— Faculty

The people
behind the barre.

Our instructors bring years of training and performance experience into every class — guiding dancers with care, precision, and genuine passion for the craft.

Scroll to meet the faculty →

Portrait of Alana Ralphs01 / 07

Ballet · Jazz · Modern

Alana Ralphs

Artistic Director

Alana Ralphs has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, and modern dance since the age of five, performing in a variety of classical and contemporary productions throughout her training. Her passion for teaching began early and has grown into years of experience mentoring young dancers both technically and artistically. As Artistic Director at The Dance Barre, Alana is dedicated to creating an inspiring environment where students can develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for dance.

Portrait of Seana Marie Martinez02 / 07

Tap

Seana Marie Martinez

Assistant Director · Tap Instructor

Seana Marie Martinez is an accomplished dance educator, performer, and choreographer with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. With training beginning at just three years old, she developed a strong foundation in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe through years of competitive and pre-professional dance training across Texas. Throughout her career, Seana has performed in stage productions, musical theater, commercials, corporate events, and professional entertainment shows, including performances with Six Flags Over Texas and appearances connected to the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. She has dedicated more than two decades to teaching and mentoring young dancers at respected studios throughout DFW, helping students build confidence, technique, artistry, and a love for dance.

Portrait of Kristin Watson03 / 07

Hip Hop

Kristin Watson

Hip Hop Instructor

Kristin Watson is a two-time National Hip-Hop Champion with the University of Memphis Dance Team and a former member of the Memphis Grizzlies Dance Team. She has performed alongside artists including CeeLo Green, Snoop Dogg, Jabbawockeez, and Three 6 Mafia. Passionate about inspiring young dancers, Kristin loves teaching jazz, hip-hop, and technique while creating a positive and empowering environment for students to grow with confidence.

Portrait of Molly Mattingly04 / 07

Tap · Jazz

Molly Mattingly

Tap & Jazz Instructor

Molly Mattingly is an educator-turned-missionary who was born and raised in Flower Mound. She trained at Top Hat Dance Center for 13 years before joining the Marquettes at Marcus High School. Molly graduated in 2020 from Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in psychology and social justice. Even though she officially hung up her dance shoes in 2016, she continued performing and helping choreograph for university programs whenever she could. Today, Molly works for a nonprofit missions organization, leading trips around the world. Her favorite place growing up was her dance studio, and she is excited to return to the dance world and inspire young dancers through the same positive studio experience she loved growing up.

Portrait of Gillian Brown05 / 07

Modern

Gillian Brown

Modern/Ballet

Gillian Brown is a passionate dancer and educator trained at the Ballet Conservatory and Ballet Academy of Texas. She holds a B.S. in Dance from Texas A&M, where she performed in both student and faculty productions. With experience teaching ballet and contemporary, Gillian loves inspiring young dancers through choreography and student-centered instruction. She will continue her studies in Fall 2026, pursuing an MFA in Dance at Texas Woman's University, and is excited to begin her journey with The Dance Barre Co. alongside one of her first teachers.

Portrait of Alyssa Runyan06 / 07

Ballet

Alyssa Runyan

Ballet Mistress

Alyssa Runyan brings an impressive background in ballet performance, training, and education. She has studied with renowned instructors and trained at prestigious programs including Boston Ballet and Ballet West. Alyssa has performed leading roles and worked as a soloist, in addition to touring and teaching both nationally and internationally.

Portrait of Brinley Tuma07 / 07

Front Desk · Substitute Instructor

Brinley Tuma

Front Desk Coordinator

Brinley Tuma is the new front desk representative and resident substitute teacher, bringing both professionalism and a lifelong passion for dance to the studio. She has been dancing for 17 years and recently completed her first year in Texas Ballet Theatre's Professional Training Division, where she continued to refine her artistry and technical training at a pre-professional level. Prior to joining Texas Ballet Theatre, Brinley trained for four years with Ballet Academy of Texas, building a strong classical foundation and deep love for performance. Throughout her training, she has also attended prestigious summer intensives with Orlando Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre. Brinley is excited to share her knowledge, enthusiasm, and positive energy with students and families both in the classroom and at the front desk.

Interested in joining our faculty? Get in touch