Meet the Team
GADA Dance Instructors
Our Instructors
At GADA, your child will learn from experienced and caring instructors with dance degrees, professional performance backgrounds, and years of teaching expertise. Every teacher follows our carefully designed curriculum that's updated annually to meet students’ needs, so your dancer can grow with consistency and quality in every class.
Sarah Adair
Director of Dance Education
A Round Rock native with 35 years in dance and 20+ years teaching, Ms. Sarah leads GADA’s curriculum, levels placements and Heartsong Dance Company with a heart for kids and a passion for great technique. A former studio owner, she blends joyful classes with a thoughtful, development-first approach so dancers grow with confidence—step by step, year by year.
More about Sarah
- Elementary Education (major) & Dance (minor) — Southwest Texas University
- Former studio owner (13 years)
- Director, Heartsong Dance Company
- Oversees GADA curriculum updates & level promotions
Fun fact: She knew she’d found her calling the moment she taught her first class.
Cari Jackson
Ballet Director
Ms. Cari brings world-class ballet training and a warm coaching style to every barre. Trained at San Francisco Ballet, SAB (NYC), and PNB (Seattle), she performed with Contemporary Ballet Dallas and Bruce Wood Dance before focusing on developing strong, musical, and kind ballet dancers at GADA.
More about Cari
- BFA Dance Performance — Southern Methodist University
- Winter/Summer intensives — Martha Graham School
- Texas Association Teachers of Dancing — member since 2009
- Worked with Paul Taylor, Jillana, Takako Asakawa & Bruce Wood
- Heartsong Dance Co. choreographer
Fun fact: Started her dance journey learning from Gwen Owens at London School of Dance.
Kate Kozacek
Littles Director
Ms. Kate specializes in our 6-and-under program—think playful structure, big imaginations, and tiny tap sounds. A former competitive dancer from Chicagoland, she’s Twinkle Star–trained and loves helping little ones build confidence from their very first plié.
More about Kate
- Twinkle Star Dance training (Philadelphia)
- BCS Bowl performer — 2008 (New Orleans), 2009 (Miami)
- Trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary & Hip-Hop
- Early-childhood dance focus since 2014
Fun fact: Her favorite duet partner is her son, Jaxon.
Ariana Wheeless
Tap Director
A proud GADA alum, Ms. Ariana returns with deep tap training, drill-team leadership experience, and a contagious love of rhythm. Expect crisp sounds, musical ears, and lots of smiles in her classes.
More about Ariana
- GADA alumna
- High school drill team leadership
- Broad training across genres
Fun fact: She still remembers her first GADA recital dance—every count!
Samantha Simpson
Hip-Hop Director
A Star Quest national title winner (lyrical & hip-hop teams) and former captain of EIU’s Pink Panthers, Ms. Samantha guides GADA’s hip-hop program with industry-level standards and a huge smile. She’s trained with pros like tWitch, Sonya Tayeh, and Shane Sparks—and loves building teams that groove together.
More about Samantha
- BS Kinesiology (Exercise Science) — Eastern Illinois University
- Former Universal Dance Association instructor (taught teams nationwide)
- Trained with Michael Schwandt, Tyce Diorio, Kenny Wormald, Lauren Gottlieb
Fun fact: She was invited to perform in BCS Bowl game halftime performances two years in a row!!
Mackenzie Jones
Instructor
Ms. Mackenzie grew up at GADA and earned her BS in Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University. She performed with the American Spirit Dance Company and brings stage-savvy, kind coaching, and super-clear class structure.
More about Mackenzie
- BS Dance Pedagogy — Oklahoma City University
- Performer — American Spirit Dance Company
- Assistant to faculty choreographers; student-teacher at OCU Community Dance Center
- Experienced in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre & acro
Fun fact: She loves helping dancers find their “performance face” and stage confidence.
Taylorann Evans
Instructor
A principal dancer with Idaho Dance Theatre and co-director of FUSE Dance Collaboration, Ms. Taylorann has performed from Vegas showrooms to concert stages. Her classes blend artistry, athleticism, and heart—movement that makes you feel.
More about Taylorann
- BBA Entrepreneurial Management + Dance minor — Boise State
- UNLV Commercial Dance program alum
- Former Vegas Strip showgirl; former ballet program director (The Spot Dance Studio)
- Head Coach — Idaho Horseman Lady Spurs
- Instructor — Ballet Austin & Dance Austin
Fun fact: By day she’s a software analyst—by night she’s all about contemporary lines and musicality.
Alyssa Carter
GADA Littles, Jazz, Tap & Hip-Hop Instructor
A GADA alum and speech-language pathologist, Ms. Alyssa pairs child-development know-how with years on stage. Expect inclusive classes, clear steps, and lots of encouragement for growing dancers.
More about Alyssa
- MS Speech-Language Pathology — Texas State University
- ASL & Deaf Culture studies
- 8 years with Antelope Valley Ballet (Nutcracker, Giselle & more)
- Drill team captain; musical theatre choreography (Footloose, Guys & Dolls)
Fun fact: She moved to Austin at 11 and grew her dancing skills right here at GADA.
Jessica O’Brien
Musical Theater Director
A Georgetown Palace Theatre board member and choreographer, Ms. Jessica brings Broadway-style storytelling to the studio and to our Musical Storytellers company. She’s performed at ZACH, Zilker Hillside, and venues across Austin—and loves helping kids light up the stage.
More about Jessica
- Choreographer — Bright Star; Co-director/choreo — Once On This Island
- Performed with ATX Musicals, Summer Stock Austin, TexArts & more
- Cedar Ridge HS alum (Kristie Copeland)
Fun fact: She grew up singing with Julie Andrews—The Sound of Music was always on repeat!
Emily McLeod
Instructor
Ms. Emily trained with Lakecities Ballet Theatre and placed top-24 at YAGP (classical) three years in a row. A Texas A&M Kinesiology grad (Magna Cum Laude), she’s now studying pediatric nursing—because caring for kids is her superpower in and out of the studio.
More about Emily
- Lead roles: Snow Queen, Raymonda, Arabian, Lead Bride (Dracula)
- YAGP ensemble — 2nd place
- Summer training — Colorado Ballet, CPYB
- Currently studying Nursing at Texas A&M Round Rock
Fun fact: Started dancing at age 3 and never looked back.
Faith Davis
Instructor
Ms. Faith trained at Houston Ballet Academy, City Ballet of Houston, and Kinder HSPVA before earning her BFA in Dance from UT Austin. She brings clear classical technique and tons of kindness to every barre.
More about Faith
- BFA Dance — University of Texas at Austin
- Houston Ballet Academy & City Ballet of Houston
- Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA)
Fun fact: [PLACEHOLDER: add a fun fact Faith would love to share]
Lilly Thurman
Instructor
An MFA-trained choreographer and founder of Bones Dance Project, Ms. Lilly’s work has appeared at COCO Dance Festival (Trinidad & Tobago), TEDx, Austin Dance Festival, and more. She’s all about musicality, story, and brave choices.
More about Lilly
- MFA Dance — Sam Houston State • BFA Dance — Texas State
- Commissions: NobleMotion 2nd Co., UT Rio Grande Valley, Aimed Dance Co.
- Performer with Early Era Collective, sumRset movement, Spaces of Fontana
- Judge — Precision Arts Challenge; Elevation on Tour
Fun fact: She’s performed works by Joshua Manculich and the Nobles—and loves returning to the GADA family.
Kayla Kuhajda
Instructor
With 20+ years of training and a BFA in Dance (UTEP), Ms. Kayla blends strong technique with big-picture purpose—she’s researched how dance connects to conservation and community. Expect thoughtful choreography and upbeat classes.
More about Kayla
- BFA Dance (choreography focus) — University of Texas at El Paso
- World of Dance Chicago & Chicago’s Got Talent performer
- Ife Ile Afro-Cuban Dance Festival performer
- Training: Xtreme Dance Force, The Dynasty
- Mentors: Matt Pilalis, Sam Renzetti, Neri Torres, Valeria Gonzalez
Fun fact: She started at age two and still loves a good across-the-floor combo.
Alexzandria Turley
Instructor
Ms. Alex is a performer and choreographer with a BFA from Texas State. She’s toured with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, appeared in a Jordan Smith music video, and brings big-stage sparkle to kid-friendly classes.
More about Alex
- BFA Dance Performance & Choreography — Texas State University
- 254 Dance Fest, Small Plate, and 5x7 Dance Fest performer/choreographer
- National tour — Chicago Honey Bear Dancers
- Austin flash-mob performer
- Teaches ages 3–18
Fun fact: She loves creating “wow” moments for first-time performers.