PDT Dance Arts Faculty
Katie Wilcox
Owner / Master Instructor / Studio Director
Ms. Katie Wilcox, began her dance education at the age of 2. She attended her first competition at the age of 6 brining home awards both regionally and nationally for for talent and performance through out her youth. At 12 years old, she began traveling to a variety of prestigious schools around the country to expand her education. She attended Ballet Chicago, Ruth Page Foundation School of Ballet, Gus Giordano Dance Center, Lou Conte Dance Center, Joffrey Ballet New York and Ballet Magnificat, to name a few. She performed several leading roles in productions, including the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker.
Upon high school graduation, Ms. Wilcox moved to Chicago IL, where she earned her BFA at Columbia College Chicago. She continued her dance training through out the city, studying with company members of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet Chicago and Gus Giordano. Due to a spinal injury, she set her performance career aside, and discovered her true love of choreography and teaching. She taught at several schools in the Chicagoland area before relocating here to Plano in 2005 to open The Plano Dance Theatre, (Now PDT Dance Arts).
Since Ms. Wilcox began teaching, she has earned countless awards and accolades for teaching and choreography. More importantly, she and the other PDT staff members have raised many students in the arts that have won countless awards themselves for their outstanding work & technique. Many have gone on to colleges & careers in the performing arts with scholarships and accolades for their excellence.
Ms. Wilcox is also an adjudicator for national talent competitions, sharing her knowledge with students across America. She is the primary choreographer for the Plano East Senior High School show choir and provides freelance choreography for corporate performances. Ms. Wilcox maintains personal relationships with many of the students that have grown through PDT and she finds her purpose in positively effecting the lives of young students.
Ms. Wilcox's primary focus is to ensure that all students know they have a place on the stage, that each child can learn self expression through the arts and that through dance they have a voice. Her passion is to help young students grow, gain a healthy sense of self worth and learn life lessons to carry them successfully throughout their lives.
Terri Bruno
Owner/ Master Instructor
Miss Terri began her dance education at age 4. She trained throughout her early childhood to become a member of the Grand Rapids Ballet for several years. Miss Terri owned and operated The Caledonia Dance Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan for 17 years prior to relocating to the DFW area. In that time, she directed 8 seasons of “The Nutcracker” won countless awards for her performance, choreography and teaching skills both regionally and nationally. Upon inception of PDT Miss Terri has written and directed over 20 productions for PDT. She also works for the City of Plano at the Courtyard Theater as Lighting Designer, manager and theater technician.
Miss Terri has enhanced the lives of countless students over her career and many have her to thank for their successes. She has been a blessing to many and will continue to be as she continues to pass on her values of hard work, determination, accountability and strength.
Mary Barnett
Owner / Client Services
Miss Mary is a musician as well as a dancer. She started her training in piano and dancing when she was 8 years old and she’s been passionate ever since. She graduated high school in 2012 and has put her educational focus on business and music theory.
Along with her dance, music and performing arts training, many other things Mary loves to sew and she’s proud to be one of the seamstresses for The Plano Dance Theatre. Miss Mary plays 8 instruments including piano, guitar, bass, cello, drums, ukulele, xylophone, and violin. She is also a skilled vocalist and music writer. Mary was a valued member of the PDT Performance Ensemble for over 5 years, where she earned many awards for her performance. She played many lead roles in PDT productions and post-graduation became a PDT Instructor. She has since won several awards for her teaching and choreography.
When Mary isn’t teaching or continuing her own growth and education, she’s volunteering at church, where she helps with music and teaching others. She also participates in short-term missions trip teaching her skills. She desires to teach her skills and touch as many lives as she can.
Sharon Godsave
Owner / Master Instructor
Miss Sharon was born in Hertfordshire England and has been in theater since the age of 5. She trained at East Herts College studying acting, dancing, voice and technical theater. Before relocating to the US, Miss Sharon appeared in many professional productions including The Matchgirls, The Boyfriend, The Wiz and Run For Your Wife to name a few. She has also performed in many British Pantomimes including The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Miss Sharon has been teaching theater for over 10 years, concentrating on improvisation and Theater Technique. She has co-directed several of the over 30 Plano Dance Theatre productions alongside Miss Terri Bruno. Miss Sharon is gifted at working with students of all ages. She is also the director of our pre-school program “Mini Movers,” instilling the love of the arts in our smallest dancers. Miss Sharon brings her invaluable wealth of knowledge to our students with her giving heart and enthusiasm for sharing all she knows.
Lindsey Rubsamen
Master Instructor / Competition Team Director
Lindsey Rubsamen was born and raised in Dallas, TX. She is a graduate of The University of Alabama where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Women Studies minor. In her four years at the University, Lindsey was a consistent member of the performing company, Alabama Repertoire of Dance and Theatre, and had her choreographic work featured each semester in Dance Alabama!. In 2014, Lindsey was awarded the Junior Dancer of the Alabama Repertory of Dance and Theatre Company. In her earlier days, Lindsey was selected to be a Jr. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader which led to some of her most memorable performances with well-known artists including Destiney’s Child, Journey, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Sheryl Crow and Jessica Simpson. Although performing is what sparked her passion for dance, by age 15, Lindsey was also a faculty member at her performing arts studio and found her love for choreographing at a young age. While studying at the Un. Of Alabama, Lindsey was invited by her former high school drill team to return as an outside choreographer for 3 consecutive summers, which led to her opportunities to choreograph for other high schools in the Dallas Metroplex. Since she was 18, Lindsey has continuously been invited to teach at several studio summer intensives across The States.
Upon graduating in 2015, Lindsey moved to New York City after receiving a full scholarship (from Jim Cooney himself!) to Broadway Dance Center where she successfully completed the program, meanwhile working as an intern for The Pulse on Tour offices in NYC. While in NYC, Lindsey trained extensively in commercial dance (Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Jazz, Heels and Contemporary) under several major choreographers including Candace Brown, Dave Scott, Sheryl Murakami, Jim Cooney, Jerad Grimes, Neil Shwartz and many more. While pursuing her commercial dance career, Lindsey was also chosen to work as the Program Director’s Assistant at Broadway Dance Center. If you visit BDC, you may find a familiar face welcoming you into the studio as Lindsey’s Dirty Sugar photoshoot is being used as the “welcome photo” at the front desk and is continuously used to advertise Broadway Dance Center internationally! Her major accomplishments in NYC include when she danced in the music video for Artist KMC’s new single “Club On Fire”, she then danced in Times Square for Hard Rock Café’s flagship, and she appeared as a featured dancer in the international Dance Panorama, televised on Czech TV.
In 2017, Lindsey moved to Los Angeles, California where she appeared as afeatured dancer in a music video for artist Trinidad James in his new single “Monsoon”, being released in 2018. She was then afforded the opportunity, through choreographer Dana Alexa, to perform at the famous Cesar’s Palace Omnia Nightclub, in Las Vegas. While living in LA, Lindsey performed at several venues in Hollywood, CA backup dancing for various local artists, she performed in numerous concept videos, and was featured in a video project for LG Mobile Speakers.
In 2018, Lindsey moved back to Dallas after being away for 7 years. She is ecstatic to share her experience and knowledge of both the East & West coasts as a professional dancer. With 10 years of teaching experience, Lindsey still continues her training by traveling back to Los Angeles and New York City – where she auditions, performs, trains and expands her knowledge/creativity further to bring back home to Dallas. Most importantly, her passion for teaching, choreographing, and performing is evident in everything that she does. Her biggest attribute is that she is a young, hands-on instructor who will always demonstrate what she preaches – she loves to get moving and dancing with the kiddos! Lindsey finds immense pride in being able to connect with all children in the classroom through her energetic personality!
Stephanie Godsave
Private Lesson Instructor
Stephanie has been dancing since the age of 2. At age 5, she began her training with PDT Dance Arts. Stephanie has pursued all forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern and contemporary. She has participated in many shows and has performed many leading roles. She also performed in the Dallas Summer Musicals production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Stephanie has attended many summer dance intensive studies including American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet School, New York, and Alvin Ailey. This past summer she was one of only 44 dancers to be accepted to, and attend the Juilliard summer Intensive in New York City. Stephanie has won numerous high score overall awards for her dance performances. Stephanie has received accolades from some of the nation’s most acclaimed dance masters, including a perfect score from Complexions director, Desmond Richardson, stating she was “Exquisite.” This past spring Miss Stephanie received her BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase. She is now a company member of the Bruce Wood Dance company here in Dallas. We could not be more proud of all of Miss Stephanie's accomplishments and we are thrilled she is able to continue to work with our growing performers!
Kami Lynn
Master Instructor
Miss Kami is a daughter of Miss Terri and sister to Miss Katie. Miss Kami began her dance training as soon as she could walk. She showed an exceptional talent in tap and rhythm at a very young age earning her many outstanding awards for her performance. Her natural abilities were molded in her years of dance training by some of the nations top instructors. Upon graduation, Kami went on to study cosmotology. In addition to being one of PDT’s esteemed instructors, she is also a Master Stylist at Visible Changes.
Miss Kami has won countless scholarships and awards for her dance abilities, teaching and outstanding choreography. As an instructor, she has helped mold our most successful students into incredible people. We are proud to have Miss Kami on staff.
Greg Daniels
Master Instructor
PDT is proud to have Greg Daniels, a PDT Alumni on staff. He began dancing at the age of fourteen with Modern ballet and Jazz. At eighteen he discovered his love for acrobatics & all things upside down, leading him to Aerial silks dance. He currently teaches acrobatics, aerial silks, & yoga as well as various other styles of dance. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his cats & dogs, as well as continuing his education pursuing a 500 hour yoga certification.
Niesha Smith
Master Instructor
Niesha grew up dancing since the age of two. She started dancing at the local dance studio in Plano,TX. She did competitive dancing from the ages of five to fifteen. Winning numerous scholarships and awards. From there she was accepted into the prestigious arts school, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. At that point, she decided to leave competitive dancing to focus more seriously on her dance training and learning at BTWHSPVA. She studied concert dance and danced on a company. Upon graduating, she was given the opportunity to travel with the dance convention The Pulse On Tour assisting top choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Laurie Ann Gibson, Dave Scott, Gil Duldulao and Tyce Diorio. After this life changing experience, she decided to move to Los Angeles and begin dance professionally full time. She has danced in numerous music videos, concept videos, television shows and live stage performances. She has danced for artist such as Jason Derulo, Kimberly Cole, Justin Bieber and Pentatonix. She has danced on shows such as American Idol and The American Music Awards. During her time in Los Angeles, she discovered Bodywork. She holds certifications in Classical Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga. While dancing professionally, She taught Classical Pilates and Yoga to many different body types to understand the methods better. Through self-practice and teaching she has developed her own bodywork method that helps dancers and athletes achieve more strength, mobility and flexibility. She has the ability to choreography multiple styles such as hip hop, heels, contemporary, jazz funk, contemporary ballet and jazz technique. She is excited to share her choreography, love for dance and knowledge about the body with the Dallas Area!
Breana Robertson
Master Instructor
Breana Robertson is a choreographer and performer who began her dance journey at PDT
Dance Arts at 14 years old. She graduated with her BA in Dance from Texas Tech University in
2016 and will be starting the MFA Dance program at Texas Woman’s University in Fall 2023.
Post graduation, Breana performed throughout Lubbock with Flatlands Dance Theatre,
Moonlight Musicals, and Lubbock Community Theatre. She has also performed promotional
materials for MAC cosmetics and choreographed a piece titled Ambient Overflow that premiered
on the Lubbock PBS segment "24 Frames." Breana is so excited to return to her home studio
and be a part of the PDT family again!
Cyndi Shailer
Master Instructor
Cyndi Shailer boasts a rich legacy of over four decades of teaching and nurturing talent, in Texas and Connecticut. Armed with both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Dance, Cyndi strives to create inspiring dance experiences for students at all stages of life meeting them where they are. Throughout her career, Cyndi has been on the faculties of colleges, dance studios, conservatories, and city programs where she taught, choreographed and performed.
Ballet has always been her first love. She also has experience teaching tap, jazz, modern, social, and square dance. She spent much time studying in New York with Finis Jhung, Phil Black, Bob Audy, teachers at the Ailey Center, STEPS, Broadway Dance, and more. She spent a year on staff at the Harid Conservatory where she gleaned much from faculty members Tina Santos and Margorie Talchief as well as the residency teachers, Claude Bessy, David Howard, Rosemary Miles, Ben Stevenson, Maria Talchief, and Oleg Tupine.
Her love of ballet brought her to add the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet to her ballet
teaching repertoire. Presently, she channels her passion into preparing both teachers and students for examinations, ensuring the preservation and proliferation of this timeless art form. She has lent her skills and leadership to various roles within the Southwest Committee, serving on the board. She has also served on the Denton and The Colony arts boards.
Cyndi says, “ I can’t imagine life without dance. The benefits of dance are many but most importantly, it is a constant source of joy.”
April Mason
Master Instructor
April Mason, a former president of the Sacramento Area Dance Alliance, has been teaching children and adults since 1996. A graduate of Cedar Crest College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance, Miss April, as her students call her, has been an instructor at several studios both in the Sacramento and Bay Areas including KM Dance Arts (formerly Krei Matthews School of Dance), West Coast Dance Arts, Aria's to the Pointe, and Fantastic Feet School of Dance. She owned and directed her own studio, the successful Premiere Dance in Rancho Cordova, for eight years. She has an extensive background in competition choreography and has coached several winning dance studio teams including her own students at Premiere Dance. She teaches tap, jazz, ballet, musical theater, and lyrical. Miss April has directed several productions such as Guys and Dolls, Annie, The Music Man, and Into the Woods. She has acted in many shows including Steel Magnolias, Carousel, Mack and Mabel, Julius Caesar, and Charlotte’s Web among others. Miss April also has over 30 years experience in the pageant industry as a director, contestant, judge, and titleholder having held numerous local, state, and national titles. Miss April is a wife, mother, and former volunteer with Capital Therapy Dogs and Lend a Heart Therapy Dogs. She and dogs have visited senior homes, veterans, and special needs schools. Therapy dog work has been an important part of her life since 2014. She is looking forward to finding a new therapy dog organization to work with in Texas.
Donna Henderson
Enrollment Coordinator
Donna Henderson joined our PDT Dance Arts faculty in May of 2023 as our dedicated Enrollment Coordinator. She makes all the calls to our prospective new families interested in PDT Dance Arts and gets them set up with trial classes and enrollment.
Miss Donna started in the dance world as a dance Mom of two girls. One is our very own Miss Lindsey who danced from the age of 3 and continued through college then into the commercial dance world. Her other daughter took the route of Drill Team and made Officer in Plano. Both girls were also deeply involved in Competitive Team dancing. Miss Donna now has a granddaughter dancing, and is committed to watching her grow with PDT Dance Arts. With over 25 years experiencing the dance world, she has the insight and the knowledge that’s needed to have in-depth discussions with the dance families who are interested in hearing about our PDT Dance Arts program. Miss Donna loves what she does for PDT! She is always happy to chat with anyone who is interested in dance whether it is a brand new dancer, experienced dancers interested in how to move forward with their skills in school, or PDT’s competitive team.