Earle Cobb Dance Studio
Carolyn Gresham
Dena Mabry
Owner/ Director
Earle Cobb Dance Studio
Teaching Staff Biographies
Dena holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance from Oklahoma City University. She danced for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and for Crystal Cruises in Japan and Australia. Dena also performed at Opryland in Nashville, TN and at Fiesta Texas. Dena has also had the privilege of performing with tap dancing legends including Sandman Sims, Charles Honi Coles, and Gregory Hines. Dena has choreographed all over the country for industrials, musicals, concerts, and symphonies. Dena is a former Miss San Antonio. She was the Dance Director and choreographer at the North East School of the Arts for 26 years where created the dance curriculum for the school. She is the founder and Director of “Dena’s Dazzlers”, the studio’s competition team. Dena is proud to continue the legacy of her Mother and Grandfather in fostering a love of dance at the studio and throughout San Antonio.
Gloria "GL" Liu
Gloria “GL” Liu is thrilled to beworking back at the studio where she grew up! Gloria received a BA from the University of Texas at Austin. Her career in the performing arts spans over many decades and productions. She has served as a producer, director, stage/production manger, choreographer and oldest living chorus girl. GL has worked on the stages of the San Pedro Playhouse main stage and Cellar Theatre, Cameo Theatre, Harlequin Dinner Theatre, Colonies Theatre, Church Dinner Theatre, The Josephine Theatre, Casa Manana in Ft. Worth, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre in Fresno, CA, McAllister Fine Arts Center, NESA, St. Philip’s College’s Watson Fine Arts Center, UTSA’s Downtown Theatre and the Alamodome. In addition to her bookkeeping/tapping studio job, she does a little Zumba & Aqua Fitness to stay upright. GL wishes to congratulate Dena on the NEW studio! She is proud to be part of the Earle Cobb Team.
David Hernandez
David Hernandez, a native of San Antonio, TX, started his career on the KLRN/PBS television show Cat Paws for over 10 seasons under the direction of Grammy award nominee, Lee Towell. The show offered him many opportunities such as performing for George and Laura Bush and alongside Tejano singer Patsy Torres. David also appeared on an episode of Zoom, and worked with David Newell from Mister Rogers Neighborhood. David is a proud graduate of the North East School of the Arts (NESA), which at the time, was the only performing arts high school in San Antonio. After high school, David continued his education as a dance major at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. During his time at Point Park, he performed in many stage productions including The Snow Queen, Pittsburgh Connections, and Dance With Me, to name a few. After college, David returned to Texas to pursue a career in dance education and to share his passion of dance with students from all over the state. Over the span of his 12 year professional career, David has performed and choreographed for the San Antonio Spurs halftime shows, the University of Texas Dance Team, the San Antonio Symphony, Luminaria Arts Festival, and was a company member of the San Antonio Jazz Ensemble. He was also a featured dancer in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s annual conference performing for a crowd of over 60,000 people. David is in high demand by dance teams all over Texas and has choreographed countless regional and national championship routines. In addition to his award winning routines, David works closely with dance teams across the Lone Star State by providing dance intensives, master classes/workshops, and private lessons. David enjoys teaching at dance conventions with Crowd Pleasers Dance and Elevate Dance. David is excited to be starting his 12th year teaching with Earle Cobb and working with Dena’s Dazzlers.
Marisa Barrera
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. Carolyn is a certified dance teacher at the secondary level and is currently the Co-Director of the Dance Department at the North East School of the Arts. She is thrilled to be teaching at Earle Cobb Dance Studio and working with Dena's Dazzlers!
Sam Payne
Studio Manager/Teacher
Sam has been dancing since the age of six and hasn’t stopped moving since! A graduate of Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance, Sam has taken the stage by storm across the country. While at OCU, he was handpicked to perform with the acclaimed American Spirit Dance Company and became a featured dancer in the beloved Home for the Holidays for multiple seasons.
His choreography has lit up stages nationwide, from A Perfect Ten Choreography Show to productions like Kiss Me, Kate. Sam has had the incredible honor of performing in Oklahoma’s Centennial Spectacular alongside legends like Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Kelli O’Hara. He also graced the stage in Branson, MO with the iconic Andy Williams and has starred in musical theater favorites including Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, and The Wizard of Oz.
Since 2011, Sam has proudly been a part of the Earle Cobb dance family, where he brings his passion, creativity, and energy to every class and performance with "Dena’s Dazzlers." In addition to teaching, he has served as Studio Manager since 2013, playing a key role in keeping the studio running smoothly and supporting students, families, and staff alike.
Sam is thrilled to continue sharing his love of dance and helping shape the next generation of dancers this year!
Sarah Anderson
Sarah is excited to be back in the studio where she grew up and was one of the original Dazzlers! Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from The University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Education from Southern Methodist University. She taught dance in Plano and Richardson and was a dance team director/assistant for 10 years at Plano East and Lake Highlands HS respectively. She grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Clark HS, where she was Captain of the Top Cat Dance Team. She currently teaches English II at Reagan HS and is proud to have her daughter enrolled at the studio and be a member of the superb Earle Cobb dance family!
Cassidy Miller
Cassy started attending Earle Cobb after moving to San Antonio in 2002, and was an assistant teacher from ages 12-18. In high school, she was on the Top Cat varsity dance team, where she was a co captain her senior year as well as a substitute teacher here at the studio. She went on to Texas State University in San Marcos to study Biology and Chemistry and was a member of the world famous Texas State Strutters dance team, getting appointed to line officer after her first year. She choreographed multiple tap routines for the Strutters and was instrumental in bringing the genre back to the team. Cassy returned to Earle Cobb after graduation and is also currently a high school math dean for NEISD. She loves teaching at ECDS- her second home!
Marisa began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of San Antonio. She is a graduate of the North East School of the Arts, as a Musical Theater major as well as Northwest Vista College. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. During her time at NESA, Marisa performed in many productions including Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Chicago and Newsies. Marisa is grateful to have been a part of the Earle Cobb family for the last several years and is excited to continue sharing the joy of dance with her students.
Elizabeth Vick Carlson
Meli Rosin
Meli Rosin is a graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Finance. She is currently a Financial Planning Specialist. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and was a member of Dena's Dazzlers since she was 8 years old. Dancing has been in Meli's family since her great great grandpa, Earle Cobb. She has performed in many events including Steppin' into the Holidays, Footnotes, Spurs games, and a Google commercial.
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Parker Zimkowski
Parker began dancing at the age of three, joining the Earle Cobb family at four and Dena’s Dazzler’s at nine. She is a graduate of the North East School of the Arts, as a dance major, and of Agnes Scott College, as a Mathematics-Physics major and Dance minor. She is now working as a Business Analyst. While at NESA she performed in many productions including Steppin’ Into the Holidays, Footnotes, Mary Poppins, and Phantom of the Opera. Throughout high school and college she participated in many recitals, showcases, dance competitions, conventions, and masterclasses. She is very excited to continue her journey in dance and share her passion with her students.
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Sara Stolhandske
Sara is thrilled to be back teaching at Earle Cobb Dance Studio! Earning a bachelors of education from UTSA, Sara is proud to be an educator. For the past 15 years she has been an elementary school teacher in NEISD, ten years at Hidden Forest Elementary and 5 years before that at Camelot Elementary. Sara is currently the dance teacher at Tejeda Middle School. Dance has been a passion that has spanned her entire life. Sara grew up in San Antonio and started taking dance at a very young age. She graduated as a dance major from the North East School of the Arts (NESA) and continued as a dance instructor at Earle Cobb Dance Studio for 8 years post high school. The Earle Cobb legacy continues with her daughter Presley, who is currently a dance student. Being a teacher is a passion that she feels strongly about. Helping your child grow as a dancer is a great feeling. Sara is looking forward to a wonderful year at Earle Cobb!
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Ashton Schifani
Elizabeth is thrilled to be a part of the teaching staff at Earle Cobb Dance Studio! She joined the Earle Cobb family at the age of 11. Elizabeth was an assistant teacher for 4 years, a member of Dena’s Dazzlers for 7 years, and joined the Earle Cobb Teaching Staff at age 16. She graduated from NESA and Robert E. Lee High School. Elizabeth continued to teach while attending college, and she holds a degree from UTSA in Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration. After long denying the inevitable, she became alternatively certified to be a teacher. She is certified by the state of Texas in Core Subjects EC-6 and Special Education EC-12. For 6 years, Elizabeth taught ALE in NISD, a self-contained classroom for students in kindergarten through 5th grade with the highest needs on campus, and absolutely loved the position and each of her students. During that time, she was awarded Educator of the Year (2019-2020) for her campus. Continuing in NISD, Elizabeth is beginning her fourth year as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and loving every minute with her younger students! She is so excited to be back home at Earle Cobb surrounded by the positive atmosphere and people that have made up her “happy place” for so many years!
Lauren Garcia
Studio Manager/Teacher
Lauren has been part of the Earle Cobb Dance Studio family since 1998. Though life has taken her on many detours, she always seems to find her way back “home.” She began as a student and senior dazzler while simultaneously attending NESA. She then went on to study at Oklahoma City University, returning home each summer to take classes at Earle Cobb. Lauren’s performing days included numerous shows and parades at SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld Orlando, the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, and Walt Disney World. She was also a member of the National Tours of both “Sesame Street Live” and “My Little Pony Live.” In 2010, she settled back in San Antonio and returned to Earle Cobb as a full time teacher, and later Studio Manager. While she enjoyed those roles very much, she stepped away in 2014 to focus on her family and have a more traditional schedule. Lauren returned to Earle Cobb as a dance mom when her own daughter turned 3 in 2019, and was reminded of how much she missed dance in her life. Over the past several years, she has enjoyed the opportunities to sub some classes and work with some students 1:1. In 2023, she also began the Tiny Tots class for our youngest dancers and future stars of Earle Cobb! She is very excited to reprise her role as an interim Studio Manager this year, allowing her the opportunity to work more closely with the wonderful families of Earle Cobb Dance Studio!
Tyler Keye
Tyler began dancing at the age of seven in her hometown in Eustis, Florida. When she moved to San Antonio in the fall of 2012, she quickly joined the Earle Cobb Dance Family in 2013, as well as Dena’s Dazzlers! She is a graduate of the North East School of the Arts as a dance major and has her Associate’s degree from McLennan Community College. While at NESA, she performed in numerous productions such as Steppin’ Into the Holidays and Footnotes. Throughout her journey at Earle Cobb and NESA, she also paticipated in many recitals, showcases, dance competitions, conventions, masterclasses, and even the Spurs halftime performances. She is very excited to be back with her dance family to continue to dance and teach others what she loves!
Ashton Schifani is a dancer, choreographer, and arts manager from San Antonio, TX. From the age of 4, Ashton has danced since age 4. She graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2018 with her Bachelor of Science in Dance Management. In her collegiate dance career, she was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. Ashton accepted her first professional contract with Royal Caribbean International. She completed six contracts with Royal Caribbean as an Elite Dancer, performing on the Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas around Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. During her sixth contract, Ashton fulfilled the leadership role of Dance Captain from 2024-2025. In 2024, Ashton fell in love with exploring new ways of movement in the diverse world of group fitness and became an instructor at Trufusion San Antonio. She is passionate about the importance of cross training, building a strong sense of community, and having fun! As a former dance major at the North East School of the Arts and proud member of “Dena’s Dazzlers”, Ashton is ecstatic to return to the Earle Cobb Dance Studio family as a hip-hop instructor!
Carlos Cortes
Carlos Cortes is a fabulous addition to the Earle Cobb family! Carlos has been teaching Acro and Tumbling since 2003. He has coached multiple local and national title winning cheer squads. Carlos has assisted with acro/tumbling tricks in dance choreography for many of our soloists. He has experience with all ages from 1 st grade through college.
taylor De Leon
Taylor is excited for another year of teaching dance at Earle Cobb Dance Studio, where she has been dancing since the age of seven. She is a senior at North East School of the Arts as a dance major. At NESA, she has performed in productions such as Steppin’ into the Holidays, Footnotes, and The Addams Family. Taylor is a member of Dena’s Dazzlers. During her time with the studio she has participated in many recitals and showcases, competitions, and Spurs games. Taylor is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance with her students!
Lauren Asher
Lauren has been dancing for 16 years. She started dancing at age 2 and began dancing competitively at age 7. In high school, she was on the Diamond Dancers varsity dance team and was senior captain her senior year. While on the dance team she performed in the Indianapolis Colts stadium, the Spurs halftime show, and in the 2018 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. She graduated from UTSA with a bachelor's in Communications. While attending college she coached acro and gymnastics and is USA gymnastics certified. She is extremely excited to start teaching and continue her passion for dance!
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Helaina Duron
Helaina began dancing at the age of three in her hometown San Antonio, Texas, and competed on her studio’s competition team from ages eight to eighteen. She is a graduate of the North East School of the Arts, as a dance major, where she performed in productions such as Steppin’ Into the Holidays, and Footnotes. Throughout her time as a young dancer, she participated in many dance competitions, dance conventions, ballet productions, recitals/showcases, master classes, and spurs games. Helaina is very excited to show her students the art of dance, while continuing her own journey in the dance field as well.
Kara Van Delden
Kara earned her Bachelor of Science in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University. Following graduation, she joined the entertainment team at Holland America Line. After returning to San Antonio, she began teaching barre and Pilates, and now serves as an IT Product Analyst for the City of San Antonio. A lifelong dancer, Kara began training at Earle Cobb at the age of 5, was a proud member of Dena’s Dazzlers, and graduated from the NESA dance program. She’s thrilled to be back, sharing her passion for dance with her students!
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Briauna Newhouse
Briauna (Bri) has danced since the age of 3 and joined Earle Cobb Dance studio at the age of 9, where she wasted no time in becoming one of Dena’s Dazzlers. Bri is experienced in all styles of dance; ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, African, musical theater, and hip hop. During her Senior year of High School, she had the honor of being featured in the first ever, Senior Dazzler Hip Hop Competition routine. In addition, she has had the privilege to perform in many San Antonio Spurs’ halftime shows, various dance competitions, and dance conventions. Bri graduated from the magnet school, The North East School of the Arts (NESA) as a dance major. A few of her production performances include; Steppin’ Into the Holidays, Footnotes, 42nd Street, and Hairspray. She currently works in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy, as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). Bri is honored and excited to teach at Earle Cobb, while watching her daughter Nalah, grow in the Earle Cobb dance family.