company every year. After high school, she continued to study dance while pursuing her Bachelors degree in Business at The University of Houston. She not only performed with, but also choreographed for her college dance team, all while broadening her training in Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern in the dance department, and also at Houston Met Dance and SoReal Dance Studio. After college, she volunteered as a dance instructor for several benefits and camps, obtained a teacher certification, and even started a family. Now, she loves being a part of the DC family as she continues to pursue her passion in dance, with her husband and two daughters along her side. This will be Holly's 5th year with Dance Connections!
Myah has been dancing since the age of 11, training in many styles of dance such as, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical, and Contemporary. She danced competitively and assisted with On The Move Dance Company. During middle school, Myah was a Frank Seale Middle School Cub dancer and officer. In high school, she became a Midlothian High School Pantherette, leading as a Junior Lieutenant and Senior Captain. After high school, Myah continued her dance career as a Kilgore College Rangerette, dancing under the direction of Dana Blair and Shelley Wayne. She had the opportunity to perform in the 90th Anniversary of the Macy’s Thanksgiving day Parade in New York City, the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, and Contest of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Along with Rangerettes, Myah became a part of the pre-professional modern dance company, Industry, under the direction of Angela Aulds. She graduated from Kilgore College with an Associate's of Arts degree in 2018. Myah continued her education and recently graduated in 2020 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in University Studies - Dance Concentration with minors in business and leadership. Additionally, Myah has been a part of Marching Auxiliaries Dance Company since 2017. This company allows Myah to travel across the U.S. instructing and choreographing for multiple middle school and high school teams. This is Myah’s 6th year with Dance Connections!
Myah Brown
Social Media Manager & Instructor
Kim Hanus
Receptionist
Kim is in her 10th year as the Receptionist at Dance Connections. Kim has her Bachelor & Masters degree in education from Sam Houston State University. Prior to her position at our studio, she was an elementary school teacher for 33 years. After retiring from teaching, she didn't want to give up her love for being around children so she joined the DC Team! Kim is also a seasoned dance mom, as she is the mom to our studio owner, Kaitlin. She is the perfect fit as the friendly face of DC. Kim resides in Magnolia with her husband.
Katelyn Dickerson
Instructor
Katelyn has been dancing since the age of 2, training for 10 years at Marsha Woody Academy of Dance in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. She was a member of Beaumont Civic Ballet, where she performed many principal roles in the Nutcracker, and other productions. In high school, she was a member of West Brook Stars drill team, where she served as Junior Lieutenant and Captain her senior year. Katelyn was a member of Kilgore College Rangerette’s 81st line, where she was selected as a member of the elite dance group of Swingsters. She also served as Right Middle Lieutenant her sophomore year. During her two years as a Rangerette, she traveled to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Honolulu, Hawaii for the 80th Commemoration of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as performing at the Cotton Bowl. Katelyn now works for Encore Creative Productions, teaching dance across the state for dance & drill teams. She will be continuing her studies at Texas A&M University majoring in Allied Health. This will be Katelyn’s 3rd year on the DC Staff.
Kylie Benavidez
Receptionist & Instructor
Kylie has been dancing since the age of nine. She trained at Tina Grider Dance Studio where she trained in Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Ballet. She danced competitively on their “TNT” competition team for 8 years. Throughout her high school career, she was a member of the Tatum High School Eaglettes where she served as first lieutenant her junior year, and Captain her senior year. She decided to further her dance education by attending Kilgore College where she became a part of the 81st line of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. Upon entering her sophomore year she became the Left End Lieutenant. As a Rangerette she got the opportunity to travel to New York City to preform in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and Hawaii to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor. Kylie currently works for Encore Creative Productions where she gets to teach drill teams inside and outside of Texas. Kylie is currently continuing her education at Texas A&M university as a communications major. This will be Kylie’s 3rd year on the DC staff.
Brita Burns
Instructor
Brita started dancing when she was two years old. She has been trained in many genres of dance including ballet, tap, hip hop, and modern. While in high school, Brita was a member of the Wylie East High School Sapphires, where she served in numerous officer positions such as Sergeant, Jr. Lieutenant, and Captain. Additionally, during her years in high school, she was a member of the Dance Fx Senior team for three years. Brita is currently a Kilgore College Rangerette. During her time at Kilgore, Brita has had the opportunity to perform in New York with Mariah Carey and Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. This Fall, she will be transferring to Texas A&M where she will study early childhood education. Brita is a four year staff member with Crowd Pleasers dance. This will be Brita's 2nd year on the DC Staff!
Lauren Petriccione
Instructor
Lauren has been dancing since the age of three. She was a company member at Athletistry Performing Arts Center for eleven years, where she was trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, and Pointe. She started competitive dance at the age of seven and continued until the age of fourteen, traveling throughout the nation. In high school, Lauren went on to be a member of the Cy Ranch High School Classics Drill Team, where she was a Sr. Lieutenant. While there, she continued her training competing in pom, kick, and military. Throughout Lauren’s dance experience she has earned many awards for solos, duets, trios, and team dances. Following high school, she continued her education at Texas Tech University, where she studied elementary education while continuing her training in dance. Lauren has always had a passion for dance and looks forward to continuing and growing her experience with DC! She will be starting her 2nd year as a part of the DC staff!
Macy Belk
Instructor
Macy has been dancing since the age of three and is trained in several styles of dance including jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She started off her dance career at Boni’s dance studio and also attended The Woodlands Dance Force. While in Junior High, Macy was a Knox Junior High Gingham Girl where she served as an officer. In high school, Macy became a College Park High School Revelier and served as Lt. Major her Senior Year. Following high school, Macy continued her dance career as a Kilgore College Rangerette on the 80th line. During her freshman year she had the opportunity to travel to Birmingham, England where she performed in the Birmingham International Tattoo. During her time at Kilgore she had many more performance opportunities including the Cotton Bowl Classic and Presidential Inauguration. Following Kilgore, Macy was a member of the Aggie Dance Team and participated in performances for many sporting events such as basketball, baseball, and football. In the spring semester, the Aggie Dance Team participated in DTU Nationals where the team won many awards. Macy is currently continuing her education at Texas A&M University as an Education Major. This is Macy’s 1st year on the DC staff and she couldn't be more excited!
Ella Byrd
Instructor
Ella has been dancing since the age of three. She trained at Metamorphosis Dance, Round Rock Repertory Dance Centre, The Dance Spot, and many other studios throughout her dance career while taking Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Broadway Jazz, Hip Hop, and Pointe classes. In her dance career, she was a member of Shining Stars Dance Company as well as Emerge Dance Company at Round Rock Repertory Dance Centre. During high school, she was a member of Envision Dance Company at The Dance Spot. Ella also served as a Major her Junior & Senior year on the Round Rock High School Dragonettes Drill Team. After high school, Ella continued her dancing at Kilgore College where she was a part of the 83rd line of Rangerettes. She was a member of the elite group of dancers called the Swingsters, and a part of Kilgore College Dance Department’s Industry Dance Company. Sophomore year, she had the privilege of serving as Right Middle Lieutenant for the Rangerettes. During her two years on the team, she performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Mariah Carey, traveled to Hawaii and performed in the annual Pearl Harbor Parade. Ella also had the privilege to perform on the Today Show as well as the Cotton Bowl Classic. Out of the many performances she got to do, her favorite was performing in front of the Alamo. She will be continuing her studies at Texas A&M University where she will be majoring in Communications. This will be Ella’s first year on the DC staff.
Sophie Dodson
Instructor
Sophie has been dancing since the age of two. She trained at a variety of local dance studios being trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical, pointe, and tap. She danced competitively for thirteen years. Throughout her high school career she was a member of the Moe and Gene Johnson High School Varsity Rosettes where she had the honor of serving as Sophomore Lieutenant, then Co-captain for two years. After graduation, she continued her education and dance career at Kilgore College where she was a World Famous Kilgore College Rangerette. She also had the privilege of being a part of the 83rd line of Swingsters. She then graduated with an Associates in Dance Arts and is continuing her education at Texas A&M University where she is majoring in Public Health. This will be Sophie's first year on the DC Staff and she couldn't be more excited!
Bailey Ruiz
Instructor
Bailey has been dancing since the age of 3, training for 15 years at All Star Dance Academy in Haslet, Texas. She trained in various styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, and tap. She also danced competitively for 14 years under All Star Dance Academy. Throughout her high school career, she was a member of the Keller High School Varsity Indianettes where she had the honor of serving as a Junior Lieutenant and then as Captain her Senior year. Bailey continued her dance education as a member of the 83rd line of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. While she was a Rangerette she was selected as a member of the elite dance group of Swingsters and was selected to hold the position of Head Swingster. She also served as the Left End Lieutenant during her sophomore year. As a Rangerette, she traveled to New York City to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, perform with Mariah Carey, and perform on The Today Show. She also had the opportunity to travel to Honolulu, Hawaii to commemorate the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Bailey is currently continuing her education at Texas A&M University as a Sports Management major. This will be Bailey's first year on the DC Staff.