MEET THE FACULTY

At MC Dance, our passionate and experienced instructors are dedicated to helping every dancer grow with confidence, creativity, and strong technique. Get to know the talented team that inspires, encourages, and supports our students every step of the way.

Maggie Collum

Owner | Founder | Operations

Maggie Collum began her dance training at Rose Thayer Academy of Dance in Orange, Texas, where she studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, character, and acrobatics. She began competing at the age of eight and earned numerous scholarships and awards at regional and national dance conventions and competitions.

She continued her training at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center and as a member of the Orange Jazz Company under the direction of Lorna Badon Knaus, studying with renowned instructors including Steven Boyd, Pattie Obey, Joe Celej, Michelle Smith, and Dorrell Martin. Maggie later attended Sam Houston State University, where she was a member of the nationally recognized Orange Pride Dance Team, helping earn a National Championship.

Following college, Maggie taught dance and choreographed for high schools and studios throughout Texas. In 2004, she returned to coach the Orange Pride Dance Team at her alma mater, leading the team to another National Championship in 2005.

Before opening MC Dance, Maggie spent more than 12 years as Director of University Events for the President's Office at Sam Houston State University. She is a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), a certified Leap N Learn instructor, and a member of the Julie Kay Stallcup Mastermind program. She also teaches Appreciation of Dance at Alpha Omega Academy. Throughout her career, Maggie has coached numerous competitive teams and individual dancers for pageants and professional dance team auditions. Most recently, she led the Alpha Omega Dance Team to a State Championship in 2026.

Committed to lifelong learning, Maggie and her staff regularly attend workshops, conferences, conventions, and continuing education programs to stay current with industry best practices. MC Dance has been recognized with multiple Studio of Excellence Awards and Top Technique honors and has repeatedly been voted "Best Dance Studio in Walker County."

In addition to dance, Maggie has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, teaching group fitness classes and personal training. She enjoys helping people of all ages discover the joy of movement and healthy living. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Sam Houston State University.

Maggie enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and loves sharing her lifelong passion for dance with every student who walks through the studio doors.

Alyssa Miller

Competition Team Assistant Director | Choreographer

Alyssa Miller has been choreographing for a variety of performance settings for more than 10 years. She began creating choreography during high school while serving on her drill team, designing routines for football games, pep rallies, competition solos, and team performances.

Since joining MC Dance, Alyssa has continued to choreograph group and solo routines in a wide range of dance styles, including jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theatre.

She is passionate about creating choreography that highlights each dancer's unique strengths while challenging them to grow in technique, musicality, artistry, and performance quality.

Dorothy Jeffries

Ballet | Pointe

Dorothy Jeffries discovered her love for ballet at the age of seven and has been passionate about dance ever since. She grew up in Northern California, training extensively in ballet and pointe before beginning her teaching career in 2009.

Dorothy co-founded and co-directed a pre-professional ballet company in California that specialized in telling stories through original "mini ballet" productions. Throughout her career, she has choreographed and coached numerous classical and contemporary ballet works for performances and competitions, assisted with large-scale productions, established scholarship opportunities for dancers, and developed adult ballet programs. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition in 2017 and is also a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor and rehabilitation movement coach.

Dorothy is passionate about sharing the beauty of ballet while supporting each dancer's individual journey, both inside and outside the studio.

Virginia Mathiews

Ballet | Pointe | Tiny Tots

Virginia Mathiews began studying ballet at the age of three under the instruction of Victoria Ayers, former principal dancer with the Atlanta Ballet. She started teaching ballet at just 16 years old at the Ballet Conservatory in the Dallas area and has been sharing her love of dance with students ever since. Virginia is also a certified Leap N Learn Ballet instructor.

In addition to her dance career, Virginia has spent more than 16 years teaching first through fourth grade in the public school system. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Development from Baylor University, bringing both educational expertise and a nurturing approach to every class she teaches.

Virginia is passionate about helping dancers build strong technique, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for ballet. She and her husband, Shawn, are proud parents of two daughters, Hannah and Haylee, along with several beloved fur babies.

Cheyenne Curry Logan

Contemporary | Jazz | Hip Hop | Adult Classes

Cheyenne Curry Logan is an accomplished choreographer and instructor specializing in contemporary, hip hop, alternative, and drill. Based in Huntsville, Texas, she began her competitive dance training at the age of five at Hot on Your Heels Dance Productions under former Houston Texans Cheerleader Dana Sullivan and studio owner Ambler Blezinger. At 14, she continued her training with Carpe Diem Dance, further developing her versatility and artistic style.

Throughout her competitive career, Cheyenne performed and choreographed at prestigious competitions including Dance Showcase USA, Showstopper, and KAR. Along the way, she earned numerous scholarships and received recognition from renowned industry professionals, including Nick Lazzarini and Mia Michaels.

After graduating from high school in 2018, Cheyenne attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she was a member of the Sader Belle Dance Team and expanded her training in drill team and pom.

Cheyenne has guest choreographed and judged for dance studios and high schools across Texas. In the past six years alone, her work has earned nine choreography awards for group routines, four choreography awards for solos and duets, and three choreography awards for drill teams.

She is also the founder of the one-day dance intensive Escape Dance and serves as an instructor for Relevé Dance Conventions and The Meckka Dance Project. Cheyenne is passionate about helping dancers grow in both artistry and confidence while creating meaningful performances that leave a lasting impression.

Savannah Shreve

Tap | Ballet | Jazz | Hip Hop | Munchkins | Rising Stars | Leaps/Turns | Competitive Team

Savannah Shreve brings 17 years of dance training and 11 years of competitive experience to MC Dance. During her competitive career, she was a member of multiple National Championship-winning teams, including the 2021 and 2023 National Champions and the 2022 and 2024 Grand National Champions.

She has trained and competed in jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, open, production, and character, giving her a strong and versatile dance background. She has taught dancers of all ages and has specialized training in working with students ages 10 and under. She also spent two years assisting choreography for young hip hop dancers before expanding her focus to jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary instruction.

Originally from the Montgomery area, Savannah is excited to join the MC Dance family and create a positive, energetic environment where dancers are encouraged to build confidence, improve their technique, and discover a lifelong love of dance.

Manuela Morales

Acrobatics

Manuela Morales brings more than 11 years of competitive gymnastics experience as a member of the Venezuelan National Gymnastics Team. She began gymnastics at the age of five and later coached in Venezuela, where she discovered her passion for teaching and mentoring young athletes.

She is excited to return to MC Dance after previously teaching Acro and Tumbling for two seasons. Throughout her coaching career, Manuela has continued to expand her knowledge through professional certifications and ongoing training to provide the highest level of instruction. Her goal is to create a safe, encouraging, and positive environment where students develop strength, flexibility, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.

Outside the studio, Manuela is a proud mother to her daughter, Penelope, and a small business owner. She looks forward to helping every student grow, succeed, and shine both inside and outside the classroom.

Maddison Williams

Jazz | Ballet | Contemporary | Hip Hop | Adults | Competitive Team

Maddison "Maddy" Williams has been dancing since the age of three and grew up training in a competitive dance studio, where she developed a lifelong passion for performance, learning, and teaching.

Her favorite styles include jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Throughout her dance career, Maddy was selected as a member of both the Tremaine Performance Company and the Hollywood Vibe Performance Company, where she assisted industry-leading choreographers and gained valuable experience that continues to shape her teaching style.

She is currently a senior at Sam Houston State University, studying Dance, Kinesiology, and Psychology. Her education provides a strong understanding of movement, the human body, and effective teaching methods, allowing her to bring a thoughtful, well-rounded approach to every class.

Maddy is passionate about working with children and helping dancers build confidence, strengthen their technique, and discover the joy of self-expression through movement. She strives to create a positive, encouraging environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Cheyenne Guillory

Jazz | Lyrical | Contemporary

Cheyenne Guillory specializes in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. With 17 years of dance training and 14 years of competitive experience, she has developed a strong technical foundation, a versatile performance background, and a deep passion for the performing arts.

Through her teaching and choreography experience, Cheyenne enjoys helping dancers grow both technically and artistically while building confidence and a genuine love for dance. She is dedicated to creating a positive, encouraging environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Cheyenne is a member of the Sam Houston State University Dance Team and is pursuing a degree in Dance at Sam Houston State University. She is excited to share her passion for dance while inspiring the next generation of performers to grow in confidence, artistry, and technique.

Harmony Clay

Acro | Hip Hop | Jazz | Contemporary

Harmony Clay is from Houston, Texas, and has been a dedicated member of Motiv8 Dance Company for the past two years. She currently serves as a Motiv8or and is entering her third year as the company's Creative Artist of the Year.

She also works with Ascensions Dance Competition and assists the Spring Woods Middle School Dance Team. Throughout her dance career, Harmony has earned numerous scholarships to conventions and professional training programs.

Harmony is currently majoring in Dance with plans to pursue a career as a dance educator. During high school, she served as a dance officer for the Austin Angels Dance Team, helping lead the team to Grand Champion titles.

She is passionate about helping dancers grow in confidence, technique, creativity, and performance while fostering a positive and encouraging classroom environment.

Ainsley Bell

Contemporary | Lyrical | Musical Theatre | Technique | Competition | Ballet | Jazz

Ainsley Bell began her dance journey in competitive dance before transitioning into concert dance, giving her a diverse background in both performance styles. She has trained under numerous respected choreographers, including Mike Esperanza, Andy and Dionne Noble, Quinton Weathers, Eoghan Dillon, Jess Hendricks, Whylan Rucker, Terrill Mitchell, and Colette Kerwick.

Ainsley specializes in contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, musicality, and technique. She is passionate about creating a classroom that is both fun and productive, where dancers feel encouraged to explore their creativity while building strong technical skills.

She enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities and is committed to helping each dancer develop confidence, artistry, and a lifelong love of dance.

Macy Collum

Jazz | Hip Hop | Lyrical | Musical Theatre

With more than 15 years of dance experience, Macy Collum brings passion, versatility, and creativity to every class. She has trained and competed in a wide variety of dance styles, including jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre.

Over the past two years, Macy has choreographed award-winning routines for soloists, helping dancers push their artistic boundaries while building confidence and performance quality.

She enjoys working with dancers of all ages and specializes in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop. Whether teaching classes, private lessons, or choreography, Macy is dedicated to helping every student grow both technically and artistically.

Macy currently attends Abilene Christian University, where she is a member of the ACU Pom Team.

Lilly Looney

Tiny Tots | Preschool

Lilly Looney discovered her love for dance at the age of 10, and it quickly became a central part of her life. She has primarily trained in ballet and pointe, with additional experience in jazz, and enjoys using dance as an expression of her faith and love for Christ.

Over the past seven years, Lilly has grown as both a dancer and instructor at MC Dance. She has also spent four years assisting ballet classes for children ages 18 months to 4 years, developing a special passion for teaching the studio's youngest dancers.

Lilly strives to create a safe, loving, and encouraging environment where children can explore movement, build confidence, and express themselves creatively. Her goal is for every child to feel seen, valued, and loved while developing a lifelong appreciation for dance.

Payton Landolt

Jazz | Tap | Lyrical

Payton Landolt is a choreographer, instructor, and dancer from Houston, Texas with over 14 years of competitive dance experience. She specializes in tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, and technique and strength training.

An award-winning choreographer, Payton has received scholarships from NYCDA, Rhythmic Souls Tap Company, and 8 National Talent Competitions, and has experience teaching dancers of all ages. Her goal is to create routines that challenge dancers, tell meaningful stories, and leave them feeling confident every time they step on stage.

Amanda Smithson

Parent & Me | Tiny Tots | Preschool | Musical Theatre

Amanda Smithson has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University. During her time at Sam, she studied ballet, tap, contemporary, musical theatre, and world dance as well as acting and music. Amanda has a love for learning and enjoys teaching! She leads both children’s and youth ministry at a New Waverly church she and her husband pastor, and has been a private music teacher for over 12 years.

In her dance classes, Amanda loves to use imaginative exploration to help her students fall in love with music and dance! She believes in setting a joyful and expressive foundation where students learn both dance skills and life skills. She wants every student to feel loved and cared for during their time in dance. Amanda is honored to be a part of the MC Dance family.

Ana Gonzalez

Ballet | Contemporary | Jazz | Tap | Musical Theatre

Ana Gonzalez is a passionate educator, choreographer, and dancer, who was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. With a career spanning over 18 years, Ana has a diverse repertoire including training in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Flamenco, and Folklorico. She trained with Allegro Ballet School under the direction of Maria Theresa Sanchez.

Throughout her 9-year competitive dance journey, she has achieved distinction in obtaining her Teacher certification with Dance Educators of America (DEA), as well as competed at the National title competition in 2019 and 2020.

Ana received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in General Business from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in 2024. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Sam Houston State to further her education in the art form and become a better educator.

Bailey Hopkins

Pom | Jazz | Tiny Tots | Funky Tots | Preschool

Bailey Hopkins has been dancing since the age of four. Although she began her training in a dance studio, much of her dance education came from seven years on drill team in Waxahachie, Texas.

After moving on from junior high, Bailey became an award-winning Cherokee Charmer, earning one state title and two national titles with her team and officer line. She has trained, performed, and competed in a variety of styles, including Contemporary, Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz, Open, Novelty, and Kick, with Pom and Jazz being her specialties.

Following high school, Bailey joined the staff of American Dance/Drill Team Schools (ADTS), where she continued sharing her passion for dance and performance. She is currently a sophomore at Sam Houston State University, majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Victim Studies.

Whether teaching classes, offering private lessons, or creating custom choreography, Bailey's goal is to provide the right level of challenge for every dancer, regardless of experience. She believes confidence is a key part of becoming a successful dancer and strives to build it in every class by creating a positive, encouraging environment where students feel supported and inspired.

Bailey is excited to be part of the MC Dance family and looks forward to sharing her passion with the next generation of dancers.

Amelia Young

Ballet | Tap | Jazz | Hip Hop | Leaps & Turns | Contemporary

Amelia Young specializes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Leaps & Turns, and Contemporary. She is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is currently attending Sam Houston State University for dance.

Amelia began her own training at the age of 3, at Powell Moise School of Dance, and joined her studio’s competition team at the age of 7. She worked her way up to be the team captain during her junior and senior years of high school. While attending classes at her studio, she also began assisting and teaching a variety of styles to ages 4 and up. She has also been choreographing for Powell Moise for 3 years, and has experience with creating solos, duos/trios, and group dances that excel at competitions.

Amelia's choreography has won numerous choreography awards, winning at both regional and national competitions, like Platinum National Dance Competition, Streetz, VIP, and more. She is also well-versed in working with students one-on-one; helping them excel in technique skills, movement quality, and ensuring that competition team dancers feel confident for the season and each dance is stage-ready. She’s so excited to be a part of the MC dance family and to share her passion for dance!

Camila Maldonado

Ballet | Tap | Jazz | Contemporary | Technique

Camila Maldonado is a Mexican dancer, choreographer, and educator currently completing her MFA in Dance at Sam Houston State University. Her work has been presented at festivals across Texas and Arizona, and she has performed with companies including Instinct DanceCorps and NobleMotion Dance. Her approach is playful, patient, and rooted in making every student feel seen. She is thrilled to bring that energy to the MC Dance community.

When she is not in the studio, you can find her choreographing, writing, or exploring movement in ways that keep her just as curious as her youngest students.