OWNER

Stacy Tomlinson was born and raised in the Bryan/College Station area. She moved to Lake Jackson with her husband, Jason right after they got married in 2008. They soon started their family having a son in late 2009 and then a daughter in early 2011. Stacy has loved raising her kids in the Brazosport area.

Her daughter Bailey started dancing at 1.5 years old with a Mommy and Me class. Other than being a dance mom, that is where Stacy’s dance career started and ended! Over the years Stacy has grown to love the time spent with Bailey at the dance studio, at conventions and competitions. It’s something that has brought them closer over the years. It has been an absolute honor to watch as Bailey has grown as a dancer over the years.

Stacy has always wanted a studio with the same values of self-respect, modesty, age appropriateness of costumes, dance moves and music. A studio that feels like family.

After COVID closed the studio Bailey had been at and flourishing for 4 years, Stacy started to think about one day opening a studio modeled after that little studio. As the years came and went, that little voice started to get a little louder and Stacy started to pray about it. Last year that voice started shouting at her in June and she decided to start trying to convince Jason that they should open a studio. Those prayers turned to asking God to “bless it or block it”. A little at a time He was blessing it. Stacy decided to reach out to a few of her dance contacts that she had met throughout the years of being a dance mom for guidance and potential teachers. Jason finally said, “let’s go for it” and they very quickly found the perfect location and had two teachers commit!

While convincing Jason, one of the things they discussed was to make dance as affordable and available to any families with dancers. They look forward to eventually adding a scholarship program and adult classes to their schedule in the future.

OFFICE MANAGER

Bre’s love of dance started when she was 3. Bre started her dance education with Dance Moves, later moved on to Attitude Dance, Caitlin Colleen Dance Academy, and Infuse Dance Company, LLC. She then decided to take a few years off and focus on drill team, Bre was a member of the Brazoswood Belles for 4 years.

After High school graduation, she attended Brazosport College, where she obtained her Associates of Science. Bre is now studying at Sam Houston State University where she is planning on achieving her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Care Administration.

Throughout the time of working towards these degrees, she has previously worked for Caitlin Colleen Dance Academy, where she learned valuable skills as an office assistant.

A few little things about Bre, she is a Dr. Pepper connoisseur, a Sonic Drive-in enthusiast, her favorite food is either spaghetti or sushi, she loves sea salt and vinegar chips, and her favorite things to do in her free time is watch Suits on Netflix.

LEAD NSTRUCTOR- All Genres and Head Competition Coach

Haley Funk is originally from Lake Jackson Texas and began dancing at age nine. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Dance in May of 2021.

Post graduation she performed with Houston Grand Opera as a swing for Rob Ashford’s production of Carmen co-choreographed by Ashley Elizabeth Hale and Marty Lawson. She has had the opportunity to perform works by Ja’ Malik, Rohan Bhargava, Joshua Manculich, Donald J. Shorter Jr., Dionne Noble and Anna Bauer. A talented choreographer as well as performer Haley has presented her work in various shows and productions throughout her dance career.

From 2015-2017 she served as captain of the Brazoswood Bells and has experience teaching students from the ages of nine to eighteen in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, conditioning, drill team prep, and Pointe. She looks forward to teaching a new generation of dancers aiming to promote an eagerness to dive deeper.

INSTRUCTOR- Ballet, Pointe and Acro

Ghitte has been dancing for 22 years and has been teaching for 7 years.

Ghitte started her training with Suzanne Holmes School of Ballet in South Africa, where she was classically trained in the international Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum. Ghitte relocated to the US with her family in 2008, where she continued her dance training at various studios including Texas Ballet Theater School in Dallas, Charlotte School of Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theater Academy. She competed with Texas Ballet Theater School's performance ensemble team and qualified as a finalist for Youth America Grand Prix competition. In Charlotte, NC, she had the opportunity to perform in the Charlotte Youth Ballet's productions of the Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Wizard of Oz. In addition to competing and performing, Ghitte was also able to complete all examinations and certifications for RAD, and was invited to participate in the Royal Academy's Genee International Ballet Competition in Glasgow, UK in 2013.

Due to an Injury, Ghitte had to take a step back from dancing, and at this time she pursued her degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina. After a long recovery, she realized how much she missed the world of dance and added on a Minor in Dance and started teaching at Ann Brodie's School of Ballet in Columbia, SC.

Upon graduation, Ghitte was employed by Dow Chemical and relocated to Lake Jackson. Since moving back to Texas, Ghitte has taught at Infuse Dance Company, LLC and Caitlin Colleen Dance Academy. She is so excited to be joining the Icon Family for their first year, and to continue sharing her expertise, love, and passion for dance with the next generation!

INSTRUCTOR- Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Acro and Co Coach

Cassie Zaremba has been dancing for twenty-three years and teaching for fourteen years. In high school Cassie competed in dance competitions and went to many dance conventions where she got to take classes from choreographers such as: Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Brian Freidman, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Gil Duldulao, Tyce Diorio, and many more.

After high school Cassie moved on and danced at a collegiate level at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg where she received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with Honors.

In her undergrad Cassie was part of the Repertory Dance Company and choreographed for multiple dance concerts. She danced on tour with the USM's music department the opera, The Merry Widow. She was also a part of a dance troupe called Hattiesburlesque, where they spread the message that all women’s shapes and sizes are beautiful. Cassie studied abroad in London, England for dance where she trained at Pineapple Dance Studio, Rambert’s Dance Company, and The Royal Academy of Dance.

After college, Cassie moved to Orlando, FL and became a cast member at the Walt Disney World Company. While in Orlando, Cassie worked with Florida Community Arts: School of the Arts outreach program, where she taught master classes around the Orlando area.

Cassie relocated to Houston, TX and began teaching at various dance studios in the city where she became director for competition teams. During her time there she has received choreography awards at multiple dance competitions, and became certified in Acrobatic Arts and Alexia Flexibility.

Cassie has gone on to travel with dance competitions as a judge and teach convention classes across the nation.

INSTRUCTOR- Tap and Adult Jazz Funk

Kimberly (Kim) Pigott has been a dancer for 45 years and a teacher for over 29 years. Kim lives in Lake Jackson with her husband Twain, and their children, Kayla and Eric.

Kim’s studio training started at Burns Dance Studio in South Carolina. In addition to her home studio, Kim trained in Los Angeles at Tremaine Dance Studio and in New York at Broadway Dance Center. Participating in dance convention circuits such as Tremaine, LA Dance Magic, NY Dance Alliance, and Dance Makers, Inc., Kim became a reoccurring assistant for Frank Hatchett and Dena Rizzo. In addition to teaching and training with these and other professionals, Kim received an unlimited scholarship to Broadway Dance Center as a Frank Hatchett guest. In college, Kim began teaching at Palmer School of Dance in Greenville, SC. In addition to this role, she became the president and choreographer of the Lander Dancers (Lander University) and later the Clemson Dancers (Clemson University).

Upon graduating from college, Kim was employed by Dow Chemical where she and her family have lived in Baton Rouge, LA and Lake Jackson, TX. Kim has continued to be active in dance; teaching at Dance Moves (Lake Jackson, TX), Machita Dance Company (Baton Rouge, LA), and Attitude Dance Studio (Lake Jackson, TX).

In 2016, Kim opened Infuse Dance Company, LLC which was a reflection of her passion for dance and love of teaching. Infuse by definition is “to be filled with something” or “caused to be introduced into a person”. It was Kim’s desire to introduce a standard of excellence into each student, in both dance and life, so that they may infuse excellence to those around them. Unfortunately, Infuse closed with Covid.

Missing dance and teaching, Kim started teaching tap for Caitlin Colleen Dance Academy in 2021. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time teaching and guiding students in their dance journey at Caitlin Colleen Dance Academy and she is looking forward to teaching for Icon Dance.

INSTRUCTOR- Ballet and Pre Pointe

Having grown up in Lake Jackson since her family moved here in 1970, Melodie has been blessed with excellent dance training from a wide span of amazing and devoted teachers, backed by her supportive and loving parents!

She began her dance journey at age 7 with ballet and gymnastics at Betsye Witcher's School of Dance & Gymnastics. She quickly added jazz and eventually pointe to her repertoire. She attended countless conventions acquiring a wealth of knowledge from many well-known and prolific choreographers and professional instructors. Fun Fact: Melodie attended dance camp with Patrick Swayze as a young teen!

Melodie knew at a young age that her dream was to teach dance and own her own studio one day; with God's direction and the support of family and friends, that dream came to fruition in 1998 when she opened A Time to Dance, a Christian based studio with the mission of honoring and glorifying God through dance.

After that specific dance season, she continued her journey teaching for several area studios including Kim West Dance, Infuse, and most recently, Barbie Rhodes Studio. Although she loves all disciplines of dance, her heart is in teaching Ballet and Pointe classes.

In addition to her love for dance, theatre, specifically Musical Theatre, is a huge part of Melodie's life! She has been involved with Brazosport Center Stages participating as both choreographer and performer for the past 50 years in such productions as Mary Poppins, The Music Man, Camelot, Guys & Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Oliver, Beauty & the Beast, the Elizabethan Madrigal Feast and most recently, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Melodie's desire is to share all that has been given to her through the years to her students for God's glory! She hopes to instill in her students that each one has a special gift to offer, and to celebrate those gifts with one another!

"I look so forward to an exciting year of dance with you all!"

INSTRUCTOR- Hip Hop Funk and Ballet

Lindsey Baeza brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Icon Dance family, where she is excited to nurture meaningful relationships with her students. With 14 years of dedicated dance experience and three years of teaching, Lindsey's journey in dance is marked by excellence and commitment.

Her leadership skills were honed early on as she served as the captain of the Belles from 2011 to 2013 during her high school years. Lindsey's talent and hard work have been showcased in numerous competitions and productions, including memorable performances in Christmas programs of the Nutcracker.

A highlight of her dance career came in 2012 when she was awarded the title of National Champion for a trio she performed at a regional competition. This accolade is a testament to her skill, creativity, and dedication to the art of dance.

Lindsey is thrilled to join Icon Dance and looks forward to creating an inspiring and supportive environment for her students. Her goal is to foster their growth and help them achieve their full potential in dance.

INSTRUCTOR- Pre-K and Kinder Combos

Milly has always loved to dance, she started when she was 2 and has danced ever since. Milly danced at both Barbie Rhodes and Infuse Dance company’s. She then moved on to dance on the Lake Jackson Intermediate dance team for 2 years and is now on her 3rd year as a junior on the Brazoswood Belles drill team where she holds a social committee position.

Milly has always had a special place in her heart for children and loves to teach. Dancing has always given her so much joy and she is so excited to spread that joy to your little dancers.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT MANAGER

Introducing Crystal Leach, a Kentucky native who traded bluegrass for Texas sunshine back in 2009, rocking her Brazoswood graduation cap in 2011. Married to her partner-in-crime for four epic years, she's now chief wrangler of two adorable kiddos: the fearless Ryleigh (9) and the pint-sized charmer, Eddie (3).

Surviving the COVID rollercoaster, she retired her jewelry business in 2022 to dive headfirst into her true love: graphic design and marketing. Currently hustling towards a Business Administration degree with a marketing twist at Southern New Hampshire University, she's the mastermind behind freelance social media wizardry and all things graphic design, all from the comfort of home sweet home.

Spot her with her trusty phone, capturing life's quirks and concocting social media magic. Say hi, drop a line, and light up her day with a smile—because life's too short for anything less!