Alexis Bugler
Dance Director
Alexis has over 20 years experience in dance, gymnastics, and musical
theatre. She was classically trained in voice from the age of 15. From
1999-2002, Alexis was a member of the singing group, Perfect Ten, and
she toured, recorded, and performed at many venues, locally and in
Europe. She has been working as a dance instructor/choreographer in the
techniques of jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, music theatre, and acrobatics
since 1992. She was the co-director of Beller Dance Troupe from
2001-2005, where she led them to win many awards at local competitions
and to perform at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Alexis has a
bachelor's of Science Degree in Management, and she has won
multiple awards for her choreography. She also choreographs for many of
the local high school drill teams. Alexis competed in gymnastics to level 8,
and she is USAG safety certified. She has coached gymnastics for 12
years.
Mallory Melvin
Mallory has 21 years of dance experience. She started teaching at South
Street Dance Company in Iola, KS, which is where she received most of
her training. She then went on to teach for 3 years at Sabrina’s 4th Street
Dance Academy in Ottowa, KS, and is now very excited to be entering into
her 3rd year here at Diamond Gymnastics & Dance Academy. Mallory has
also studied in private master classes with Kurt Anthon, ballet instructor,
Kristianne Anthaon, recently featured in Dance Spirit Magazine, Mark
Schell and Mark Goodman, director for one of L.A.’s best tap companies.
She has won numerous awards for her dancing and choreography, such
as top five soloist at West Coast Dance Explosion in California, and the
2003 overall collegiate duo/trio award for her lyrical piece. She has
choreographed and had starring roles in many musicals, such as Grease,
Bye Bye Birdie, Les Miserables, and Peter Pan. Also vocally trained,
Mallory has opened for bands such as Ricochet and Streetside. She won
2003 National overall collegiate soloist for her vocal performance. Mallory
has furthered her education in dance studying modern and ballet during
college. She was recently selected to perform for the Stax of Wax 2006
and 2007 summer show at Worlds of Fun. Mallory teaches Jazz, Tap, and
Lyrical for the Diamond Dancers.
Crystalyn Moulden
Crystalyn has been dancing since the age of 6. She has won many
awards for competing and choreography at various regional and national
competitions. She was the Co-Captain of her high school drill team. She
became a company member and a teacher at Ballet Midwest, where she
danced many corps, principle, and pas de dues parts. She has
participated in summer intensives with the Kansas City Ballet and Ballet
Magnificat. She was accepted into Ballet Magnificat's trainee program
and trained with them for 2 years. After two years in their Artist
Development Program, Crystalyn is now a member of the Storling Dance
Theatre's Performance Company. She also sets up, choreographs, and
runs intensive training for liturgical companies around the country. She is
also a guest artist for regional ballet companies. She is currently in her
eleventh year of teaching and loves it! Crystalyn teaches Ballet, Lyrical,
and Modern for the Diamond Dancers.
Jennifer Whiteford
Jennifer is in her third year with Diamond Gymnastics & Dance
Academy. She has 17 years of performance and competitive dance
experience with the last four being an instructor. She trained through
high school and continued as an instructor for two years at Sabrina’s 4th
Street Dance Academy in Ottowa, Kansas. In addition, she has trained
in ballet and modern with Jerel Hilding and Janet Hamburg at the
University of Kansas and is currently continuing her dance education in
her downtime. Jennifer has just recently graduated from the Kansas City
Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Photography. Jennifer teaches Tap, Ballet and Technique for the
Diamond Dancers.
Holly Hagman
Holly Hagman has over 20 years of experience in dance. Holly holds a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Theater with an emphasis in Dance
Education and Administration from Kansas State University. While
attending Kansas State, Holly was a member of the Classy Cat Dance
Team as well as the Kansas State Repertory Company. Holly has
taught, co-directed and choreographed for several award winning
competitive dance companies including area high schools and state
colleges. In the summers between 2003-2005, Holly was the Head of
Dance at Camp Starlight in PA where she helped to develop a new
dance program, choreographed and directed dance teams, and
choreographed for musicals. In 2005, Holly moved to Tampa, FL were
she taught and choreographed for Mary Jo's Performing Arts Academy
and STEPS School of Dance. As Director of STEPS Performing
Company, Holly received several awards including judges' and
choreography awards. Holly is happy to be back in Kansas and working
with the amazing staff at Diamond. Holly has experience teaching and
choreographing in various styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary,
tap, hip hop, musical theater and ballet.
