ONE Academy Faculty
Meredith Dunham
Artistic and Program Director, Cecchetti Ballet Teacher, Choreographer, YAGP Coaching
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, hip-hop and danced competitively with nationally ranked dance teams. After moving to Austin, Meredith taught ballet, tap, jazz and a Christian Dance class at Let’s Dance Dance Studio, owned by Sherri Todd. This was her first opportunity to combine her love for Christ with her love of dance, and and what began her journey to share what God has given her with others. In 2007, Meredith began directing the Bannockburn Dance Ministry. In 2008, Meredith returned to study ballet under the mentorship of Renata Sanford. In 2010, she became a 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 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) and now Birmingham 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 as well as others. Today 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 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.
Dancers trained at ONE Academy of Dance have been invited to prestigious summer programs such as American Ballet Theater, Kansas City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, 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 was most recently a trainee at Nevada Ballet Theatre (2019) and is now joining Oklahoma City Ballet as a trainee (2020). Meredith's youngest daughter, Madison, received the a full scholarship to the CCA's International Summer School in 2019 as well as a scholarship based on her artistry.
Meredith has had other students win other awards and scholarships as well:
Carson - Full Scholarship CCA International Summer School (2018), Scholarship for Artistry (2019), Recognition at CCA Competition
Avery - Scholarship to Harid Conservatory (2019)
Mia - Scholarship to Drexel University Dance Program
Sofia - Scholarship to Allegheny College Dance Program
Mary - Top 24 Classical YAGP 2019, Top 24 YAGP 2021, scholarship to OKCB Summer Intensive
Brannic - Top 24 Classical YAGP 2021, scholarship to Harid Summer Program, scholarship to OKCB Summer Intensive
Audrey - Top 10 Classical YAGP 2021
Meredith believes that high standards of excellence combined with an environment where each students is valued as important and uniquely gifted, creates the recipe for students to succeed and even exceed their own expectations.
From Meredith: ONE Academy began in a local church reception room in 2011. The Lord blessed us with a move to our current space of over 5400 square feet in 2013. Since our beginning He has continued to bring more and more dedicated, professionally trained teachers and artists to teach at ONE. I'm so blessed to work with such a dedicated, talented, committed staff with the highest level of integrity in their work and relationships. It is because of this gifted and gracious group of people that our students have had such success in following their dreams. We are excited that in our short existence we have had dancers invited to so many prestigious summer and year round programs. To all those who have graduated our program, or who we have ever been blessed to dance with: May the Lord give you favor with those you work with, may He keep you safe and bless your efforts, may He draw you close to Him that others may see His light in you and be blessed. We are proud of the young ladies and gentlemen you are becoming and can't wait to see all that God is going to do in and through you!
Artistic and Program Director, Cecchetti Ballet Teacher, Choreographer, YAGP Coaching
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, hip-hop and danced competitively with nationally ranked dance teams. After moving to Austin, Meredith taught ballet, tap, jazz and a Christian Dance class at Let’s Dance Dance Studio, owned by Sherri Todd. This was her first opportunity to combine her love for Christ with her love of dance, and and what began her journey to share what God has given her with others. In 2007, Meredith began directing the Bannockburn Dance Ministry. In 2008, Meredith returned to study ballet under the mentorship of Renata Sanford. In 2010, she became a 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 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) and now Birmingham 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 as well as others. Today 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 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.
Dancers trained at ONE Academy of Dance have been invited to prestigious summer programs such as American Ballet Theater, Kansas City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, 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 was most recently a trainee at Nevada Ballet Theatre (2019) and is now joining Oklahoma City Ballet as a trainee (2020). Meredith's youngest daughter, Madison, received the a full scholarship to the CCA's International Summer School in 2019 as well as a scholarship based on her artistry.
Meredith has had other students win other awards and scholarships as well:
Carson - Full Scholarship CCA International Summer School (2018), Scholarship for Artistry (2019), Recognition at CCA Competition
Avery - Scholarship to Harid Conservatory (2019)
Mia - Scholarship to Drexel University Dance Program
Sofia - Scholarship to Allegheny College Dance Program
Mary - Top 24 Classical YAGP 2019, Top 24 YAGP 2021, scholarship to OKCB Summer Intensive
Brannic - Top 24 Classical YAGP 2021, scholarship to Harid Summer Program, scholarship to OKCB Summer Intensive
Audrey - Top 10 Classical YAGP 2021
Meredith believes that high standards of excellence combined with an environment where each students is valued as important and uniquely gifted, creates the recipe for students to succeed and even exceed their own expectations.
From Meredith: ONE Academy began in a local church reception room in 2011. The Lord blessed us with a move to our current space of over 5400 square feet in 2013. Since our beginning He has continued to bring more and more dedicated, professionally trained teachers and artists to teach at ONE. I'm so blessed to work with such a dedicated, talented, committed staff with the highest level of integrity in their work and relationships. It is because of this gifted and gracious group of people that our students have had such success in following their dreams. We are excited that in our short existence we have had dancers invited to so many prestigious summer and year round programs. To all those who have graduated our program, or who we have ever been blessed to dance with: May the Lord give you favor with those you work with, may He keep you safe and bless your efforts, may He draw you close to Him that others may see His light in you and be blessed. We are proud of the young ladies and gentlemen you are becoming and can't wait to see all that God is going to do in and through you!
"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
Jack Dunlap
Break Dancing, Cecchetti Ballet Instructor, Partnering Jack Dunlap II born in Columbus, Georgia moved to Texas and began dancing with ipod speakers in an empty garage. After surviving the Texas heat that summer and figuring out how to do freezes and power moves he joined a group of breakers who taught him confidence and how to draw from each other’s creativity and proficiency. Word got out and Jack was recruited to join the Kappa Sigma Theta Step Team where he learned discipline, precision, musicality, unity and teamwork. Jack next found himself at U.T. El Paso in the the Dance and Theater program in Emily Morgan’s ballet class. Much to his surprise he loved ballet and found himself wanting to dance more and more. In 2011 Jack moved to Austin to continue dancing where he has explored partnering, modern, jazz, choreography and composition learning from Christy Mitchell, McKenzie Rosales, Lisa Smith, Catherine Solaas, Darla Johnson and Roxanne Gage. Jack has performed with Kathy Dunn Hamrick's company as well as Blue Lapis Light performing with Inna Grudtcina as well as performing in "Bloom," a dance film! He has also performed in various modern and classical pieces and Bannockburn's Christmas production, the Caterpillar in ONE's production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, as well as the Nutcracker and Prince in The Nutcracker & Cinderella. Jack is a charismatic teacher that the students love! He is eager to share his drive to dance with his students at ONE Academy. |
Inna Grudtcina
Jazz, Modern, Improvisation, Composition, Ballet, Choreographer, YAGP Contemporary 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 the dance”) 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.
Jazz, Modern, Improvisation, Composition, Ballet, Choreographer, YAGP Contemporary 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 the dance”) 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, YAGP Coaching
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, YAGP Coaching
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.
Cheryl Merlock
Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, Non-Syllabus Ballet, Variations, Jazz, Strength/Flexibility/Conditioning, YAGP Coaching
During her nine years at Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio, Ms. Merlock directed the Cecchetti Ballet program as well as managing the dance department office and teaching classes. Her extensive dance training began at age three with the University of Utah under Virginia Tanner’s Creative Dance Program, and continued through the Ballet West (Christensen) Academy’s pre-professional track. At the Ballet West Academy, Ms. Merlock had the privilege of studying under Willam F. Christensen, Tenley Taylor, Suzanne Erlon-Key, Barbie Hamlin, and Bene Arnold, each of whom has left an indelible imprint on the face of American Ballet. Ms. Merlock performed in various Academy performances and with Ballet West’s annual production of The Nutcracker. She participated in local, regional, and state pageants earning scholarships and winning awards for choreography and talent. Her love for choreography began in high school, and she has continued to avidly pursue dance education in ballet pedagogy, choreography, modern dance, lyrical, jazz, and tap. During her tenure at Saint Mary's Hall, she choreographed contemporary pieces for YAGP participants, and was a rehearsal assistant and assistant stage manager for multiple full-length productions. One of Ms. Merlock's students was recently accepted to the Bolshoi Academy for her senior year. Ms. Merlock holds the Professional Elementary Teacher Certificate with the Cecchetti Council of America. She looks forward to working with the One Academy community!
Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, Non-Syllabus Ballet, Variations, Jazz, Strength/Flexibility/Conditioning, YAGP Coaching
During her nine years at Saint Mary's Hall in San Antonio, Ms. Merlock directed the Cecchetti Ballet program as well as managing the dance department office and teaching classes. Her extensive dance training began at age three with the University of Utah under Virginia Tanner’s Creative Dance Program, and continued through the Ballet West (Christensen) Academy’s pre-professional track. At the Ballet West Academy, Ms. Merlock had the privilege of studying under Willam F. Christensen, Tenley Taylor, Suzanne Erlon-Key, Barbie Hamlin, and Bene Arnold, each of whom has left an indelible imprint on the face of American Ballet. Ms. Merlock performed in various Academy performances and with Ballet West’s annual production of The Nutcracker. She participated in local, regional, and state pageants earning scholarships and winning awards for choreography and talent. Her love for choreography began in high school, and she has continued to avidly pursue dance education in ballet pedagogy, choreography, modern dance, lyrical, jazz, and tap. During her tenure at Saint Mary's Hall, she choreographed contemporary pieces for YAGP participants, and was a rehearsal assistant and assistant stage manager for multiple full-length productions. One of Ms. Merlock's students was recently accepted to the Bolshoi Academy for her senior year. Ms. Merlock holds the Professional Elementary Teacher Certificate with the Cecchetti Council of America. She looks forward to working with the One Academy community!
Deidre Russell Robinson
Pointe, Cecchetti Ballet, Character & Variations Instructor, YAGP Coaching
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.
Pointe, Cecchetti Ballet, Character & Variations Instructor, YAGP Coaching
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.