Kattie and Stephanie — Owners/Directors

Stephanie Riley and Kattie Brewer, the owners and directors behind Premier Dance Academy, established their studio in 2010. With over thirty years of shared experience in dancing and performing, they bring a wealth of expertise to their roles as owners and directors. Their extensive training spans a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, variations, partnering, character, modern, as well as acting and musical theater. Stephanie and Kattie’s long-standing collaboration as instructors and mentors has forged a strong partnership and a cohesive philosophy, forming the cornerstone of Premier Dance Academy’s approach to dance education.

Stephanie’s passion for the performing arts began more than three decades ago. She received extensive training in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, character, musical theater, variations, partnering, and pointe. Her love of dance only grew stronger as she began performing in seasonal productions including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Dracula. Stephanie also had the honor of performing lead roles in original classical and contemporary works by renowned choreographers including Soili Arvola, Leo Ahonen, Ayman Harper, Amber Thornton, Olga Kostritzky, Alex Hasbany, Joe Istre, Amelie Hunter, and Slam. Stephanie spent the summers during her teen years training at intensive ballet programs with the Joffrey Ballet School and The School of American Ballet, as well as open classes in other styles at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City. At the age of fifteen, Stephanie accepted a full scholarship to attend The School of American Ballet’s year-round training program. There she received extensive pre-professional training in ballet, pointe, variations, and partnering. Stephanie also attended two Craft of Choreography Conferences at the University of Iowa and the University of Utah which solidified her interest in the art of choreography. She has been a guest teacher and choreographer for The Kinkaid School, San Jacinto College dance department, and other studios throughout Houston. Her choreography has received numerous awards and recognition over the years. Stephanie has served as an adjudicator and workshop presenter at the National ISAS Arts Festival. However, her most cherished title is “Mom” to her boys Lincoln and Jude and bonus son Jakob. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science & Associate of Applied Science Degree in Neurodiagnostic Technology. She would like to thank Beverly Williams, her first dance teacher and current friend, for guiding her over the last three decades and instilling a life-long passion for dance and learning that she continues to pass on to her students every day. Stephanie has been honored, since its inception in 2010, to be the Co-Director/Owner of Premier Dance Academy.

Kattie Brewer’s dance journey began over 30 years ago at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where she trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, variations, character, musical theater, pointe, and partnering. At an early age she began performing in numerous productions such as *The Nutcracker*, *Swan Lake*, *Giselle*, *Dracula*, *Sleeping Beauty*, and *Cinderella*. She also took on roles in original works by notable choreographers like Soili Arvola, Leo Ahonen, Ayman Harper, and Amber Thornton.

At fourteen, Kattie received a scholarship to attend an intensive summer program at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. The following summer, she was accepted into the intensive program at the San Francisco Ballet School, focusing on ballet, pointe, partnering, and variations. Her journey continued with another intensive program in Hawaii with Soili Arvola, where she deepened her studies in ballet, pointe, and character.

While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Dance at the University of Houston, Kattie continued her education in ballet, modern, jazz, acting under Rutherford Cravens, and expanded her education to include costume construction, lighting and theater design, dance pedagogy, improvisation, and dance history. Her senior project choreography was selected to open the university’s fall show, marking the beginning of her exploration into choreography. Since then, Kattie has created numerous group pieces and solos, earning awards at conventions and competitions in the Houston area.

Kattie has also contributed as a guest performer and choreographer for San Jacinto College Central’s Dance Program and served as a judge for the Kinkaid School’s dance company auditions and as an adjudicator at the 2009 National ISAS Arts Festival. Her choreography was featured at the Clear Lake Dance Festival - Dance Houston in 2011.

Since co-founding Premier Dance Academy in 2010, Kattie has dedicated herself to teaching and choreographing within the community. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Houston (2009) and is thrilled to be a Co-Director/Owner of Premier Dance Academy. Kattie also has two wonderful children, Addison and Matix, who bring immense joy and inspiration to her life. She also acknowledges Beverly Williams, Soili Arvola, and Leo Ahonen for shaping her career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

Abbie Kern

Abbie Kern is from the New Orleans area. She found her love of dance at a young age through studio and dance team life. With a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a concentration in dance from St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma, she is well trained in tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, and theater dance. Her training and experience also includes voice and musical theater. In her nearly 20 years as an instructor, she has taught at several studios in the Tulsa area and has served as a competition director, choreographer, and instructor. Abbie also worked with the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa where she and her colleagues created and performed educational dance shows for elementary students. She has received many choreography awards for her work in the styles of tap and lyrical. In 2018, she and her family moved to League City and is excited to be part of the Premier Dance Academy family.

My name is Abigail Bowers and I am a dancer and choreographer from Houston, TX. I have been dancing for 18 years and grew up competing with No Boundaries Dance Company and Clear Lake City Rockettes. I was also a 4 year member of my drill team and top officer my senior year of high school. I have been working for Crowd Pleasers Dance Company since 2019 and I also enjoy private lesson instruction. In May of 2023 I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in marketing. My training includes jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and modern. I love the feeling of expression that dance allows and thrive on the rigor and discipline of this art.

Marie Perret has been dancing for 18 years, involving herself in studio dance, cheer, drill team, and collegiate dance. She has an associates of Science and Fine Arts from San Jacinto College and is currently attending the University of Houston - Clear Lake, majoring in Kinesiology. She started teaching about two years ago and has award-winning dances with some of her students. Marie’s hobbies are reading books, attending dance classes, and spending time with her dogs.

Miranda has been with Premier Dance Academy since the very beginning. Starting her dance journey at the age of 3 she grew up to become an assistant and now teacher for the studio. Going to Clear Brook High School, she joined the drill team and became a jr. lieutenant dance officer. Now she is perusing her interests of science and dance at San Jacinto College. She has had many amazing opportunities, the most recent being her performance at Miller Outdoor Theater in “Dancing on Steel”.