Meet Our Faculty

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Vicky started her dance career at the age of 2. She has had a passion for dance all of her life. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a BFA in dance and minor in television. She is the proud owner of DAC and Dance Variations Dance Company for the past 36 years. She has studied with numerous modern choreographers including Melvin Purcell and Alwin Nikolais. She has extensive training in Martha Graham technique and utilizes her contemporary modern background through out her studio. She was honored to have studied under Fernando Shafenberg during her time at TCU. After performing and touring for 2 years, Vicky decided to open a business where she could share the love of dance with anyone who wanted to learn. She is an award winning choreographer. Many of her students have gone on to dance at the collegiate & professional levels. Her values are an open door to anyone wanting to learn the art and passion for dance and you don't have to be the best! Her goal as an instructor is to instill the passion of dance into others as well as self confidence to be strong forces in life. Her wish for others is to dance like no one is watching!! 

Kendra is a former student of Dance & Arts Connection. Graduate of Cum Laude from SMU and post graduate work for her teaching certificate. She received the Drill team Highlandette Outstanding Line Member Award. She also was chosen to perform the opening number at national tap dance day with Fred Kelly, and a national's number with Ray Leaper. She was chosen for Power Pak and performed on tour in Las Vegas and Branson. Obtained several overall wins, choreography awards and more during the 22 years of teaching. She is looking forward to the excitement on the kids' faces when they get a new skill. 

Britany Grubbs grew up in Garland, TX and began teaching dance in 1991.  She is a 1993 graduate of Garland High School where she served as a two-year officer of the Dashing DebsVarsity Drill Team.  After graduation, she attended Sam Houston State University where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Business Administration degree in 1998.  In 2002 she founded and directed the City of Garlands Fine Arts Program, which led to her opening her own studio a few years later.  In 2009, her and her family moved to Rockwall and she decided to close her studio and take on a teaching position at Dance and Arts Connection.  In 2010 Britany received her certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and loved being able to train people in the fitness industry.  Britany began taking dance at 18 months old and continued training in dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading throughout her career.  While in college Britany served on staff as an instructor for NCA Cheer & NCA Danz and continued to teach in a private studio setting in Huntsville, TX until graduating in 1998.  During her dance career Britany has had the opportunity to dance as a member of the Choreography Dance Company, The Nutcracker with the Houston Ballet, Dance Repertory and many more. Throughout her teaching career she has been privileged to instruct many students that have competed to win National Titles over the past 31 years.  The Art of Dance is very much a passion that Britany loves, not only as a dancer herself but also as a choreographer and instructor.  She looks forward to many more years of sharing her knowledge of dance with her students.

McKenzie Rollinson received her BFA in modern dance performance from the University of Oklahoma. She grew up in Dallas, TX dancing competitively and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Throughout her education she has had the opportunity to perform works and train with various artists such as Donald McKayle, Derrick Minter, Robert Battle, Austin Hartel, Jessica Lang, Peter Chu, Jill Rucci, and Christopher Vo. She has toured schools performing for and working with children through Big Thought, a non-profit organization. Recently McKenzie has been performing for and touring with 8&1 Dance Company and is an instructor and choreographer throughout the Dallas area.

Kassandra grew up in Rockwall and has been dancing since the age of 5. She was a Rockwall High School Stingerette for 4 years and served as captain her senior year. After graduating from RHS in 2010, she attended McLennan  Community College where she was a member of the award-winning dance team for two years and served as captain her 2nd season. During her time at MCC, she was awarded Top-Gun HipHop, NDA All-American at NDA camp and 2 National titles. Following college, she was blessed to be a Texas Legends Dancer for 1 year where she represented the D-League at the 2013 All-Star games. The following year, she joined the Dallas Mavericks Dancers for 4 amazing seasons where she served as a choreographer for nightly team dances. During her last year as a Mavericks Dancer, she was honored to represent the Mavericks at the 2017 All-Star Game! She has been blessed to instruct young dancers at numerous schools from around the metroplex and was also the director of the Colleyville Middle School Dance Team for 5 years. She currently teaches at our studio full time and is our Team Director. Her passion for dance is what drives her and loves getting to share with her students every day.  

Shawnee grew up in Heath and attended Dance and Arts Connection for 16 years. She attended Rockwall Heath High School where she was a member of the  Highsteppers and served as captain her senior year. After graduating in 2016 She attended Stephen F Austin State University where she was a member of their award-winning dance team for 4 years and served as Captain her senior year.  During her time on SFADT she won 4 national titles in Pom and Team Performance. While at SFA she earned a bachelor's degree in Dance Education and became a drill team director after graduation. She has worked for Crowdpleasers Dance since 2016 where she teaches drill teams all around Texas. She is currently the assistant drill team director at North Forney High School.

Haley Gassaway is from Forney, TX. She started dancing at the age of six. She attended High Society, Beyond Belief Dance Company, and MPACT Dance studio. In 2008 she had the opportunity to be a part of the Top 20 for America’s Got Talent with Beyond Belief Dance Company. Haley attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she studied ballet, modern, jazz, and international dance. After graduating high school, she went on to become a captain for the Blinn College Dance Team. Haley finished her college dance career at The University of Louisville where she was part of the Ladybird Dance Team. In 2015 Haley became a member of the Dallas Mavericks Dancers. After two seasons as a Dallas Mavericks Dancer Haley moved to Jacksonville, FL, and spent 2 years as the Head Coach of the Creekside High School Dance Team. Haley is thrilled to be back home fulfilling her dream of being a teacher and choreographer.