Cindy Thompson

Owner / Artistic Director / Instructor

Backstage Dance Studio has been owned and operated since 1980 by Cindy Thompson. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and teaching from Sam Houston State University as well as College Graduate courses in dance. She has studied dance since she was four years old and is highly trained in Classical Ballet. She has also studied the Modern and Jazz techniques throughout her life. Much of her training was in the Houston area, but she also trained at Sam Houston State University and briefly in New York. She has also performed with several dance companies and groups over the years. She now enjoys sharing the knowledge she received from all of her talented teachers and has a commitment to pass on to future dancers a love, respect and understanding of proper dance technique.​

Trey Thompson

Studio Director, Administration

Trey Thompson, Cindy's son, grew up at Backstage Dance Studio. While he did take a few classes when he was young, he quickly learned that his place was not on the stage, but behind the scenes. He discovered his passion for business and what began as part time receptionist work quickly turned into manning both Backstage locations. After graduating from Montgomery High School, he studied at Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and a Masters in Financial Management. Although most of Trey's work is behind the scenes working on scheduling, recital, and studio operations, he is always accessible via email. 

Erin Crouch

Studio Director, Operations / Instructor

Erin is originally from Ohio and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. She took a semester off from her training to appear in the European tour of The Who's Tommy. Following graduation, she spent six years in New York City pursuing a career in musical theatre. She has choreographed for numerous choirs, show choirs, and glee clubs across the nation, as well as high school musicals and college dance concerts in Ohio. She spent two years in NYC teaching preschool dance and Erin’s passion lies in blending the joy of creativity, imagination, and performing with introducing dance fundamentals. Erin is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. 

Barbara Murph

Instructor

Barbara began her dance training at age six at the Webber School of Dance. At age twelve Barbara moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where her training continued at the Bochette School of Dance, and she studied under Dance Masters of America’s (DMA) teachers in Miami, Florida.  She has Teacher Training Course qualifications in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Modern Jazz, Tap, Acrobatic Dancing and Tumbling.  Barbara is also a member of the Professional Dance Teachers Association and Ballet Master. Prior to moving to Texas she successfully owned and operated her own dance studio in Virginia for 25 years.  Barbara has been with Backstage Dance Studio since 2005 and is looking forward to sharing her love and knowledge of dance with many more students.

Chance Ennis

Competition Director / Instructor

Originally from Ames, Iowa, Chance began his early training at The Robert Thomas Dance Center and performed in The Nutcracker with the Iowa State Center Ballet before moving to New York City to study at The Joffrey Ballet School. In 2016, Chance moved to Indiana to finish his degree as a Dance Performance Major at Anderson University. Chance has danced with Gregory Hancock Dance Company, Indianapolis Ballet, Hinsdale Dance Academy, and was a company member with Ballet 5:8 based out of Chicago. Chance has taught at studios all over the country and has worked as a competition judge for Fly Dance, Hall of Fame and New York City Dance Alliance, just to name a few! 

Jimmy Thompson

Billing Manager / Receptionist

Jimmy Thompson, Cindy's husband of over 30 years, became Backstage Dance Studio's Billing Manager and Conroe Receptionist after he retired. He quickly became known as Lollipop Director, (no sibling leaves the building without a sucker from Mr. Jimmy!), Facilities Manager (handy helper) and Head of Hospitality (a friendly welcoming face at the studio). He loves to meet and interact with our dance families, and is always willing to help our great customers. 

Melise Rider

Instructor

Melise Rider is from Crowley, Louisiana and danced with Core Dance Center for ten years. She has been teaching dance for over twenty years in the subjects of ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. Before joining Backstage Dance Studio, she served as a ballet director for Kathy Kurth Dance Studio in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Her training consist of Cechetti Ballet and Jazz with styles that are strong in traditional technique. Melise has danced with Lake Charles Ballet Company and has toured with Dance Olympus as a VIP. She has a love for choreography and children and is happy to be with Backstage Dance Studio with a primary goal to share her passion of dance with others. Melise thanks her husband and six children for supporting her in staying involved with dance.

Miranda Havard

Instructor

Miranda Havard started dancing at the age of six years old. Her passion for dance truly started in high school where she was captain of her drill team and elite dance group. She has had numerous performances, competitions, and workshop opportunities that paved her path to start teaching. During college she taught private dance classes, drill team prep, ballet, technique sessions, competitive jazz and a dance class for children with special needs. Miranda also works in healthcare at an inpatient hospital for rehabilitation. In addition, she is a certified in group fitness and enjoys teaching and encouraging support groups. Besides being a mom, Miranda’s proudest accomplishment is being able to see her students grow as individuals and enjoy her classes.

Natalia Belden

Instructor

Natalia is originally from Russia and moved to Houston, Texas in May 2014. She started her artistic career at eight years old in the Up Circus school for approximately nine years. She graduated as a juggler and acrobatic artist. After high school, she studied at the College of Culture and Arts as a choreographer/teacher for three years. Natalia went on to Sports Academy Lesgaft in St. Petersburg for one year taking jazz and modern. She worked with Dance Studio Image throughout China as a dancer and at the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Blvd. Nikulin as a dancer with the Dance Theatre Favorite along with famous Russian artists. In 2015 Natalia received her Master's Degree in Folk Art Creativity / Artistic Director of Choreography and Teaching from the University of Khabarovsk Culture and Art in Russia.

Rachel Norris

Instructor / Administrative Assistant

Rachel has been dancing from the age of six, and has always loved getting to share her passion for performance arts with others. Her training includes over twelve combined years of Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Tap. Having lived in three states throughout her childhood and teen years, staying heavily involved in a dance studio was always a priority for her. She found a passion for theatre after getting involved in a Musical Theatre class at her final dance studio, and her love of the arts grew even more. From there she continued her theatrical journey throughout high school and college, graduating from Sam Houston State University in May 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Theatre. While there, she also received advanced education in dance techniques.

Rena Backer

Instructor

Rena's Bio is Coming Soon!

Shara Phillips

Instructor

Shara Phillips began studying dance when she was three years old. She has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and lyrical. Shara has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Sam Houston State University.  She spent four years with a professional contemporary dance company, where she was able to act as both a dancer and choreographer. Shara has been teaching dance for over seventeen years and has been with Backstage Dance Studio for ten of those years. She looks forward to many more years of sharing her love of dance with her students.