COMPANY
Instructors
Taylor Pittman
As our studio has grown, so has my role within it. I have served as an instructor, Company Director, and ultimately Studio Owner and Director. Today, I specialize in tap and primarily lead our tap Company (“Melody”) while continuing to teach specialty pieces in a variety of styles.
My tap choreography has received numerous regional and national awards and recognitions, but what matters most to me is the growth I see in each dancer - both technically and personally.
I would not be where I am today without the dance teachers who shaped me. Because of them, I get to wake up every day filled with gratitude, doing something I truly love while making a positive impact on the next generation. That is the gift I hope to pass on to my dancers. The deep relationships formed within Company are what make this program so special. These dancers motivate and inspire me to be my best every day - so they can grow into the very best versions of themselves.
Melody Tap Company Instructor
My journey with the FCDC Competitive Company began in 2015 with a junior tap number. Since then, I have had the opportunity to teach and choreograph across a wide range of styles, including acro, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, and contemporary.
Julia Runne
Teen & Senior Breakthrough Instructor
With over 10 years of competitive dance experience, I bring a diverse background in dance team, studio training, and audition preparation for collegiate and professional teams. Now entering my fourth year with the program, I have the privilege of working with our Breakthrough Teen and Senior teams, helping athletes elevate both their technical performance and their team culture.
My passion extends beyond choreography and technique. I am committed to building confident, resilient dancers by creating an environment where accountability, encouragement, and team morale thrive.
I believe that lasting success is achieved by setting attainable goals and empowering each dancer to recognize their value and potential.My coaching philosophy is centered on the principles of preparation, poise, perseverance, personality, and prioritization. By emphasizing these core values, I strive to help every athlete perform with excellence, develop unwavering self-confidence, and contribute positively to a unified, high-performing team, both on and off the floor.
Sam Porter
Morph Acro Company Instructor
I joined FCDC Company as an instructor in 2024. In my first two years, I coached Mini Breakthrough and worked with several talented soloists. During that time, my choreography earned overall placements, top adjudications, and a “Best Choreography” award during the most recent competition season.
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As I begin my third year with FCDC Companies, Morph — the first acro competitive team at First Class — has been introduced under my direction. As the director and coach of the team, I am passionate about sharing my love for acro dance while helping students grow into confident, hardworking performers and individuals.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my passion for dance and acro in a competitive setting, and I never take for granted the chance to work with such dedicated and passionate students.
MarcusSanford
Hype Hip Hop Instructor
Born and raised right here in Killeen, Texas, I am beyond thrilled to be joining this incredible studio family for my very first season as a Company Team Instructor! My dance journey began when I was just five years old, and over the years, I’ve found my true creative home and highlighted style in the high-energy world of Hip Hop.
I have always dreamed of choreographing for a company team, and I am deeply committed to nurturing that same passion in my dancers and witnessing their growth both on and off the stage. I cannot wait to get to work, build something amazing together, and get down and boogie with all of you this season!
Jolie Medel
Petite Breakthrough Instructor
Hello, my name is Jolie Medel and this will be my second year with First Class Dance Center Company. I had the opportunity to work with our petite breakthrough girls. I love working with these young dancers and watching them grow. They are always motivated to work towards their goals and I love being apart of that. FCDC is an amazing community, where we get to be ourselves, learn from others, and have amazing experiences. I am correctly in my senior year at Texas State University and had the privilege of being a Texas State Strutter for two years. Being apart of that team helped me becoming even more involved with that dance community and was the reason I got a teaching position at FCDC. I will forever be grateful for this and can’t wait to see the growth that will happen this year!
Olivia Hintz
Junior Breakthrough Instructor
Olivia is so excited to begin her first season as a Company Instructor. Although this is her first year in an official company role, she has already had the privilege of teaching many of the company dancers through the studio’s ballet program. Getting to watch these students grow, not only as dancers, but as people, has been one of the greatest joys of her teaching journey. Their willingness to work hard, support one another, and embrace new challenges is what inspires her every day.
For Olivia, teaching is about so much more than perfecting technique. She strives to create a classroom where every dancer feels seen, encouraged, and confident enough to take risks, ask questions, and celebrate both big accomplishments and small victories. This season, her goal is to build meaningful relationships with each of her students, strengthen the sense of family within the team, and help every dancer grow not only technically, but also as a thoughtful, resilient, and expressive artist. She is equally excited to continue growing herself by exploring new creative ideas and pushing her own artistry through choreography.
Olivia earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she trained extensively in contemporary dance and had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers including Jin-Wen Yu, Christopher Walker, Duane Lee Holland Jr., Cameron McKinney, Charles O. Anderson, Sean Curran, and Sidra Bell. She has a deep love for musicality and enjoys creating choreography that allows movement and music to feel inseparable. She is especially passionate about crafting seamless movement phrases that tell a story and encourage dancers to move with intention, authenticity, and artistry.Olivia feels incredibly grateful to be a part of each dancer’s journey. She believes every student has something unique to offer, and she is honored to play a small role in helping them discover their confidence, reach their goals, and fall even more in love with dance.
Rose Leal
Mini Breakthrough Instructor
Rose Leal has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She danced competitively at First Class Dance Center for 12 years . She has competed in many competitions in different styles of dance such as Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip-hop.
In middle school, she was on the Dahlstrom Dazzlers dance team and helped choreograph for her team. As a freshman, she was on the Moe and Gene Johnson Rosettes Drill team. With the Rosettes, Rose went on to achieve many national awards. They competed at Dance Team Union, holding 2nd place in Jazz and Lyrical and winning the 'Battle' in Orlando, Florida.
At the same time, she stepped into leadership roles as a Future Leader and then Junior Staff at First Class Dance Center, really growing her skills in teaching and creative work. Rose also served as a social officer on her drill team her Junior and Senior year and fell in love with posting and being creative. After graduating high school in 2026, Rose is excited to start her new journey as a Company Instructor.
Her deep passion for dance is what truly drives her, making her want to share its amazing power with every dancer she meets. Rose absolutely loves performing and being on stage, and this fuels her goal to make dance a welcoming 'home' for the next generation. For Rose, dance isn't just movement, it's a safe place, a way to truly express herself, and she's totally committed to bringing that feeling of safety and a voice to everyone in the studio.
