Born and raised in Louisiana, Belle moved to Texas in 2014 to expand her artistry and elevate her dance career. Since then, she has built her name in Houston’s dance scene, performing with numerous dance companies and co-directing/co-choreographing for several projects.

Currently pursuing commercial dance, Belle has brought her talent to some of the largest stages, including Coachella, Essence, SNL, BET Hip Hop Awards, and the Grammys to name a few. Her journey has taken her across the country and abroad, creating opportunities to perform alongside artists like Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Chance the Rapper, Ceelo Green, Andra Day, Paul Wall, Tobe Nwigwe, and many more.

Kaytee Compton is a dancer and teacher from Southeast Texas who began training at the age of three. Her background includes ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, precision dance, drill/pom, contemporary, and aerial silks/trapeze. She grew up dancing competitively and spent her high school years as a Principal dancer with Revelation Pre-Professional Contemporary Ballet Company. During the summers, she trained in New York City with the Radio City Rockettes and coach Rhonda Malkin.

In college, Kaytee danced with the Texas State University Strutters before joining the University of Houston Cougar Dolls, where she spent three years and served as Head Captain for two. Through the Cougar Dolls, she had the chance to perform at various events around the country, including the Houston Texans Halftime Show and appearances with artists like 50 Cent and Lil Keke.

Kaytee recently earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Houston, where she trained under faculty such as Teresa Chapman, Travis Prokop, Gabriela Estrada, and Firat Ozsroy. She also researched and performed Classical Chinese Dance under the training of Dr. Melody Li Yunzi.

She currently dances for Ice Cube’s BIG3 Basketball League, performing during their national and international games throughout the summer. The rest of the year, she focuses on teaching and supporting young dancers in Houston.

Sergii Ostapenko, originally from Odessa, Ukraine, began tap in 1998 and quickly rose to international acclaim. He is a three-time World Tap Dance Champion, two-time European Champion, and has received top honors including Ukraine’s National Recognition award and the title Pride of Odessa. His career includes major tap shows such as Max & Lo, Hurricane Named Odessa, Made by Feet, and Rhythm Factory.

An experienced instructor, Sergii has taught in countries across Europe and North America, and many of his students have gone on to win world and European championships. He is also the author of “Introduction to Tapology” and holds a PhD in the History of Literature. In 2023, he relocated to Houston, bringing his world-class expertise to HDW.

Catarina “Cat” Ramirez was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where she began dancing at the age of 2. She trained and competed with the same studio throughout her childhood until graduating from high school. After dancing for the University of the Incarnate Word during her freshman year of college, she transferred to the University of Houston, where she is currently working toward a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences with a concentration in Strategic Integrated Communication and a minor in Entrepreneurship.

This is Ms. Cat’s second year teaching at Houston Dance Works. Outside of the studio, she continues to train in various dance styles across Houston to grow as a dancer and bring fresh inspiration to her classes. Her passion for dance and commitment to continued learning are at the heart of her teaching style.

As the newest graduate from Houston Dance Works, Charlotte will start her first year as a teacher this fall! She has danced at the studio for a total of 13 years, 10 of which were spent on the Accelerated Team. Her passion for dance, specifically tap dancing, led her to numerous regional awards as well as three back-to-back national titles at Platinum’s Ultimate Invitational. She plans to continue pursuing dance at the University of St. Thomas.

Leanna Sparacino brings high energy and strong organization to her teaching, allowing her to lead arts programming while staying performance-ready. Her love of dance and family keeps her fulfilled, and her drive to be the best keeps her motivated. Ms. Sparacino has over 45 years of experience in the arts. She has performed, choreographed, taught, produced, and directed for stage, television, and film. She trained with Patsy Swayze, Robert Joffrey, and Manolo Agullo of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Her lead roles include 42nd Street, Evita, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her feature film credits include Urban Cowboy (with John Travolta) and Liar’s Moon (with Matt Dillon). Originally from Houston, her career has taken her around the globe, including St. Petersburg, Russia (dancing with the Kirov Ballet), Berlin, Germany (choreographing a German-American collaboration at the Schlotzplatz Theatre), Nice, France (working with La Compagnie Rick Odums), as well as Los Angeles and New York City. She had the esteemed privilege of performing for Presidents George H. W. Bush and Gerald Ford, and for Lady Bird Johnson. Ms. Sparacino has developed arts programming for elementary, middle, and high schools in Houston and San Antonio; her programs are accredited in the Spring and Aldine school districts, offering students an alternative to Physical Education. Former students have attended universities on scholarship and now work on Broadway, in Los Angeles, and around the world.

Meri-Ashton is classically trained in both ballet and modern dance, including performing with the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet Company for eight years under the direction of renowned dance educator Nancy Sulik. Her training includes instruction from various ballet and modern masters and choreographers, such as Thom Clower, Susan and Buddy Trevino, Katia Garza, Andy and Dionne Noble, Joshua Manculich, Dana E. Nicolay, Courtney D. Jones, Meredith Lyons, and Megan Glynn Zollinger. Ms. Ashton has her BFA in dance with honors from Colorado Mesa University, as well as an MFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University. With over 10 years of teaching experience, She is three years away from receiving the title of Ballet Master. 

Ms. Lisa Zamora is a proud born-and-raised Houstonian with a deep love for her city and its dance community. A Pasadena, TX native, she graduated from Pasadena High School and San Jacinto College in 2021, where she was a dedicated member of her high school drill team. Lisa has performed with various local Houston artists and currently dances for the No Excuses Pro League foundation. She has trained in multiple dance styles, including Acro in her younger years, and has worked with a wide range of choreographers, including former and current Houston Rockets dancers, Houston Texans cheerleaders, and more.

Gabriella’s love for the arts started at a young age when she took ballet, hip hop, circus, and gymnastics classes. Growing up, the studio was a place that brought her joy, confidence, and lifelong skills. Something she now strives to create for every dancer and family who walks through the door.

Originally from Brazil, Gabriella moved to the Houston area at 17 as an exchange student and has since built a career rooted in service and leadership. With a background in culinary arts and management, she developed a strong foundation in organization and customer care. Later, her work in real estate sharpened her skills in communication and relationship building; qualities she now brings to HDW to ensure families feel supported and connected.

As Studio Experience Manager, Gabriella is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where families feel at home. She ensures clear communication so parents and dancers can focus on what truly matters; the joy of dance. In addition, she leads the studio’s social media and marketing efforts, sharing the HDW experience with the community and keeping families engaged and connected.

Ms. Ally began dancing at the age of three at the Houston School of Dance and Musical Theater, training in Tap, Ballet, and Jazz. She had the opportunity to train at the Houston Ballet and perform in The Nutcracker. She joined Houston Dance Works for the 2015-2016 season, where she trained in Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz. The following year, she joined the Houston Dance Works staff as a teacher’s assistant and now serves as Back Office Manager, overseeing recital logistics, costumes, and studio operations. Ms. Ally continues to share her love of dance by teaching and creating enjoyable experiences for families and dancers both on and off stage.

Ms. Emory is our Accelerated Competition Team’s Account Specialist, and we are so lucky to have her on the Houston Dance Works team! Now in her fourth year working at the studio, she helps ensure that everything is organized and ready as our dancers head into the busy competition season each spring. From managing accounts to keeping families informed and prepared, Ms. Emory plays an important part in making sure our dancers can shine on stage without stress off stage.

Fun fact: Ms. Emory has a special connection to Houston Dance Works, she danced here herself from 2012–2015! Her history as both a dancer and staff member gives her a unique perspective and makes her an even more valuable part of our HDW family.