ABOUT THE STUDIO:

The Dance Works opened in 1998 by owner/director Michelle Bellamy-Arndt. The studio has 2 large dance studios with a floating floor system and marley floor covering. The Studio began with one studio continually increasing in size throughout the years and eventually moved in March of 2006 to our new larger spacious studios on the other side of the facility! Our new "waiting area" is actually a cafe where our parents and students can enjoy delightful coffee, smoothies as well as grab a bite to eat while viewing their dancers on our flat screen televisions located in the lobby. No small viewing windows here! Leather chairs and a relaxing environment make dance class enjoyable for both the parent and the student!

Michelle's goal is to provide the children from the community and surrounding areas quality dance instruction in a fun and loving environment. From recreational dance to serious study, all levels of dance are available to our students. All of our instructors believe in teaching through positive reinforcement and feel the children learn best in that environment. We feel we have in place a studio where any age can learn and enjoy dance and feel part of a positive and well rounded extended family. At The Dance Works our quest is to always be our best.

OUR MISSION:

We are dedicated to the art of dance. Our goal is to build talent and self-esteem while learning teamwork, dedication and commitment. We feel that at The Dance Works, there is a place for everyone, from the "competitive" to the "just for fun" dancer.

THE DANCEWORKS STAFF

	DIRECTOR, MICHELLE BELLAMY-ARNDT Michelle began her dance training at the tender age of three in Grand Island, Nebraska. She began instructing dancers in her hometown of Cairo, Nebraska while a freshman in high school. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Nebraska and Creighton University where she studied dance. Michelle has had successful studios in Grand Island, Nebraska, Sioux City, Iowa, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and taught dance classes to aspiring dancers in Yorktown, Virginia, prior to the opening of The Dance Works in Austin, Texas. She and her husband Ken, have two sons. Jake and Alex, who both attend The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
	LESLIE TEICHGRAEBER Leslie was born and raised in Katy, Texas. Her love for dance was jumpstarted at the age of three when she began attending classes at the Carol Ehler Dance Studio in Houston, Texas. She began competing in local and state-wide competitions at the age of eight, under team categories, taking home a number of gold and silver medals. In addition to competing with her classmates, she also began competing in solo divisions at the age of ten taking home a number of gold and silver medals in the years to follow. While attending St. Edward's University in Austin, Leslie re-organized the abandoned dance team the university had once had, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Social Work. She also earned her Master's in Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans. She now lives in the open-country of Leander with her husband, Axel, and their many pets. She still LOVES to dance and enjoys this opportunity to be a part of The Dance Works team!
	JESSICA TREMBLAY Ms. Tremblay is on her 22nd year of dance and recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. Jessica grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where she received her dance training from Bruce Lea Dance Factory and Gayle Corkery School of Ballet. Jessica's competition team won many national awards and titles at competitions including Showstoppers, Showbiz, Stage One, and Starlight. She also has performed in many local shows including Mayfest, Oktoberfest, Miss Fort Worth and Miss Texas Pageants. She has also participated in her high school musicals as well as choreographed Bye Bye Birdie her Senior year. Jessica also had the opportunity to perform with UT's STEEL Dance Company, where she was a member for 5 years and Publicity Manager for 2 years. STEEL Dance Company performed at many UT functions including Gone to Texas, Texas Revue, UT/OU pep rallies, and Campus Fusion. She was also given the opportunity to choreograph for the company as well.
	SONJA SNOW Sonja was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sonja started dancing at the age of four, she danced and performed with Southwest Ballet Company for all of her grade school years. After high school she received a dance scholarship to attend West Texas A&M University. While studying in Texas she dance with Lone Star Ballet Company, and spent three summers performing In the Musical Drama "Texas", she also taught all of the college level Jazz classes at WTA&MU. After receiving her B.F.A in dance, she moved back to New Mexico and danced with New Mexico Ballet Company for one Season. After getting married Sonja and her husband moved to Las Vegas, so she could audition for shows. Having lived in Las Vegas for 8 years, she danced in "Tournament of Kings" at the Excalibur, "Celebration Lounge" at the Tropicana, and most recently she danced for three years for "Siegfried and Roy." While dancing Sonja Taught for the Academy of Ballet for six years, teaching Ballet and Jazz. After "Siegfried and Roy" closed, Sonja had a little girl who is now two. Sonja, and her family moved to Texas in February. Sonja has over 12 years of teaching experience and is looking forward to teaching here in Texas. This will be her first year teaching with Danceworks.
	LEAH SMILEY TUBBS Leah Smiley Tubbs, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, studied dance at Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. She toured with the Alabama Ballet during her time at ASFA. She is a former scholarship recipient of the American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive. She has been blessed to dance with several prominent companies such as Dayton Contemporary Dance Second Company (DCdC2), Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT), Lula Washington Dance Theater, Project 21, LA Dancers and Choreographers, and Donna Sternberg and Dancers. She performed as a guest artist with Jazz Ballet Company in Austin during their 07-08 season. She is currently working as a guest artist and choreographer for various dance companies in the Austin area.
	ELIZABETH WIRTZ Elizabeth Wirtz danced all through grade school, high school and into college taking classes in ballet en Pointe, tap and jazz. She also was a member of her high school dance team and earned a scholarship for the University of Nevada dance team in 1990. Elizabeth used her dancing skills in many pageants including Miss Nevada in 1990 and 1992. Coinciding with her love of dance is her love of piano music and piano playing actually won over for her career. Elizabeth earned two degrees in piano and currently teaches piano lessons from her home in Round Rock where she lives with her husband Jeff and two daughters Gabi (5) and Madison (15 mos.). Her love and understanding of rhythm and dance is incorporated into her music lessons and strongly influenced the lives of her two daughters. 'Ms. Liz' is thrilled to be able to teach dance at the Dance Works.