Kim Bertrand has been dancing since the age of 2 1/2. It is her first love and passion. Kim has trained in all genres of dance, but is most comfortable in her tap shoes. She is best known for her high energy tap style. Most recently, Kim was named the American Tap Company's South Regional Director, an honor she is very proud of. Kim was able to take her dancers to The World Tap Dance Championships hosted by the International Dance Organization in November of 2019 in Riesa, Germany. Her students, as part of Team USA, competed against dancers from all over the world and came home with a gold medal in Children’s Duet Division, 5th place world title in Children’s Solos, and 5th place world title in the Junior Group Division. In 2018, she had a soloist, a duet and a group take home the gold medal in their divisions at the American Tap Championships in San Diego, California.
Over the last two decades of teaching, Kim has been awarded many regional and national choreography awards. Her students have won numerous group and individual high point honors on the regional and national level as well. She is very proud of the impact she has on the students she teaches. Many of her students go on to pursue professional dance careers and can now be seen on Broadway, dancing on cruise ships and along side some of the biggest names in pop culture such as Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Usher, and Ne-Yo.
Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Houston Baptist University with a double major in Business Administration and Management. She is blessed with a loving and supportive husband and two beautiful children.
Opening The Dance Kollective is a culmination of many years of teaching and being inspired by the students in her classroom. Kim has worn many hats in the dance world- dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and dance mom. She is excited to start this new journey as a studio owner and share her love of dance with all that walk through her doors.
Marrisha Babineaux has been studying and competing in all styles of dance since the age of five. Marrisha performed as a principle dancer for Lamar University under the direction of Brixey Blankenship. Prior to and during this time, Marrisha performed in shows produced by Beaumont City Performing Arts, danced at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York City at their summer intensive program, and also participated as a contestant on the national hit show Showtime at the Apollo as a representative from Houston after winning the spot from numerous contestants across the city. As a result of this notoriety, she landed a position for McDonalds as a company representative at conventions across the nation. Marrisha’s dance accolades are numerous. Most memorably, she won the Scene Interactive Award where her video and headshot were posted for a year for choreographers in search for dancers, and also the DDO Artist Agency Award which allowed her to be represented and contracted by DDO as a dance professional at the age of 18. Upon graduating from Lamar she began her career at Masters, the Upper Level(MUL) as a teacher/choreographer under Artistic Director Melissa Robinson. During her time there, her students won numerous first place regional and national championships; her most recent was the Mini Large Intermediate Group Ultimate Challenge and Choreography Award of 2019 at the Hall of Fame Nationals. While Miss Marrisha teaches a variety of ages and levels, she is also contracted with the Universal Dance Association for Collegiate, Secondary and Primary Students, teaching and choreographing for local high schools. In 2019 her students won numerous top awards for regional school competitions. Marrisha is excited to work closely with dancers at The Dance Kollective!
Lexi Lee grew up in Alabama and began dancing at age 3. After moving to Texas in 2005, she continued her competitive dance training at Prodigy Dance and Performing Art centre studying Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop. In her youth, Lexi traveled all over the nation competing as a group member and soloist winning numerous overall and standout awards from various competitions and conventions including NUVO, Star Power, Jump, NYCDA, Hall of Fame, and Dance Awards Studio of the Year to name a few. Lexi received her BFA in Performance and Choreography from Texas State University. She had the honor of working with various choreographers from all over the world as a member of the Pre-Professional Dance Company, Merge Dance Co. Lexi was also a company member and the financial director of Orchesis Dance Company throughout her college career. During this time, she had the opportunity to train at multiple studios such as Broadway Dance center, Peridance Capezio Center and Gibney Dance in New York. Her Senior year of college Lexi was awarded the Karen Earl Scholarship for Choreography and Performance - one of the highest honors a dance major can receive at Texas State.
Lexi's passion for performing is only matched by her passion for teaching dance. Lexi began assistant teaching at age 15 and has continued her teaching career ever since. Lexi has taught and choreographed all styles of dance and has received numerous winning choreography awards both regionally and nationally. Her versatility and energy in the classroom is unparalleled. Lexi is thrilled to share her love for dance teaching at The Dance Kollective!
Marlon Grigsby began his dance training at the Dancer’s Workshop in Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University. Professionally, he has been featured in operas, festivals, and concerts, including productions with Opera in the Heights, City Ballet of Houston, Juxtapose Arts, Baton Rouge Ballet Theater, Of Moving Colors Dance, and Movement Workshop Group. He has had the pleasure of working with Sandra Parks on several projects, including the NYC Dance Arts Festival, Crossroads in Boston, MA, and Romeo and Juliet in Philadelphia, PA. He was a company member with Uptown Dance Company in Houston for 3 seasons. Grigsby teaches ballet and modern dance and is excited to share his knowledge and love of dance with The Dance Kollective.
Riley McMurray started dancing at the age of 8 with Faubourg School of Ballet, in Hanover Park, Illinois under the direction of Watmora Casey. At the age of 13 he attended the Houston Ballet Academy Summer Intensive Program on a full scholarship. One year later he joined the Houston Ballet Academy as a full time student under the direction of Shelly Power. After training in the School for 4 years, he was invited to join Houston Ballet II, led by ballet master Claudio Muñoz. After just a few months with the second company, McMurray joined Houston Ballet as an Apprentice in March of 2018. He was later promoted to Corps de Ballet in March of 2019 and has performed many works under the direction of Stanton Welch, including featured roles in Stanton Welch’s "The Nutcracker" and "Sylvia" and a Principal Role in Edwaard Liang’s “Murmuration".
Liah Van Duren was born and raised in Sugar Land,Texas where she began her training at Masters Upper and The Kinder High school for the Performing and Visual Arts. She graduated in 2021 and is now an alumni of HSPVA and The CLI Conservatory. She has worked closely with and performed repertoire by Ethan Colangelo, Mike Tyus, Spenser Theberge, Jermaine Spivey, along with other creative artists. She loves to express herself through movement and show others how to do the same. She's been teaching dance since she was 16 years old and it's something that brings her much joy. Liah is passionate about connecting with people through art and helping others find their own unique style of dancing.
Angelica is a native Houstonian who began dancing at the age of eight and has been training with Rhythm inc. Dance Studio for 13 years in Latin and Ballroom dancing. She began assistant teaching at age 15 and has continued her teaching career ever since. Throughout her years of training, Angelica has taken every opportunity possible to compete nationwide. Angelica was also a part of Rhythm inc. Dance Studio’s Pure Rhythm dance company that competed in regional competitions like Showstopper, KAR and In10sity, placing first in the open teen categories. Angelica has had the chance to also perform in various shows that have included Mario Lopez, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harlem Globetrotters, and Dancing with the Stars’ Karina Smirnoff. Angelica’s vision is to create and build an open environment for all levels of dancers and give them the ability to show their passion and love for dance.
Brooke Barnes-Meeks graduated from The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), and now Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she received “The Most Outstanding Dance Major Award”. Mrs. Barnes-Meeks received dance training from Margo Marshall School of Ballet, Houston Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Santa Fe Dance Foundation, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has danced classical and contemporary works with Houston Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Sandra Organ Dance Company, The Lula Elzy New Orleans Dance Theatre, Leanna Sparacino and Company Dancers, Dorrell Martin Dance Fusion, Psophonia Dance Company, Second Generation Dance Company, Kuumba House Dance Theater, Houston Grand Opera where she has performed as a dancer and featured dancer in “Mefistofele”, two productions of “Aida”, “Prince Igor”, Florencia en el Amazonas”, “Eugene Onegin”, “Samson and Delilah”, and “La Traviata”. Mrs. Barnes- Meeks has also danced with City Dance Company where she has completed two European tours, and Michele Brangwen Dance Company where she has completed two Sweden tours. Mrs. Barnes-Meeks has performed in Univision Television’s “Selena Vive!”, at The Apollo Theater as a guest performer, and with Regina Belle as a guest dancer. She has choreographed productions for University of Houston Downtown’s Theatre Department and has appeared in and choreographed touring theatrical productions with Thomas Meloncon’s Truth Theater Productions, I’m Ready Productions, Express Theatre, and has choreographed and appeared in theatre productions as well as films with So-Mee Productions. Mrs. Barnes-Meeks is an HSPVA consultant and has directed and choreographed musicals for HSPVA’s All School Black History Productions, taught classes, directed and choreographed musicals for the theatre department, choreographed various productions for the vocal department, taught ballet, creative movement, and choreographed musicals for Westbury Christian School, taught ballet at Texas Academy of Dance Arts West (TADA), as well as taught ballet, other forms of dance, and choreographed for many other schools, dance studios, dance companies, arts programs, and various organizations including the all male a cappella chorus, Houston Tidelanders Chorus! She absolutely loves spending time with her wonderful and supportive family! Mrs. Barnes-Meeks is so very happy for Kim Bertrand on this incredible journey that will be nothing short of amazing, and completely overjoyed to be a part of The Dance Kollective!
Megan Huang grew up in Katy, TX and started her dance journey at the age of 2. She competed for 6 years and trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop. Megan began her teaching career at the age of 14, choreographing solos and assisting her dance teacher in jazz technique classes. In high school, she joined the Cinco Ranch High School Cougar Stars Drill team where she served as Junior Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel. While on Cougar Stars, Megan got the opportunity to choreograph award-winning
solos and duets and conduct private technique lessons for drill team girls during contest season, leading her to find her passion in choreography and dance pedagogy. In 2018, Megan opened
her own LLC, Creative Impact Dance Company, where she taught summer classes, private lessons, and choreography to high school dancers. She also learned how to market a dance
business through various social media platforms while also handling the financials behind running a dance business. This was when Megan discovered her dedication to teaching dance and helping others artistically and technically find their love for dance. Megan attended the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University, where she was a dance performance major for 2 years. She trained in Broadway based musical theatre, jazz, tap, and ballet, and trained in vocal performance and acting, receiving many scholarships for her
dance technique and performance. She was also a part of and a featured dancer in theirAmerican Spirit dance company, and performed in their annual Christmas and spring shows, Home for the Holidays and Broadway Revue. Megan also was a featured dancer in their student choreography showcases and Project 21, a collaboration performance with the music and dance majors. Megan recently moved back to Katy and is attending the University of Houston as a Marketing major. She is also teaching and choreographing for dance teams at various high schools in the KatyISD district and is now a part of Ascension Dance Co.’s staff for contest
season and summer dance intensives. Megan’s knowledge in competitive dance, drill team dance, and Broadway style dance brings a unique perspective to performing, teaching, and
choreographing. She truly believes that dance should be an enjoyable art to everyone, and she is excited to share her passion for dance with the Dance Kollective!
Paulina Guraieb was born in Cordoba, Mexico and began her dance training at Fomento Artístico Cordobés at the age of 3. While training there, she attended summer intensives at The Rock School for Dance Education, American Ballet Theatre JKO School, Texas Ballet Theatre, and Houston Ballet Academy. In 2007, Paulina won the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix in New York, Gold Medal at Mexico’s National Ballet Competition for three consecutive years, Junior Bronze Medal in 2014 at USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS., and was the first Mexican dancer in history to be awarded the Gold Medal as well as the Grand Prix in Cuba’s International Ballet Competition in 2014 - the most prestigious ballet competition in Latin America.
Paulina continued her professional training at the Houston Ballet Academy, where she danced for three years before joining Mexico’s National Dance Company where she danced as a soloist. She was invited to perform at the 50th Anniversary Gala of The Spoleto Festival in Italy (2007) being the youngest dancer to ever perform at the festival. Paulina also performed at the “Stars of Today Meet Stars of Tomorrow” YAGP Gala in Mexico for 5 consecutive years, and represented Mexico at the XIX International Ballet Festival of Miami in 2014.
Paulina has worked with world-renowned choreographers such as Ben Stevenson, Stanton Welch, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, Alberto Mendez, among others. She has performed soloist and principal roles in major ballet productions such as Myrtha in Giselle, The Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Kitri in Don Quixote and Swanhilda in Coppelia.
Paulina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a minor in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University (2019), as well as a Master’s degree in Dance Education: Teaching Dance in the Professions and ABT Pedagogy from New York University (2021) and is fully certified by the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum in Pre-Primary through Level 7 and partnering.
Paulina was a faculty member at the Steps on Broadway Youth Programs as well as the Children’s Division of the American Ballet Theatre JKO School in New York for 2 years before moving to Houston in 2023.
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