Staff
Addison was born in Austin and raised in San Marcos, Texas. Her passion for dance began at age twelve through her junior high drill team, following years of training in gymnastics and cheer. In high school, she continued to pursue dance as a member of the Elite Company of the San Marcos Diamond Line dance team. During this time, she was awarded regional and national titles for her solos, duets, and group routines, and was invited to perform at several pro-bowl events​.
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At age 15, Addison expanded her dance training at First Class Dance Center, where she immersed herself in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, ballet, technique, and acrobatics. Through studio classes, masterclasses, and regional conventions, she developed a well-rounded foundation and a deeper love for dance. Her time as a student at the studio inspired her to pursue teaching, and in 2017 she joined the FCDC faculty. Since then, Addison has thrived as an instructor, specializing in technique, jazz, and creative, boundary-pushing choreography.
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Since launching her choreography career, she has earned numerous awards for both choreography and entertainment in styles such as contemporary, musical theater, and jazz. Addison is also a sought-after choreographer for studios and drill teams throughout the Central Texas area. Addison graduated from Texas State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. She integrates her academic background in injury prevention, anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics into her teaching, prioritizing safe training practices and educating dancers on effective muscle mechanics to enhance their performance and longevity.​
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In 2025, Addison stepped into the role of Company Coordinator at First Class Dance Center. She leads the company programs in a competitive and professional environment, preparing dancers not only for future careers in the industry but also instilling lifelong skills applicable to any professional path.Now in her ninth year of teaching at FCDC, Addison is passionate about sharing her artistry, knowledge, and unique perspective with the next generation of dancers.
Addison Werlein
COMPANY COORDINATOR
Mrs. Taylor is from Dale, Texas a small town just south of Austin.
She started taking tap and ballet lessons when she was eight years old which led her to a spot on a competition team later on that year. She continued dancing competitively through her senior year of high school at various competitions and conventions primarily in the central Texas area. However, she has also traveled to New York where she trained at Broadway. Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and performed at Encore Nationals in Las Vegas where she danced with the Encore Elite Dance Team.
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Since she started dancing, she has had extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, contemporary, and acro-dance. She started assisting classes when she was fourteen and began teaching at FCDC at sixteen. She graduated from Texas State University in the spring of 2020 with degrees in accounting and marketing. She was promoted to Company Director spring of 2019 in which she took on more responsibilities around the studio such as planning performances, leading the competitive companies, and creating and planning studio classes and camps.
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She took ownership of FCDC in 2020 and continues to share her
passion for dance with San Marcos youth while helping them reach their fullest potential both in and outside of the studio.
Taylor Pittman
OWNER | DIRECTOR
Mrs. Noelle was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and found her passion for dance from a young age at various studios such as Ballet Austin, The DanceWorks, and Greater Austin Dance Academy where she trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, jazz, and hip-hop. In high school, Noelle continued pursuing her interest in dance and served as a three-year Captain of the Dragon Pride Dance Company, Round Rock High School’s award-winning competitive modern/contemporary dance team.By leading the Dragon Pride Dance Company, Noelle found that her lifelong goal was to teach dance. She graduated from Round Rock High School in2020 with medical and fine arts program endorsements.
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After graduation, she began attending Texas State University and was accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance Education program with a projected graduation date of Fall 2024. Noelle continues to choreograph,dance, and perform for the Texas State BFA program in various mediums such as thesis works, video dance, and stage management. She has had the privilege of studying under Michelle Nance, Shay Lee Hartung, and LeAnne Smith, who all danced for and with Erick Hawkins, a revolutionary pioneer of modern dance. ​​
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Noelle started her position as Office Manager at First Class Dance Center in October of 2023. She prides herself in her ability to create and maintain a welcoming and warm studio atmosphere that is organized, consistent, and inviting. Noelle hopes to integrate the artistry of modern dance and cement the importance of ballet technique into young artists who hope to make dance a career one day.
Noelle Manis
DAILY OPERATIONS MANAGER | ADMIN
Sam was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where she began her journey in dance at just three years old when a doctor recommended ballet to address her tiptoe walking. Noticeably flourishing in the sport, Sam's mom enrolled her in multiple classes of different genres. Over the years, she trained in a variety of dance styles, but acro-dance
captured her heart for its unique combination of strength, flexibility, and artistry.​
In her early teens, Sam began her journey as a competitive acro dancer. Competing both as a soloist and team member. She has loved the opportunity to pass down her experience in the competitive setting and develop the students at FCDC into strong acrobatics, where they're skills are no longer just complimenting other genres, but standing on its own as a highly skilled art form.
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​ In the summer of 2024, Sam earned her Acro-Dance certification through the prestigious Acrobatic Arts Organization, ensuring that her students receive safe, high-quality training. As the studio’s main acro instructor starting in Fall 2025, Sam is dedicated to helping her students develop both their technical acro skills and their creativity, pushing them to reach their full potential.​
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Sam Porter
COMPANY INSTRUCTOR | ACRO INSTRUCTOR
With a philosophy rooted in the powerful connection between mind, body, and soul, Julia Runne brings a uniquely holistic approach to dance education. Her extensive background includes 18 years of personal performance and 8 years of dedicated coaching, all driven by the belief that dance is a transformative tool for healing and building confidence.
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Julia’s journey began on the competitive dance floor, where she developed formidable leadership skills as a high school drill team Captain and later as a Director. This experience shaped her understanding of team dynamics and the importance of character in a dancer's success. Today, she channels that knowledge into her teaching, focusing on five core principles she believes are foundational: Purpose, Professionalism, Persistence, Positivity, and Personality. This philosophy is the cornerstone of her method, especially in her 1:1 training sessions, where she serves as a personal coach and mentor. By blending her expertise in dance with a background in marketing and personal training, Julia offers her students a comprehensive and confidence-building experience. ​
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She is excited to bring her fresh, growth-focused lessons to the FCDC community, fostering an environment where every dancer can thrive and feel safe to be their most authentic self.
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Julia Runne
COMPANY INSTRUCTOR
Olivia graduated in August 2023 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance and is excited to be starting her professional dance journey. Along with seeking out professional performance opportunities, she is passionate about teaching young minds the joy of dance as well. She has been dancing since she was three in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern, and Contemporary. ​
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"My personal choreographic style is a fusion of fundamental Jazz elements like rhythm, style, and grit with influences of modern and contemporary forms as well." While in school, she had the pleasure of working with world renowned professors including her personal mentor and dear friend Duane Lee Holland Jr. She is ecstatic to continue to pass on the knowledge she's learned and teach the young minds of the dance world today!
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Olivia Hintz
INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Killeen, Texas, Marcus began performing at the young age of six in school performances and stage plays. This early love for the stage sparked a passion for movement and dance. Without any dance studios in his area, Marcus used music videos and award show performances as his training ground, teaching himself the art of hip-hop.
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In high school, he joined his school's step and hip-hop dance teams, where he discovered his love for choreography. After graduation, he fully committed to his dance career, training at renowned dance conventions like Monsters of Hip Hop to evolve into a versatile artist. Marcus has had the opportunity to open for mainstream artists like K-Camp and Tory Lanez, as well as various local artists. Throughout his dance journey, he has ventured into other styles like jazz and contemporary. ​
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He continues to hone his craft by regularly attending classes and workshops, always seeking new ways to grow and express himself through dance. “I feel dance is a gift you should share upon with other. Every move and every step should have a purpose and a meaning”
Marcus Sanford
HIP-HOP INSTRUCTOR
BIO COMING SOON
Jolie Medel
COMPANY INSTRUCTOR | ASSIST. INSTRUCTOR
Hannah started dancing at the age of 2 and continued training through high school in ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, tap, and clogging. She also grew up tumbling and was a cheerleader throughout school. As a child, she competed a few times, though her home studio didn’t form a set competition team until after she graduated.
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After graduating high school in 2016, Hannah began teaching at the studio where she grew up and quickly discovered that her true passion was teaching dance. While in college, she earned two degrees but continued to pour her heart into teaching. Over the years, she has worked with both recreational and competitive dancers and has choreographed award-winning routines across a variety of styles and age groups.
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Originally from Arkansas, Hannah moved to San Marcos in the summer of 2024. This is her second year with FCDC, and she’s excited to continue helping young dancers grow, build confidence, and discover a love for dance just like she did!
Hannah Dumas
INSTRUCTOR | ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Emily was born and raised in Irving, Texas where she began dancing at 3 years old. Currently a Junior in college, she moved to San Marcos to attend Texas State University and pursue Recreational Therapy in 2024.
Emily danced for 8 years semi-professionally and spent 5 of those years in the top company at Momentum Dance Company in Irving, TX. She also competed with a competition team for 7 years. She specializes in ballet but is trained in advanced jazz, lyrical, and modern styles. After completing high school, Emily taught Pre-Kindergarten academics for three years in her hometown. She plans to graduate from Texas State University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation and Sport Management with a certificate to be a Recreational Therapist in May 2027.
Emily is excited to combine her love of teaching and dance with First Class Dance Center, and is passionate about encouraging youth to pursue healthy movement from a young age.
Emily Blake
INSTRUCTOR | ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Hannah was born and raised in Pearland, Texas. She started dance at the age of three at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance and has been teaching there since her senior year.
She attended high level conventions and competitions such as NYCDA, 24Seven, and Velocity where she was able to learn from some of the best dance instructors in the industry. She traveled to New York and Florida for nationals and performance opportunities.
She is a student at Texas State University studying Elementary Education. Hannah is passionate about teaching students and building them up in their
confidence and skill. Teaching with kindness and high expectations allows her students to thrive. Movement quality and intention is what drives her passion for dance. Seeing the light in student’s eyes is why she continues to poor into the dance industry!
Hannah Babineaux
INSTRUCTOR | ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Ms. Karissa found her love for dance at just two years old and has been dancing ever since. Over the past sixteen years, she has trained in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary and technique. Along the way, she has been recognized with scholarships and awards, but what she values most are the lessons, creativity, and joy that dance continues to bring into her life.
Karissa has experience teaching and assisting at Barbara & Tammy’s School of Dance, where she worked with dancers of all ages. She has also choreographed solos and assisted with competition routines, which has deepened her passion for mentoring young dancers and watching them grow.
She is currently pursuing her degree in Dance Education at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Karissa is excited to begin this new chapter of teaching, and she looks forward to sharing her love for dance, encouraging confidence, and inspiring every student who walks into the studio.
Karissa Hernandez
INSTRUCTOR | ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Frida Correa was born and raised in Eagle Pass, Texas. She began her dance training at the age of three at Nicole’s Dance and Art School, where she studied a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, acro, jazz, hip hop, and flamenco. Over the years, she expanded her experience by traveling to Houston for Tremaine competitions, and during her senior year of high school she was a member of her drill team while continuing her studio training.
She began working with young dancers and quickly discovered her love for teaching. She has continued to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with students ever since. Currently, she is a sophomore in college pursuing a double major in Dance and Education with a BFA in Performance and Choreography.
Deeply passionate about her art, She aspires to pursue a professional dance career in New York or Los Angeles after graduation, with the goal of performing, choreographing, and inspiring the next generation of dancers. She is excited to continue her journey with FCDC and to bring her dedication and creativity into the studio.
Frida Correa
INSTRUCTOR | ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Lilly Sierra
FUTURE LEADER
Rose Leal
2026 SENIOR | Jr. STAFF
Sophia Buchanan
FUTURE LEADER