About
What We Believe In
The studio carries a long tradition of excellence, with graduates continuing their dance careers as professional dancers in companies across the United States. Many have also become instructors and choreographers with universities and dance companies.
Rose Thayer Academy of Dance was established in 1982 by Rose Thayer and is located on 16th Street in Orange. Christi Thayer Kovatch became owner and director in the Spring of 2014, carrying on the tradition that her mother began 34 years prior.
The Academy performs in civic functions, benefits, and parades for the Orange community.
We Believe That:
- Dance is for everyone.
- Providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere is paramount.
- Teaching dance isn’t our only goal. We want to be strong role models and help instill good values in our students.
- Fostering positive interactions with others will help our students as they grow.
- Building lifelong friendships is just as important as learning how to dance.
- Diversity is something to be celebrated.
- Building confidence and positive self-esteem is necessary for our students to be able to mature into strong adults.
Meet Our Staff
Christi Thayer Kovatch – Owner/Director
From the age of 18 months, Christi embarked on her dance journey under the expert guidance of her mother and studio founder, Rose Thayer. Over the years, Christi’s love for dance grew. She was a member of Texas Dance Expressions during its inaugural year. She also took part in drill team in high school representing WO-S as a member and officer of the Fillies. With more than 20 years of instructing and choreographing experience, Christi’s expertise is further amplified by her certifications in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Modern, Pointe, and Pre-Ballet through DEA (Dance Educators of America).
Her exceptional choreography has garnered numerous regional and national accolades, while her collaboration with local drill teams has elevated their technique and performances. Additionally, Christi has played a pivotal role in the choreography and production of the Service League of Orange’s Follies for several successful runs. Since its inception, she and her studio have been actively involved in the National Dance Day celebrations in Orange, TX.
Throughout her career, Christi has had the privilege of training under esteemed instructors such as Nan Giordano, Charles Kelley, Raymond Lukens (American Ballet Theatre), Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance), Steve Sirico, Joe Tremaine, and Rhee Gold. Building on the legacy her mother established, Christi took over the dance studio in 2014. Her primary focus has been to create an empowering environment that not only emphasizes technical excellence and cutting-edge choreography but also nurtures growth and a strong sense of community.
Christi’s journey as a dancer, instructor, and choreographer is an ode to her unwavering dedication, refined expertise, and the enduring bond she has forged within the dance community.
Harriette Risinger – Office Manager
Harriette has worked at Thayer Dance Academy for 20+ years, sharing her expertise in education and supervision. With 34 years of teaching third and fourth grade under her belt, Harriette has an uncontested passion for seeing students excel in what they love. She has two sons and four granddaughters. When she is not greeting our students, she loves traveling.
Rosie Kovatch – Instructor
Rosie is an award-winning dance instructor and choreographer, inspiring people of all ages to move their bodies and unlock their creative potential. She graduated from Orangefield High School as a Sophisticat with multiple leadership roles. She was historian for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society and currently attends Lamar University. With 17 years of experience at Thayer Dance Academy and a Dance Teacher University Certification, Rosie brings passion, patience, and unique ideas to each class she teaches. Her mission is to help her students tap into the joy that comes from dancing while empowering them with confidence in themselves. Her vision for every student who walks through the doors is that they leave feeling accomplished – both on the dance floor and off!
Jocelynn Myrick – Instructor
Jocelynn helps young dancers reach their full potential with consistency and dedication. As a former drill team captain and All American Dancer, Jocelynn brings 15 years of dance experience to the table! Her mission is to support every dancer on their journey towards excellence in both technique and expression while inspiring within them the confidence to succeed. She encourages her students to never give up, focus on improvement through repetition, and recognize that progress comes with persistent effort. With her unique value, rooted in hard work and expertise, combined with fun-loving energy – Jocelynn’s vision is for every student she works with will break boundaries they didn’t think were possible!
Sydney Catt – Instructor
Sydney is here to help dancers express their individuality through fun and creative dance! With an enthusiastic passion, she loves encouraging movement that lets dancers discover their own unique sense of self. A graduate from Orangefield High School with a Magna Cum Laude diploma in hand and a love for all things red, Sydney has spent the past 16 years honing her craft at Thayer Dance Academy and making sure no dancer will ever feel like they have to conform to any mold. Her mission is to spread the joy of self-expression through dance, while her vision is one where every dancer feels empowered by who they are and what they can do.
Jorden Prewitt – Instructor
Jorden Prewitt is on a mission to help young people reach their fullest potential! With her competitive cheer and tumbling experience, she has the ability to equip aspiring athletes with the tools they need to compete at a high level. Her 17 years of dance training as well as being a U.S. Finals National Champion in 2013 make her an asset for any artistic growth journey. On top of all that, she holds certifications in BLS, CPR and Acrobatic Arts. When she is not teaching, Jorden loves cooking, and hunting and fishing with her fiance’. With warmth and enthusiasm, Jorden will have your student feeling confident about their goals while enjoying every minute of class.
Robyn Massa – Instructor
Robyn graduated from West Orange-Stark and Lamar University with a degree in General Studies and a minor in Anthropology. With 17 years of experience teaching dance at Thayer Dance Academy combined with her expertise in cheerleading, Robyn brings a unique energy into each session. Her mission is to create meaningful connections with every student while inspiring them through knowledge and skill acquisition. Her vision is to foster an environment that provides comfortability and growth within each individual she meets!
Karleigh Engle – Instructor
A shining star from Orangefield High School, whose dedication to dance has earned her prestigious accolades like the Gussie Nell Davis award and All American. When the dance shoes come off, Karleigh enjoys quality moments with her family and friends and indulging in a good book.
Mia Davila – Instructor
Mia is a graduate of LCM. Her dance journey extends beyond performance. This is her second family. Mia was part of the honeybears drill team for four years and captain for two of those years. Her leadership skills have earned her prestigious awards, including All American Dancer and the Gussie Nell Davis award.
Rose Thayer – Founder
Rose made her dream of owning her own dance studio come alive in 1982. She had already taught several years for Ingram School of Dance, where she danced for 17 years. Rose passed the love of dance to her three daughters, one of whom took over the school. Rose retired from teaching after 40 amazing years.
Competitive Dance
Thayer Dance Academy Dance Company
Our company is a FAMILY. Our goal is for our members to build strong bonds and support each other as they grow in both dance and life. Our roots date back to 1990 when Rose Thayer Academy of Dance began its competitive dance program. It has been known by a few different names over the years, but the focus has always been the same.
The TDA Company is competitive in nature. Our members have brought home hundreds of awards since its inception. We attend several competitions each year, both on the regional and national level. Our members must have taken ballet, tap, and jazz prior to auditioning.
All members continue to take part in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop routines. The reason for this is simple.
Our goal is to ensure all of our dancers receive a well-rounded dance education. We want them to easily adapt to various dance styles when trying out for drill team or cheerleading in high school, when they pursue membership in a dance company in college, or when they pursue a professional dance career. This focus can give our members an edge over the competition and allow the versatility of their training to shine.
In order to aid in this dance education, our members receive instruction from both our experienced studio staff and guest instructors. By exposing our members to a variety of instruction styles it allows them to hone their ability to adapt and flourish in instructional settings. Our guest instructors came from a wide variety of backgrounds and are well known and respected throughout the dance community.
As we enter our 29th year of competitive dance, our members have begun training with the goal of performing together as a team, attaining personal growth goals, and to continue the legacy of excellence in dance.