FACULTY

Amanda Petit- Ballet, contemporary, jazz & modern

Amanda Petit is a professional dancer, dance instructor, and choreographer. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she began dancing at the age of five. Training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, pointe, and hip-hop, her passion for dance quickly grew into an urge for a career. After her success at the Youth America Grand Prix, she decided to transition to The Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education to further her training. From there, she progressed into the second company and eventually had her soloist début as Marya in John McFall’s “The Nutcracker” under the direction of Gennadi Nedvigin. During her time in The Atlanta Ballet, she premiered in various works including, The Four Seasons by James Kudelka, Olive Tree by Tara Lee, Sleeping Beauty by John McFall, Moulin Rouge by Jorden Morris, Serenade by George Balanchine, Quietly Walking by Gina Patterson, Don Quixote by Marius Petipa, Cicada by Heath Gill, and Reign by Sarah Hillmer. She later transitioned into the performance world of the cruise industry. Being a dancer aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas diversified and widened her arsenal of dance styles, bringing Argentine tango, Broadway, Fosse, and jazz funk into her realm. She has experienced both ballet and performance world and has enjoyed every second if it! 

Amanda has been teaching for five years, holding experience in instructing ballet, variations, pointe work, partnering, conditioning, contemporary, modern, jazz, and Broadway styles, ages toddlers to adults. She has choreographed for solos and group work, in both competition and performance settings. She uses Pilates, yoga, and Progressive Ballet Technique in her conditioning classes to strengthen her dancers and encourage them to use their bodies to their fullest potential. She finds her utmost passion in encouraging and building the next generation of dancers in a loving, hard-working, and empowering way. When she is not in the studio, you can find Amanda outside, hiking, biking, running, and scuba diving! She is delighted to be teaching at Royalty Dance Academy and thanks each of you for trusting her with your children.  

Shelby Fox was born and raised in Little Rock, AR. She started dancing at the age 4 at Shuffles and Ballet II and then moved to Wichita, KS to get her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet at Friends University. She has training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. While at Friends, she choreographed The Mikado and The Secret Garden as well as her very own showcase, Koinopoios dia Chorou. After graduating, she taught various classes for Christian Youth Theater Wichita as well as choreographed Fiddler on the Roof. She focuses on teaching injury preventative technique and works to keep students as safe as possible while dancing. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the results of students learning and growing. Seeing the lightbulb moments for each student is the most fulfilling aspect of the job, and the reason she felt called to teach.

Ms. Jamie is a homeschooled senior and has been a student of Royalty Dance Academy for five years. She has studied jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, and her favorite style, tap. Jamie is thrilled to be dancing a second year on the Prodigy competition team and as a soloist. She is also looking forward to training with Rhythmic Souls Tap Company this upcoming year. She recently performed in Royalty Dance Academy’s ballet productions The Greatest Showman and Mary Poppins Returns. Jamie has been a student teacher for three years assisting in combo, ballet, and tap classes. Helping young dancers grow in their technique and passion for dance is the highlight of her week. She believes that dance is one way of sharing God’s joy and beauty with the world. When she is not dancing you can find her playing the guitar, practicing photography, or hanging out with her friends. After graduating, she plans on attending Collin College and majoring in Kinesiology. Jamie is excited to direct the Royalty Dance Troupe and is grateful to have this opportunity as she continues her dance journey.

Susanna Wesson began her dance training at Timbrel School for the Arts. She later moved on to Royalty Dance Academy where she trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Acro, and Jazz. Susanna has performed featured roles in Royalty Dance Academy’s ballet productions such as Queen Victoria in The Greatest Showman, and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns. She has also been in Ballet North Texas’s productions of the Nutcracker and Coppealia. Susanna’s main passion is ballet but enjoys all styles of dance. Susanna loves sharing her passion with others through teaching and enjoys working with kids. She is currently a trainee with Ballet North Texas and is pursuing a professional career in ballet.

I began my training of dance in hip hop at Kids Club in Vancouver, Washington from 2004-2005. I then moved to Rockwall, Texas and found Royalty Dance Academy where I trained in hip hop, jazz/technique, ballet, lyrical, modern, contemporary, novelty and was on the competition team from 2005-2014. This is also when I began my teaching career. I was the first student teacher at Royalty Dance Academy from 2005-2006. I then became the first head student teacher at Royalty Dance Academy from 2006-2008. After that I became the first assistance teacher at Royalty Dance Academy from 2008-2014. I trained in tumbling at United Elite from 2009-2012 I moved to Lubbock, Texas to go to Texas Tech University and received my Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Minor in Health Professions and was a member of the sorority Alpha Chi Omega. I was a part of  the dance company Vitality in 2014-2015 where I trained in hip hop, contemporary, and jazz. I moved to Midland, Texas where I taught at Absolute Dance in hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, acro, pom, stretch/strength, competition teams, solos, and duets from 2017-2019. I trained under the Changing Lives program led by Kim McSwain and her faculty Makenzie Dustman, Jose Soto, Ricky Maalouf, Krista Barker, and Haley Trevino. I also trained under Michelle Keys and Whitney Foster for professional sideline style. I have choreographed for Augusta Youth School of Dance competition team. I am now in the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Tarrant County College and will be licensed in July 2021.

I love teaching because of the impact I’m making on girls lives and watching them grow over the years. I also love the positive energy and joy that they bring to the dance class. Kids are the future and getting to teach them is one of the best gifts.