Faculty
Amanda Adams-Hunt, Owner
Amanda Hunt is the studio owner, artistic director, and a teacher. She began her dance training at the age of five and went on to major in Ballet and Modern Dance at Texas Christian University, where she traveled the Southwest Conference performing as a TCU Show Girl. Amanda includes among her performing credits the Children's Dance Theater, Bruce Lea Dance Factory and TCU Department of Ballet and Modern Dance. Her choreography credits include the Irving Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, Grand Prairie Community Theatre's production of The Music Man as well as concerts and award-winning competition material for her own xtremeDancers - a nationally ranked performing company.
Ashley Gray | Guest Teacher
Ashley has been dancing since the age of four and grew up attending jazz, tap, ballet, and pointe classes at the Academy of Dance Arts in Greenville, Texas. As a member of "The Northeast Texas Dance Company", she won numerous awards and performed throughout Texas. In 1999, Ashley was one of only four dancers in the United States to have successfully completed Al Gilbert's Grade VII tap exam. She has studied under Jackie Ramon, Keith Clifton, Al Gilbert, Rhonda Miller, Darryl Retter, Linda Bernabei Retter, Jackie Sleight, Laurie Johnson, Dian West, and Joe Tremaine, and she continues her own dance education by attending many dance conventions throughout the year. As a choreographer, her pieces have won many awards at Adrenaline, Tremaine, Star Systems, Starlight, and other competitions. As a teacher, Ashley uses her love of dance to promote self-discipline and self-confidence in her students. Outside the dance studio, Ashley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's and master's degree in Accounting from Texas Christian University and has passed the Certified Public Accountancy examination. She graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law in May of 2007 with a doctorate in jurisprudence. Ashley joined ADX in 2001.
Jenny Hammack
Jenny has been dancing since she was two years old. She is a former student of Amanda’s Dance Express and also of North Central Civic Ballet. Jenny attended Kilgore College where she was a member of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes on the 66th line. From 2005-2007 she also participated in the Swingesters, an elite Rangerette performing group. During her two years as a Rangerette, Jenny was able to perform at many events such as the Cotton Bowl, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Parade, Dallas Cowboys half time game, Carnival Cruise line, Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, and at the Gaylord Texas Celebration. Jenny graduated Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Jenny was a two year Historian for Sam Houston’s Chi Tau Epsilon, the prestigious national dance honor society that recognizes, supports, and promotes superior achievement in dance. She was also a part of the Golden Key International Honor Society. While at Sam Houston State University Jenny danced with and was an Intern for Amy Llanes Company Rednerrus Feil. Jenny has also had the opportunity to take class from Paul Taylor 2, Astrid Von Ussar, Charlotte Boye, Meghan Durham Wall, and Hilary Bryan. She has performed works by choreographers Bill Evans and Meghan Durham Wall. Jenny taught jazz at the Wynn Home Arts Center in Huntsville. Jenny has choreographed for various local high schools including Mansfield, Martin, South Grand Prairie, and Bowie High School. She is the new Drill Team and Dance Director of the West Mesquite High School Lariettes.
Margie Hollywood
Margie attended Texas Woman's University and majored in Ballet and Modern Dance. Margie has directed SGPHS's Indiannes and the Chey-Annes. She currently teaches beginning and intermediate level dancers.
Irae Martinez
Irae began her dance training with Amanda Hunt, the owner of Amanda's Dance Express, at the age of four. She was a member of the xtremeDancers, and Águilas Azteca Ballet Folklórico and was a founding member of Images Contemporary Dance Company. In addition to her training at Amanda's Dance she also trained at Step n' Out and Bruce Lea's Dance Factory in Ft. Worth and has had the opportunity to take master classes with Jump Rhythm and Jazz, Clair Porter, Jose Limon Company, Alvin Aliey Company, and while a student at ACDF's summer intensive 2008 to study with Dianne McIntyre, Shani Collins, and Bulareyaung Pagarlava. She has been sought out to perform the works of José Limon "Psalms" and Kristen Booth "Between The Sheets". From 2005-2008 Irae performed in student pieces for adjudication at ACDF and was honored to have her own solo choreography "Hands" chosen to perform in informal concert there in 2008. Irae is a 2009 graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and was a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority INC and Chi Tau Epsilon dance honor society. Irae is currently teaching Ballet Folklórico for GPISD.
Walquiria Perales
Walquiria Perales is our Ballet Folklórico Director and teacher. She studied Ballet Folklórico for 11 years at the Mexicano Institute in Monclova, Mexico. Ms. Perales also studied International and Classical Ballet, Tap and various South American classes in her eight years at the Kaff and Velazco Academy in Mexico. Her education also includes choreography, costumes, and arts of Mexico. She currently instructs the Ballet Folklórico group at South Grand Prairie High School and directs our own award winning Águilas Azteca Ballet Folklórico.
Rhonda Sanabria
Rhonda has taught dance in Grand Prairie for several years. She teaches all ages from 3 years through adult. Rhonda also specializes in teaching children and teenagers with physical and mental differences.
Camille Thompson
Born in Dallas, Texas Camille's love for dance began at the age of five. Professionally she has been dancing and performing since 2001. Her skills include cheer, jazz, salsa, modern, and of course hip hop. Camille was a member of the 2005-2006 Dallas Maverick dance team and the 2006 Dallas Deperado dance team. Camille has choreographed and danced for such celebrities as Vivica Fox, Tyrese, and Abby Lakew.
