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Karly Griffith
Karly Griffith, the Owner and Director of Precious Dancers Academy, is native to the northwest Houston area. She is passionate about teaching young children about dance in a playful and exciting way along with sharing God's love with them too!
Karly has a background in competitive gymnastics, competitive cheer, and dance. She has ministered to children within the church and has also taught dance with organizations such as Kinderdance International and Point of Grace Studio. She holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Vision International University and maintains 24 credit hours annually for ongoing early childhood education training.
Karly opened Precious Dancers Academy in the fall of 2005 and is thrilled to be able to continue to play a role in educating children in the northwest Houston area.
ABOUT OUR STAFF
STUDIO RECEPTIONIST/ADMIN
Marlene Salinas
Karin Blair
'22-'23 SEASON TEACHERS
Karin began her dance training at age 5 with Dorothy Taylor and Patsy Swayze. She continued her dance education at Northwest Houston Dance Academy, dancing on scholarship and teaching, as well as dancing in their company. From there, Karin danced with Houston Jazz Ballet and earned a scholarship to The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where she had the opportunity to train with top teachers in our field. She has performed with a Broadway touring company, as well as earning a dance role on film.
Karin has attended teacher conventions in New York and Arizona at which she was trained by masters on how to effectively teach the next generation of dancers. She has also worked in the Special Education field in the public school system, as well as teaching music and movement in the private sector.
Cassie Padilla
Mrs. Cassie has taught MDO/Preschool for 13 years. She has also danced since she was three, with a variety of ballet jazz and tap. Mrs. Cassie was a cheerleader for a small time, and then went on to do the drill team where she made captain her freshman year. In her younger years she taught the praise dance team at her dad’s church. She performed in the pregame show in the 2004 Super Bowl and made it to the finals for the Houston Dynamo dance team.
Cassie has been married to her husband (Jose) for 11 years. She is a mom of 4. Robert- he is 16, a Junior this year 😱 He is homeschooled and is on the homeschool football 🏈 team (Go Tomball Christian Warriors!). Kimberly-our forever angel 👼🏼 baby (she would be 10). Lucas- he is 8 and attends Spring Baptist Academy. He also plays baseball ⚾️ . Last but not least, the baby girl, 🩰Milena is 5 and is in Kindergarten at the Academy!
Cassie loves dance, and has been dancing her entire life. Teaching these littles now is a dream come true! Cassie is a lover of life and all things natural. Gardening is her favorite and she loves canning my own broths and tomatoes and sauces.
Evy Peace
SEASONAL TEACHER
Evy Peace is a performer originating from the Greater Houston Area. She is an actress, singer, dancer, and composer, and she has a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. Evy began her dance journey at age 15 when she participated in "Destination Broadway" in 2013. Evy's love for musical theatre led her to learn as much as she could about the world of dance. She has learned from incredible instructors such as Ed Kresley, Lori Leshner, Rommy Sandhu, Tommy Scrivens and Bethany Elkin throughout her collegiate career. Now Evy is thrilled to share her love of dance with Precious Dancers Academy!
Belle Briggs
Marlene is a student at the University of Houston, majoring in Environmental Science. She has been involved in theater and cheerleading all throughout high school so she’s really excited to be back in the world of performing arts supporting all the kids and their families though their journey here at Precious Dancers.
Belle Briggs has been in dance training since the age of 13. She has experience being a part of different competitive dance teams and also continued her love for dance on the grand champion Silver Stars Drill Team at Tomball Memorial High School. She spends her summer's volunteering as a children's teacher at Prince of Peace Church where she enjoys teaching God's little ones about his great love for them.