Dianne Cole Johnson School of Dance
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Dianne Cole Johnson School of Dance
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Instructor Bios: Dianne Cole Johnson Melissa Johnson Darrell Cleveland Bridget Boggess Susanna Simpson Collette Staffin Charlene Gibbs Courtney Sturgis
Dianne Cole Johnson is owner and director of Dianne Cole Johnson School of Dance. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Dianne has trained with Martha Graham, Luigi, Alvin Ailey, Arthur Mitchell, Karen Kriete of Harkness Ballet, Nikita Talin of Ballet Rusee de Monte Carlo, Toni Beck and others. The school was opened in 1976 upon graduation from SMU and Ms. Johnson then founded the school’s non profit ballet company, Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas, in 1985. She is also the director and choreographer for the National Award winning competition team, The Divas. Ms. Johnson has produced, staged, and choreographed “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty”, La Boutique Fantasque”, "The FourSeasons”, “Coppelia”, “Fanfare”,”The Nutcracker”, “Hansel & Gretel”, “Swan Lake, “The Stone Flower” and “The Night Before Christmas”, as well as many original works. Melissa Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from Texas Woman’s University. In addition to her role as an instructor and choreographor, Melissa currently dances as a member of elledanceworks, a professional modern company in the Dallas area and was the previous Fine Arts Chair and Dance Department Head at Newman Smith High School. Ms. Johnson teaches modern, lyrical, jazz, ballet, and tap and choreographs for the winning "Diva Competition Team" and is the Board President for Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas. Darrell Cleveland holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College. He was a Principal Dancer with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for the past eight years. His professional experience includes choreographing, acting and dancing in numerous stage productions, commercials, industrial work, and television. Mr. Cleveland continues to dance professionally throughout the Dallas area. He teaches modern, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, ballet, and tap. Bridget Boggess trained at Plano Metropolitan Ballet and with New World Ballet from age 4-17. She later studied at Southern Methodist University where she performed works by Robert Battle, Judith Jamison, Max Stone, and Nathan Montoya. She graduated from the Meadows School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. Her senior year she was invited todance in an award-winning piece, “Unhinged” at the National American College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center. She continues to dance professionally in the Dallas area including the Mary Kay Convention and other industrials. Ms. Boggess teaches ballet, pointe, and modern. Jordan Johnson danced with Dianne Cole Johnson School of Dance from age 2-18, and remains on staff as an instructor and choreographer. She is a former member of Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas and the competition team where she won many national solo titles. Ms. Johnson attended Oklahoma City University on dance, leadership and academic scholarships. She was a member of American Spirit Dance Company and performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. She graduated from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. While at SMU she was captain of the Pom Squad for 3 years leading them to their first National Championship. She currently works for the SMU Spirit Department and is the Coach for the SMU Jr. Mustang Cheerleaders. She has been involved with the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization for 8 years and does private pageant coaching. She is the current Texas Relationship Manager for Tighe Industries. Miss Johnson is on the Board of Directors of Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas, choreographs and performs as a guest dancer for RDTT. She also choreographs for The Divas Competition Team. Miss Johnson teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. Lisa Frizzell holds a Bachelor of Science from Tarleton State University with a teacher’s certification for Secondary Dance Instruction. She is a certified judge for Dance/Drill Team Directors of America and a certified coach for American Sport Education Program. She has over 15 years experience in dance and drill team. She teaches creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz, and drill team. Susanna Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Human Development and a minor in Dance from the University of North Texas. She holds a Secondary Dance Teaching Certification in the State of Texas and is a candidate for M.A. Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Ms. Simpson holds the following honors: Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers, American Drill Team Outstanding Director Award, Drill Team Director of America Top Ten Directors Nominee, Dance Scholarship – Univ. of North Texas, Apache Belles Performance Scholarship. She is a Board Member of the Apache Belle Gold Alumni Organization and Executive Board Vice President of Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas. Ms. Simpson teaches creative movement, ballet, tap, and jazz. Collette Staffin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She attended OCU on dance scholarship and was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. Upon graduation from OCU she worked at Disney World as Jasmine. She has returned to the Dallas area and is choreographing for The Divas Competition Team and Repertory Dance Theatre of Texas. Miss Staffin teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and tap. Charlene Gibbs trained with Dianne Cole Johnson School of Dance from age 3-18. She trained extensively in the Cecchetti Ballet Method. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas. Upon graduation from UNT she danced professionally with Ad Deum modern dance company in Houston, Texas for three years. She teaches ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. Courtney Sturgis received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She attended on dance scholarship and was a member of American Spirit Dance Company. Upon graduation from OCU she has been dancing on numerous cruise lines in their shows. She choreographs for the Divas Competition Team and teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. Eva O’Brien has extensive training in ballet, jazz, hip hop, and modern. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas. She received a scholarship to attend Andrew Tomlinson’s Rhythm Nation and performed on his professional company. She as a member of the N2iT jazz and hip hop company and Total Dance Explosion Hip Hop Company. She has performed with modern companies Ground level and Ewert and Company. She is currently an instructional assistant in the Brookhaven College dance department. Ms. O’Brien teaches ballet, jazz, hip hop, and modern.
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Dianne
Cole Johnson School of Dance
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3044 Old Denton
Road, Suite 125