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.

Charlotte is a proud Houston Dance Works alumna who spent 13 years training at HDW, including 10 years on the Accelerated Team. Her passion for dance, especially tap, led her to numerous regional awards and three consecutive national titles at Platinum’s Ultimate Invitational. She continues to dance at the University of St. Thomas while also pursuing her studies in nursing.

After spending so many years growing up at HDW, Charlotte is excited to now share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers. She describes her teaching style as “joyous” and loves creating classes where students can have fun, feel encouraged, and build their confidence. Her favorite way to get a class excited is with a good freeze dance song, which she says quickly becomes the highlight of class.

Charlotte says she has loved dance for as long as she can remember and feels grateful to have the opportunity to share that passion with her students. New dancers can expect a joy-filled class where they can learn, have fun, and discover their own love of dance. If her class had a theme song, it would be Fabulous Feet.

Haley Funk grew up in Lake Jackson, Tx and has been a dancer for 18 years. She went on to study dance at Sam Houston State University, graduating with a BFA in Dance in the Spring of 2021. 

Post-graduation, she went on to dance as a swing with Houston Grand Opera in their production of Carmen, working with Tony Award-winning choreographer and stage director Rob Ashford and his dance captain Ashley Elizabeth-Hale. She served as a judge and convention teacher for NYLA Dance Competitions and Conventions for two seasons. 

Haley has been teaching for 11 years and has taught a wide range of ages and styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, drill team, strength and conditioning, and acro. Having just moved to the Houston area, she is looking forward to continuing her passion for dance and passing it on to the next generation.

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.

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 connection to the arts began at a young age through ballet, hip hop, circus, and gymnastics. The studio was always more than a place to learn. It was where she found joy, built confidence, and developed skills that stayed with her. Today, she is passionate about creating that same meaningful experience for HDW dancers and families.

Originally from Brazil, Gabriella moved to the Houston area at 17 as an exchange student. Her background in culinary arts, management, and real estate has shaped her approach to leadership, organization, communication, and relationship building.

As Director of Studio Excellence & Operations, Gabriella oversees the systems, experiences, and operations that help HDW run at its best. From family communication and events to marketing and day-to-day operations, she works behind the scenes to create a studio experience where families feel welcomed, supported, and connected.

For Gabriella, HDW is a place where dancers can discover confidence, build lifelong skills, and create memories that extend far beyond the studio.

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 Operations Coordinator, 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.