MEET THE TEACHERS
Our dance teachers play a pivotal role in our dancers’ education by imparting knowledge, skills, and artistic expression to the students. We are educators, mentors, and choreographers experienced in teaching all ages and levels in various dance styles.
As dance teachers, we recognize the unique strengths and challenges of each student and provide individualized feedback and corrections on technique, posture, and artistic expression, helping students grow as performers.
Our goal is not only help instill discipline by enforcing proper technique, punctuality, and respect for the art form, but to also foster a passion for dance in your child, encouraging him or her to express their creativity through dance.
Mariya Kret, Studio Owner
Ms. Mariya started her dance education at the age of 5 at Kathy Marfin’s Dance School in San Antonio, TX where she studied ballet, pointe, and jazz. She danced with the KMDS Competition Team for five years and won multiple first place awards for pointe solos, pointe duets, pointe trios, and ballet group dances. While a competitive dancer, she attended numerous dance conventions with Tremaine, DEA, and showstopper and took classes from Mia Michaels.
Ms. Mariya attended the Ballet Austin Summer Intensive and took classes from Ballet Master Li-Chou Cheng. She also studied classical ballet at Mayra Worthen Ballet School and Connally’s Dance Workshop. She was a company member and soloist with the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet and performed at the Regional Dance America Southwest in Arkansas. During high school, she was also a member of the Brahmadora Dance Team for three years and was an officer her senior year. Ms. Mariya has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah and is a licensed professional engineer.
Ms. Mariya is passionate about continuing education and has attended the Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas for the past two summers. While at the conference, she took master classes from industry experts such as Julie Kay Stallcup, Tashan Muir, Liz Imperio, and Denise Wall. Ms. Mariya has completed the Level 1 coursework for the Dance Teacher University and has been PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) certified since 2020.
Camille Tokar Pavliska
Camille Tokar Pavliska is from Floresville, TX. She began her dance training at Ballet San Antonio Academy and later the Dance Center of San Antonio and Premiere Ballet Academy. She competed with both Ballet San Antonio Academy and the Dance Center of San Antonio’s competition teams where she won multiple awards for solos and group pieces. From 8th grade to Senior Year, she danced with the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet under the direction of Susan Beil Connally and Karin Connally Heiden where she had the honor of performing Soloist and Principal roles.
While with San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet she attended and performed in multiple Regional Dance America festivals where her choreography was accepted in 2019 and 2020. She has attended summer programs with Houston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, BODYTRAFFIC, BalletX, and the National Choreography Intensive on scholarship where she was the recipient of the Spark Award. She was accepted into the Emerging Choreographers Forum SF in 2021. Her choreography was performed at the Ancient Lakes Dance Festival in 2021. Her performing and choreographic work on the dance film Telephone has been screened at film festivals and featured in multiple publications including the New York Times.
She is a graduate of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in San Francisco, CA under the direction of Karah Abiog. While at LINES she performed in works by Sidra Bell, Gregory Dawson, Alonzo King, Chuck Wilt, and Keelan Whitmore, among others. She choreographed three pieces while at LINES. She danced professionally with Dawson Dance SF under the direction of Gregory Dawson.
Dr. Truly A. Davis
Dr. Truly A. Davis — known simply as Dr. Tru — brings over two decades of teaching experience and a rare academic distinction to the studio floor: a PhD in Visual Art with a focus on dance, a credential held by virtually no one else teaching in a studio setting. Her doctoral research explored Black tap dance as culture, history, and embodied knowledge. She trained at East Carolina University and Hollins University, studying ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and musical theatre alongside artists who have become pillars of the contemporary dance world.
Her teaching career has spanned public schools, higher education institutions including St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Bowie State University, and studios from Virginia to Washington, DC, reaching students from age 5 through adulthood, from beginners to professionals, and even extending to monks in Japan and children in Costa Rica. As a choreographer, she has created work for Light Switch Dance Theatre, the Maryland Dance Alliance, and NACHMO DC, and served as guest choreographer for productions at the Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC.
Dr. Tru was named the 2024 Teaching Artist of the Year by the Maryland Dance Education Association and has presented her scholarship nationally. She firmly believes that every student, regardless of age, background, or experience, deserves access to rigorous, joyful, meaningful dance education. That conviction is the through line of everything she teaches.
Erin Jones
With an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, Erin Jones is a beloved figure in Wilson County. From the tender age of three, she discovered her passion for dance and honed her skills under the tutelage of Dorothy Keck Dancers in San Antonio, TX. Coming from a family deeply rooted in dance, Erin’s mother Bobbie Ray also shared her knowledge as a dance teacher for 27 years.
Continuing her quest for excellence, Erin actively participates in master classes, workshops, dance camps, and conventions, staying at the forefront of her craft. Her profound love for both dance and children shines through in her teaching technique. Filled with boundless patience, she ensures age-appropriate instruction, creating a fun and interactive environment for each student.
Above all, Erin is dedicated to nurturing her students’ knowledge of the art of dance, inspiring their artistic growth and creativity.
Kaylee Hannig
Kaylee Hannig started dancing at a young age and has been passionate about it ever since. She has trained in various styles of dance including, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern. Kaylee trained at The Dance Zone in Henderson, Nevada through her childhood and high school years, and became a teacher at the studio after graduating.
In 2019 Kaylee graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with her Certificate of Achievement in Dance and Associate of Arts degree. Kaylee has performed in several dance festivals including Las Vegas Dance in the Desert Festival, Arizona Dance Festival, and Red Rock Dance Festival. In 2021 her choreography “Impermanence of a Moment” was selected as a finalist in the Red Rock Dance Festival.
Kaylee has had the pleasure of dancing for Kelly Roth and Dancers, Kremer Dance Collective, Frit and Frat Fuller with Kin Dance Company, Meraki Dance Theatre, Danny Mendoza Project, and Candy Jimenez. Kaylee looks forward to continuing her journey as a choreographer and growing as a dance artist.
Bekah Maynard
With a dance journey that commenced at the age of 3, I’ve immersed myself in an array of dance styles, mastering jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, clogging, tap, ballet, and modern. My training reads like a who’s who of the dance world, with influential mentors including Twitch (Stephen Boss), Jose Soto, Seth Zibalese, Matt Tseng, Sabrina Phillips, Joe Tremain, Don Mirault, Jojo Gomez, and more shaping my artistic path.
Originally from Austin, I embarked on my dance journey at Cedar Park Dance Company at the tender age of 3. As the years unfolded, I transitioned into competitive dancing at 5, participating in solo competitions and joining a competitive team at 8. Harnessing my passion, I delved into teaching and choreography at the young age of 14, crafting intricate solos and choreographing for esteemed groups such as The La Vernia Honey Bears. My journey is not just a personal exploration of dance but a commitment to imparting my knowledge and artistry to aspiring dancers.
Meribeth Patterson
Ms. Meribeth has been dancing since the age of five, with training in classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and lyrical. She has performed in numerous musical and ballet productions, including The Nutcracker, Pinocchio, and Alice in Wonderland. From 2014 to 2018, she was a company member at the School of Classical Ballet and Dance in New Braunfels, Texas.
In 2019, Ms. Meribeth had the opportunity to study dance through the University of the Nations in Hawaii. This program took her to Nepal, where she taught dance to local children, further deepening her passion for sharing dance across cultures.
She has been teaching dance since 2015 and most recently served as the performing arts instructor at Robert E. Sides Elementary in Karnes, Texas.
Ashlynn Hall
Ashlynn Hall is a former MK Dance Academy student and returning teacher for the 2026 season. She began her journey with MKDA when the studio first opened and is thrilled to now share her love and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.
Ashlynn began dancing at the age of three with Mrs. Erin Jones’ School of Dance before continuing her training at Illusion Dance Center from 2019 to 2023. She joined MK Dance Academy in fall 2023 and became a second-year member of the MK Dance Company, where she had the opportunity to perform and compete as a senior. Ashlynn has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro.
Ashlynn is dedicated, passionate, and dances with her whole heart. For her, dance is more than movement—it is a place of peace, expression, and joy. She strives to live every day to the fullest and hopes to inspire her students to do the same—to dance boldly, love what they do, and always dance with their whole heart