Debra
Montalvo Swaim (Owner/Director)
Debra
Montalvo Swaim is a native of Port Arthur, TX. She attended Lamar
University on scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Dance. Upon
graduation she was awarded "Most Outstanding Dance Major" from the National
Dance Association (1993). After college, Swaim relocated to Houston
and started performing with companies such as Joan Karff New Dance Group
and Shawn Wellings DF7 Dance Troupe. She has also performed in various
industrials like "Neville Brothers Concert", and the foreign film "Prithvi"
(India). While performing she also instructed classes at various
Houston dance programs such as Jewish Community Center and choreographed
for Houston's "Choreographers X6", "The Dance Initiative", and "The Black
Dance Festival". In 1998 Debra moved to the Dallas area where she
founded the dance company "5 Degreez of Danze". 5 Degreez works
have debuted in events like "Dance For the Planet", "Plano Balloon Festival",
"Barefoot Brigade Festival", and "Frisco's Premiere Arts Gala".
Along with her professional dance company, she also owns and operates
"Frisco Dance Force". Swaim continues to teach and choreograph and
is a member of "The Dallas Dance Council", a founding board member of
the "Barefoot Brigade Coalition", and "Frisco's Association For the Arts".
Tricia Adams: (Beg. Dance Team, Turns & Jumps, Dance Conditioning)-
Ms. Adams has over 12 years of extensive dance training in jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and cheer. She participated in drill team throughout high school with an award winning squad. For the past few years, Tricia participated on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Show group, traveling around the world to perform. She has also helped choreograph as well as performed in various Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader competitions and half time shows. Tricia is currently attending the University of North Texas, working on her bachelor’s degree.
Jillian Cox: (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Drill Team, and Musical Theatre)-
Jillian is a native of Norman, OK. She has been active in dance since the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, and drill team. During high school Jillian was a member of the award winning Shepton Stallionettes. Then she moved on to become an officer on the Plano Dance Force, an award winning competitive team under the direction of Kelly Norman. During this time Jillian was awarded the title of All American Dancer and All American Honorable Mention as well as many numerous regional and national titles in jazz, lyrical, modern, pom-pom and open dance. Upon graduation from high school Jillian attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where she danced on the FAU Competitive Dance Team. While in Florida, Jillian began her career in teaching at the Creative Dance Centre’. Jillian now resides in Dallas and teaches at various dance schools in the area while working to achieve her degree in dance.
Kristi Haugerud: (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and Pointe) -
Kristi has been a dancer for over 20 years. She grew up in Minnesota, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. degree of Interdisciplinary: Psychology, ,Fine Arts and History. After graduation, she moved to Chicago. Currently, Kristi is a student at Dallas Theological Seminary working toward a master's degree in media arts. During college she trained not only with the University's dance program, but also with some of the local dance companies. Kristi has been a part of the American All-Stars National Dance Team which puts on the Super Bowl Pre-game shows every year. Her choreography has been recognized by the media in Minnesota and has earned a positive review by nationally known choreographers such as Doug Verrone.
Kim Kircher: (Hip Hop)-
As a native of Dallas, Kim's passion for dance began at the age of two training at City Ballet and later at Brookhaven Community College. She attended The Hockaday School and was the President of Hockaday’s Dance Theater her Senior year. Kim attended the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA where she danced with the University Dancers for four years, served as Captain of the company her Senior year and graduated with a minor in dance in 2002. While studying abroad her Jr. Year in college, Kim had the opportunity to train and perform with a dance studio in Madrid, Spain. For three years she lived in Hollywood, CA where she trained at several studios and studied with several master teachers in the Los Angeles area. Returning to Dallas in 2005, Kim has already had the opportunity to work with the Millennium Dancers Dance Company, as well as a National advertising company. Kim is currently teaching hip hop at 24 Hour Fitness and Frisco Dance Force.
Kristy Platt: (Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet)-
Kristy Platt attended Texas A & M University where she served as an instructor and choreographer for the Bryan-College Station Junior Drill/Dance Team Studio. Kristy went on to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance & Health at Lamar University, while performing for the Lamar Dance Company. Kristy is dance certified by The Texas Education Agency to teach dance in public schools. She has had the opportunity to work with The Edge Studio in L.A., the New York Broadway Dance Center, The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, and performed for Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Aerosmith, and Beyonce. She is currently the assistant executive director for Danceline Productions where she serves as an instructor, choreographer, and coordinator for the Elite Program. She is also working on her Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction of Dance at The University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University.
Addison Reed: (Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Lyrical) –
Addison has studied 12 years at the Dallas Dance Academy under Joyce S. Bader and Lyndette Bader-Galen. Studied for B.A. in dance at SMU and also studied dance at the Joffrey Ballet School, New School University, Broadway Dance Center, and the Royal Academy of Dancing in New York City. While in NYC she received honors as a Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) she is a student member of R.A.D. the method of the Royal Ballet in London, England. Addison has received many scholarships while studying dance and has been featured in the DANCE Magazine as Grand prize winner of American Academy of Ballet’s Performance Awards in New York City. Addison has taught and choreographed at Dallas Dance Academy, the Dance Fusion Studio and St. Alcuin Montessori School.
Tavia Morris
Tavia has trained extensively in dance, focusing in hip-hop, modern, as well as swing and Latin dance. As a choreographer, she has been selected to set routines and judge for several high school teams. While living in Georgia, Morris was a Georgia Force Cheerleader for the Arena Football League. As a member of the Georgia Force, Tavia choreographed both half time and sideline routines. Tavia has been a member of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for 2 years and performed with many musical groups, such as Destiny’s Child, Big-N-Rich, Sheryl Crowe and Journey. As a professional NFL cheerleader, Morris has been featured in the national 7up commercial campaign in Los Angles, California.
Keira Leverton: (Tap)-
Keira’s dance background includes training at the Buster Cooper School of Dance and the University of North Texas. Ms. Leverton has had extensive tap training from some of the most well known and talented tap professionals, such as, Buster Copper, Henry Le Tang, Gregory Hines, Acia Gray, and many more. She has also professionally performed in the “Barney’s Colorful World” live entertainment tour for several years, as well as, numerous tap shows all over the world. Ms. Keira is currently teaching master tap classes and directing the internationally recognized tap company, The Drawbacks.
