The Young Company
Cultivate passion. Discover potential. Inspire excellence.
The Young Company
Cultivate passion. Discover potential. Inspire excellence.
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TYC Faculty
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Jalyn is originally from Princeton, Indiana where she grew up traveling and competiting in all styles of dance since the age of 8. She assisted companies at conventions throughout the U.S. After high school she moved to New York City where she attended Marymount Manhattan College as a double major in dance and business. While in New York
Jalyn is originally from Princeton, Indiana where she grew up traveling and competiting in all styles of dance since the age of 8. She assisted companies at conventions throughout the U.S. After high school she moved to New York City where she attended Marymount Manhattan College as a double major in dance and business. While in New York she held a full time job as an events operation director while cheering as a member of the New York Jets Flight Crew. In 2018 Jalyn made the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and is now in her fifth season as a Group Leader. Jalyn has performed with artists Meghan Trainor, Todrick Hall, Luke Combs, Ellie Goulding, Kane Brown, Imagine Dragons, Gwen Stefani and Queen.
With over 10 years of choreography experience, Jalyn continues to travel and work with dancers and companies around the globe.
Giovanna Ramos Instructor
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Giovanna Ramos has been dancing since the age of 2 and has been trained in all styles of dance. It was a passion of hers at a very early age, and still is to this day!
At 18 years old she started teaching at a dance studio on Long Island and taught there for 9 years. She has taught all styles of dance, recreation level and competition leve
Giovanna Ramos has been dancing since the age of 2 and has been trained in all styles of dance. It was a passion of hers at a very early age, and still is to this day!
At 18 years old she started teaching at a dance studio on Long Island and taught there for 9 years. She has taught all styles of dance, recreation level and competition level. Many of her dances / students have won first place at competitions and received special awards.
After graduating high school, she auditioned for the New York Lizards Dance Team (NY’s Major League Lacrosse Team). During her 3 years dancing for the NY Lizards, she had the opportunity to choreograph many routines. This includes center field dances, side line routines, and audition choreography. After leaving the team, she was asked to come back as a guest judge for auditions.
While judging the auditions, she realized she wasn’t ready to give up dancing and decided to audition for the New York Jets Flight Crew Cheerleaders. Making the team was an absolute dream come true! After spending two amazing seasons cheering for the New York Jets, she retired and hung up her poms.
Since leaving the Jets, she has received her MBA in Accounting, got married, and moved to Texas! She is so excited to continue her love of dance with TYC and to get to know all of the amazing students!
Savanna Dastrup Instructor
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Savanna Dastrup Instructor
Savanna Dastrup began dancing at 18 months old, and has been pursuing her passion ever since. She danced competitively for 12 years at The Dance Club in Orem, Utah, competing in various dance styles including jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet, tap, and acro. In 2018, her team won 1st place at NYCDA Nationals and her studio earned the prestigi
Savanna Dastrup began dancing at 18 months old, and has been pursuing her passion ever since. She danced competitively for 12 years at The Dance Club in Orem, Utah, competing in various dance styles including jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet, tap, and acro. In 2018, her team won 1st place at NYCDA Nationals and her studio earned the prestigious title of Studio of the Year.
Along with studio dance, Savanna also danced for her high school dance company and was a National Honors Society for Dance Arts recipient. She was also a member of the varsity cheer squad, an All-State cheerleader, and varsity lettered.
Savanna had the opportunity to dance with the professional dance company, Odyssey Dance Theatre, for two years. Additionally, she was selected as a backup dancer for Disney star Sofia Wylie.
Savanna taught dance at SMASH Dance Academy in Provo, UT, where she instructed various styles of dance. She also holds a group fitness certification and has taught several classes!
Two years ago, Savanna moved to Texas to pursue her dreams! She is currently studying at TCU. Savanna's love for dance led her to audition for the TCU pom team. She is a current member of TCU Showgirls. She performs at all football, basketball, and baseball games! This last year Savanna had the opportunity to cheer at the College Football National Championship!
Savanna thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for dance with others and is excited to be a member of The Young Dance Company family!
Brianne Lindenau Instructor
Jalyn Stough. Owner & Team Director
Savanna Dastrup Instructor
Brianne is originally from the Bay Area, California, where she grew up dancing and competing since the age of 3. She has trained in many styles of dance, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and pom. Tap has always been one of her favorite styles and she has won various competition titles with her tap solos through
Brianne is originally from the Bay Area, California, where she grew up dancing and competing since the age of 3. She has trained in many styles of dance, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and pom. Tap has always been one of her favorite styles and she has won various competition titles with her tap solos throughout her years of competitive studio dance. In High School, Brianne was a member of both the cheer and dance teams, while still training and competing with her studio. After high school, she attended the University of Arizona and continued to pursue her passion for dance. She was a member of the university's Black N' Blue Hip Hop Crew for one year, as well as a member of the Arizona Pomline for 3 years. At the end of her junior year on the Arizona Pomline, she was awarded "MVP" by her coach and teammates. In her spare time throughout college, Brianne taught all styles of dance at a local studio and really began to discover her love for teaching. Brianne majored in Criminal Justice Studies and also completed a minor in Sports Management; she earned her Bachelor's Degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the U of A this past May. Most recently, Brianne had the amazing experience of being a candidate in the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Training Camp 2025. She is extremely excited to join the TYC family and to share her love for dance and teaching with everyone!
Ryan McBride Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Claire Schmidt Instructor
Ryan McBride was born and raised here in Dallas, Texas, and has been dancing since he was 3 years old. Ryan has been with competitive dance teams for 6 years and is currently part of the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Dance Team 🌀 @dcrhythmblue 🌀 Ryan loves performing and dancing! Ryan is excited to continue to grow his skills as a teacher at TYC and can't wait to get to know everyone.
Claire Schmidt Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Claire Schmidt Instructor
Claire is 22 years old and has been dancing for the past 18 years of her life! She began her training at a dance studio in her hometown of Plano, Tx where she was classically trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, and Jazz. At her studio she was a part of their performance company for 3 years. When she entered highschool she fell in love with
Claire is 22 years old and has been dancing for the past 18 years of her life! She began her training at a dance studio in her hometown of Plano, Tx where she was classically trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, and Jazz. At her studio she was a part of their performance company for 3 years. When she entered highschool she fell in love with drill team and the opportunities for leadership, competing, friendship, and traveling that it offered. She did HS Drill Team for 4 years and held officer positions for three of those years. Claire attends Texas A&M University where she was a part of the Texas A&M Dance Program. In the program she was further trained in the dance styles of ballet and modern, and had the opportunity to preform in and choreograph for program shows. Through her education at TAMU she learned how to apply science and kinesiology to the art of dancing for safety and training. Claire is very excited to incorporate that information into her classes! In August, Claire will graduate from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Dance Science. She is very excited to begin her teaching career with us at The Young Company!
Jena Hendrix Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Miss Jena was born and raised in a small town in Oregon. Starting dance at the age of four, Jena grew up dancing at Silverton Ballet and Performing Arts Co. and later joined Portland Youth Ballet. Jena has trained in various styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Jena was also a part o
Miss Jena was born and raised in a small town in Oregon. Starting dance at the age of four, Jena grew up dancing at Silverton Ballet and Performing Arts Co. and later joined Portland Youth Ballet. Jena has trained in various styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Jena was also a part of the Silverton Dance Team throughout high school where she was awarded a dance scholarship and was selected to be a part of the 2015 All-State team.
Growing up, Jena attended many summer intensives including Joffrey Ballet, and NW Dance Project 🩰 After high school, she continued her dance training in Boston, Los Angeles, and at the Joffrey Ballet School in Texas. She found her passion for teaching while a student teacher at her hometown studio. Since graduating, Jena has worked as a dance teacher in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and acrobatics. Jena moved back to Texas last year where she looks forward to pursue her passion for dance in new ways. She hopes to share her passion for dance with her students and help them live their dream ♥️
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Desiree Valdovinos Instructor
Desiree is originally from the Pacific Northwest. Although born in Southern California she was raised in a small town south of Seattle and began her training in ballet at 6 years old. Not long after she added jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hula, and rhythmic gymnastics to her repertoire. Upon graduating high school she pursued her p
Desiree is originally from the Pacific Northwest. Although born in Southern California she was raised in a small town south of Seattle and began her training in ballet at 6 years old. Not long after she added jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hula, and rhythmic gymnastics to her repertoire. Upon graduating high school she pursued her professional ballet career with Anaheim Ballet as a soloist in their traveling nutcrackers and independent performances. After completing 16 years of The Nutcracker performing every
role from party child to the principal sugar plum fairy, she finished her Bachelors of Arts degree at Seattle Pacific University in Physiology where she also performed on the dance team. She credits the development of her classical technique to the late Philip Beamish himself as well as Jehrin Alexandria. In 2019 after completing her Masters Degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition she began competing pro/am with her coach Lukas Spisak in Latin and Standard Ballroom - taking 1st place in her division at major competitions such as Emerald Ball and Seattle Star Ball. With an accumulation of 27 years of performing, competing, and coaching all across North America and Mexico, she’s excited to bring a new genre to TYC, i.e. Latin ballroom!
Delana Benson Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Delana Benson Instructor
Delana is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and artist focused on intentional movement, exploration, and expression that feels honest. Originally from Missouri and now based in Dallas, she is currently finishing her training with SEGWAY, a program under The SoulEscape Company.
Her experience includes Dance Makers Collective Season XI,
Delana is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and artist focused on intentional movement, exploration, and expression that feels honest. Originally from Missouri and now based in Dallas, she is currently finishing her training with SEGWAY, a program under The SoulEscape Company.
Her experience includes Dance Makers Collective Season XI, Tremaine Performance Company, and various collaborative projects across stage, film, and concept work. She is currently assisting Liz Bezler and working with Worship Werk, a faith-based movement collective.
Delana is drawn to presence and awareness in her work, with an appreciation for the subtle, in-between moments that often go unnoticed. In her teaching, she carries that same perspective, encouraging dancers to trust what feels natural and develop a movement quality that is both grounded and fluid.
Robin Young Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Delana Benson Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Katelyn Spencer grew up in San Jose, California, where she started dancing at the age of seven with Just B…Dance and Grace Dance Academy. She was trained in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and tap, but ballet has always had her heart. With her dance team, Katelyn performed at Disneyland in LA for Disney’s 60th anniversary. Aft
Katelyn Spencer grew up in San Jose, California, where she started dancing at the age of seven with Just B…Dance and Grace Dance Academy. She was trained in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, and tap, but ballet has always had her heart. With her dance team, Katelyn performed at Disneyland in LA for Disney’s 60th anniversary. After moving to Allen, Texas in 2018, Katelyn was apart of Fusion Performance Company at The Dance Movement for four years, where some of her best memories include being cast as the sugarplum fairy in The Nutcracker and competing at YAGP. Since then she has been focusing on ballet and modern at the dance department at Collin College, where she has also been working towards a degree in business. She loves teaching and sharing her passion for dance with her students.
Madyson Grobe Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Katelyn Spencer Instructor
Mady has been dancing all styles since she was 3 years old. At the age of 8 she moved to The Dallas Conservatory to join their pre-professional ballet program where she went on to compete at Youth America Grand Prix 5 years in a row. Winning 1st and 2nd place three times and in 2017 she was awarded the Hope Award, the highest award a pre-
Mady has been dancing all styles since she was 3 years old. At the age of 8 she moved to The Dallas Conservatory to join their pre-professional ballet program where she went on to compete at Youth America Grand Prix 5 years in a row. Winning 1st and 2nd place three times and in 2017 she was awarded the Hope Award, the highest award a pre-professional ballerina can achieve. During this time, she also participated in 8 different productions of The Nutcracker dancing in various lead roles including Clara, the Snow Queen, the Dew Drop Fairy and the prestigious role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Mady also trained at multiple summer intensives and took classes at several acclaimed ballet schools some which included The School of American Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Ballet West Academy, American Ballet Theater, and Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet.
In high school Mady participated in drill team her sophomore year and was a varsity cheerleader her junior and senior year, where she served as captain. Her years in drill team and cheer helped her to become more versatile, pushing her to step out of her of comfort zone of contemporary and classical ballet.
She is currently a student at Texas Christian University and is studying Communications with a minor in Media and Health Communications. Madyson’s love for dance continues to grow, as she is going into her 3rd year as a veteran with the TCU Showgirls. She has had the honor of dancing and representing TCU at many prestigious events such as the Women’s Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City and also the Elite 8 game in Birmingham, Alabama. Mady is super excited to join TYC and get to grow and share her love of dance with everyone!
Lisa Mills. Instructor
Courtney Istre Voice Teacher
Madeline Kreuger Instructor
Lisa Mills is originally from Irving, Texas and started dancing at the age of 2. She began competing at the age of 10 and continued through her senior year of high school. She attended the University of Arkansas where she danced for the Pom Squad, which she served as senior co-captain, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedica
Lisa Mills is originally from Irving, Texas and started dancing at the age of 2. She began competing at the age of 10 and continued through her senior year of high school. She attended the University of Arkansas where she danced for the Pom Squad, which she served as senior co-captain, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, she danced for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She has performed with Brad Paisley, Justin Moore, Lauren Alaina, Giovanni Mazza, Kane Brown, and Ellie Goulding. She was featured on the reality TV show “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” for 3 seasons on CMT. She has taught master classes and intensives and has choreographed solos, duets, small ensembles, and team routines for middle schools, high schools, colleges, and competitive dance studios over the last 17 years. She served as the Assistant Director for an ECHL dance team for one year as well. Now, she currently works as a medical device sales manager, director for a middle school cheer program, and dance teacher and choreographer.
Madeline Kreuger Instructor
Courtney Istre Voice Teacher
Madeline Kreuger Instructor
Madeline Krueger is from LaPorte, Texas and began dancing at Twin Arts Dance Studio at the age of 2. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Acro. Madie was a member of her home studio’s competition team from the age of 5 until she graduated from First Baptist Christian Academy in May 2024. Madie also had the hono
Madeline Krueger is from LaPorte, Texas and began dancing at Twin Arts Dance Studio at the age of 2. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Acro. Madie was a member of her home studio’s competition team from the age of 5 until she graduated from First Baptist Christian Academy in May 2024. Madie also had the honor of being the first student to hold all four regional titles of Petite, Junior, Teen and Miss Dance of Texas for Dance Masters S.T.A.D.T Ch. 3.
Her Junior year in High School she joined the Twin Arts staff and choreographed several solos, duos and group dances for the Twin Arts InMotion competition team. At the age of 18, Madie tested to become a certified dance instructor through Dance Masters of America and is committed to helping children pursue excellence through the art of dance.
In addition to her home studio, Madie has trained at Texas Academy of Acrobatics and Gymnastics (Baytown, Texas), and most recently All Star Dance Prep in Houston.
Madeline is currently pursuing a degree in Pre-Physical Therapy at Texas Women’s University in Denton, while enjoying her rookie season as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader!
Madie is so excited to join our staff and looks forward to working with our dancers.
Courtney Istre Voice Teacher
Courtney Istre Voice Teacher
Courtney Istre Voice Teacher
Courtney, is a local artist in the DFW area known for delivering acoustic-pop and indie with heartfelt emotion and her own personal style. She has been described as being able to create a melodic and intimate space that allows people to connect through music. Her repertoire spans the '90s to current hits from artists you know, to artists
Courtney, is a local artist in the DFW area known for delivering acoustic-pop and indie with heartfelt emotion and her own personal style. She has been described as being able to create a melodic and intimate space that allows people to connect through music. Her repertoire spans the '90s to current hits from artists you know, to artists you've never heard of. She has been teaching the past 5 years, and is familiar working with students in all kinds of genres. Her background in performance helps translate technique and musical knowledge into the real world.