Instructors

Amy Blake
Owner/Director
A native Houstonian, Amy studied with Shelly Power's Academy of Dance and Houston Ballet Academy. She has also worked with numerous teachers and choreographers in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Amy has performed professionally with Texas Dance Theater, Joan Karff's New Dance Group, World Jazz Dance Congress, and Kountry Fever in Las Vegas. She has also performed with Houston Grand Opera in such productions as Annie Get Your Gun and Attila the Hun.

Ms. Blake is currently on staff and touring with Dance Olympus Fall and Summer Tour, as well as judging competitions around the country with International Dance Challenge. You will also find her working at Houston Ballet Academy during the summer as a guest teacher, and as a year-round substitute.
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Natalie Sinclair
Natalie Sinclair began her dance training at Dallas Ballet Academy and during the summers studied at the School of American Ballet and Pennsylvania School of Ballet. During her 13-year professional career, Ms. Natalie performed principal and soloist roles at Fort Worth Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and Fort Worth Dallas Ballet while touring throughout the United States and Asia. Principal roles include such Balanchine works as “Rubies”, Nutcracker, The Four Temperaments, and Who Cares?. Her vast repertoire includes such productions as Les Sylphides, Cinderella, and Swan Lake. We are so pleased to have Ms. Natalie Sinclair join our staff to teach all levels of ballet and pointe. Her structured classes showcase her energetic and vibrant personality. Welcome to the family, Ms. Natalie!
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Stephanie Human
Stephanie Human began her training with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at the age of eight. By the age of thirteen, Stephanie was spending her summer in NYC studying at Joffrey Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and the School of American Ballet. At the age of 15, Stephanie moved to NYC to attend the year round program at the School of American Ballet and the Professional Children’s School on scholarship. She has danced principal and soloist roles in classical ballets including Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Dracula, Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty. She has also danced lead roles in original contemporary works by Amber Thornton, Alex Hasbany, Joe Istre, Olga Kostritzky, Misha Bart, Amelie Hunter, Ayman Harper, and Slam. Since returning to Houston, Stephanie has been a guest teacher and choreographer at The Kincaid School. She will be graduating in May with her BS in Kinesiology. Stephanie is pleased to be starting her 4th season with A.B.A.D.!
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Debbie Phillips
Debbie Phillips grew up dancing in the Washington, D.C. area of Virginia. She started teaching at the age of 16 and was involved with many performing groups that entertained at major events such as Washington Redskin’s halftime shows, Washington Cherry blossom Festivals, Presidential inaugurations, and numerous Maritime Balls. Ms. Phillips attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia while teaching dance at Randolph Macon Girl’s College. Since then, she has guest taught and choreographed for many high schools and colleges. Ms. Phillips is also a certified aerobics instructor and water instructor, previously teaching at 24-Hour Fitness. We are pleased to have Debbie Phillips teach tap at the studio; her enthusiasm, teaching style, and age-appropriate choreography are a hit with the students. Welcome back, Ms. Debbie!
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T'Noya Thompson
T’Noya Thompson began dancing, choreographing, and performing shortly after joining San Jacinto Central. After graduating with her AA in Chemistry, T’Noya was awarded an academic and dance scholarship while also being appointed a teachers assistant for the dance classes at SJC. She then transferred to Texas A&M University at Galveston and received a BS in Marine Biology. T’Noya now works at Moody Gardens Aquarium as a Biologist/Trainer for penguins and seals while also teaching dance at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance which she loves!
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Kattie Jones
Kattie Jones began dancing at the age of three with Royal Academy of Fine Arts. At an early age she started performing various roles in the Nutcracker and also performed soloist roles in such productions as Swan Lake, Giselle, and Dracula. At 14, Kattie attended Joffrey Ballet in New York City and spent summers at San Francisco Ballet and in Hawaii studying various types of dance, focusing mainly on ballet. After receiving an Associate’s degree from San Jacinto College, Kattie transferred to The University of Houston where she will graduate this spring with a BA in Dance. We are pleased to have Ms. Kattie return for her third year at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance.
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Intern Instructors

Leigh Hellinghausen
Leigh Hellinghausen has studied dance under the direction of Amy Blake for 10 years. She has been an ABAD company member for four years, with which she was able to travel to New York and study at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. She has also attended summer workshops at both Texas Christian University and Ballet Austin. Leigh is a senior at Clear Lake High School. After graduation she plans on continuing both dance and academic studies in college. She is interested in ultimately receiving a master’s degree in dance/movement therapy.
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Morgan Bontz
Morgan Bontz has been dancing for ten years under the direction of Amy Blake and has been assisting classes for 4 years. A Company member for 3 years, Morgan has studied in NYC at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Morgan danced a lead role in the 2006 Nutcracker and spends her summers teaching dance camps at A.B.A.D. Morgan plans to continue her dance training throughout high school and college after which she will pursue a career in dance. After her summer dancing and performing at The Joffrey Workshop Texas, she is excited to start teaching at Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance.
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