TEACHING ARTISTS

A Native of Houston, Heather trained under Lynette Mason Gregg at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts since age 4. She Danced Professionally with the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre for four seasons, during which she performed featured roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Cinderella in Cinderella, Lucy in Dracula, Carmen in Carmen, and several company works. Heather's Choreographic work for BAHBT includes: Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and several mixed programs. In New York, she performed in the Moving Beauty Series Dance Festival and Sans Limit Dance Collective. Returning to Clear Lake with her husband, Travis Kirk Coombs, to raise their beautiful daughters, she enjoys being home at The JET-PAC (Juxtapose Emphasis Theatre & Performing Arts Center) as Artistic Director and as Company Manager and choreographer for Juxtapose Arts Collective. Ms. Ludwig has danced with Juxtapose Arts Collective in many different performances since its inception in 2016.  This past season she had the opportunity to set Giselle Act 2 on the Juxtapose II dancers and was honored to accept the role of Ballet Mistress with the company for the 2018-2019 season. Ms. Ludwig was cast as the Stepmother and the Autumn Fairy with Misty Copeland in Open World Dance Foundation's production of Cinderella at the Hobby Center.  She alos toured these roles with OWD, performing with ABT Principals Devon Teuscher and Cory Stearns.  Ms. Ludwig has also performed as a guest artist as Firebird in The Firebird, Myrtha in Giselle, and Big Swan in Swan Lake, all staged by Charmaine Hunter. Ms. Ludwig is currently the Dance Program Deputy for the Juxtapose Emphasis Theatre and Performing Arts Center, and the Youth Program Principal for Vitacca Vocational School for Dance Montrose.

Melissa Ludwig received her early training from the School of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company and has enjoyed an extensive performance career.  She has danced professionally with the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Milwaukee Ballet, and Ballet Austin.  She joined Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre in 2012 as an Artist in Residence.  While dancing with BAHBT, Ms. Ludwig enjoyed performing roles such as the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, and Rose in The Nutcracker, Lead Vampire in Dracula, The Dying Swan, as well as the soloist in Mujeres and Bolero. Ms. Ludwig has danced with Juxtapose Arts Collective in many different performances since its inception in 2016.  This past season she had the opportunity to set Giselle Act 2 on the Juxtapose II dancers and was honored to accept the role of Ballet Mistress with the company for the 2018-2019 season. Ms. Ludwig was cast as the Stepmother and the Autumn Fairy with Misty Copeland in Open World Dance Foundation's production of Cinderella at the Hobby Center.  She alos toured these roles with OWD, performing with ABT Principals Devon Teuscher and Cory Stearns.  Ms. Ludwig has also performed as a guest artist as Firebird in The Firebird, Myrtha in Giselle, and Big Swan in Swan Lake, all staged by Charmaine Hunter. Ms. Ludwig is currently the Dance Program Deputy for the Juxtapose Emphasis Theatre and Performing Arts Center, and the Youth Program Principal for Vitacca Vocational School for Dance Montrose.

Jenna started her dance journey at 2 years old. Ballet and Jazz being her main focuses led her to Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where she became a more serious dancer. Jenna trained pre-professionally alongside professional dancers in world renowned works by Luis Fuente, Ayman Harper, and Kevin Cahoon. Once graduated, Jenna took a more freelance approach to a dance career. She signed with talent and modeling agency Neal Hamil Agency, there she worked with big brands such as M.A.C, Dillard’s, and No Cow Protein Bars. Jenna has had the privilege to be an in-house professional dancer/choreographer for Juxtapose Arts Collective for the past 6 years. Jenna would like to thank Heather Steele for allowing her the opportunity to grow in a new passion for choreography. She would also like to thank her past instructors for instilling a strong knowledge in technique and performative skills.

Sara Chase began dancing at the age of 3 and her love of dance has never stopped.  Ms. Chase trained and danced with the Munro ballet school, Chula Vista Fine Arts Academy, the Corpus Christi Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Clear Lake Metropolitan Ballet, San Jacinto College, Texas Dance Theater, the Jazz Dance World Congress, and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company.   Sara began her dance studio, Axis Dance Studio, twenty years ago and ran the non profit youth dance company Fuzion Dance Company.  Eight years ago she started her aerial arts journey and has been sharing her unique perspective of ballet based circus arts at her dance studio.  After finding her niche as a formal ballet trained circus performer, Ms. Chase loves sharing her love and expertise of aerial arts and her Space City Circus with the JET-PAC families!

Sofia is a passionate and dedicated dancer and educator who began her dance journey at the age of three. She started her professional dance career at just 16 years old with Ballet Arizona and the following year with Juxtapose Arts Collective, where she developed a strong foundation in technique, artistry, and performance. Sofia graduated from the University of Houston–Downtown with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. She currently works as a dance educator at Dickinson Junior High, where she shares her love for dance while inspiring young dancers to grow in confidence, creativity, and technique. With years of professional dance experience and a growing passion for education, Sofia strives to create a positive and encouraging environment where every student feels supported and motivated to reach their full potential. She hopes to continue growing as an educator while sharing the discipline, teamwork, and joy that dance has brought into her life.

Macey Guzman is a passionate and dedicated dancer whose career began at a young age at the esteemed Royal Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of Lynette Mason Gregg.   Following Lynette's passing, Macey continued her education at the Feijoo Ballet School under the direction of Lorna Feijoo. This formative period provided a solid foundation and opened the door to numerous opportunities, including being a company dancer with the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater. During this time, Macey had the privilege of learning from remarkable teachers such as Lorna Feijoo, Nelson Madrigal, Lorena Feijoo, and Ayman Harper, each contributing to her artistic development.   After graduating high school, Macey relocated to Chicago to further pursue her passion for dance with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's professional program under the direction of Alexandra Wells. Here, Macey had the opportunity to work with an array of talented choreographers, including Peter Chu, Rena Butler, Adam Barruch, Jonathan Alsberry, and Florian Locher and many others. Highlights of her time in Chicago include performances with Hubbard Streets Dance Company in the Dance (e) Volve Winter Series choreographed by Florian Locher and "Space In Perspective," choreographed by Peter Chu. Following her enriching experience in Chicago, Macey joined the Houston Grand Opera, where she danced for two seasons. She performed in notable productions such as "Romeo and Juliet," choreographed by Donald Byrd, and "La Traviata," choreographed by Austin McCormick and revived by Charlotte Bydwell. In addition to her performance career, Macey is a certified third-generation Romana Kryzanowska Pilates Instructor and has been teaching for five years. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love for dance and Pilates with others, continuing to teach and freelance in her current endeavors. With a diverse background and extensive training, Macey remains committed to the art of dance, inspiring others while continually exploring new avenues for growth and expression in her career.

Originally from Houston, TX,  Herman Charles III began his dance career as local performer. He quickly became one of the city's most sought after performers and dance instructors. Herman has worked with talent managers, Mathew Knowles, Charles Chavez and creative director, Kim Burse as a choreographer & creative director. He has worked with artists such as Frankie J., Solange Knowles, Tri-ni-tee 5:7, Megan Thee Stallion, That Girl Lay Lay and helped develop artists like Normani and Josh Levi. He has also choreographed for Pro Teams: Houston Rocket Power Dancers and Houston Dynamo Girls. Herman has also staged and choreographed musicals, Saturday Night Fever, The Wiz, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, The Wizard of Oz & Cinderella. He is currently developing new artists and when he’s not touring, continues to teach hip hop dance in his hometown.

Cathy Marmolejo, a Houston native, wears a lot of different hats. She began dancing at age 5, having her first potential tap solo to the ever popular "Tea For Two" at age 6. Sadly, she was too shy at the time and had four other dances to worry about, so she declined – something she regrets to this day. However, she soon moved to Deer Park and continued her training with Lynette Mason Gregg at Royal Academy of Fine Arts and has not declined to perform since. While in middle school she took up the clarinet, eventually graduating from college with a Bachelor of Music Education on bassoon, bass clarinet, and clarinet, with a minor in dance and theatre - performing, in some capacity, was always the focus. With bass clarinet/bassoon being difficult instruments to march with, she took up colorguard – combining dance with flags, rifles, and sabres. This is where the choreography/designing bug bit. She went on to become an award-winning choreographer for several high schools and colleges during marching season, as well as for winterguard in the off-season. She started teaching for the Academy at the Humphrey's School for Musical Theatre at Theatre Under The Stars in 2006, teaching all levels of tap, ballet and jazz, as well as all ages for the Open Enrollment Program including the 4-6yr old musical theatre classes, tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, summer camps, and her beloved adult tap classes. There with the Musicals for Young Audiences program, where students work alongside professional in continued training, she choreographed and performed in James and The Giant Peach and then re-choreographed/adapted it for Miller Outdoor Theatre for HSMT. Other performances include SCROOGE (Mrs. Cratchit), The Shoemaker and The Christmas Elves (Gretchen), and The Phantom Tollbooth. One of her favorite things is to choreograph tap numbers that are not from traditional tap shows – "Matilda" and "Bring It On" to name a couple. She also teaches and choreographs in many schools throughout the state and was invited to choreograph a number for "Tapping Away" with students from HSMT during Dance Month at the Kaplan Theatre featuring Acia Gray and Tapestry Dance Company as well as other area performing groups. Other favorite stage performances include, Guys And Dolls (Sarah Brown), Hello Dolly (Irene Malloy), You Can't Take It With You (Essie Carmichael), and Mousetrap (Mollie Ralston), to name a few. She performed 6 seasons with HGO and has also worked in film and commercials. Aside from performing on stage/screen, or in the orchestra pit, and teaching/choreographing all around Houston - to round out the hat rack, she can also be found backstage as part of the wardrobe crew for TUTS, HGO, and Broadway Series. In addition to choreographing, she also writes and directs. Her newest endeavors include writing children's books, narrating audio books and transcribing closed caption for TV. Her greatest accomplishment to date though are her two wonderful and amazingly talented kids who tagged along long enough to catch the bug and are now professional performers/teachers themselves.

Miles Marmolejo is a musical theatre performer and dance teacher with a passion for the arts. He trained at TUTS and the Houston Ballet, and has been performing with TUTS consistently, along with other regional theaters such as PCLO and the Muny. Some of his favorite shows he has performed includes Mary Poppins, Newsies, and White Christmas. As a dance teacher at TUTS for 5 years and the Jet-Pac for two, Miles shares his love for dance and inspires his students with his expertise.

Cara began dancing at the age of seven after trying a variety of sports and activities and discovering that dance was the one place she felt at home. From her very first class, she knew dance was something special and something she wanted to pursue for as long as she could. Throughout her training, Cara has studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater, with contemporary and jazz being her favorite styles. One of her most memorable and meaningful roles has been playing the Conductor in Believe, a role she describes as the most rewarding and special one she has ever performed. Cara is especially proud of being able to teach younger dancers who are at the same stage of life she was when she first fell in love with dance. Her biggest goal is to be a positive role model for those around her while continuing to challenge herself, learn, and grow as a dancer for as long as she can. Outside of dance, Cara enjoys spending time with friends, shopping, and treating herself to fun drinks. She is also a huge Disney fan, having been on eight Disney cruises, visited Disneyland seven times, and traveled to Disney World six times. Joyful, hardworking, and loyal, Cara brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a heart to everything she does.