Shanna Kirkpatrick
Ballet, Jazz & Preschool Instructor
Shanna began dancing at the age of 9 in Kingwood, Texas
where completed Level 8 of the Sonshine Christian Ballet
Syllabus. She attended Texas A&M University receiving a BS
in Sport Management as well as a minor in Dance and in
Business. She has taken classes from Kista Tucker, Kathy
Dunn-Hamrick, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange,Hubbard Street
Dance Chicago, Steve Rooks and Mia Micheals. She was a
member of Texas A&M Dance Repertoire and in 2002
founded Chara Christian Dance Company as a student
organization at Texas A&M where she served as president
and choreographer for three years. During that time, three of
her choreographic works for Chara were admitted into the
A&M Dance Minor Concert. As a dance minor, she participated
in both student and faculty works and performed at American
College Dance Festival and TAPHERD Conventions.
Shanna's love for teaching developed as an assistant
instructor and later as a solo and ensemble choreographer
for the Kingwood Strutter's. In college she was an instructor at
Suzanne's School of Dance where she taught all genres and
levels of dance for preschool through college students as well
as choreographed for Company AbunDANCE. Her pieces for
AbunDANCE have been performed at Dance Ad Deum
Intensives and Dance Revolution. To conclude her college
career, Shanna interned with the Corporate Development and
Client Services Department of the Houston Texans. She now
continues to train, serves on the Alumni Board for Chara
Christian Dance Company, is an adjudicator for American
Dance and Drill Team and enjoys being a part of
Friendswood Friends Church where her husband Bobby is
youth pastor.
Ballet, Jazz & Preschool Instructor
Shanna began dancing at the age of 9 in Kingwood, Texas
where completed Level 8 of the Sonshine Christian Ballet
Syllabus. She attended Texas A&M University receiving a BS
in Sport Management as well as a minor in Dance and in
Business. She has taken classes from Kista Tucker, Kathy
Dunn-Hamrick, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange,Hubbard Street
Dance Chicago, Steve Rooks and Mia Micheals. She was a
member of Texas A&M Dance Repertoire and in 2002
founded Chara Christian Dance Company as a student
organization at Texas A&M where she served as president
and choreographer for three years. During that time, three of
her choreographic works for Chara were admitted into the
A&M Dance Minor Concert. As a dance minor, she participated
in both student and faculty works and performed at American
College Dance Festival and TAPHERD Conventions.
Shanna's love for teaching developed as an assistant
instructor and later as a solo and ensemble choreographer
for the Kingwood Strutter's. In college she was an instructor at
Suzanne's School of Dance where she taught all genres and
levels of dance for preschool through college students as well
as choreographed for Company AbunDANCE. Her pieces for
AbunDANCE have been performed at Dance Ad Deum
Intensives and Dance Revolution. To conclude her college
career, Shanna interned with the Corporate Development and
Client Services Department of the Houston Texans. She now
continues to train, serves on the Alumni Board for Chara
Christian Dance Company, is an adjudicator for American
Dance and Drill Team and enjoys being a part of
Friendswood Friends Church where her husband Bobby is
youth pastor.
Monica Banfield
Jazz, Hip Hop & Lyrical Instructor
Performance Company Director
Monica has a BFA in Modern Dance from Texas Christian
University. She started training with Dance Arts in
Friendswood, TX at the age of three. She then trained with
Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Bonnie Siscoe School of
Dance during her teenage years. In high school, she was
selected as a Friendswood High School Wranglerette (drill
team) and as a senior was chosen to be a Wranglerette
dance officer. After high school, Monica was selected to be
on of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 2002-2003
season. She performed in front of 60,000 fans each week at
the home games. She was also selected as one of their
show group members and traveled on a USO tour to Korea
and Japan. Following her year with the Cowboys, she was
selected as one of the first dance members and Dance
Captain for the original Bally Total Fitness Dance team in
Dallas, TX. As a dance major at TCU, Monica has performed
for both faculty and guest artists and has had some of her
own choreography performed in senior concerts and has
traveled to New York to study at the Limon Modern Dance
Intensive. Monica is a member at Sagemont Church in
Houston, TX and is very excited to have the opportunity to
teach one of her greatest passions in an atmosphere that
glorifies God.
Jazz, Hip Hop & Lyrical Instructor
Performance Company Director
Monica has a BFA in Modern Dance from Texas Christian
University. She started training with Dance Arts in
Friendswood, TX at the age of three. She then trained with
Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Bonnie Siscoe School of
Dance during her teenage years. In high school, she was
selected as a Friendswood High School Wranglerette (drill
team) and as a senior was chosen to be a Wranglerette
dance officer. After high school, Monica was selected to be
on of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 2002-2003
season. She performed in front of 60,000 fans each week at
the home games. She was also selected as one of their
show group members and traveled on a USO tour to Korea
and Japan. Following her year with the Cowboys, she was
selected as one of the first dance members and Dance
Captain for the original Bally Total Fitness Dance team in
Dallas, TX. As a dance major at TCU, Monica has performed
for both faculty and guest artists and has had some of her
own choreography performed in senior concerts and has
traveled to New York to study at the Limon Modern Dance
Intensive. Monica is a member at Sagemont Church in
Houston, TX and is very excited to have the opportunity to
teach one of her greatest passions in an atmosphere that
glorifies God.
Jessica Greenhaw
Ballet Instructor
Jessica Greenhaw has been teaching for the last 12 years
and loves it! She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern,
Contemporary and Jazz at San Jacinto College and Sam
Houston State University. She has been training and
teaching in the Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus for 14
years. She has had the privilege to travel internationally to
Russia, Paraguay and Costa Rica to teach workshops and
participate in worship conferences. Jessica has been
married for 8 years and has 2 beautiful children. Her desire
is to see this and future generations of believers trained and
equipped to walk in their Kingdom purpose and destiny. To
see Jesus lifted up through creative artistic expression, that
all men would be drawn to Him. It is her heart desire to be a
living sacrifice, so that in all that she says and does her life
would be a clear and accurate reflection of His nature and
beauty.
Ballet Instructor
Jessica Greenhaw has been teaching for the last 12 years
and loves it! She has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern,
Contemporary and Jazz at San Jacinto College and Sam
Houston State University. She has been training and
teaching in the Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus for 14
years. She has had the privilege to travel internationally to
Russia, Paraguay and Costa Rica to teach workshops and
participate in worship conferences. Jessica has been
married for 8 years and has 2 beautiful children. Her desire
is to see this and future generations of believers trained and
equipped to walk in their Kingdom purpose and destiny. To
see Jesus lifted up through creative artistic expression, that
all men would be drawn to Him. It is her heart desire to be a
living sacrifice, so that in all that she says and does her life
would be a clear and accurate reflection of His nature and
beauty.
Audra Johnson
Tap Instructor
Audra started dancing at an early age studying ballet, tap,
jazz, and gymnastics. She attended Lamar Sr. High and
was on the Arrowettes Dance Team for 2 years and was a
majorette her senior year. She received her BFA in Dance
from Sam Houston State University and was a member of
the Apprentice Dance Company, Chodanceco Company,
and Sahihi De Cambio Multicultural Dance Organization at
SHSU. She has worked as a professional entertainer for Six
Flags Theme Parks and has 12 years of experience
teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and tumbling at various
dance studios and community centers. Audra is a member
of Fourth Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, TX.
Tap Instructor
Audra started dancing at an early age studying ballet, tap,
jazz, and gymnastics. She attended Lamar Sr. High and
was on the Arrowettes Dance Team for 2 years and was a
majorette her senior year. She received her BFA in Dance
from Sam Houston State University and was a member of
the Apprentice Dance Company, Chodanceco Company,
and Sahihi De Cambio Multicultural Dance Organization at
SHSU. She has worked as a professional entertainer for Six
Flags Theme Parks and has 12 years of experience
teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and tumbling at various
dance studios and community centers. Audra is a member
of Fourth Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, TX.
| Call Now To Register! (832) 569-4065 Our Mission Statement Chara Christian Dance Academy serves families in the Friendswood and surrounding area by providing quality classical and contemporary dance instruction in an uplifting, Christian environment. Our goal is to enhance each student’s self-esteem, confidence and character as well as develop friendships between students, families and staff. Above all, we exist to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, who created us and gives us the gift of movement and self expression to use for His glory! |
Erin Chisman
Preschool & Primary Instructor
Erin is a senior early childhood and special education major
at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. She began dancing
at Kennedy Dance Theater at an early age. While there, she
studied ballet, tap and jazz. In highschool she began training
at Starlight Studio where she studied ballet, pointe and drill
team with Mary Lou Johnson. Upon graduation, Erin plans to
teach children with special needs and continue using her
love for dance. Erin attends House of Prayer Lutheran
Church in Clear Lake and enjoys using her gift of dance in
worship services. She hopes to fill her students lives with her
passion for dance and the love of God.
Preschool & Primary Instructor
Erin is a senior early childhood and special education major
at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. She began dancing
at Kennedy Dance Theater at an early age. While there, she
studied ballet, tap and jazz. In highschool she began training
at Starlight Studio where she studied ballet, pointe and drill
team with Mary Lou Johnson. Upon graduation, Erin plans to
teach children with special needs and continue using her
love for dance. Erin attends House of Prayer Lutheran
Church in Clear Lake and enjoys using her gift of dance in
worship services. She hopes to fill her students lives with her
passion for dance and the love of God.
Ellen Hickle
Ballet & Primary Instructor
Ellen Hickle was born and raised in the Clear Lake Area.
She began dancing at The Jill Rauscher School of Dance at
the age of three and continued through high school
graduation. In 1999 she received her Bachelor of Arts in
Corporate Communications from Southern Methodist
University in Dallas. While in college she continued her
dance training at Meadows School of the Arts and began
teaching ballet, tap and jazz for Preston Center Dance. She
signed with a dance agent in 1996 and performed in
industrials and television commercials for such clients as
Zales Jewelers, Mary Kay Cosmetics, DIFFA, Radio Shack
and more. Ellen signed with The Kim Dawson Modeling
agency in 1998 and started her career as a runway, print and
commercial model and actress. Since college graduation
Ellen has signed with eleven modeling agencies and
traveled all over the US and throughout Europe modeling for
such clients as Neiman Marcus, Dillards, JC Penney,
Academy, Macy’s and many more. In 2006 Ellen moved back
to Houston and began teaching dance again in the area.
Ellen married Friendswood native Matthew Hickl in March
2007. They are loving their new life together and very excited
to welcome their first child due in February 2009.
Ballet & Primary Instructor
Ellen Hickle was born and raised in the Clear Lake Area.
She began dancing at The Jill Rauscher School of Dance at
the age of three and continued through high school
graduation. In 1999 she received her Bachelor of Arts in
Corporate Communications from Southern Methodist
University in Dallas. While in college she continued her
dance training at Meadows School of the Arts and began
teaching ballet, tap and jazz for Preston Center Dance. She
signed with a dance agent in 1996 and performed in
industrials and television commercials for such clients as
Zales Jewelers, Mary Kay Cosmetics, DIFFA, Radio Shack
and more. Ellen signed with The Kim Dawson Modeling
agency in 1998 and started her career as a runway, print and
commercial model and actress. Since college graduation
Ellen has signed with eleven modeling agencies and
traveled all over the US and throughout Europe modeling for
such clients as Neiman Marcus, Dillards, JC Penney,
Academy, Macy’s and many more. In 2006 Ellen moved back
to Houston and began teaching dance again in the area.
Ellen married Friendswood native Matthew Hickl in March
2007. They are loving their new life together and very excited
to welcome their first child due in February 2009.
Amanda Parsons
Modern, Ballet & Preschool Instructor
Amanda is a recent graduate of Belhaven College, where
she earned her BFA in Dance as well as being the recipient
of the Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Excellence. She
is a native of Bloomington, Illinois, where she trained at Twin
Cities School of Dance and with Illinois State University's
Intercity High School Dance Company. She has also studied
at Columbia College of Chicago during the summer months,
where she worked with world renowned movement artists
Eicko and Koma and Kathleen Hermadorf. Amanda has
performed with the Belhaven College Dance Ensemble,
Collage Dance Company, and Ad Deum Dance Company. In
addition, she has taught at Mississippi Metropolitan Dance
Academy and LaMorne Dance and Fitness in Jackson,
Mississippi. She will be apprenticing with Ad Deum Dance
Company this year and is excited to be joining the Chara
Christian Dance Academy Faculty for the 2008-2009 school
year.
Modern, Ballet & Preschool Instructor
Amanda is a recent graduate of Belhaven College, where
she earned her BFA in Dance as well as being the recipient
of the Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Excellence. She
is a native of Bloomington, Illinois, where she trained at Twin
Cities School of Dance and with Illinois State University's
Intercity High School Dance Company. She has also studied
at Columbia College of Chicago during the summer months,
where she worked with world renowned movement artists
Eicko and Koma and Kathleen Hermadorf. Amanda has
performed with the Belhaven College Dance Ensemble,
Collage Dance Company, and Ad Deum Dance Company. In
addition, she has taught at Mississippi Metropolitan Dance
Academy and LaMorne Dance and Fitness in Jackson,
Mississippi. She will be apprenticing with Ad Deum Dance
Company this year and is excited to be joining the Chara
Christian Dance Academy Faculty for the 2008-2009 school
year.
