NYT Studio’s Summer Dance Intensives include a Mini Dance Intensive for ages 5–11 and a Dance Intensive for ages 12–19, giving dancers of all ages the opportunity to grow, be challenged, and gain confidence. Open to all dance levels, these programs are designed to help students improve technique, expand artistry, and develop a deeper love for dance.

Dancers will train with distinguished educators and choreographers while building meaningful connections with fellow performers in a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment.

REGISTER FOR DANCE INTENSIVE

Location: Boni’s Dance – Company Studio Location
4545 Research Forest, Suite A, The Woodlands


Dance Intensive (Ages 12–19, as of Sept. 1)
Dates: June 15-19
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cost: $225
Instructors: Hannah Metler, Abigail Baker, Savannah Ljames, and Bethany Hoffart


Mini Dance Intensive (Ages 5–11, as of Sept. 1) 
Dates: July 20-24
Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Cost: $150
There will be a free parent/family showcase for ages 5-11 on Friday afternoon.
Instructors: Charis Lichnovsky, Winnie Shashack, Carissa Holland, and Alivia Helm

Dance Intensive Instructors:

Hannah Metler
Hannah Mettler is a dance artist, educator and aspiring choreographer based in Houston, TX. Her background is rooted in Vaganova method ballet, contemporary, modern, rhythm tap and jazz dance and she has over 10 years of experience teaching beginner through advanced level students. After graduating from Messiah University, she moved to Houston in 2017 to join Ad Deum Dance Company under the direction of Randall Flinn. Currently Ms. Mettler is pursuing her MFA in dance at Sam Houston State University while she is also a freelance professional dance artist and educator. Hannah’s mission and goal is to use dance as an artistic means to bring the love of Christ to her students and communities.

Abigail Baker
Abigail (Collier) Baker has choreographed NYT productions Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Totally 80’s, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls, Aladdin Jr, and Fiddler on the Roof. She grew up training at Ballet Excelsior School of Houston for 10 years & traveled with their company to New York, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria & Mongolia. In 2018, she had the opportunity to intern with Open Sky Arts Collective & gained knowledge in how a company functions, as well as modern techniques. Magnify Dance is where she began teaching classes; ballet, tap, hip-hop, modern, pointe, contemporary, & AIM. As well as teaching, she danced in Magnify’s company for 4 years & got to be a rehearsal assistant for the company her fifth year.

Savannah Ljames
Savannah Ljames is a choreographer, teacher, and performer. She is in her second year of the graduate program at Sam Houston State University and graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2021 with a BFA in dance education. While at Southern Miss, she had the opportunity to perform in faculty pieces by Stacy Reischman Fletcher, Kelly Lester, Candice Salyers, and Lauren Soutullo. She also performed in pieces invited to the American College Dance Association Southern Region and the North Alabama Dance Festival. After graduating with her BFA, she taught in Durham Public Schools for two years, where she was the director of the dance department. As Director, she choreographed nine shows, started the National Dance Honors Society with NDEO, and started a dance team.

Bethany Hoffart

Bethany Hoffart is a versatile and dedicated dance artist with over 15 years of training and performance experience. Her extensive background includes Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz, Hip hop, Broadway-style tap, Theatre, and Acting. Bethany’s classical ballet training follows the ABT® National Training Curriculum, through which she completed Level 9, providing a strong technical foundation that informs her artistic practice.

Throughout her career, Bethany has performed with several pre-professional companies, including Ballet Excelsior, Texas Ballet Theater, YBC, and NobleMotion Dance’s NMD2. With a deep love and passion for evangelism and worship in the form of dance. Bethany has performed at many dance ministry events such as Project Dance Houston and Project Dance New York.

Bethany is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance alongside studies in Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University. There, she continues to perform, create, and contribute choreography to the program. While deepening her understanding of movement science and dance pedagogy. She is excited to share her passion, discipline, and artistry with the next generation of dancers.

 

Winnie Shashack
Winnie Shashack has danced with the NYT Studio Company for 4 years, while training in styles such as Ballet and Jazz. While still a student, Winnie had the opportunity to choreograph for both NYT’s Company and Show Choir. Along with dance, Winnie has trained in Musical Theater for 8 years and has been in NYT musicals such as Peter Pan, Anastasia, and Prince of Egypt. She plans to pursue a degree in early childhood education from OU and hopefully teach dance while she’s there.

 

 

Carissa Holland
Carissa Holland has been dancing for over 10 years and has trained in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, pointe, partnering, tap, and hip hop. Throughout her training, she has developed a strong passion for performance and technique, as well as a love for helping younger dancers grow.

She has worked as a dance assistant and teacher, gaining experience in leading classes, supporting students, and working at day camps and summer programs.

Carissa is especially passionate about the Christian dance space and strives to create a God-centered and encouraging environment for all dancers. She is excited to continue teaching, choreographing, and sharing her love of dance with students this season!

Charis Lichnovsky
Charis has been dancing for three years, developing a strong passion for movement, performance, and artistic expression. Throughout her dance journey, she has fallen in love with the meaning and message behind the art. Dance has become an important part of her life, inspiring her to continuously push herself and improve.

She plans to major in dance at Sam Houston State University, where she hopes to further her training and expand her knowledge of the art. In addition to performing, Charis has a strong love for teaching and working with children. She enjoys helping young dancers build confidence, develop their skills, and discover their own passion for dance.

Charis’s goal is to combine her love for dance and teaching by inspiring others and making a positive impact through movement and mentorship.

Alivia Helm
Alivia has been dancing since she was five years old, training with a focus in ballet. She has danced with NYT Studio’s Company for 2 years and has loved every second of it! Ministry through dance is something she has grown to love, collaborating with Christian artists from many different studios both in Oklahoma and the Houston area.

She has had opportunities to lead dance camps for younger dancers and choreograph in different settings, which has fostered her love for creation that glorifies the creator, and she currently plans to major in graphic design at Harding University.

Alivia has lots of love for the NYT community and can’t wait to help younger dancers grow during this fun week!