AMDE

Artistic Direction

Melanie S. Kregel-Executive Director and Co-Founder
Ms. Kregel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University
She began her career as a dance educator in 1989 at Busby Dancenter in Victoria, Texas .  She has taught for The Jordan Academy of Fine Arts at Butler University, and The Dance Refinery in Indianapolis, Indiana and at Exclusively Ballet in Birmingham, Alabama.  Ms Kregel returned to Austin, TX to teach for Ballet Austin, Tapestry Dance Academy and The Dance Studio.   She was also on the faculty for three years at the Star Charter School .
After dancing nine years with the Victoria Ballet Theater, she attended Butler University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following graduation, she went on to perform with the Alabama Ballet.  During her career she enjoyed roles in “Nutcracker”, “Les Sylphides”, Petrouchka”, “La Viviandiere”, “Giselle”, “Swan Lake”, and “Coppelia”.  She was also a guest dancer in the Indianapolis Opera’s “Die Fledermaus” and in 1997 was invited to perform on a international tour to Taipei City, Taiwan.  While dancing for the Alabama Ballet, she performed in Johan Renvall’s “Between the Lines” and George Balanchine’s “Serenade”.    Ms. Kregel has also directed Visions in Rhythm, and Dance Spectrum, both youth dance companies in Austin.

Latisha Coffey, Artistic Director
Ms. Coffey graduated from the Performing and Visual Arts School in Houston, Texas, and holds a degree in dance from Texas State University.  She has been a dance educator since 2000. She has taught for Center Stage and Dance Center in Deer Park, Texas. More recently, she has taught at Footnotes Dance Studio in Oak Hill. Ms. Coffey has studied with master teachers from the Martha Graham Company, Alivin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, the Joffrey Ballet, and renowned teachers Wade Robson, Mia Michaels, and Shane Sparks.  During her studies at Texas State University, she was a member of the Strutters Dance Team. As a part of this team, she performed in Russia, Sweden, and Norway, as well as annually for the San Antonio Spurs Basketball team in San Antonio, Texas.  Additionally, she choreographed and performed with the Jazz Co. at TSU. In 2008, Ms. Coffey began dancing and choreographing for Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble, and has held the position of Artistic Director since 2008.
    

Board Members:
Melanie S. Kregel-President and Executive Director
Latisha Coffey-Vice President and Artistic Director
Marissa Hall-Treasurer
Alexia Thex-Secretary and Director of Fundraising
Stacy L. Dill-Director of Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
Robin Kregel-Member
Leona Martin-Member

Apprentices:
Alyssa Hook
Hope Tate

Senior Company:
Sarah Cantoran
Kaitlyn DeHaven
Hannah Dilullo
Misha Glouchkova

Junior company  :
Cheyenne Horton
Kristen DeHaven
Hannah Powell
Jaime Tate

Preparatory Class :
Lily Byrd
Isabella Dennis
Mia Fegan
Gabi Foyt
Teddy Hoffman
Skylar Jones