I welcome you and your family to our 15th year of dance, and my 38th year of dance. I began in 1987 in Brownsville, Tx with Angela Cassady at Cassady Dancenter, training in classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap and Gus Giordano Jazz. Ending in 1997 as a dance assistant and learning basics on how to teach. Serving on the Pacers Dance Team from 1994 to 1996 provided me with valuable experience in a highly structured dance environment. During this time, I held the position of one of the co-Captain’s and had the opportunity to perform at the 1996 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. I remember going through Dance Magazine’s, College Guide and seeing my dream college, CalArts. In 1999, in San Antonio, I auditioned for Calarts, was accepted and moved to Valencia, Ca. At Calarts, I was able to learn intensive Modern dance, and Ballet technique. We were able to collaborate with multiple disciplinaries. In 2003, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance/Choreography, with experience in stage management, theatre production, and choreography for various performances. I pursued on how to work as a stage technician. I was able to work on, The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), “Actors Fund of America Gala” at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State Los Angeles. Collaborating with various actors, noting that this was a different, fast, and vibrant world. Liza Minelli was the final performer and seeing her as a historic singer, actor and dancer on stage was memorable. Being vigilant, it taught me how to run a performance and all the details needed to fully understand. I went on to being a receptionist at Ballet San Antonio Academy beginning to learn how to run a front desk and clean and maintain three large professional dance studios, and worked as a stage technician on their annual, “Nutcracker” at the Tobin Center. In 2007, I moved back to Brownsville, booked as a finale choreographer for the 2007, “Shaken Not Stirred, 007”, St Joseph Academy’s annual style show, a dance teacher/choreographer at Dance Center and a dance teacher at TSC. I then was contracted for a three-year term at Stillman MS as the dance teacher. The public school district taught me a different side of discipline and finally realized that I wanted to run my own business. In between all my dance jobs, I have also worked in retail and food, learning how each customer presents diverse needs and wants. Working for others has allowed me to grow, learn and understand multiple facets of life. In 2010, I opened and began my journey, in this journey, I have learned that success and failure go together, like partners. Throughout the years, I have created choreography, began with recitals, and progressed to performances. We have added community service and now have additional teachers!

I am a mother to Madison. She is colorful, loving and has taught me the most in life. I enjoy studying history, people, and ideas. I have traveled to Europe, backpacking by myself to Spain, Germany and France and stayed in New Zealand as well as parts of Mexico and their beaches. I recommend traveling, it gives us a sense of culture and brings you to a new part of yourself!

I believe in myself, I always have. I understand that life will rearrange itself in good and not so effective ways. This is how we learn and everything that we learn brings us to what we are supposed to become. My goal for all my students is to learn to collaborate, that we give, we fail, and we succeed. From this dance experience, that you allow yourself to let go, and open your heart to YOUR potential. The greatest is yet to come!

Clarissa Elena Becerra is a Brownsville native and was first introduced to dance at Christian Dance Arts studio at the age of two, where she learned the basic steps to ballet and experienced gymnastics. At the age of four she enrolled at Diandra Cavazos Dance Company and had her first dance recital experience on stage performing Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Ballet.

At the age of nine she joined her school ballroom team and enjoyed all the numerous styles that included Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha cha, rumba, salsa, merengue. She continued ballroom through middle school and is still part of her high school ballroom team learning other styles that included Viennese waltz, mambo, and samba. At the age of 16 she enrolled at Fred Astaire Dance Studio and participated in numerous ballroom dance competitions. She had the opportunity to compete in the United States Amateur Dance Sport Championships in Utah where she earned 1st in Youth Pre Championship Rhythm, 2nd in Youth Amateur Rhythm, and 2nd in Adult Pre Championship Rhythm. She also competed in Houston at the AAU Junior Olympic Games Dance competition where she earned five gold medals and one silver. She has graduated from Veterans Memorial High School and is now enrolled in UTRGV. She recently auditioned and is now a part of the Vaqueros Star Line Drill Team.

Samantha Marks is a Brownsville native who began dancing at the age of three at Diandra Cavazos Dance Company, where she developed a strong foundation in dance and a passion for performing. At the age of ten, she continued her training at Dance Infinity, where she further refined her technique and expanded her experience in competitive dance.

Throughout high school, Samantha has been a dedicated member of the Hanna High School Strutter Dance Team for four years. During her time on the team, she has participated in numerous performances, competitions, and community events. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping the Strutters earn the title of Grand Champions Overall in Pom. Her dedication and leadership earned her a leadership position on the team for the past two years, where she has helped support and encourage her fellow teammates.

In addition to dance, Samantha has been a member of the Hanna High School Varsity Swim Team for four years. She has served as team captain for three consecutive years, demonstrating commitment, discipline, and leadership both in and out of the pool. Her passion for swimming inspired her to start her own private swim lesson program, where she teaches young swimmers and promotes confidence and water safety.

Through her experiences in dance, swimming, and leadership, Samantha has developed strong communication, teamwork, and mentoring skills. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a forensic psychologist, where she hopes to combine her interest in psychology and criminal justice to make a positive impact in the lives of others and her community.

Danielle Alcala is in her 7th year in dance. She is an Envision Dance Co member, soloist and choreographer. Her studies include, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, Ribbons, Pop Dance, Hip Hop, Rhythm Dance, Pilates, Theatre Dance and Composition of Choreography. She is an A Honor Roll student at her elementary school and is a member of the Elementary Honor Society. She has won 2nd place in Ready Writing competition in Los Fresnos. She has been part of the elementary dance team where they have performed in the Los Fresnos Parade, Vipers Basketball, and high school basketball games and is also a part of her Yoga club. In the future, she would like to be a dancer, fashion designer and a counselor.

Angelina Olivarez is in her 3rd year in dance. She is an Envision Dance Co member, soloist, and choreographer. Her studies include Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Ribbons, Pop Dance, Theatre Dance and Composition of Choreography.

An “A” Honor Roll student at Manzano Middle School, Angelina has also excelled in Destination Imagination, experiencing both the Lone Star Finals State and Global competitions.

Her passion for creativity extends beyond dance, her love of drawing and art led her to participate in the VASE Art Competition with her school, where she earned a gold medal for her outstanding work.

With a heart full of compassion and a strong desire to help others, Angelina aspires to become a pediatrician in the future.

Isabella Ibarra is in her 4th year in dance. She is a soloist, and choreographer, an Envision Dance Co member and is in the Performing Dance Co. Her studies include Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Theatre Dance, Pop Dance and Hip Hop. She has recently become a dance assistant in training at the dance studio. She is currently an active member of the choir and library club at her elementary school. She has received the “Character Award” in recognition of her outstanding cooperation with peers, positive attitude, and willingness to support her classmates. She is also an honorary member of the Los Fresnos Interact Club and is enrolled in swimming classes. In the future, she aspires to become an artist.

Jolynn Martinez is in her 2nd year in dance, an Envision Dance Co member and is a Performing Dance Co member. Her studies include, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop and has begun assisting in the Intro to Dance classes. Her previous training in gymnastics and jiujitsu have given her a great discipline and movement. She is also a dedicated student that takes pride in her schoolwork, consistently earning straight A’s. When she is not in the dance studio, Jolynn loves to draw and spend quality time with her family and friends. She also has a natural nurturing side and adores caring for little ones. Her future goal is to become a dance teacher or a schoolteacher so she can share her love of learning and movement with others.

Madison Cavazos is in her 3rd year in dance. She is a soloist and choreographer, an Envision Dance Co member and is a Performing Dance Co member. Her studies include, Jazz/Lyrical, Composition of Choreography, Theatre Dance and Hip Hop. She enjoys gaming, dolls, loves dancing and singing. She is interested in becoming a dance teacher.