Earle Cobb Dance Studio

2011-2012 Teaching Staff

	Dena Mabry Owner/Dance Director Dena holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance from Oklahoma City University.  She danced with the American Spirit Dance Company for Norwegian Cruise Lines and for Crystal Cruises in Japan and Australia.  Dena also performed at Opryland in Nashville, TN and in four separate shows at Fiesta Texas.  Dena is a former Miss San Antonio and is currently the Director of Dance at the North East School of the Arts, where she created the Dance Curriculum.  She is the founder and Director of “Dena’s Dazzlers”.
	Carolyn Shierk Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University.  She danced with the American Spirit Dance Company as well as in many industrials, conventions, and national events.  Carolyn has performed and taught workshops in Spain, France, and around the U.S.  After dancing in many shows, musicals, and events, Carolyn is currently the Co-Director of the Dance Department at the North East School of the Arts.
	Drea Pena-Kocian Drea came to Earle Cobb at the age of 14, and began teaching here at age 15.  She is a graduate of UTSA, with a B.A. in Psychology, and plans to pursue a career in Dance Therapy.  She attended the North East School of the Arts, and is a graduate of Antonian H.S., where she is currently the Dance Team Director.  Drea is a former “Dena’s Dazzler” and has danced professionally for the San Antonio Symphony and numerous shows around the city.  She is also a former choreographer of the Disney® Dance group, “Savvy”.
	Elizabeth Vick Elizabeth is 2008 Suma Cum Laude graduate of the North East School of the Arts, where she graduated #3 in her class.  She has been part of the Earle Cobb family for over 10 years, and is a former “Dena’s Dazzler”.  She was also voted the “2006 Top Cat of the Year” at Clark H.S.  Elizabeth’s performance experience includes numerous San Antonio Spurs half-time shows and the Fiesta Queen’s Coronation.  She has assisted with N.E.I.S.D.’s Dance Intensity Workshop since 2008, and has also assisted with the junior Dazzlers.  Elizabeth splits her time between continuing her education and immersing herself in the positive atmosphere she loves here at Earle Cobb.
	Jasmin Scott Jasmin has danced at Earle Cobb since the age of 3 and has been on the teaching staff since 2008.  She was a member of “Dena’s Dazzlers” for 10 years and has performed at Spurs games and the St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church benefit dinner.  She is a recent graduate of Antonian High School, where she was an officer on the “Silver Dancer” dance team.  She now attends St. Mary's University as a Criminal Justice major and is also on the Code Blue dance team.
	Lauren Garcia Lauren has been dancing since the age of 4 and holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University.  She is a former "Dena's Dazzler" and a graduate of the North East School of the Arts.  Lauren has performed for both SeaWorld San Antonio and SeaWorld Orlando, as well as Walt Disney World and the Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Florida.  She was also a member of the National Tours of both Sesame Street Live! and My Little Pony Live!  After several years of traveling and performing, she couldn't be happier to return home to San Antonio and the Earle Cobb family!
	David Hernandez David is a native of San Antonio, and began his training at the North East School of the Arts (NESA).  He was seen in such productions as Beauty and the Best (as the Pepper Shaker), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On Your Toes, Footnotes: A Concert of Dance, and Footnotes: A Holiday Spectacular.  He is a former “Dena’s Dazzler”.  He attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA as a dance major where he was seen in the productions The Snow Queen by Doug Bentz, Pittsburgh Connections, Dance with Me by Ron Tassone, and Ursonata by Bill T. Jones (restaged by Roz LeBlanc).  He has also done television, radio work, San Antonio Spurs Halftime performances, and charity events (Make A Wish Benefit and AIDS Benefit.)
	Adriana Ray A native of San Antonio, Texas, Adriana is a former “Dena’s Dazzler” and student of Earle Cobb Dance Studio. She was also a member of RPM Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Barbara Phillips.  In 2007, Adriana appeared at the 5th Annual Beijing International Dance Festival with RPM.  Currently, Adriana is a student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in African and African American Studies. She is also a member of Austin’s Ballet Afrique and Tapestry Dance Company.  This fall, she will again travel to China with Tapestry’s “The Souls of Our Feet” tour, starting at the Shanghai International Dance Festival.
	Sam Payne Sam holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. He was selected to perform with the American Spirit Dance Company and was a featured performer in Home for the Holidays.  His choreography was featured in A Perfect Ten Choreography Show and his work has been seen all over the United States.  He has also performed in Branson, MO and in musical productions of Beauty and the Beast, Music Man, and Wizard of Oz, just to name a few.  He is excited to be in San Antonio and sharing his passion for dance and life with his students and the Earle Cobb family!
	Kaye Judson Kaye began her dance training at the age of 4.  She has danced competitively and performed various roles in The Nutcracker for many years, and in other community and annual performances.  Kaye attended the North East School of the Arts, where she performed in both dance and musical theater productions.  She holds a BA in Psychology from Baylor University, where she was a member of the Baylor Dance Company.  Kaye was also the assistant director and ballet instructor at Deborah Korpi’s School of Classical Ballet.  Teaching has always brought joy to Kaye’s life as she shares her love of dance with her students and those around her.
	Kori Echeveste Kori started dancing at the age of 5. She began dancing at Earle Cobb dance studio at the age of 13 where she was also an assistant. She participated in Dena’s Dazzlers for 5 years, and throughout this time she has worked with master choreographers and participated in numerous competitions.  She attended the Northeast School of the Arts as a dance major where she participated in the productions Steppin’ into the Holidays and Footnotes. Kori graduated from NESA summa cum laude, ranked #17 in her graduating class.  She is currently attending at The University of the Incarnate Word as a direct admit Nursing Major.
	Nohemi Evans Nohemi is a senior at the North East School of the Arts where she is a dance major and a member of the National Honor Society. She began dancing at three years of age and joined the Earle Cobb Dance Studio  and Dena’s Dazzlers at age 14. Nohemi has danced competitively for over eight years while attending and training at numerous clinics and dance conventions during that time. More recently, she was accepted into and attended the prestigious Broadway Theatre Project training program. Nohemi plans on attending college to study for and pursue and career in dance.
	Marla Beam Marla has been dancing since the age of 3 and is a former “Dena’s Dazzler,“ which gave her the opportunity to perform in Spurs halftime shows and the Fiesta Queen’s Coronation.  She graduated from Tom C. Clark High School where she served as an officer on the Top Cats Dance Team.  Marla is currently a senior at Texas State University, where she will receive her degree in Dance Education in December 2011.  She is spending her last semester in San Antonio as a student teacher at Ronald Reagan High School.  Marla was a part of the Texas State Strutters dance team throughout college performing at several football games.
	Stephanie Trevino-Felan Stephanie was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from Texas State University, where she was a Strutter for all four years.  She is beginning her 11th year on the ShowMakers of America Dance Staff, where she has had the honor to represent ShowMakers for the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and 2010 Hawaii Nationals.  Stephanie is also a former San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer, where she had the opportunity to meet and dance with Will Smith and Tony Parker, as well as appear on MTV's tv show MADE.  She is the founder and proud director of the Johnson High School Legacies Dance Team and Belles Drill Team.