ONE Academy Faculty
Meredith Dunham
Founder, Artistic Director Laureate
Cecchetti Ballet Teacher, Pre-Pointe/Pointe, Choreographer, Competition Coach
Meredith Dunham has been teaching, choreographing and directing dancers since 1992. She began her own training at the age of 4 under the direction of Suzanne Semans in Houston, Texas as well as training for seven years in gymnastics with Houston Gymnastics Academy. Meredith has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. In 2008, Meredith returned to study ballet pedagogy under the mentorship of Renata Sanford. Meredith is a certified Cecchetti Ballet teacher and an active member of the Cecchetti Council of America and Southwest Cecchetti Council. In 2015 she was awarded the Jane Caryl Miller teacher's scholarship to the Cecchetti Council of America's International Teachers' Conference. In 2017 and 2023 she was also awarded a full scholarship by the Southwest Chapter of the CCA to the International Teachers' Conference and the Charter Board Scholarship in 2018. Meredith has had the honor of studying with Diane Van Schoor of Royal Ballet (England) as well as many other talented teachers of the Cecchetti Council of America: Lee Ann King, Karla Harris, Dr. Kathleen Tenniswood-Powell, Laura McCarthy as well as others. Meredith holds her professional "Intermediate" certificate in teaching and the level of LCCA with the Cecchetti Council of America and is certified to train teachers as well as students. Meredith has also trained with Lynne Charles of the world renowned 4Pointe method who continues to be her mentor in training dancers for the rigors of pointe work with an emphasis on safety and longevity. She also works along side of local physical therapists to find ways to help dancers train safely and reach their goals. Meredith has also worked for two Texas Governors and two US Presidents. She graduated from Texas A&M with a double emphasis degree in Political Science and Spanish, but returned to her first love, dancing and teaching.
ONE Academy of Dance has been proudly training dancers since 2012. We are so amazed at how God has blessed our school and advanced our program over the years. Dancers trained at ONE Academy of Dance have been invited to prestigious summer programs such as The Royal Ballet (England), American Ballet Theater (NYC), Houston Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Ballet West (SLC), Kansas City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Cary Ballet Conservatory, Alvin Ailey, Hubbard Street (Chicago), Arch Contemporary Ballet (NYC), and Peridance (NYC). Meredith's oldest daughter was awarded a full scholarship to the CCA's International Student's Summer School where she was also awarded the Advanced Scholarship, the Carolyn Trythall Scholarship in 2017. Morgan competed in Youth American Grand Prix as ONE Academy's first student to compete in this international competition and placed in the top 12 in the Contemporary category. She was also invited to year round programs at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater (2016, 2017), Oregon Ballet Theater (2018) and Kansas City Ballet (2018). Morgan went on to be a trainee with Nevada Ballet Theater and then Oklahoma City Ballet and OKCBII. She is currently a professional member of Uptown Dance Company in Houston and a sought after choreographer and teacher as well. Meredith's youngest daughter, Madison, received a full scholarship to the CCA's International Summer School in 2019 as well as a scholarship based on her artistry. She has attended summer programs with Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, and Philadelphia Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and Sarasota Ballet and will be joining Louisville Ballet as a Studio Company Member in the Fall of 2025.
ONE Academy Students and Awards & Scholarships have become too numerous to list. We are blessed by a dedicated faculty that desires to partner with families to see their dancers grow and achieve their dreams. Our students have gone on to multiple University and professional company programs over the years and we are proud of all they continue to do in the world of dance and other fields where they are becoming our leaders of the next generation!
Meredith believes that high standards of excellence combined with an environment where each student is valued as important and uniquely gifted, creates the recipe for students to succeed and even exceed their own expectations.
Founder, Artistic Director Laureate
Cecchetti Ballet Teacher, Pre-Pointe/Pointe, Choreographer, Competition Coach
Meredith Dunham has been teaching, choreographing and directing dancers since 1992. She began her own training at the age of 4 under the direction of Suzanne Semans in Houston, Texas as well as training for seven years in gymnastics with Houston Gymnastics Academy. Meredith has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. In 2008, Meredith returned to study ballet pedagogy under the mentorship of Renata Sanford. Meredith is a certified Cecchetti Ballet teacher and an active member of the Cecchetti Council of America and Southwest Cecchetti Council. In 2015 she was awarded the Jane Caryl Miller teacher's scholarship to the Cecchetti Council of America's International Teachers' Conference. In 2017 and 2023 she was also awarded a full scholarship by the Southwest Chapter of the CCA to the International Teachers' Conference and the Charter Board Scholarship in 2018. Meredith has had the honor of studying with Diane Van Schoor of Royal Ballet (England) as well as many other talented teachers of the Cecchetti Council of America: Lee Ann King, Karla Harris, Dr. Kathleen Tenniswood-Powell, Laura McCarthy as well as others. Meredith holds her professional "Intermediate" certificate in teaching and the level of LCCA with the Cecchetti Council of America and is certified to train teachers as well as students. Meredith has also trained with Lynne Charles of the world renowned 4Pointe method who continues to be her mentor in training dancers for the rigors of pointe work with an emphasis on safety and longevity. She also works along side of local physical therapists to find ways to help dancers train safely and reach their goals. Meredith has also worked for two Texas Governors and two US Presidents. She graduated from Texas A&M with a double emphasis degree in Political Science and Spanish, but returned to her first love, dancing and teaching.
ONE Academy of Dance has been proudly training dancers since 2012. We are so amazed at how God has blessed our school and advanced our program over the years. Dancers trained at ONE Academy of Dance have been invited to prestigious summer programs such as The Royal Ballet (England), American Ballet Theater (NYC), Houston Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Ballet West (SLC), Kansas City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Cary Ballet Conservatory, Alvin Ailey, Hubbard Street (Chicago), Arch Contemporary Ballet (NYC), and Peridance (NYC). Meredith's oldest daughter was awarded a full scholarship to the CCA's International Student's Summer School where she was also awarded the Advanced Scholarship, the Carolyn Trythall Scholarship in 2017. Morgan competed in Youth American Grand Prix as ONE Academy's first student to compete in this international competition and placed in the top 12 in the Contemporary category. She was also invited to year round programs at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater (2016, 2017), Oregon Ballet Theater (2018) and Kansas City Ballet (2018). Morgan went on to be a trainee with Nevada Ballet Theater and then Oklahoma City Ballet and OKCBII. She is currently a professional member of Uptown Dance Company in Houston and a sought after choreographer and teacher as well. Meredith's youngest daughter, Madison, received a full scholarship to the CCA's International Summer School in 2019 as well as a scholarship based on her artistry. She has attended summer programs with Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, and Philadelphia Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and Sarasota Ballet and will be joining Louisville Ballet as a Studio Company Member in the Fall of 2025.
ONE Academy Students and Awards & Scholarships have become too numerous to list. We are blessed by a dedicated faculty that desires to partner with families to see their dancers grow and achieve their dreams. Our students have gone on to multiple University and professional company programs over the years and we are proud of all they continue to do in the world of dance and other fields where they are becoming our leaders of the next generation!
Meredith believes that high standards of excellence combined with an environment where each student is valued as important and uniquely gifted, creates the recipe for students to succeed and even exceed their own expectations.
"We have a very special environment at ONE Academy. We want each student that comes through our doors to feel valued and cared for and be challenged and pushed to do their best. It is my relationship with Christ that gifted me with the vision of ONE Academy. It has been by His hand that we have grown and advanced. My students see my real life journey seeking to know Him better and follow what His word teaches. There are ups and downs, successes and flops, victories and struggles. But His love is unconditional, never-ending, forgiving, healing and is the inspiration I use to do my best to lead ONE Academy. "
- Ms. Meredith
- Ms. Meredith
Morgan Dunham
Acting Director
Cecchetti Ballet, Pre-Pointe/Pointe, Variations, Conditioning, Choreography, Competition Coach
Morgan Dunham is originally from Austin, TX. “I don’t remember a point in my life where I wasn’t dancing. My mother needed something for me to do while she was teaching and put me in a class across the hall, and I just never left.”
Morgan initially focused on competitive jazz and contemporary, but began focusing on ballet in order to pursue a professional career. She began her pre-professional training under Meredith Dunham at ONE Academy of Dance, and has studied the Cecchetti Method from many knowledgeable teachers including Diane Van Schoor, Renata Sanford, Deidre Russell, Dr. Kathleen Tenniswood-Powell, Ann Parsley, June Smith, Karla Harris, and Lee Ann King and many more. She progressed through the syllabus and is a Cecchetti Certified Intermediate Graduate student, as well as Certified Primary through Grade 4 teacher.
She has also been fortunate to train at summer programs at Houston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet, and the Cecchetti Council of America Summer School. After graduating, Morgan spent a year training at Kansas City Ballet School in 2018 before joining Nevada Ballet Theatre as a Trainee in the fall of 2019. She then joined Oklahoma City Ballet as a Trainee in 2020, and was promoted to Second Company in 2022. She danced with Uptown Dance Company in Houston for the 2023/2024 season.
Morgan has been honored to perform alongside Cirque du Soleil and in ballets choreographed by George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, Ben Stevenson, Devon Carney, Maria Konrad, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Rachel Nye, Robert Mills, Benjamin Tucker and James Canfield. Additionally, Morgan has enjoyed creating works for dancers in the Studio Company and School of Oklahoma City Ballet, including solos for the Youth America Grand Prix. She has also choreographed solos and pieces for several productions at ONE Academy of Dance as well as several other schools. She has performed as a guest artist in The Nutcracker, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Coppelia, and Sleeping Beauty.
Morgan began assisting with teaching and preparing students for Cecchetti Exams at a very young age. At Oklahoma City Ballet she taught the primary levels as well as being a substitute teacher for their Evening and Day Programs. She has also taught at a number of schools in Oklahoma City as well as Texas. Morgan is excited to be back in Austin and home at ONE. She is looking forward to helping create a creative, joyful, and safe environment for dancers to grow into strong, hardworking and kind individuals.
"One of my favorite parts about being a dancer and a teacher is that ballet offers its artists the chance to be ever-evolving. There is always something new to learn and clarify, and I love that. Ballet allows me to push my mind and body beyond what I think I may be able to do, and I am able to challenge students to experience that as well. It continues to drive me to become a better dancer and human. It's a never-ending process of growth and evolution. The most exciting part is that and that I can share what I have learned, so far, with students and learn from those same students too. My favorite part about teaching is being able to watch students grow into their skin and become comfortable with themselves and pursue what they love to do whether that is in or out of the studio."
Madison Dunham
Cecchetti Ballet, Conditioning, Pre-Pointe, Choreography, Competition Coach
Madison Dunham began dancing at the age of 2. She loved anything pink especially tutus. By the time she was in grade school she began to study the primary work of the Cecchetti Syllabus under her mother, Meredith Dunham. Madison grew up at ONE Academy of dance, assisting classes, organizing costumes, helping with schedules, teaching choreography and even assisting preparing students for Cecchetti Ballet exams. She completed her professional student Cecchetti “Intermediate” (Grade 6) exam receiving the highest marks. She has also completed her teacher’s Grade 1 certification also receiving the highest marks.
In addition to training at ONE Academy of Dance, Madison has received scholarships to the Cecchetti Summer School on two occasions as well as an award for Artistry from the Southwest Committee. Madison has also trained with Colorado Ballet (on partial scholarship), Ballet West, Philadelphia Ballet, including learning Don Quixote from Angel Corella, Oklahoma City Ballet, Sarasota Ballet and Kansas City Ballet. Madison was chosen to represent the Cecchetti Council of America in the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition where she also had the opportunity to train with Diane vanSchoor and Matthew Farmer.
Madison has performed many roles in many ballets including Clara, Snow Queen, Arabian, Dew Drop and Sugarplum in The Nutcracker. She has also dance the roles of lead Summer Fairy as well as a Stepsister in Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Giselle and Marta in Giselle as well as Swanhilda in Coppelia. In addition to that she has danced variations from La Bayadere, Paquita, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Giselle, Coppelia, and Raymonda.
In addition to dancing Madison has created classical and contemporary works for students at ONE Academy since 2016.
Madison is excited to continue teaching students in a positive, fun atmosphere where they learn the value of hard work and determination and that they can accomplish big things. Along with developing their dance training she wants them to learn that they are valuable individuals and help them grow in confidence. She is excited to be joining Louisville Ballet as a member of their Studio Company for the 2025/2026 season.
Madison Dunham
Cecchetti Ballet, Conditioning, Pre-Pointe, Choreography, Competition Coach
Madison Dunham began dancing at the age of 2. She loved anything pink especially tutus. By the time she was in grade school she began to study the primary work of the Cecchetti Syllabus under her mother, Meredith Dunham. Madison grew up at ONE Academy of dance, assisting classes, organizing costumes, helping with schedules, teaching choreography and even assisting preparing students for Cecchetti Ballet exams. She completed her professional student Cecchetti “Intermediate” (Grade 6) exam receiving the highest marks. She has also completed her teacher’s Grade 1 certification also receiving the highest marks.
In addition to training at ONE Academy of Dance, Madison has received scholarships to the Cecchetti Summer School on two occasions as well as an award for Artistry from the Southwest Committee. Madison has also trained with Colorado Ballet (on partial scholarship), Ballet West, Philadelphia Ballet, including learning Don Quixote from Angel Corella, Oklahoma City Ballet, Sarasota Ballet and Kansas City Ballet. Madison was chosen to represent the Cecchetti Council of America in the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition where she also had the opportunity to train with Diane vanSchoor and Matthew Farmer.
Madison has performed many roles in many ballets including Clara, Snow Queen, Arabian, Dew Drop and Sugarplum in The Nutcracker. She has also dance the roles of lead Summer Fairy as well as a Stepsister in Cinderella, the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Giselle and Marta in Giselle as well as Swanhilda in Coppelia. In addition to that she has danced variations from La Bayadere, Paquita, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Giselle, Coppelia, and Raymonda.
In addition to dancing Madison has created classical and contemporary works for students at ONE Academy since 2016.
Madison is excited to continue teaching students in a positive, fun atmosphere where they learn the value of hard work and determination and that they can accomplish big things. Along with developing their dance training she wants them to learn that they are valuable individuals and help them grow in confidence. She is excited to be joining Louisville Ballet as a member of their Studio Company for the 2025/2026 season.
Inna Grudtcina
Modern, Improvisation, Composition, Choreographer, Competition Coach
Inna Grudtcina, born and raised in Vladivostok, Russia, began dancing and performing at the age of 14. Inna's desire to dance lead her across the world to perform and study with companies in South Korea, China, Spain and Israel. She performed as a principal dancer in shows in South Korea (“Cinderella”), China, Spain (a tribute to Michael Flatley’s “Lord of thedance”) and Israel (“White noise” Vertigo Dance Company repertoire). Her ballet training was with M.Fyodorov and A.Strokin – nationally recognized ballet teachers in Russia. Her contemporary dance training in was with the contemporary dance company “Kauri” (Russia) and at Vertigo International Dance Training Program (Israel). In Russia, Inna was a successful teacher and choreographer. Her works won awards at regional and national dance festivals and competitions. Since Inna found her passion in dance she has continued to develop her dancing and teaching skills at numerous workshops in Russia and around the world. She moved to Austin, TX in 2013. The desire to share her knowledge, encourage, and inspire young dancers brought her to United States. Inna teaches Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Improvisation, Barre Pilates and is currently a member of Lotus Contemporary Dance Company and is working with "The Bridge" Dance Project.
Modern, Improvisation, Composition, Choreographer, Competition Coach
Inna Grudtcina, born and raised in Vladivostok, Russia, began dancing and performing at the age of 14. Inna's desire to dance lead her across the world to perform and study with companies in South Korea, China, Spain and Israel. She performed as a principal dancer in shows in South Korea (“Cinderella”), China, Spain (a tribute to Michael Flatley’s “Lord of thedance”) and Israel (“White noise” Vertigo Dance Company repertoire). Her ballet training was with M.Fyodorov and A.Strokin – nationally recognized ballet teachers in Russia. Her contemporary dance training in was with the contemporary dance company “Kauri” (Russia) and at Vertigo International Dance Training Program (Israel). In Russia, Inna was a successful teacher and choreographer. Her works won awards at regional and national dance festivals and competitions. Since Inna found her passion in dance she has continued to develop her dancing and teaching skills at numerous workshops in Russia and around the world. She moved to Austin, TX in 2013. The desire to share her knowledge, encourage, and inspire young dancers brought her to United States. Inna teaches Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Improvisation, Barre Pilates and is currently a member of Lotus Contemporary Dance Company and is working with "The Bridge" Dance Project.
Rebecca Johnson
Ballet, Pointe, Choreography, Competition Coach
Becky Johnson is originally from Ann Arbor, MI where she received her early training from Marjorie Randazzo, and later from Anthony Randazzo. From there she attended Virginia School of the Arts where she studied under Petrus Bosman, David Keener, Martha Faesi, and many incredible guest teachers such as Franco De Vita, Lorraine Graves, and Joy Ludlow. Becky also attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theater, and Ballet Austin, as well as the CCA Summer Intensive.
Becky spent one season as an apprentice with Charleston Ballet Theater before joining Ballet Austin in 2003 as a trainee and then becoming a member of Ballet Austin II in 2004, and finally joining the main company in 2006 where she danced until retiring in 2017. During her professional career Becky had the opportunity to perform in many classical and contemporary works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Stephen Mills, Septime Webber, Amy Seiwert, among others. She especially enjoyed dancing as Gertrude in Hamlet, Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, Snow Queen and Sugarplum in The Nutcracker, Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Myrtha in Giselle. In 2014 Becky received an Austin Critic’s Table Award for Outstanding Dancer for her work as Myrtha and Hippolyta. Becky also graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St Edward’s University in 2011 and enjoys spending time with her husband and two small children.
Ballet, Pointe, Choreography, Competition Coach
Becky Johnson is originally from Ann Arbor, MI where she received her early training from Marjorie Randazzo, and later from Anthony Randazzo. From there she attended Virginia School of the Arts where she studied under Petrus Bosman, David Keener, Martha Faesi, and many incredible guest teachers such as Franco De Vita, Lorraine Graves, and Joy Ludlow. Becky also attended summer programs at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theater, and Ballet Austin, as well as the CCA Summer Intensive.
Becky spent one season as an apprentice with Charleston Ballet Theater before joining Ballet Austin in 2003 as a trainee and then becoming a member of Ballet Austin II in 2004, and finally joining the main company in 2006 where she danced until retiring in 2017. During her professional career Becky had the opportunity to perform in many classical and contemporary works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Stephen Mills, Septime Webber, Amy Seiwert, among others. She especially enjoyed dancing as Gertrude in Hamlet, Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, Snow Queen and Sugarplum in The Nutcracker, Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Myrtha in Giselle. In 2014 Becky received an Austin Critic’s Table Award for Outstanding Dancer for her work as Myrtha and Hippolyta. Becky also graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St Edward’s University in 2011 and enjoys spending time with her husband and two small children.
Deidre Russell Robinson
Ballet, Pointe, Character, Choreography
Deidre began her studies in Houston, TX with Margo Marshall, Madame Seminova, James Clouser and Patsy Swayze. She also studied jazz and musical theater with greats Frank Hatchet, Gus Giordano and Alvin Ailey. A graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Ms. Robinson’s career has included many dance forms, movies, commercials, touring shows and eight different countries. She performed and toured extensively with the Houston Jazz Ballet Company under the direction of Patsy Swayze, dancing in numerous ballets including Spartacus, Kismet, Spring Waters and Raymonda Variations. Joining the Houston Ballet under the direction of James Clouser, then Ben Stevenson, Deidre’s roles included the Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle, as well as performances of Caliban and Carmina Burana.
Summers had her touring with Theater Under the Stars productions of Music Man, Gi Gi, My Fair Lady and Carousel, under the direction of Roger Rabe (Director of Broadway’s Best Little Whorehouse) and Bruce Lumpkin (Director of Nine on Broadway). She was featured in a national commercial for Astroworld and appeared with John Travolta in the movie Urban Cowboy. A move to Los Angeles landed her in the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar and subsequently with a principal role in Bally’s Las Vegas production of Hollywood Jubilee. She also performed and toured with the Jean Carlos Flamenco Ballet Company of Caracas, Venezuela. She returned to the United States in 1987. In Austin, she was invited to join the Austin Contemporary Ballet while she directed its junior company, Texas Youth Ballet.
Additionally, Ms. Russell Robinson has choreographed several musicals for the Capital City Playhouse and Kid’s Acting such as Fiddler On the Roof and Westside Story. Deidre shared her wealth of knowledge and love of dance through her own studio, Austin Dance Arts, 2003-2008. She is proud to be a member of the International Dance Council, Classical Dance Alliance, Texas Association of Teachers of Dance and the Cecchetti Council of America.
Ballet, Pointe, Character, Choreography
Deidre began her studies in Houston, TX with Margo Marshall, Madame Seminova, James Clouser and Patsy Swayze. She also studied jazz and musical theater with greats Frank Hatchet, Gus Giordano and Alvin Ailey. A graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Ms. Robinson’s career has included many dance forms, movies, commercials, touring shows and eight different countries. She performed and toured extensively with the Houston Jazz Ballet Company under the direction of Patsy Swayze, dancing in numerous ballets including Spartacus, Kismet, Spring Waters and Raymonda Variations. Joining the Houston Ballet under the direction of James Clouser, then Ben Stevenson, Deidre’s roles included the Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle, as well as performances of Caliban and Carmina Burana.
Summers had her touring with Theater Under the Stars productions of Music Man, Gi Gi, My Fair Lady and Carousel, under the direction of Roger Rabe (Director of Broadway’s Best Little Whorehouse) and Bruce Lumpkin (Director of Nine on Broadway). She was featured in a national commercial for Astroworld and appeared with John Travolta in the movie Urban Cowboy. A move to Los Angeles landed her in the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar and subsequently with a principal role in Bally’s Las Vegas production of Hollywood Jubilee. She also performed and toured with the Jean Carlos Flamenco Ballet Company of Caracas, Venezuela. She returned to the United States in 1987. In Austin, she was invited to join the Austin Contemporary Ballet while she directed its junior company, Texas Youth Ballet.
Additionally, Ms. Russell Robinson has choreographed several musicals for the Capital City Playhouse and Kid’s Acting such as Fiddler On the Roof and Westside Story. Deidre shared her wealth of knowledge and love of dance through her own studio, Austin Dance Arts, 2003-2008. She is proud to be a member of the International Dance Council, Classical Dance Alliance, Texas Association of Teachers of Dance and the Cecchetti Council of America.
Anna Bentrude
Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Choreography
Anna Bentrude is a native of the Washington D.C. area. Her love of dance began there in the discipline of Ballet and quickly expanded to Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary. In 2010, Anna moved to Utah upon receiving a performing scholarship to Utah Valley University. This is where she obtained her BFA in Modern Dance, earning awards and a reputation for her choreography. During her college experience, Mrs. Bentrude was selected to attend numerous ACDA conferences across the western United States, participating in dozens of master classes taught by various artists from around the world. This training and education was enhanced by her work and membership in multiple performing companies. With these companies, she has worked extensively with members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, José Limón Dance Foundation, Martha Graham Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, and many more. Since then, Anna has been pursuing her love of teaching and choreographing from Dallas to Austin, Texas.
Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Choreography
Anna Bentrude is a native of the Washington D.C. area. Her love of dance began there in the discipline of Ballet and quickly expanded to Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary. In 2010, Anna moved to Utah upon receiving a performing scholarship to Utah Valley University. This is where she obtained her BFA in Modern Dance, earning awards and a reputation for her choreography. During her college experience, Mrs. Bentrude was selected to attend numerous ACDA conferences across the western United States, participating in dozens of master classes taught by various artists from around the world. This training and education was enhanced by her work and membership in multiple performing companies. With these companies, she has worked extensively with members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, José Limón Dance Foundation, Martha Graham Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, and many more. Since then, Anna has been pursuing her love of teaching and choreographing from Dallas to Austin, Texas.
Rachel Saathoff
Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Beginning Dance, Creative Movement, Choregraphy
Rachel Saathoff began dancing at the age of four in Plano, Texas at the Art of Dance with Margie Lootens who introduced her to a variety of dance styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. There she studied the Cecchetti ballet technique under the direction of Cyndi Shailer and Tammy Thiessen. In 2004 she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Dance and a Bachelors of Science in Public Relations. She performed with the UT Dance Repertory Theatre and traveled abroad in 2008 to participate in the Young! Tanzommer Dance Festival tour in Austria and the European Dance Art Salzburg Ballet Workshop in Cyprus under the direction of Lyn C. Wiltshire and Andrea Beckham. She continued her dance career at Movin’ Easy Dancewear as an expert fitter specializing in pointe and ballroom fittings under the guidance of her mentor and store owner, Timothy Hurst.
Rachel danced with Vitality Exhale Dance Company in 2014 under the direction of Atticus Rodriguez and produced several shows as the Executive Artistic Director while also performing in new, original works. She joined Ballet East Dance Company in 2015 under the direction of Rodolfo “Rudy” Méndez and accredits Rudy for giving her the opportunity to work with numerous talented, local choreographers including Amberlee Cantrell, Andrea Ariel of Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre, Lindsey Taylor of Little Stolen Moments, Meghan Bowman of Tru Dance Project, Aurelio Planes Rodriguez and Inna Grudtcina of Chamacos Dance Company. Since 2019 she’s volunteered with Ballet East under the direction of Melissa Villarreal and Juan Pablo Flores. Other projects include performing as a guest artist in Aztlan Dance Company’s Loteria Landia under the direction of Dr. Roén Salinas and with Ballet Afrique for the Bailando International Dance Festival in Corpus Christi under the direction of China Smith in 2017.
Rachel is excited to be teaching Contemporary, Jazz, Intro to Dance, Ballet, and Creative Movement at One Academy of Dance and actively working on her Cecchetti teacher’s certification under the guidance of Meredith Dunham.
Dancing with a variety of contemporary and modern based companies focused on serving the minority and underrepresented communities of Austin has greatly shaped and influenced her teaching style. In the classroom, she believes in perseverance and the power of positive reinforcement. She views dance as an all inclusive performing art form that is open to anyone wanting to learn!
Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Beginning Dance, Creative Movement, Choregraphy
Rachel Saathoff began dancing at the age of four in Plano, Texas at the Art of Dance with Margie Lootens who introduced her to a variety of dance styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. There she studied the Cecchetti ballet technique under the direction of Cyndi Shailer and Tammy Thiessen. In 2004 she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Dance and a Bachelors of Science in Public Relations. She performed with the UT Dance Repertory Theatre and traveled abroad in 2008 to participate in the Young! Tanzommer Dance Festival tour in Austria and the European Dance Art Salzburg Ballet Workshop in Cyprus under the direction of Lyn C. Wiltshire and Andrea Beckham. She continued her dance career at Movin’ Easy Dancewear as an expert fitter specializing in pointe and ballroom fittings under the guidance of her mentor and store owner, Timothy Hurst.
Rachel danced with Vitality Exhale Dance Company in 2014 under the direction of Atticus Rodriguez and produced several shows as the Executive Artistic Director while also performing in new, original works. She joined Ballet East Dance Company in 2015 under the direction of Rodolfo “Rudy” Méndez and accredits Rudy for giving her the opportunity to work with numerous talented, local choreographers including Amberlee Cantrell, Andrea Ariel of Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre, Lindsey Taylor of Little Stolen Moments, Meghan Bowman of Tru Dance Project, Aurelio Planes Rodriguez and Inna Grudtcina of Chamacos Dance Company. Since 2019 she’s volunteered with Ballet East under the direction of Melissa Villarreal and Juan Pablo Flores. Other projects include performing as a guest artist in Aztlan Dance Company’s Loteria Landia under the direction of Dr. Roén Salinas and with Ballet Afrique for the Bailando International Dance Festival in Corpus Christi under the direction of China Smith in 2017.
Rachel is excited to be teaching Contemporary, Jazz, Intro to Dance, Ballet, and Creative Movement at One Academy of Dance and actively working on her Cecchetti teacher’s certification under the guidance of Meredith Dunham.
Dancing with a variety of contemporary and modern based companies focused on serving the minority and underrepresented communities of Austin has greatly shaped and influenced her teaching style. In the classroom, she believes in perseverance and the power of positive reinforcement. She views dance as an all inclusive performing art form that is open to anyone wanting to learn!
Emmaleese Wetterling
Cecchetti Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Beginning Dance, Choregraphy
Emmaleese Wetterling, born and raised in Austin, Texas, has been dancing since the age of seven, but she had been dreaming of becoming a ballerina long before that. She began her training at Dance to Glory Academy of Austin, where she danced for seven years, gaining experience in ballet, tap, and modern dance, as well as an introduction to drama. In her freshman year of high school, she transferred to ONE Academy of Dance with a desire to pursue a pre-professional ballet training program. Since joining ONE Academy of Dance, she has fallen in love with the Cecchetti method and has passed her student exams through “Elementary” (Grade 5). She has also completed her Grade 1 teacher’s certification.
Some of the roles she has had the privilege of playing have been the Snow Queen and Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Dawn in Coppelia.
She has been assisting in the classroom since 2023 and has had the chance to choreograph for both Art in Motion and The Nutcracker. What started as an outlet for all her extra energy has turned into a passion, and she wants to share that passion with students.
Cecchetti Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Beginning Dance, Choregraphy
Emmaleese Wetterling, born and raised in Austin, Texas, has been dancing since the age of seven, but she had been dreaming of becoming a ballerina long before that. She began her training at Dance to Glory Academy of Austin, where she danced for seven years, gaining experience in ballet, tap, and modern dance, as well as an introduction to drama. In her freshman year of high school, she transferred to ONE Academy of Dance with a desire to pursue a pre-professional ballet training program. Since joining ONE Academy of Dance, she has fallen in love with the Cecchetti method and has passed her student exams through “Elementary” (Grade 5). She has also completed her Grade 1 teacher’s certification.
Some of the roles she has had the privilege of playing have been the Snow Queen and Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Dawn in Coppelia.
She has been assisting in the classroom since 2023 and has had the chance to choreograph for both Art in Motion and The Nutcracker. What started as an outlet for all her extra energy has turned into a passion, and she wants to share that passion with students.
Lillie Amdahl
Mommy & Me, Creative Movement, Beginning Dance, Jazz, Ballet
Lillie, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, has known no other passion as strong as dance since the age of 2. She began her journey in a movement class located at a church in Austin, Texas taught by Monika Schraeder. She was exposed to more styles, such as tap, jazz, Horton, and a higher level of ballet at Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts in North Carolina under the tutelage of Cory Smith. In 2015, Lillie moved back to her home town and studied at The School of Ballet Arizona. She trained under many acclaimed teachers (Fabiola Ambrosio, David Krensing, Lisbet Companioni, Maria Simonetti, and many more) studying ballet six days a week and being introduced to character dance, flamenco, hip-hop, and a wide range of choreography. Lillie was graced with the role of White Cat in the school’s production of Sleeping Beauty (2017). After seven years, Lillie returned to Austin and graduated through Metamorphosis Dance’s Senior Company, under Melanie Kregel, Melissa Glouchkova, and Katrina Kutch. Being graced with the lead role in an excerpt of Raymonda, Pas de Dix (2019) and Alice in their production of Wonderland (2022). Her last semester being credited as a Resident Apprentice and having choreographed multiple pieces for their Ballet Under the Stars productions over the years. Lillie attended b12, a contemporary workshop hub in Berlin the summer of 2024, Ballet Summer Program in Estonia in 2023, and Paris Marais Dance School in 2016.
Now Lillie has found an amazing creative dance community in Austin and transitioned to studying a more contemporary movement style. She is a freelance dancer for many companies in the Austin area (Ventana Ballet, Sea Legs Dance, and Rednightfall) performing in many amazing immersive dance performances such as LEAP!, Moonfall, UNDEAD, how people leave, and has choreographed for 5X7 for the past 3 years.
When she’s not dancing in the studio or on stage, Lillie can be found country two stepping, line dancing, and country swinging with a little bit of contemporary influences.
She is very excited to be a part of the faculty at ONE and can’t wait to connect with her students through movement and dance.
Mommy & Me, Creative Movement, Beginning Dance, Jazz, Ballet
Lillie, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, has known no other passion as strong as dance since the age of 2. She began her journey in a movement class located at a church in Austin, Texas taught by Monika Schraeder. She was exposed to more styles, such as tap, jazz, Horton, and a higher level of ballet at Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts in North Carolina under the tutelage of Cory Smith. In 2015, Lillie moved back to her home town and studied at The School of Ballet Arizona. She trained under many acclaimed teachers (Fabiola Ambrosio, David Krensing, Lisbet Companioni, Maria Simonetti, and many more) studying ballet six days a week and being introduced to character dance, flamenco, hip-hop, and a wide range of choreography. Lillie was graced with the role of White Cat in the school’s production of Sleeping Beauty (2017). After seven years, Lillie returned to Austin and graduated through Metamorphosis Dance’s Senior Company, under Melanie Kregel, Melissa Glouchkova, and Katrina Kutch. Being graced with the lead role in an excerpt of Raymonda, Pas de Dix (2019) and Alice in their production of Wonderland (2022). Her last semester being credited as a Resident Apprentice and having choreographed multiple pieces for their Ballet Under the Stars productions over the years. Lillie attended b12, a contemporary workshop hub in Berlin the summer of 2024, Ballet Summer Program in Estonia in 2023, and Paris Marais Dance School in 2016.
Now Lillie has found an amazing creative dance community in Austin and transitioned to studying a more contemporary movement style. She is a freelance dancer for many companies in the Austin area (Ventana Ballet, Sea Legs Dance, and Rednightfall) performing in many amazing immersive dance performances such as LEAP!, Moonfall, UNDEAD, how people leave, and has choreographed for 5X7 for the past 3 years.
When she’s not dancing in the studio or on stage, Lillie can be found country two stepping, line dancing, and country swinging with a little bit of contemporary influences.
She is very excited to be a part of the faculty at ONE and can’t wait to connect with her students through movement and dance.