MEET US

HMD Administration

  • Michelle Smith has a background of more than 24 years of ballet training, including the New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. After college, she joined the Delia Stewart Dance Company, working first as principal dancer and then as Manager of the company and Director of the school, where she established a children’s program and diversified the adults’ program that became the base for Houston Met Dance. She has been involved in the Houston arts and dance community for more than 30 years. In the business world, Michelle was the office manager of several real estate firms for her first 10 years in Houston. EMAIL MICHELLE

  • Originally from Fresno, CA, jhon arrived in Houston through CORE dance and has worked with HMDC for 15 years. jhon’s tenure with Houston Metro Dance includes service in artistic, educational and administrative capacities. Most recently, jhon has been the catalyst for much of HMD’s new programming, working with Executive Director Michelle Smith and HMDC’s board of directors to collectively redirect the organization. EMAIL jhon

  • Lori joined the staff in 2019 as a resident artist and faculty member, however has been associated with HMD since 2015.  Lori's background includes teaching children of all ages (from 2-100yrs) in a variety of situations and organizations including Education in Dance and the Related Arts, Essex Community College, Houston Community College, Hopestone Inc., and Society for the Performing Arts.  She is also an independent artist choreographing work for spaces such as Tranquility Park, Finca Tres Robles, and Hermann Park. EMAIL LORI

Board of Directors:

Founder and Executive Director: Michelle Smith
Acting President/ Treasurer: Cecilia Winters-Morris,
Tosin Akande, Kaylee Hoffner, Megan Jackson, Meredith McCrary, Lee Pierce, Crissy Poole Dorsey, Shelley Potter, Alexandra Sibley, Andrea Streeter

Studio Faculty:

Brittany Bass, Kelsey Cartwright, Roberta Cortes, Jasmine Hearn, Alisa Mittin, Pattie Obey, Dominique Seraphim, Michelle Smith, Nicole McNeil, Michelle Reyes, Madison Scott, jhon r. stronks, Frank Vega, Lindi Yeni, Lori Yuill

Office Staff:

Leana De Hoyos, Nicole McNeil, Alisa Mittin, Kimberly Williams