Dance-N-Groove
Staff
The instructors and staff at Dance-N-Groove are committed to providing a safe and learning environment for every dancer.
Ms Kirstin
Dance-N-Groove
Owner/Director
Dance-N-Groove is proudly owned by Ms. Kirstin Casey, a lifelong member of the Hutto community. She has lived in Hutto with her family since 1994 and graduated from Hutto High School in 2003. In 2010, she married the love of her life, Cody Casey, and together they are raising two dancers of their own.
Ms. Kirstin has been passionate about dance and performing since the age of seven. In elementary school, she showcased her talents with the Rising Stars and Kings Kids Performing Troupe, entertaining audiences at local malls and schools. During high school, she was a proud four-year member of the Hutto Hi-Steppers, earning numerous solo awards. Her dedication led her to being selected for Danceline USA’s Danceline Elite, where she had the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World, on a Carnival Cruise Ship, and as part of the 2003 Capital One Bowl Halftime Show All-Star Cast. She continued her dance journey at Weatherford College on a dance scholarship, performing with the award-winning Southern Premiere Dance Company. Beyond dance, Ms. Kirstin was actively involved in the Hutto Theatre Department throughout middle and high school, serving as a student director for several productions.
Ms. Kirstin began her teaching journey as a student teacher at Dance It Up, where she spent a year and a half developing her skills in the classroom. She later served as an assistant teacher at On Stage Dance and Performing Arts Studio in Weatherford, Texas, under the direction of Holly Lee. Over the years, she has also shared her expertise as a guest choreographer and judge for numerous area dance teams. In addition to her teaching and choreography work, Ms. Kirstin earned her Associate of Arts degree from Temple College in May 2006.
In 2016, she joined the Studio Owner Alliance and went on to earn her Studio Owner Alliance Certification in July 2024. She was honored as a nominee for the Woman of Wilco in 2025 and also serves as a Gold Alliance Leader.
Ms Kirstin has taken master classes over the years with various master teachers, including Jo Rowan, Liz Imperio, Gregg Russell, Diane Gudat, Rhee Gold, Tyce Diorio, Scott Fowler, Judy Rice & many more. Passionate about sharing dance and nurturing dancers, Ms. Kirstin loves teaching students not only dance but all areas of the performing arts, and she treasures the opportunity to watch them grow both on and off the stage.
Ms Shannon S.
Teen Teacher
Ms. Shannon is classically trained in Ballet and Pointe and has extensive training in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Hip-Hop. She began dancing competitively at age 11 and trained pre-professionally as a Ballet major at Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts. While growing up, she was also a member of The Elite Dance Team in Virginia and took master classes at Broadway Dance Center and Destination Broadway.
Her performance experience includes competing in the Miss America Pageant system, where she earned titles such as Miss Portsmouth Seawall’s Outstanding Teen 2009 and Miss Hickory High School 2010, as well as placing in the Top 10 at Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2009. She later went on to attend Virginia Tech, where she was a member of the NCAA dance team, The HighTechs, and earned her B.S. in Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise. She continued her education at Texas A&M University, receiving her M.S. in Nutritional Science to become a registered dietitian
.Since 2019, Ms. Shannon has been part of the Dance-N-Groove faculty, teaching a variety of styles and helping enhance the Ballet, Contemporary, and Pointe curriculum since 2023. She is passionate about instilling strong technique, confidence, and artistry in her students, and she believes: “Every student deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of dance. With hard work, fun, and perseverance, each dancer can grow into their best self.”
Beyond the studio, Ms. Shannon enjoys reading and running. She and her husband welcomed their first child, a son, in September 2024. She looks forward to continuing to share her love of dance, especially ballet, and to serve as a mentor and role model for her students, helping them discover how dance can bring joy both in and beyond the studio.
Ms Tara I.
Royalty Teacher
Ms. Tara brings over 30 years of dance experience and more than 15 years of teaching to the Dance-N-Groove community. Her philosophy is to meet every dancer where they are—helping them grow in both skill and confidence at their own pace.
Throughout her career, Tara has had incredible opportunities to perform and teach around the world. She has danced with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), earned national titles both as a soloist and with collegiate dance teams, and appeared in music videos alongside artists like Debby Ryan and Demi Lovato. Her choreography has even been featured on television during Disney’s Christmas Parade Specials. She has also shared her passion for dance abroad, teaching in both London and Japan. She began teaching at Dance-N-Groove in 2024.
Outside the studio, Tara recently welcomed her first baby and enjoys exploring new restaurants as a self-proclaimed foodie. She believes that having a passion—whether it’s dance or another pursuit—can bring lasting joy that enriches life well beyond childhood.
Ms Roxanna L
Royalty Teacher
Ms. Roxanna’s dance journey began in childhood with ballet and tap, later expanding into hip hop as a teen. She was a proud member of Azlan Dance Company in her adult years, where she experienced a variety of styles, including Mexican folk, Spanish flamenco, Puerto Rican folk, belly dance infusion, and jazz. She went on to complete instructor training with both Arthur Murray and Go Dance, specializing in ballroom and salsa.
Her very first teaching experience came in 2nd grade, when she choreographed and taught her classmates and teachers the jitterbug for a school performance—a spark that grew into a lifelong passion for sharing dance. She has previously taught at Arthur Murray and Go Dance studios, as well as in both adult and children’s education through trade schools and independent/charter schools. She joined the Dance-N-Groove community in 2024 and loves nurturing our youngest dancers.
Roxanna’s approach to teaching is grounded in passion, empathy, and a belief in lifelong learning. She has been recognized by Toastmasters for her communication skills and by the Special Olympics for her volunteer work, reflecting her heart for service and true kindness.
Beyond dance, Roxanna is a creative spirit—an artisan, singer, photographer, videographer, beautician, cook, and plant enthusiast. She brings this same artistry and joy into the classroom, inspiring students to explore movement while expressing their most authentic selves.
Ms Khy M.
Junior/Teen Teacher
Ms. Khy began dancing at the age of 7 at Carson City Hall in California, where she studied Ballet, Tap, and African Jazz. In elementary school, she made the drill team, where she competed at various competitions, earning numerous awards. In high school, she participated in gymnastics, choir, and helped launch her school's very first step team. Her passion for dance continued to grow as she studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical at her local dance studio. During her time there, she was named breakthrough dancer of the year (2013) and earned a summer intensive scholarship to train with ballerina Stephanie Powell (2014). She has also had the honor of performing in parades and the swearing-in ceremony of the Honorable Autumn R. Burke, Assembly District 62, in 2015.
She went on to study dance at Mt. San Antonio College, where she had the opportunity to perform in many productions and earned her dance teaching certificate.
Ms. Khy has been part of the Dance-N-Groove family since 2018, assisting and teaching across multiple styles. With over seven years of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping her students grow both as dancers and as individuals. She believes: “Encouragement unlocks belief, belief unlocks perseverance, perseverance unlocks consistency, and consistency creates growth.”
Outside the studio, Ms. Khy enjoys drawing, designing, decorating, and baking. She hopes every dancer she teaches walks away knowing they are capable of doing hard things, overcoming challenges, and believing in themselves—on and off the dance floor.
Ms Hannah E.
Royalty Teacher
Ms. Hannah is a proud Dance-N-Groove alum who first discovered her true love for dance here in 8th grade. After beginning dance as a young child, it wasn’t until she returned to dance that she quickly found her passion, taking classes, assisting, and eventually becoming a lead teacher. A 2017 graduate of Georgetown Eastview High School, she was a member of the Eastview Sparklers Dance Team, serving as a social officer and earning multiple awards throughout her high school and college dance journey.
After high school, Ms. Hannah attended Texas State University before transferring to Southwestern University, where she was a member of the Pom Squad and served as head captain her junior year. Throughout her years, she has attended teacher seminars with Julie Kay Stallcup and taken master classes from renowned artists such as Lissette Bustamante, Will Thomas, and Dusty Button.
She is now in her fourth year as a public school teacher, currently teaching Pre-K in Taylor ISD. She believes: “Every student is capable of growth and success when provided with a supportive, engaging, and inclusive environment. Teaching dance is about more than steps and technique—it’s about nurturing creativity, developing discipline, and building confidence inside and outside the studio.”
Ms. Hannah has returned home to Dance-N-Groove, where she is excited to share her love of dance all over again. She now lives in Jarrell with her husband and their two dogs. Outside the studio, she enjoys all things creative- crafting, baking, decorating, and organizing.
Her greatest hope is to inspire confidence, creativity, and joy in every dancer she teaches, helping them grow not only as artists but as people.
Ms Alexis
Office Assistant
Ms. Alexis is excited to be part of the Dance-N-Groove team, bringing her love of children and learning into her role as Office Assistant. With experience teaching toddlers and assisting in classrooms, she understands the importance of creating a fun, supportive environment where families feel welcome.
Outside of the studio, Alexis is a proud mom and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She enjoys reading, painting, and finding creative ways to connect with others. Alexis believes that learning should always be paired with joy, and she brings that philosophy into everything she does at Dance-N-Groove.