Instructors

Caitlin Atnip

Caitlin started dancing at five years old but really found her love for the art of ballet around age eight when she began taking lessons at the wonderful Travis Academy of Fine Arts! She studied at TAFA as well as several other dance studios over the years and was honored to be brought on as a ballet instructor after graduating. She considers fine arts to be a beautiful opportunity to Showcase the glory and excellence of our creative Heavenly Father who gave us each a mind, body, and soul to reflect His image to the world. Her goal in teaching is for each of her students to be given both a solid foundation in ballet technique and an introduction to how we can use our gifts to bring honor to God! 

caitlin.atnip@tafa.org

Melinda Russell

Melinda graduated from TCU in 1984 with a BS in Education and in 1989 with an MEd in Special Education. She studied ballet from the age of 8 until she completed her first year at TCU. She spent her high school years dancing for the University of Evansville Ballet Company in Evansville, Indiana and spent a summer in Akron, Ohio studying with the Ohio Ballet during their summer dance intensive. She taught in the public schools for five years before joining TAFA in 1999 as the Ballet Department Director. She has also taught choreography for Musical Theater classes and productions. Additionally, she has taught Christian Worldview classes and currently teaches Government and Economics for TAFA. Dancing is a beautiful artistic expression of Worship and I am delighted to be teaching the next generations how to use dance to bring Glory to God!!

melinda.russell@tafa.org

Amanda Stephens

Amanda Stephens is grateful to be able to teach dance in its many forms to students of all ages. She received her training at ADX in Grand Prairie, TX where she was a performing company member and competition dancer. Additionally, she attended many conventions and master classes, enjoying instruction from an array of inspiring professionals. Her love of ballet was ignited when she became a believer in Christ at the age of sixteen, and she enjoys taking adult ballet classes to continue her education. Teaching at TAFA is one her life’s great joys.

amanda.stephens@tafa.org