Meet our Staff!
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Amber Blezinger is the owner of Center Stage Dance Studio.
She has a passion for dance that she enjoys sharing and has had the rewarding experience of teaching dance since 2003 specializing in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, and ballroom. Amber has judged many auditions and has been a guest instructor at numerous workshops including the Houston Astros Shooting Stars. She has been in various award winning dance companies. While on her high school drill team, the Bellville Brahmadora's, she was Dancer of the Week and won many dance awards including First Overall Duet. Amber continues to develop her knowledge by taking dance classes as often as possible at Reliant Stadium Texans Cheerleader Training Camp, JUMP dance convention, New York City Dance Alliance, Line Dance classes in California, Louisiana and Texas, Salsa and Ballroom classes in The Heights, Indiana and many other places. Amber's Dance Education/Experience includes: 2015 through 2019: Choreography for Houston Astros Shooting Stars 2013 and 2014 : Shooting Stars and Houston Astros Park Patrol 2012 and 2011: Houston Astros Park Patrol (Entertainment Team) and Houston Texans Grid Iron Gang 2012: Park Patrol Training Camp MVP Award for choreography 2011: Teaching certification: Early Childhood through 6th Grade Graduated Sam Houston State University, magna cum laude, with BA in Interdisciplinary Studies 2009-2012: Taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, Lyrical and Ballroom to all ages at Hot on Your Heels Dance Production Worked for and with Dana Sullivan (previous Houston Rockets Power Dancer and Houston Texans Cheerleader) 2009: Named to Dean's List at Sam Houston State University while studying Elementary Education and English as a Second Language 2008: Taught ballet at Center Stage Dance & Fitness 2007-2008: Attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, TX 2002-2007: (Founding) Brahmadora member, holding positions of Line Lieutenant, Junior Lieutenant, and First Senior Lieutenant. An officer for 3 of those years. 2004-2006: Taught at both locations of Dance Unlimited, various styles of dance 2004: Began taking ballroom dance lessons 2003-2004: Taught at Dance Extreme, various styles of dance |
Katie Koy
Katie began her dance training with the Ballet Center of Houston at 8 years old under the guidance of Gilbert Rome and Victoria Vittum. While a student, she performed with Houston Repertoire Ballet for seven years, in Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, La Bayadere,
Cinderella and principal roles in The Nutcracker.
Mrs. Koy, who has danced in works by Sandra Organ, Anne Polenjenko, Leeyan Neeley, Gilbert Rome and Lynn Cote, also trained at summer dance programs at the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The Washington Ballet.
In 2005, after her success as a student, she joined the faculty at the Ballet Center of Houston; also serving as a rehearsal assistant and ballet mistress for Houston Repertoire Ballet during those years. Mrs. Koy continued her dance training at the University of Houston where, as a Dance minor, she completed courses in Ballet, Modern and Choreography.
Katie began her dance training with the Ballet Center of Houston at 8 years old under the guidance of Gilbert Rome and Victoria Vittum. While a student, she performed with Houston Repertoire Ballet for seven years, in Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, La Bayadere,
Cinderella and principal roles in The Nutcracker.
Mrs. Koy, who has danced in works by Sandra Organ, Anne Polenjenko, Leeyan Neeley, Gilbert Rome and Lynn Cote, also trained at summer dance programs at the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The Washington Ballet.
In 2005, after her success as a student, she joined the faculty at the Ballet Center of Houston; also serving as a rehearsal assistant and ballet mistress for Houston Repertoire Ballet during those years. Mrs. Koy continued her dance training at the University of Houston where, as a Dance minor, she completed courses in Ballet, Modern and Choreography.
Amanda Planto
Amanda has a long history of national award winning dances in solos, duets, trios and group team dances receiving technique, choreography and precision awards. She has been in the industry for 25 + years leading many of her dancers to major dance organizations in countless of college dance teams in the US, Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, Dallas Mavericks, Texans, Clutch City dancers and even on Broadway and Disney. She graduated with a BFA in dance from Sam Houston and specializes in cleaning, technique, paying attention to detail and pushing her students to excel.
Destiny Ramos
⁃ 14 years at Dancin Bluebonnets winning multiple world titles including World Champion
⁃ Blinn Dance team
⁃ Blinn Dance Captain
⁃ NDA collegiate national champion
⁃ NDA All-American collegiate dancer
⁃ Coached at Dancin Bluebonnets specializing in technique, ballet, and turns
⁃ Taught numerous high school routines and master classes throughout the state of Texas
⁃ Choreographer for numerous solos/duets at all levels specializing in jazz, lyrical, and contemporary
⁃ Participated in several workshops/clinics including Tremaine and NDA college camps
⁃ Captain of the Aggie Dance Team
⁃ Current instructor of the Center Stage Senior teams
A note from Destiny: I am super proud of how much my dancers have grown in the past and can’t wait to continue the progress this year!
Daniel Trevor Bircher
Dan can regularly be found performing locally and in the Houston area as a concert soloist. He holds a Master of Voice and Opera Performance from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Abilene Christian University. Dan has performed with many organizations as a soloist or in an opera role, including the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi in Italy, Orchestra New England, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Opera Association, Yale Opera, ACU Opera, and many more, including local organizations, such as the Brenham Chorale, Blinn College Choir, Cypress Creek Chorale, and Houston Baptist University Choir. Dan has also enjoyed acting in recent theatre productions as a Guest Artist with Blinn College Theatre (Arsenic and Old Lace as Teddy; The Odd Couple as Roy).
Dan is currently the Artistic Director for the Resonance Opera Young Artist Program, serves on the faculties of Houston Baptist University (voice and opera) and Lone Star College – Cy Fair (voice), and teaches private voice lessons. In recent years, Dan has stage directed or conducted the music for numerous opera, operetta, musical theatre, and scenes productions for college/university programs and young artist programs featuring emerging professionals.
As a vocalist, Dan has won awards from various opera organizations and singing competitions, including the Francesco & Hilda Riggio Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Bircher has five children and is married to his wonderful wife, Kathryn Bircher, who collaborates with him on Musical Theatre classes at Center Stage.
Dan can regularly be found performing locally and in the Houston area as a concert soloist. He holds a Master of Voice and Opera Performance from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Abilene Christian University. Dan has performed with many organizations as a soloist or in an opera role, including the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi in Italy, Orchestra New England, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Abilene Opera Association, Yale Opera, ACU Opera, and many more, including local organizations, such as the Brenham Chorale, Blinn College Choir, Cypress Creek Chorale, and Houston Baptist University Choir. Dan has also enjoyed acting in recent theatre productions as a Guest Artist with Blinn College Theatre (Arsenic and Old Lace as Teddy; The Odd Couple as Roy).
Dan is currently the Artistic Director for the Resonance Opera Young Artist Program, serves on the faculties of Houston Baptist University (voice and opera) and Lone Star College – Cy Fair (voice), and teaches private voice lessons. In recent years, Dan has stage directed or conducted the music for numerous opera, operetta, musical theatre, and scenes productions for college/university programs and young artist programs featuring emerging professionals.
As a vocalist, Dan has won awards from various opera organizations and singing competitions, including the Francesco & Hilda Riggio Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Bircher has five children and is married to his wonderful wife, Kathryn Bircher, who collaborates with him on Musical Theatre classes at Center Stage.
Kathryn Bircher
Kathryn began dancing and singing at young age. Through high school she participated in company studio dance, musicals, theatre, drill team, and choir. Kathryn continued her study of music and voice at Abilene Christian University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in voice. While at ACU, Kathryn participated in Sing Song and several operas with ACU Opera, where she first began creating and directing choreography for stage productions! Kathryn then went on to pursue a career in nursing and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Quinnipiac University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Kathryn has continued to collaborate with her husband over the years on performance related projects, where she has created and directed choreography for plays, musical theatre classes & performances, choirs, operas, and show choir. These collaborative efforts have kept Kathryn dancing long after high school and she has now been choreographing for over 20 years! Kathryn and Dan have 5 children which they homeschool and she is of course a “dance Mom.”
Kathryn began dancing and singing at young age. Through high school she participated in company studio dance, musicals, theatre, drill team, and choir. Kathryn continued her study of music and voice at Abilene Christian University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in voice. While at ACU, Kathryn participated in Sing Song and several operas with ACU Opera, where she first began creating and directing choreography for stage productions! Kathryn then went on to pursue a career in nursing and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Quinnipiac University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Kathryn has continued to collaborate with her husband over the years on performance related projects, where she has created and directed choreography for plays, musical theatre classes & performances, choirs, operas, and show choir. These collaborative efforts have kept Kathryn dancing long after high school and she has now been choreographing for over 20 years! Kathryn and Dan have 5 children which they homeschool and she is of course a “dance Mom.”
Jessica Thayne
Jessica is the queen of the tiny tots and she leads them fearlessly! She has a long history in childcare and dance. Jessica has a huge passion for working with the littles and makes every class extra special! Jessica’s whole family is involved in making Center Stage great… her husband Eric is our prop manager and he makes sure every prop gets on stage as well as creates and maintains the props. Her daughter, Danica, is also a company dancer and assistant teacher. Together they also serve on our parade committee! Mrs. Jessica is a huge asset to our studio and keeps things fun and creative!
Ellie Anderson
Eleanor Anderson (Ellie) is a small town girl with big dreams from Sealy, Texas. Ellie is a dancer, singer, and actress based in Texas. She first discovered her passion for performing when she was the age of three, she has been dancing ever since. Growing up Ellie performed a lot in her small town community. She performed in parades, nursing homes, and childrens birthday parties. Ellie trained at her dance studio- Center Stage in Bellville Texas for eleven years, and she was on the competition team for eight years. She also started teaching and choreographing at the age of 15. She has choreographed many solos, duet/trios and group routines that have won first place awards at competitions. Ellie has also assisted at the Houston Astros dance team auditions, the (Shooting Stars). Ellie went to Sealy High school where she participated in many school activities such as Choir and Theatre. She also participated in the drill team where she held the position of officer and Captain for two years.. Ellie later attended College in New York City at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she trained in all styles of dance, voice training, and acting. She has trained under many working professionals who have performed in National and International Tours, Music Videos, and Broadway! During her time at AMDA, Ellie also auditioned for shows in New York while continuing her dance education. Ellie is still auditioning to this day, and continues to take class to further her knowledge of the performing arts. Ellie has always had a huge passion for performing, and she loves sharing that passion with other young performers hoping to inspire them as they move forward in the performing arts industry.
Karen Hoffart
Karen Hoffart is very experienced as an administrator, manager, and backstage performance director, having been involved in countless productions for various dance organizations throughout the greater Houston area. Karen has the ability to wear many hats, from backstage managing to office administration, and has served backstage managing over 200 various productions. Karen served as the backstage director for Houston Repertoire Pre-Professional Ballet Company. Karen also served as the office administrator for Studio of Dance and Ballet Center of Houston for 16 years. Of all her many hats, Mrs. Karen’s favorite hat is the one of GRANDMA! She immensely enjoys spending time with her grandchildren Eddie and Jane.
You can find Mrs. Karen at the desk typically in the Brenham studio but also in Bellville on Wednesdays!
Karen Hoffart is very experienced as an administrator, manager, and backstage performance director, having been involved in countless productions for various dance organizations throughout the greater Houston area. Karen has the ability to wear many hats, from backstage managing to office administration, and has served backstage managing over 200 various productions. Karen served as the backstage director for Houston Repertoire Pre-Professional Ballet Company. Karen also served as the office administrator for Studio of Dance and Ballet Center of Houston for 16 years. Of all her many hats, Mrs. Karen’s favorite hat is the one of GRANDMA! She immensely enjoys spending time with her grandchildren Eddie and Jane.
You can find Mrs. Karen at the desk typically in the Brenham studio but also in Bellville on Wednesdays!
Kiersten Hitchcock
Kiersten has been dancing for 20 years. She was one of the very first dancers enrolled at Center Stage when we first opened in Bellville and has been dancing since she was 5 years old! Kiersten was on the Center Stage company dance team at a young age and continued through high school. Her favorite style of dance is pointe. She began teaching dance at age 13 to help pay for her dance classes and competitions. Highly motivated to continue to dance, Kiersten baby-sat, taught dance, and cleaned houses to earn money to support her passion! Mrs. Kiersten has been married to her amazing husband Elias for 6 years and is a homeschooling Mom to her sweet children Haven, Aiden and new baby Elizabeth! From a young age, Kiersten wanted two things in life, to be a mom and to teach dance. She is completely living the dream!
Kiersten has been dancing for 20 years. She was one of the very first dancers enrolled at Center Stage when we first opened in Bellville and has been dancing since she was 5 years old! Kiersten was on the Center Stage company dance team at a young age and continued through high school. Her favorite style of dance is pointe. She began teaching dance at age 13 to help pay for her dance classes and competitions. Highly motivated to continue to dance, Kiersten baby-sat, taught dance, and cleaned houses to earn money to support her passion! Mrs. Kiersten has been married to her amazing husband Elias for 6 years and is a homeschooling Mom to her sweet children Haven, Aiden and new baby Elizabeth! From a young age, Kiersten wanted two things in life, to be a mom and to teach dance. She is completely living the dream!
Assistant Teachers
Here are some of our amazing assistant teachers! These girls work so hard to be leaders and great role models in our dance classes.