Faculty/Staff
Kellie Jackson-Jandt
Owner/Director
Kellie holds a B.S. in Dance with a minor in Speech Communications from Southwest Texas State University. She is certified in the state of Texas to teach Dance, Physical Education, and Speech Communications. Kellie was the dance team director at New Braunfels High School for 10 years and Samuel Clemens High Schol in Schertz for 3 years. Her teams have won several awards including multiple 1st Place Awards, Choreography, Technique, Precision, Platinum officer line, Platinum Team, Best In Class Team, Best In Class Officer Line, Platinum awards, Top Ten Awards, and several solo finalists and solo winners. In 2009 her team won the coveted Grand Champion Team at the H.T.E. Dance State Contest. Kellie has choreographed for the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Christmas Parade, she has judged numerous dance team tryouts, and has served as head judge for H.T.E. Dance competitions. She is a former member of the world famous Strutters college dance team and served as a Junior Lieutenant and Senior Lieutenant. In 2014 she was one of 3 finialist for the coveted director position of The Texas State Strutters. She has performed in London, Ireland, Australia, Greece, and Turkey. Kellie is married to Lance and has two children, Reid and Kenni.
Berkley has been dancing since she was 8 years old, has danced competitively for many years, and has been with SDC since the summer of 2015. During high school, she was a part of the Samuel Clemens High School Belles dance team for four years, serving two of those years in office positions. During this time, she was invited to perform with Spirit of America in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. After graduating, Berkley was invited to work as a staff member for HTEDance, and has worked various summer camps and dance contests under their direction. Berkley graduated from Texas State University in 2018 with her bachelor's degree in Dance Education. While at school, she was a Texas State Strutter for one year, giving her the opportunity to perform for the San Antonio Spurs, in Tulsa Oklahoma, in the annual Dallas Children’s Parade, and in Disneyland Paris. She has recieved choreography and technique awards for her tap pieces here at SDC. Berkley is currently the Dance Director for The Young Women's Leadership Academy in SAISD.
Laura Smarrella is a student, educator, and performer from New Caney, Texas. She is currently pursuing her BFA in Dance Education from Texas State University. Ms. Smarrella began dancing at age 13 at Keefer Crossing Middle School. She then became a New Caney High School Bluebonnet, holding an officer position for three years and serving as Colonel for two years. Laura trained at Texas Academy of Dance for two years, and became an Instructor her last year. Laura is trained in modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, kick, pom, military and prop. In the past, Laura has had the opportunity to further her knowledge of dance while taking class at EDGE Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and Broadway Dance Center in New York. Laura has had the opportunity of attending Texas Dance Educator's Association (TDEA) as an All State Dancer, once as a college student, and once as a Collegiate Assistant. Ms. Smarrella has choreographed for the New Caney Bluebonnets and Texas Academy of Dance. Currently, she is in her third year as a member of the World Famous Texas State University Strutters. Laura has had the opportunity to perform in the Super Bowl 51 halftime show with Lady Gaga, the Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, San Antonio Spurs halftime, and aboard the Liberty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean cruise ship. This Thanksgiving, Laura is performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Currently, Laura resides in Austin and is working on her alternative teaching certification, and working at SDC
Sarai Hankton grew up playing sports and did not start her dance training until she began her studies at the University of North Texas, Denton. She was able to take Master Classes with Doug Varone and Company, Vincent Hardy and Bill Evans. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts, Dance with a minor in Business Management. She was also a part of the UNT’s Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Honors Program. She has experience with working with children as she has worked for two childcare facilities since 2014.
