Staff

Heather is the Director of Dance and Ettes Dance Company. She is a former Kilgore College Rangerette. Heather has trained and performed extensively at LA’s Edge Performing Arts Center with Wade Robson, Brian Friedman, Andre Fuentes, Malay Ho, Mandy Moore, Dee Casberry, Blake McGrath, Tabatha & Napoleon, Scott Hislop, Bobby Newberry, Adam Parson, Chris Dupree, Kevin Maher, Eddie Garcia, Doug Caldwell, Rob Schultz, Gus Carr, Nolan Padilla, and Khasan Brailsford. She danced with N2IT Dance Co and Blu Sol Dance Co, was a featured dancer for Ford Focus National TV commercial and was featured in the TV Shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 2 Guys, A Girl & A Pizza Place, 7^th Heaven, and Felicity.  Heather completed her 10^th year directing the Ettes with multiple National titles and choreography awards. She is a well renowned judge at dance competitions, choreographed the opening number for KAR Nationals in Las Vegas this summer, and is dancing in the Broadway show “Miss Saigon” in August. As part owner of LHPAC, she instills the stability and professionalism and provides the guarantee that LHPAC will be here to continue the development of our students.

Durine brings a wealth of experience to LHPAC as a ballet instructor. She was a professional classical ballerina since the age of 16. She traveled a World Tour with Boston Ballet to France, England, Italy, Israel, Hong Kong, and China. She was the principal dancer in numerous ballets including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Copelia, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet. She has a repertoire of over 120 ballets. Ms. Durine was born in Indonesia and raised in the Netherlands. After retiring from the stage, she began teaching and choreographing and has been sharing her love for ballet with her students for the past 26 years.

Sarah has extensive training in ballet, tap, and jazz as well as ballroom. She co-directed the first production of the Nutcracker in the Harford/Lemoore area. Sarah danced with Dancers Unlimited in Lemoore CA were she performed in many pieces from the Nutcracker and other ballets. She owned a fitness facility where she taught aerobics, dance classes, fitness training, and nutrition.  Sarah works with the Ettes Dance Company and teaches ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop classes as well as tumble/cheer classes.

Valerie directs Upstage Theatre Company. Valerie is an accomplished actress/singer/dancer. She was a scholarship recipient to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy Integrated Program in New York City and has trained with master teachers including Al Gilbert, Frank Hatchett and Jo Rowan. She is certified to teach tap and ballet through Dance Masters of America. Valerie has choreographed several theatrical productions for local theatres as well as the University of Texas theatre department. She actively performs with various local theatres and has worked with Express Children’s Theatre and toured with Young Audiences of Houston. In addition to her theatre and teaching career, Valerie has worked as a local commercial actress and promotional spokes model for MTV, John Freida, Animal Planet and Nickelodeon. In addition to teaching theatre classes, Valerie teaches tap, jazz and combo dance classes. Valerie has two children.

Christopher is a fifth year member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Co. He began his dance training in college at the University of Southern California. He also trained at the Edge Performing Arts Center and has worked with Salim Gauwloos, Pattie Obey, Eddy Ocampo, Caleb Mitchell, Dina Vail, Marlana Walsh, Kiki Lucas, Joe Celej, Nina Buisson, and Kiesha Lalama-White. He has performed in Dance Chicago, Dancescape, Texas Weekend of Comtemporary Dance, Houston Symphony Gala and in CA, Modalities Dance Co. Christopher is teaching ballet and pointe classes at LHPAC.

Chelsey is a graduate from Point Park University with a BA in Dance. Originally from Massena, New York, Chelsey began her training under many inspirers. At Point Park University, she trained with Kiesha Lalama-White, Judith Leifer-Bentz and Jason McDole, Nicolas Petrov, and Dana Arey. She recently performed “Valley View” choreographed by Alison Seidenstricker for ASEID in New York City. Chelsey has recently accepted and intern position with Houston Metropolitan Company. Her passion for the art of dance inspires her to choreograph and teach younger dancers sharing her knowledge of movement. Chelsey will be assisting with Ettes Dance Company and teaching a variety of styles and ages of dance classes at LHPAC.

Jessica is the director of gymnastics and tumble/cheer. Jessica began competing gymnastics at the age of 6. She was trained by several Olympic level coaches including Bela & Marta Karoyli, Steve Nuno, Gizi Oltean, & Scott Krauss. Prior to the 1988 Olympics, Jessica suffered an injury which ended her competitive career. Her love of gymnastics continued thru teaching children of all ages and levels. Jessica also worked for Humble I.S.D. for 3 years as a physical education teacher assistant. Jessica has 3 daughters.

Krystal teaches voice, piano and musical theatre. She is the owner of "One A Chord" and trains students all over the Houston area in voice and piano and directs children's theatrical workshops.