Backstage Dance Studio has founded by Cindy Thompson in 1980. 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, 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. In 2023, Trey became the Co-Owner of Backstage Dance Studio. Although most of Trey's work is behind the scenes working on scheduling, recital, and studio operations, he is always accessible via email. 
 

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. 

Marquita brings over 15 years of dance training and award-winning choreography to the stage and studio. Her work has earned regional and national recognition, including numerous Choreography and Entertainment Awards at renowned competitions such as Primetime, Rainbow, KAR, and Nexstar. A former professional dancer and cheerleader for the Texas Copperheads, Marquita holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a Dance Teacher Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University where she was a member of the esteemed Repertory Dance Company. Her training spans Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Modern, and her choreography reflects a strong foundation in technical excellence and expressive storytelling. For 13 years, Marquita owned and operated her own studio and dance company, where she nurtured dancers of all levels and developed a thriving program rooted in discipline, creativity, and community. She is now thrilled to bring her experience, energy, and passion for teaching to Backstage Dance Studio.

Rena began ballet at the age of 7, under the instruction of her mother, Nina Marlow. She danced numerous roles in many ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, and the Nutcracker. She began teaching as a teenager, and has always loved working with children of all ages. She went on to study Psychology, and has a Bachelor of Science from NAU in AZ, in which she was a therapist for a Mental Health facility. Before joining Backstage in 2022, Rena owned her own ballet studio in Phoenix, Arizona where she taught students who scored top 12 in the state at Youth America Grand Prix.

Julie Davis began dancing at the age of four in Boulder City, Nevada. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a Minor in History, followed by a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. During her MFA, she was awarded a Teaching Fellowship and spent the next few years educating students in New Hampshire and around Houston. She taught at Houston Community College before starting her own program, Discover Dance, within Discover Gymnastics.  Triplet daughters sidelined her temporarily but a chance encounter with Backstage Dance Studio's production of The Nutcracker provided a dance home for her girls.  After years of being a “Dance Mom”, Miss Julie once again decided to dust off her dance shoes and join with the Backstage Staff in 2023.  

Beth began dancing at age 11 and trained with various studios and companies (including Backstage!), with professionals such as Justin Ray, Jacob Major and more. She is well versed in Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and musical theatre. 
Beth began her theatrical journey with NYT in 2018 and fell head over heels in love with musical theatre.
Beth’s passion for the performing arts led her to SHSU, where she is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Emphasis. She is training under Kyle Craig-Bogard, Travis Lake, Adele Nickel, Lauren Serrano, Jacob Regan, Andrew Robert Smith, and Darius Wright.
Beth discovered a love for dance education during her junior year of high school, and that love has led her back home to Backstage!
Her passion is to inspire the next generation of dancers and performers to find overwhelming freedom and joy on the stage.

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Jaycee Harrison has called Texas home for over a decade. With more than 10 years of competitive dance experience and a strong foundation in performance and instruction, 
Jaycee has taught all ages and choreographed at both studio and high school drill team levels. She specializes in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pom, and hip hop choreography. Throughout college, she earned four National Champion titles, and earlier in her dance career was a 10-time Solo Dance Winner/Finalist and Miss High Kick.
Her background includes training and performing with the Sam Houston State University Orange Pride Dance Team, McLennan Dance Company, and San Marcos High School’s Elite and Varsity Teams—where she held leadership roles as Dance Captain and Junior Lieutenant Officer.
Jaycee recently graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (Fall 2024). Her teaching style emphasizes confidence, creativity, and precision, and she is excited to inspire dancers while helping them grow in self-expression and passion.

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. 

Haylee has been dancing for 14 years and teaching for the past three. Haylee earned her Associate of Arts in Dance from Kilgore College as a member of the 82nd line of the World-Famous Rangerettes, performing at events such as the Cotton Bowl, the 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—where she appeared three times, including as part of Mariah Carey’s finale.
She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Springfield College in Massachusetts, performing works by renowned choreographers. Her original choreography, Paradox and Lost Trajectory, was showcased at the 2024 ACDA: New England Region. While in the Northeast, Haylee also trained at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Haylee's greatest passion is helping students build strong technical foundations while fostering confidence, creativity, and a belief in their own potential to achieve their dreams.

Megan Robinson began her dance journey in Cypress, Texas at Hintze Dance Center where she trained and danced competitively in a variety of style’s for 15 years. In December of 2022, she received her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Dance with Honors from Sam Houston State University where she further developed her technique in modern and improvisation. Megan also had the pleasure of attending TDEA as a collegiate assistant in 2022. As a student, she had the opportunity to take instruction from several artists such as Tim Coronado, Nick Drago, Anthony Morigerato and many more. Megan is very excited to share her passion at Backstage and create a dance space that is both constructive and supportive.

Emma Summers has been immersed in the world of dance for over 17 years, gaining experience through both training and performance. A dedicated and passionate artist, Emma has committed her life to dance and finds joy in sharing that passion through teaching. She is a proud alumna of Kilgore College, where she was a member of the prestigious Rangerettes—a role that instilled in her a deep appreciation for discipline, precision, and stage presence.

Emma will continue her dance journey this fall as a member of the Orange Pride Dance Team at Sam Houston State University and is excited to join the team at Backstage!

​Bailey Turner grew up in The Woodlands where she began her dance training at the age of four. She has participated with several competitive studios as well as her junior high and high school dance teams. She first choreographed a number for her junior high show choir and has been in love with it ever since. Bailey continued her training at The University of Mississippi where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While attending "Ole Miss" she danced with and choreographed for a contemporary company and even founded her own student lead dance company which she was elected the Artistic Director of three years in a row. Bailey looks forward to many more years of dance and fun. 

A proud dance mom and Bowling Green State University alum, Lauren brings energy, warmth, and exceptional attention to detail to every event she helps coordinate. Originally from Ohio, Lauren now lives in Montgomery with her husband and two daughters and is always ready to welcome you with a friendly smile. From planning to performance day, Lauren helps ensure our productions run smoothly and feel truly special.

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.