Our Instructors

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Angelina Barba was born in Los Angeles, California and began her training in hip hop at the age of 8. She then soon moved to Austin, Texas to continue her training at local dance studios. She competed with 2 Hype hip hop company for 5 years, under the direction of Leslie Garcia. Angelina joined the Rouse Royals drill team in high school and served as a line officer her senior year. Along with her senior year of high school, she competed with eSTREET hip hop company, under the direction of Justin Streeter.

Angelina has received Grand National titles and many awards and scholarships throughout her competitive dance team years. She has continued her training at an industry level, along with receiving prestigious assistant and performance opportunities by her mentors.

Angelina’s found love for teaching has given her many opportunities as she now teaches at local studios and schools in the Austin area regularly. She has also held director positions of preprofessional hip hop companies such as eSTREET hip hop company and is currently the director and choreographer for REALM hip hop company at The Dance Academy in Leander, TX. Angelina wishes to continue her training and growth as both a student and a teacher. She is excited to continue to create choreography, teach and share her passion for dance!

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Formal Training: ● Margo Marshall School of Ballet (City Ballet of Houston): 1971-1981 ● The Gulbenkian Foundation: Full scholarship, in Estoril, Portugal, 1973 & 1974 ● The Joffrey Ballet: Full scholarships 1975-1980 ● Boston Ballet: Full scholarships 1979 & 1980 ● San Francisco Ballet: Full and partial scholarships from 1976-1979 I had the privilege to study under renowned teachers such as: ● Robert Joffrey, of the Joffrey Ballet ● Frederick Franklin, an original member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo ● Anna-Marie Holmes, international Ballerina, director, teacher, and choreographer ● Keith Cross, international jazz dancer, director, teacher, and choreographer Pre Professional Training: ● City Ballet of Houston, under the direction of Margo Marshall: Corps de Ballet, Soloist and Principal roles from 1975-1981 Professional Performing Career: ● Delia Stewart Jazz Dance Company: Soloist and Principal roles 1988-1989 ● Theatre Under the Stars: 1988 ● Texas Dance Theatre: Soloist and Principal roles 1990-1996 ● Houston Symphony Orchestra: 1990 ● Houston Grande Opera: 1991 & 1992 ● Guest performer, 1990-1992, at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago, IL Teaching Experience: ● Margo Marshall School of Ballet: Ballet & Jazz 1982-1983 ● Margo Marshall/Gilbert Rome Studio of Dance: Ballet & Jazz 1988-1999 ● International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS: Faculty member/Ballet & Jazz 1994 ● Ballet Center of Houston: Ballet & Jazz 1995-1999 ● Western Arkansas Ballet: Summer guest teacher/Jazz 1995-1998 and 2003-2005 ● Tulsa Ballet: Summer guest teacher/Jazz 1996-1998, 2001 & 2002 ● Marsha Woody Academy of Dance: Ballet 2000-2002 ● Lamar University: Summer guest teacher/Ballet & Jazz 2005-2019

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Shanna Fragen is an Austin based dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She is originally from Chicago, IL and earned a BFA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. Shanna has taught, choreographed, and directed at many studios in the Austin area, and has trained several students who have gone on to dance for acclaimed college dance programs and companies. Shanna’s choreography has been recognized and awarded in both competitive and professional communities. She has performed with local company, BLiPSWiTCH, and has been involved in many festivals and performances as both a dancer and a choreographer. She has attended a myriad of intensives and training programs, including two summers in Tel Aviv, Israel, at the Gaga/Dancers summer course with Batsheva Dance Company. Shanna is honored and excited for the opportunity to share her passion for dance with the students at The Dance Academy.

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Brendan Rodriguez is a dancer, choreographer and instructor from Austin, TX. Throughout high school he trained and performed with ZACH Theatre’s Elite Pre-Professional Company and Cedar Ridge HS Visual and Performing Arts Academy. After graduating he continued his training as a dance major at Sam Houston State University for 2 years working with various choreographers and performing in musical productions. He has worked in multiple studios and tumbling gyms specializing in circus arts and acrobatics while also performing in both the Austin and Houston areas. Brendan is excited to start his 5th year of teaching acrobatics and dance!

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Courtney's love for dance was passed down from her Rockett Grandmother, who funded Courtney's dance classes around age 4. Courtney danced at Gould Academy of Dance Arts as her home studio for 14 years. She trained in ballet, jazz, hiphop, lyrical, pointe, and dabbled in tap. Her love for dance and children started around age 11. As an only child, Courtney loved the chaos of children and started assistant teaching at Gould until she took over the classes herself at age 14. Courtney was accepted into the VPAA, Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin Highschool in 1999. She was one of only 8 dancers accepted from her district. Her high school experience was a blocked schedule, allowing Courtney to take classes from guest teachers throughout the year in school and focused on integrating performance art, she danced in several shows/events/activities each year. She also danced with many local artistry groups such as River North Dance, Gus Giodano, Hubbard Street, Tri-City dance theatre. She danced with DanceEscape for a season and often attended Dance for Life workshops across Chicagoland. She taught for a few local studios in Chicago, LA and finally the STEPS academy up until she moved to Texas in 2018. After a few years break from starting a family and surviving a pandemic, Courtney finally found her home studio here in Texas, tDA. :) She has been teaching at tDA since 2021.