Meet Our Team
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GABY LUCAS
Studio Director
Gaby was born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico and obtained her BFA in Performing Arts from
The Wichita St University.
Since arriving in Kansas City, Gaby has had the opportunity to choreograph and perform with multiple professional theatre and dance venues including City in Motion Dance Theatre, AHA Dance Theatre, Young Audiences, Theatre in the Park, Children’s Lyric Opera, Theatre for Young America, Coterie Theatre, Chameleon Theatre, BEST Network, Princess Squid Productions, Miss America-Miss Kansas Pageant and the Missouri Repertory Theatre.
In 2006, she was granted the Award for Distinguished Services in Arts and Disabilities from the KS State Board of Education. She is a current board member to Coterie Theatre and former Education Director for Jellybean Conspiracy- a not for profit agency that sponsors theatre shows promoting thoughtful inclusion among children inside their schools.
Gaby is grateful to have had the opportunity to teach dance & fitness for over 30 years to a variety of populations with different abilities. She is mother to 2 wonderful daughters and has become a passionate advocate for programs that include the talents of children with special needs. She would be honored to become your child’s dance instructor and welcome them into the joyful world of Dance.
BROCK MAZE
Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Aerials, Company Coach
Mr. Brock comes to us from Lexington, MO where he grew up dancing competitively at Shapes Dance and Acro where he learned various dance styles at a very early age including Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip-Hop and Acro.
Brock attended the Dance Conservatory at the University of Missouri- Kansas City where he furthered his studies in Ballet and Modern. During his time at UMKC, Brock also had the opportunity to be part of the National Championship Team at DNA.
Shortly after college, Brock was hired by the Disney Cruise Line were he became part of the original cast of "Beauty and the Beast" on the Disney Dream. After 2 contracts aboard the ship, he moved to New York City to continue his training and further his performance career.
CALLIE OEHLER
Company Coach
Callie Oehler was born and raised in De Soto, Kansas and grew up training and competing with PowerHouse Dance Company in Olathe, Kansas. She also became Captain and choreographer for her high school dance team. After high school, Callie taught for several local dance studios, was a member of the nationally ranked UMKC dance team, and graduated with a BS in Mathematics and Statistics. After her undergraduate career, she attended the University of Kansas Medical Center earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Callie is a licensed Physical Therapist specializing in performing arts. She has a passion for educating dancers how to train, care for, and better understand their bodies so that they can successfully reach their dance goals. Callie combines current dance medicine principles with a deep understanding of dance biomechanics to optimize performance and technical skills.
Callie has worked as a physical therapist for the Kansas City Ballet Company and School, and has worked with touring Broadway productions and the UMKC Conservatory.
When Callie is not chasing her toddlers, she enjoys spending her time with her House of Dance Family.
FRANCOIS DESMARTEAU
Tap, Musical Theatre
François Des Marteau is a Kansas City native and began his dance training at his mom's studio at the age of 7, where he danced competitively and won many numerous top awards including the Footloose Extreme Team and TOP Stars.
Francois received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory in New York where he trained under Kasuko Hirayabashi, Richard Cook, Megan Williams, and Stephanie Tooman.
He attended summer programs at Kansas City Ballet, Doug Varone & Dancers, Reverb Dance, and Dance New York International, where his choreography was selected to perform in Burgos, Spain at Teatro Principal. His performance credits include One Man's Dream II (Tokyo Disney Resort), Big Band Beat (Tokyo Disney Resort), RWS Entertainment Group, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the duet iPhone app commercial, Singapore Dance Ensemble, Peter & The Wolf (Lawrence Arts Center), & City In Motion Dance Theater.
Francois is a previous adjunct professor for the Musical Theatre & Dance department at the University of Central Missouri. He has produced award-winning choreography for multiple dance studios and is an adjudicator for local & national dance competitions. When he’s not teaching or dancing, he works as an interior designer and enjoys time with his nieces and nephews.
WHITNEY POMEROY
Ballet
Whitney began dancing at a very early age at Dance Studio 1 with Liz Kelley, training in all styles of dance, where she later became a dance instructor of Ballet, Jazz & Lyrical classes. She also studied ballet at American Dance Center with Dennis and Kathy Landsman. She was a dance performance major at Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment. While her love of dance remained, she realized that she wanted to be a businesswoman and graduated from The University of Kansas Medical Center and started her career at Lockton Companies, all the while continuing her passion and teaching dance.
Whitney has been a passionate dance educator for many years and when she is not busy managing her many accounts at Lockton Companies, she is happily playing the role of Dance Mom to her beloved Madelyn.
OLIVIA PEARSALL
Ballet
Olivia Pearsall began her ballet training at the age of three and continued her early studies with the Crooked Tree Arts Center. At sixteen, she moved to Miami Beach to join the Pre-Professional Division at Miami City Ballet School, where she performed with the main company in productions including Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Symphony in Three Movements.
Throughout her training, Olivia spent her summers studying at prestigious programs such as the Suzanne Farrell’s Cedar Island, Chautauqua Institution, Gelsey Kirkland Academy, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Miami City Ballet.
She went on to join Kansas City Ballet as a Trainee and was recently promoted to KCB II. While with Kansas City Ballet, Olivia has performed in productions including Balanchine’s Jewels, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Jekyll and Hyde.
Now an aspiring ballet instructor, Olivia is excited to share everything she has learned through her years of professional training and performance experience.
SHADAN BARRETO
Urban Hip-Hop
KATIE GREENE
Lyrical
Katie Greene was born and raised in Olathe, Kansas. She began her dance journey at House of Dance, where she trained for nine years. During her final three years at the studio, she served as a dance class assistant for younger dancers. Katie also danced for the Talons Dance Team at Olathe East High School and became captain during her senior year. She is trained in a variety of dance styles, including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop, as well as drill team styles such as Pom and Game Day.
Katie graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in Elementary Education Unified. She also earned a Spanish minor and a concentration in Special Education, reflecting two of her other passions. During her time at ESU, she was a member of the Stingers Dance Team and served as assistant coach during her senior year.
Currently, Katie teaches second grade at Heatherstone Elementary and serves as assistant coach of the Talons Dance Team at Olathe East High School. Some of her favorite memories from her time at House of Dance came from Lyrical classes, and she is excited to help create those same meaningful experiences for her students. Katie is thrilled to be back at House of Dance and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with you.
GENA CASE
Pre-School Dance
AMBER McCRACKEN
Acro-Skills
My name is Amber McCracken, and I was born and raised in Olathe, Kansas. I graduated from Olathe South High School in 1996 and earned my degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2001. I am the proud mother of three wonderful daughters—Sophia, Alexis, and Charley.
For most of my life, gymnastics has been my passion. As an athlete, coach, and judge, I have been fortunate to gain extensive experience in artistic gymnastics while learning from my mother, Linda McCracken, through McCracken’s Gymnastics & Swim School. Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with so many incredible children and families, building relationships that have meant the world to me.
I am especially grateful for the opportunity to join my longtime friend, Gaby Lucas, at House of Dance. Gaby and her family have been a part of the community for many years, making this opportunity feel especially meaningful. I look forward to sharing my love of tumbling in a positive, encouraging, and fun environment while helping young athletes build confidence, strength, and skills. It is truly an honor to give back to the tumbling community that has given so much to me.
"Gaby loves my daughters like they are her own. I've never known anyone who can consistently give every child the amount of attention, energy, love and compassion that Gaby does. House of Dance is a place where children don't just learn to dance but learn how valuable they are."
Regina Sirios
"Gaby is innovative in creating classes to accommodate the needs of her students. Gaby is not only a wonderful dance instructor but a mentor who teaches by example."
Craig & Jenny Elliott