TEACHING STAFF
DOXA DIRECTOR
BRITTANIE WOOTEN
"I believe it is important to teach children that God is the author, creator, and artist of all things, and that any talent can and should be used to bring glory to His name. We are dancing to praise Him and point others to Him."
- Dance Training: Amarillo, Texas - Lugene Cole (ages 3-6); Hess School of Dance (ages 7-18)
- Summer Intensives: The Jillana School in Taos Ski Valley, NM; Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, MS; American Ballet Theatre in Austin, TX and New York City, NY; Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, WA
- Education: Bachelor's Degree in Public Affairs and Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management, from the University of Texas at Dallas (2004); Ministry Studies Certificate, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2022)
- Dance Instructor Training/Continuing Education: Ballet Magnificat Teacher Workshop (2012); Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certification: April 2017; The Pointe Shop Pointe Fitters' Basic Training (2021)
- Family: wife to Garrett, Worship Arts Pastor at Paramount, and mom of two boys (Isaac and Everett)
MEET THE DOXA TEAM
Doxa Instructors represent a team of accomplished, caring teachers.
LACI MCCREARY
INSTRUCTOR
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Doxa ministry and combine my dancing knowledge with the gift of worship. I'm thankful to be a part of a community of fellow believers who strive to teach more than just technique."
- Started dancing at age 3 with Lugene Cole
- Trained at Ballet Lubbock under Suzanne Aker and Yvonne Racz-Key
- Attended the University of Utah on scholarship and was a member of the Utah Ballet Company and Utah Character Dance Ensemble
- Chosen to perform Russian in the Nutcracker with the professional ballet company, Aspen Santa Fe Dance Company
- Performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Seoul, South Korea
- Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet
- Served as resident Ballet Mistress at Ballet Lubbock for 3 years
- Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) certification: April 2017
KATHY COWAN
INSTRUCTOR
"I'm excited to be a part of the Doxa ministry. I enjoy sharing the art of dance with children and worshipping the Lord with them. I believe God is the great creator and artist and it is a privilege to praise Him through dance."
- Started dancing at age 4
- Studied ballet for 4 years at West Texas A&M University
- Has been teaching dance in Amarillo since 1997, including ballet, tap, jazz, and music movement
- Choreographed 2 Amarillo College musicals
- Choreographed and taught dances for St. Stephen United Methodist Church
- Performed with the "Texas" cast in Austin for the State Capitol rededication
EMILY KOELZER
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
"I am grateful to be a part of Doxa and the family that resides here, which not only teaches growth in technique, but in spiritual strength and readiness. Understanding the mercy in what Jesus has done and continues to do for us makes praising Him through dance that much sweeter, and I am overjoyed to share His glory with other dancers."
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Began training in ballet and tap at age 5 at Amarillo College
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Began dancing ballet with Doxa Dance Ministry at age 8
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Performed numerous corps and lead roles in Doxa’s showcases of Esther, Daniel, The Ark and the Covenant, Bloodline, Joseph, Out of Egypt, and In a Nutshell
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Assistant teacher at Doxa
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Dancer with Doxa’s Kerusso program
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Became a Junior Instructor at Doxa in 2021
KELSEY NASH
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
- Began dancing at age 6 under Cynthia McCormack at Amarillo College
- Began dancing at Doxa in 2018
- Preformed various corps and soloist roles in Doxa’s productions of Daniel, The Ark & the Covenant, Bloodline, Esther, Joseph, The Lamppost, Out of Egypt, and In A Nutshell
- Participated in the 2020 Fall Kerusso sessions
- Assistant teacher at Doxa for 2 years
- Became a Junior Instructor at Doxa in 2022
REGAN RATH
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
"Doxa has a special place in my heart and I'm blessed to be able to show students the joy that is worshipping God through dance. God gave us wonderfully made bodies, and to use them for His glory is an incredible thing."
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Began dancing with Doxa in 2014
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Performed in numerous roles in Doxa's Esther, Bloodline, Daniel, The Ark of the Covenant, Joseph, In a Nutshell, and Out of Egypt productions.
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Became a Junior Instructor for the 2023/24 season
SAVANNAH EVANS
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
"Through dance, we have such a valuable opportunity to spread the pure message of love Christ called us to share. The chance to help students understand the true healing that comes when we use our bodies to glorify our Maker is something very close to my heart. I can't wait to see where the Lord leads Doxa in the years ahead."
- Started dancing in 2019 with Doxa Dance Ministry
- Performed in various roles in Doxa's Esther, Out of Egypt, and In a Nutshell
- Dancer with Doxa's Kerusso program
- Teacher's assistant at Doxa nearly 2 years
- Became a Junior Instructor for the 2023/2024 season
LAYNA GRICE
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
- Started dancing at age 4 with Doxa
- Participated in a variety of roles in Doxa's Esther, Bloodline, The Ark of the Covenant, Lamppost, Out of Egypt, and In a Nutshell
- Danced as a part of Doxa's Kerusso program
- Assistant teacher at Doxa for 1 season
- Became a Junior Instructor for the 2023/2024 season
NDTS CONSULTANTS
Doxa is thrilled to welcome Kason and Ashley Hanson of NDTS to teach classes and train our staff.
KASON HANSON
DANCE CONSULTANT & MOVEMENT SPECIALIST
"God has created us to live, move, and have our being in Him. I am excited for this opportunity to learn and grow alongside the students and staff at Doxa this season and look forward to sharing my passion for movement to point others to the Creator!"
- Early ballet instruction under the direction of Mr. Rinat Mouzafarov (Graduate of the Vaganova Academy and dancer with the Bolshoi)
- Trained professionally with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson MS (2011-2015)
- Taught in studio settings throughout the country with a focus on ballet technique and cross-training for dancers (2015-Present)
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude with Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant from Pueblo Community College (2019)
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science from University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2020)
- Formed META Performance (which provides movement and performance training for dancers) with his wife Ashley (2019)
- Various continuing education certifications focused on fundamental human movement patterns/screening/
biomechanics and breathing mechanics - Formed NDTS (Neuro Developmental Training System) in 2023 to support dancers, educators, and health and wellness practitioners with movement education
ASHLEY HANSON
DANCE CONSULTANT & MOVEMENT SPECIALIST
"I’m really looking forward to working with the Doxa students this year! It’s been such a joy to develop relationships with the Doxa staff and dancers over the past couple of years - can’t wait to see what the Lord does in and through each of us this upcoming year. He is in the business of doing NEW things!"
- Attended the University of Arizona’s School of Dance (2003-2006)
- Trained professionally with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson MS (2006-2008)
- Danced professionally with Ballet Magnificat (2008-2015)
- Has taught and performed across the U.S. as well as several countries throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, South America and the Caribbean
- Over 20 years of teaching experience in school, studio and college settings
- Formed META Performance (which provides movement and performance training for dancers) with her husband Kason (2019)
WANT TO TEACH AT DOXA?
Fill out this Instructor Application so we can get to know you better.
Applications are considered as teaching positions become available.