Melanie Smith has been dancing since the age of three. She has been a performer, choreographer and instructor in Austin and throughout Central Texas for over 15 years.

Melanie is an Austin native and while in high school danced with the Reagan RR's and the Lanier Vikettes as well as Austin Independent School District's All City Dance Team. While in college Melanie served as captian of the Temple College Dance Team 2000-2001. She also danced with the Blinn College Treasures, 2001-2003.

Melanie is a gifted choreographer and is trained and competent in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Liturgical, Contemporary and Drill Team. She is also a certified Zumba! Fitness instructor.

Melanie loves everything about dance and especially enjoys training young dancers helping them realize thier potential. Melanie practices the "ABCD" philosophy; Any Body Can Dance.

She has won numerous awards, scholarships and other titles and has traveled extensively, training and improving her skills. Her first national scholarship was won at the tender age of six while attending an LADF dance convention. Melanie has many national commercials and two movies to her credit. She has had the opportunity to train with Savion Glover, the late Gregory Hines, Austin's own, Acia Gray, Keith Clifton, Joe Tremaine, Laurie Johnson, Mia Michaels, Wade Robinson, Benji Schwimmer and many others. Her favorite styles of dance are tap, jazz and hip hop.

In August 2006 Melanie fulfilled her dream of establishing Dancin' Jazzi Dance Studio. In June of 2007, she established FLAVA Dance Company and serves as it's Artistic Drector. She is also the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Out tha Box Productions.

Stephanie Sodeke received her dance training from Auburn Ballet School in Auburn, Alabama under the direction of Ann Johnsey.  She danced with Auburn Ballet Company from 2001 to 2005 and performed in several classical and originally choreographed ballets. Stephanie has been teaching ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and lyrical since 2001 to all age groups from young children to adults.  She sees developing strong, foundational skills, and utilizing these skills to excel in all dance styles as an important element of dance education. The thing she enjoys most about teaching is seeing students' faces having "ah ha!" moments when they achieve their goals.

We are happy to have Stephanie as a part of the Dancin' Jazzi family!

Cristina Blanco-Adams has 20 years of dance experience including ten years of choreography and teaching. She is trained and competent in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, modern and theatre. Cristina has attended numerous master classes, conventions and has competed and won on both regional and national levels. Understanding that ballet training was imperative to all genres, Cristina trained in ballet at Ballet Austin and the Austin Ballet Academy.

During high school Cristina was an officer in the Reagan Double R Dance /Drill Team. She also danced on the AISD All City dance team and was captain of Reagan's cheerleading squad. Cristina was active in many other organizations at Reagan and graduated as Valedictorian.

After high school, Cristina attended the University of Texas at Austin and continued her dance training in ballet and modern. She also danced with the UT Dance Team serving as an officer and assistant choreographer. She graduated with honors from UT with a BS degree in Advertising.

Although Cristina worked full-time at a local advertising acency and was a wife and new mother, she remained passianate about dance and theatre. She returned to her high school alma mater as the Director/Choreographer of the Drill team. She worked in this capacity from 2001-2003. She has also served on judging panels for drill team and officer tryouts for the Austin, Round Rock and Belton school districts.

Cristina's family Kevin, Alex and Ava graciously share her with us.  We are happy to have Cristina as a part of the Dancin' Jazzi family.!

 PHOTO COMING SOON

Cherelle VanBrakle has been dancing since the age of two.  She has attended numerous master classes and conventions and has competed and won on both regional and national levels.  After winning a scholarship at New York City Dance Alliance, she traveled to New York, NY to study and had the opportunity to perform in their Gala. Cherelle has also studied in Las Angeles with Mia Michaels, Keith Clifton and many others. 

In 2005, Cherelle was crowned Ms. Juneteenth of Central Texas. As Miss Juneteenth, she  encouraged other young ladies to be confident, aware of their bodies and what they put into them and to be dedicated to their community. 

While in College, Cherelle taught dance in Seguin, Texas. Since moving back to Austin, Cherelle has recently earned her Masters of Education in Exercise Science.

We are excited to have Cherelle  as a part of the Dancin’ Jazzi family!

PHOTO COMING SOON

Adrian Lee, aka Coach A, is an Austin native.  He started gymnastics at the tender age of six and cheerleading at the age of ten.  He has cheered for many local all star competitive teams and is best known in the cheer industry for his power tumbling and amazing jumps.  Coach A has choreographed for many local high school and recreational cheering squads.  After about thirteen years of cheerleading he decided to give it a break and focus on becoming a teacher.  After teaching for five years he was promoted to assistant director of a pre-school academy.  In 2007, not being able to get rid of the cheer bug, Coach A started his own competitive all star cheering program. With ten girls from the playground who just wanted to cheer, he started Texas Heat All Stars.  After training these ten young ladies, he took them to competition and they won their very first official competition! Since that day Texas Heat All Stars has won........

And many more to come...............

Coach A feels that all children should have the opportunity to experience cheer and tumbling regardless of age, ethnicity or financial background.  He believes that children are like clay and it is the responsibility of adults to mold them into strong, responsible, respectable and honorable adults and to support them in becoming the best athletes they can be.

We are happy to have Coach A and Texas Heat All Stars join our Dancin' Jazzi family!

PHOTO COMING SOON

Renese Johnson's love for dance and performing was evident at a very early age.  At seven years old, she began taking ballet, tap & jazz classes.  She has also danced with several community dance groups performing in parades and other community events.

While in high school, Renese was a member of the johnston High School Cadettes Drill Team, Reagan High School's RR Dance Team as well as the Austin Independent School district's All City Dance Team.

Renese continued training in ballet and lyrical jazz  while in college.  Though her favorite style of dance is lyrical jazz, she also has a soft spot for ballet.  She also choreographed for several dance and step shows for her sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. wining several first place honors.

Renese incorporates her love of children, dance and music in all aspects of her life.  Both charismatic and energetic, she infuses her classes with creative energy and positivity.  She is passionate about working with children and empowering them through dance to relize their own confidence and abilities to both reach their goals and embrace their potential on the dance floor and throughout life. 

Her family, Carlos, Stephon, Vivian and Trinity graciously share her with us.  We are happy that she is a part of the Dancin' Jazzi family!