Teacher Bios

Cristin Herr Leoni

STUDIO OWNER |

Cristin began her dance training at the age of two in Burleson. She began dancing professionally at the age of 16 while attending Joshua High School. She was awarded her B.A. from the University of North Texas in Denton.

She traveled extensively throughout the U.S., performing in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Tampa for such companies as Mary Kay Cosmetics, American Airlines, Wilsonart International, 7-Eleven, Sally Beauty Supply, State Beauty Supply, MAC Tools, Forever Living Products, and Fannie Mae Housing Foundation. Cristin also performed in Munich and Frankfurt, Germany for five years with Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Most recently, Cristin appeared in Tony and Tina’s Wedding at Bass Hall in Fort Worth. She has also performed in numerous productions at Bass Hall and Casa Manana, such as 42nd Street, Bye Bye Birdie, The Wizard of Oz, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

She served as choreographer for the Burleson High School Showchoir for 16 years and choreographed musicals for Burleson High School including, The Boyfriend, Thoroughly Modern Millie, 42nd Street, Honk, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Seussical the Musical.

She is a life-long learner and continues her dance education each year attending master classes and dance conventions and recently became a certified Kindermusik® educator. Cristin raised her two sons Rocco and Frankie at the studio and knows that their early years in the dance studio led them to their current success as musicians and performers and all-around wonderful humans.

Lori Woods

STUDIO DIRECTOR | TAP/BALLET COMBO | LYRICAL | MUSICAL THEATRE | TAP | JAZZ | DANCE KARAOKE | COMPANY

Lori Woods was the head of the dance and drill team program at Lamar High School in Arlington for 24 years and was the first dance educator in AISD. She has an Associates degree in Musical Theatre from Mountain View College and a Bachelors degree in Theatre from Texas Wesleyan University.

Lori began her dance teaching career at the age of 15 at Miss Persis Studio of Dance in Arlington.  Around the same age she began performing at Six Flags Over Texas in the Southern Palace Theatre which led to a remarkable career performing at local professional theatres including Bass Hall, Casa Manana, Theatre Arlington, Theatre Three and Stage West. Some of her favorite roles include Charity in Sweet Charity, Velma in Chicago, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Bebe in A Chorus Line, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Paulette in Legally Blonde and Lorraine in 42nd Street. She also taught dance and musical theatre at Dallas Summer Musicals School of Musical Theatre, TCC College for Kids, JTM School of Performing Arts, Granbury Opera House and Casa Manana.

In addition to her teaching career, she worked with Eclipse Entertainment as a choreographer and casting director for more than 20 years, producing award-winning custom theme entertainment for provate and corporate events. 

Her mission is to create well-rounded, positive citizens using dance as the vehicle to teach her students artistry, empathy, compassion, dedication, discipline, integrity, and performance.

Jennifer Santoyo
 TAP/BALLET | JAZZ |  CONTEMPORARY

A passionate dancer since the age of two, Jennifer has explored all genres of dance. During high school, she excelled as a member of the dance team, leading as captain her senior year. Her talent earned her a full dance scholarship to Weatherford College, where she continued to share her love of dance by teaching young dancers at various studios. Since graduating, Jennifer is now embarking on a nursing career while still nurturing her passion for dance. 

Kandice Stehlik
ACRO | HIP HOP| TECHNIQUE

Kandice Stehlik graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in dance performance.  She was the captain of her high school and college dance team.  She trained with Jose Limon dance company, as well as choreographers well known Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance) and Sonya Tayeh (Tony award winner for Moulin Rouge!).  She has been teaching and choreographing in the dance studio industry for over twenty years, and has received multiple awards and national titles with her work.

Carlin Dixon

BALLET TECHNIQUE |

Carlin Dixon began her early dance training with Orlando Ballet School and Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet before becoming a trainee with Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, Florida. There she trained under the direction of Peter Stark, Ivonne Lemus, and Philip Neal for four years. During her time at Next Generation Ballet, Carlin had the opportunity to perform soloist roles in many full-length ballets including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Don Quixote. She received additional training through summer intensives at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and The Washington Ballet.