STAFF

Dancin’Ovations

ERIN SALERNO

Owner, Director and Teacher

Ms. Erin started her love for dance at age 3. By age 5 she knew her passion and dream were to own a dance studio. She was trained by the amazing Texie Watermen (the first choreographer for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders) and her studio staff. Ms. Erin has been dancing for 45 years. She is a certified dance instructor, certified barre instructor, and has a certification in progressive ballet technique. She has trained under many famous dancers and teachers including Gino Johnson, Kathy Roe, Rhonda Miller, Gregg Russell, Joe Rowan, Mia Michaels, Shayne Sparks, Robert Taylor Jr., Eddie Garcia, Garrett Minnetti, Jackie Sleight, Huggy Ford, and Brian Friedman just to name a few. Ms. Erin was also all the positions on the Forney Highsteppers (local drill team) including the director. She took over for her director Ms. Kay Kimbrell. The fight song dance the drill team performs today is choreographed by Ms. Erin when she was captain. Ms. Erin has owned Dancin’Ovations since day one. She has perfected her program over the years to make sure every age is learning all the skills they need for their dance career. Her goal is to continue learning more everyday so she can be the best for her students and stay current with the dance environment. We love Ms. Erin and all the love she gives her students!

AMANDA SMITH

Teacher

This is Mrs. Amanda's 16 year teaching with us! Mrs. Amanda has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She started as a student at Dancin'Ovations in the year 2000. She was a member of our Sr. Sparklers competitive team for 2 years. Her favorite styles are high energy jazz and lyrical. After she attended college, she was asked to be part of our staff. Ms. Amanda began teaching in 2009. During the years, she has attended several conventions, competitions, and recitals as a student as well as a teacher. She is trained in jazz, hiphop, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet. Ms. Amanda shares her love of dance through teaching, and now shares the love with her daughter who is on the competitive team. Ms. Amanda's daughter is the first legacy sparkler at Dancin'Ovations. We love Ms. Amanda and how she can make anyone smile!

MCKENNA LYNN

Front Desk & Teacher

Miss McKenna has been dancing from the minute she was born. She has been dancing at Dancin'Ovations for 21 years. She started dance at age 1 when her mom, Ms. Erin discovered at 10 months old that McKenna loved dance just like her mom. McKenna has been a member of Sparklers, Strictly Rhythm, and was on our competitive hip hop team The Force. She is trained in Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary. McKenna has attended many competitions and conventions including Monsters of Hip Hop, Debbie Allen Dance intensive, LA Dance Magic, Act 1 Talent, and others. She has won many scholarships and learned from several famous teachers. She has taken classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City and was invited to perform on a traveling performance team. Miss Kenna will start year 5 as an official teacher. We love Miss Kenna and the kindness she has!

KIMBERLY RODRIGUEZ

Teacher

Meet Miss Kimberly Rodriguez! Miss Kim began her love for dancing when she was a young child. She specializes in teaching our Drill Team Prep Classes. She also has a dance background and training in Jazz, Lyrical, Pom, Hip-Hop, and Acro. Miss Kim began the start of her dance career when she auditioned for her high school drill team. She attended all four years and served her junior year as Junior Lieutenant and her senior year as 1st Lieutenant. Then she continued her love and passion for dance into college where, she attended Oklahoma Christian University and was a member of their collegiate dance team. she served as captain for 2 years and led her team to a national title in 2023. She is also an All American.

This is Miss Kim's first year of teaching with us. We are so excited to have her be apart of our staff and can't wait to see what she encourages our dancers to achieve.