Faculty

Guest PTD Instructor

Lauren Ader-Cumpston began her dance training at an early age in Conifer, Colorado where she studied various styles of dance including jazz, and tap. With a growing passion for ballet, she began to pursue training in classical dance and studied primarily under Nikoloz Makhateli in Denver, Colorado in the Vaganova Technique. While continuing the study of classical ballet under Nikoloz Makhateli and later Anastasiya Buchele, Ms. Lauren attended the University of Colorado at Denver, studying Biology and Pre-Physical Therapy. While unable to complete her degree before pursuing a career in dance, the time studying at UCD inspired a passionate and growing interest in Dance Medicine, cross-training and conditioning for dancers. In 2010 Ms. Cumpston had the opportunity to train at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (GKACB) under Gelsey Kirkland, Rinat Imaev, Karina Elver and Lyubov Fominich. As a part of the GKACB Studio Company, Ms. Lauren performed various works including excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, La Bayadère, La Vivandiere, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide and Napoli among others. Following her study at GKACB, Ms. Lauren moved to Chicago, IL and became a founding member of Ballet 5:8 as a Company Artist in 2012; she was later promoted to Lead Artist in 2014. While dancing with Ballet 5:8, Ms. Lauren also served as the Ballet Mistress for Ballet 5:8 Professional Company and as the Director of Residency Programs for Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts. While serving at Ballet 5:8 school of the Arts, Ms. Lauren played a crucial role in instituting and developing a curriculum for the Pre-Professional and Conservatory training programs based on the Vaganova syllabus.

Ms. Lauren moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2017 where she served as the Lead Teacher in the Pre-Professional Division at the Dance Center of San Antonio, as well as the Assistant to the Artistic Director at the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio for 3 years. In 2020 she was inspired to launch BellÈclat - Private Coaching and Mentorship and an Injury Recovery Program for Dancers. Ms. Lauren moved to Indianapolis in 2022 and is excited to continue to work with the DeCruz Ballet dancers online!

Ms. Lauren specializes in pre-professional and professional classical training, bringing a knowledge of the Vaganova technique and passion to train dancers who are, not only technicians, but also artists. With a continual passion for dance medicine, Ms. Lauren continues to learn the best practices, conditioning programs and training methods to help dancers prevent injury and to be the strongest, healthiest dancers that they can be. She has attended online courses from Harkness Center for Dance Injuries through their DanceMedU and is also certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique, a conditioning and cross training program designed by ballet teachers and physical therapists specifically for ballet dancers. In addition, reflecting her view of a need for a holistic approach to training, in 2020 Ms. Lauren became a certified member of Youth Protection and Advocates in Dance (Y.P.A.D.) where she received training in and committed to creating a healthy and safe training environment for dancers.

After school Pilates, Level 2/3 Ballet & Instructor

Grace having a passion for dance from a young age, began her ballet training with Munro Ballet in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 14, under the direction of Christina Munro and Alex Emory. 

While also spending her summers at Ballet Magnificat SDI over the years. 

Along with ballet she has trained in various dance forms, including contemporary, musical theater, ballroom, hip hop, jazz and salsa.

She performed with Corpus Christi Ballet in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and multiple contemporary pieces. 

In August of 2020, she started teaching and found a passion in teaching young dancers the beauty of expression and performing arts. 

Grace moved to San Antonio in 2022, and is excited to be pursuing a certification in Nutrition and Health Coach while continuing her teaching career. 

PTD Pilates Mat Instructor

PTD Contemporary Ballet, Level 4/5 Ballet Instructor

Originally from Austin, Texas, Michele Dement received her pre-professional training at Ballet Austin Academy and continued her studies through summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Boston Ballet. She earned her BFA in Dance from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet program at Dominican University, where she studied closely with renowned choreographer Alonzo King and performed a wide range of contemporary and classical repertoire. Following her professional training, Michele performed with several Houston-based dance companies, further developing her artistry through both professional performance and community engagement.

As an educator, Michele has over 15 years of teaching experience working with dancers ranging from preschool through professional levels. She spent eight years on the faculty of Houston Ballet Academy, teaching in both the Academy and Education and Community Engagement programs, rehearsing children for company productions, and mentoring young dancers. She later served as Associate Director of the School of Ballet San Antonio, working alongside internationally acclaimed ballerina Sofiane Sylve, where she taught all levels, developed curriculum, choreographed productions, and mentored faculty.

In addition to her formal training and teaching experience, Michele completed the Cross Threads advanced teacher training at the Paris Opera Ballet School, where she was immersed in the French syllabus and methodology of ballet training. She also completed the National Dance Institute teacher training under the guidance of the revered Jacques d’Amboise, an experience that deepened her passion for providing meaningful access to arts education for young children.

Outside of the studio, Michele is a SAG-AFTRA franchised Talent Agent with Bankston Talent Agency, where she represents youth actors in commercial, television, and film opportunities. She enjoys combining her passion for the arts with mentorship of young performers. Michele loves birds, cinema, traveling and spending time with her family.

Chief Operations Officer, Instructor, Choreographer, Social Media Creator @decruzballet on Instagram/Facebook

Choreography Website: CLICK HERE

For private lessons: BOOK HERE on Zoom

Originally from Dayton, OH, Hannah Knorr began her early training at Dayton Ballet under Dermot and Karen Russo Burke before earning a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, where she majored in Ballet Performance and minored in Health & Exercise Science. During her time at OU, she performed an extensive repertoire in both classical and contemporary styles, with highlights including works by Merce Cunningham, Trey McIntyre, George Balanchine, Amy Hall Garner, Nilas Martins, Willam Christensen, Michael Bearden, and Boyko Dossev. She also choreographed multiple mainstage productions, gala pieces, and outreach projects.

In 2021, Hannah was awarded 3rd place in the SALT Choreographic Competition for her original work (www.knorrchoreography.com). After graduating with her BFA, she danced professionally with Fort Wayne Ballet, Ballet North Texas, and Texture Contemporary Ballet, while also continuing her choreographic work for professional companies.

Hannah is currently the Social Media Creator and Manager of Operations for DeCruz Ballet, as well as an instructor and choreographer for the Professional Training Division. She is certified in Pilates and the ABT National Training Curriculum (Pre-Primary through Level 3), and in 2025, she became a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Hannah coaches and mentors dancers nationwide, offering expertise in cross-training, injury prevention, and performance readiness.

In addition to her studio work, Hannah continues to choreograph for Ballet North Texas and DeCruz Ballet and has served as an ambassador for Jess Spinner’s The Whole Dancer, sharing her passion for balance, wellness, and building strong, resilient artists.

PTD Ballet/Pointe/Variations/Repertoire Instructor & After school Level 2/3/4/5 Ballet, PBT, Pointe, Variations Instructor

Book Private Lessons: BOOK HERE

Yania Noyola graduated as a Professional Dancer and Ballet Teacher from the National School of Art of Havana in 1998, she entered the Cuban National Ballet that same year participating in all the International Ballet Festivals of Havana and in national and international tours throughout Europe and Latin America interpreting the entire classical, neoclassical and contemporary repertoire of the Company. She shared the stage with figures such as Alessandra Ferri, Carlos Acosta, Carla Fracci, Cecilia Kerche, Maximiliano Guerra, José Manuel Carreño, Tamara Rojo, Julio Bocca, among many others until 2004.

In 2004 she was offered a contract at Mexico’s Nacional Dance Company, where she danced in productions by national and international choreographers such as Mark Godden "The Afrodite’s Triumph", Mauricio Wainrot "The Mesias", Joshua Beamish "Allemande", Alberto Méndez " Tarde en la Siesta ", Gustavo Herrera" Dionaea ", George Balanchine" Serenade ", James Kelly" A Midsummer Night's Dream ", Guillermo Arriaga" Zapata "and all the classical and contemporary repertoire of the company interpreting soloists roles among which stand out the Gypsy and Carmen in "Don Quixote", the Florestan Pas de trois from "The Sleeping Beauty", the Two Swans of the "Swan Lake", The Snowflakes soloist, the Spanish Dance and the Arab Dance of the "Nutcracker".

Simultaneously, she worked as a ballet teacher in various private academies and at the professional school Eos Dance Institute.

Yania also worked as a regisseur and teacher at the National Dance Company of Mexico (CND)

She recently moved to San Antonio and has been teaching in many dance studios and academies as a certified PBT and Ballet teacher. She is a passionate teacher who enjoys transmitting and sharing her love for the art of dance.