Tiffany McDowell, Lariaette Director 

Tiffany's love for dance began early while growing up in her mother's dance studio. In high school, she was a Pearland Prancer and was on the Elite Jazz and Kick Companies. She also started teaching young dancers at her dance studio during this time. Tiffany attended Tyler Junior College after graduation, and danced on the Internationally Famous Apache Belle's drill team. While on Apache Belle's she performed at Dallas Cattle Barron's Ball, The Capital One Bowl Game, multiple NFL halftimes, Sounds of the Season Gala, and partnered with USO to perform for military troops in Japan. Tiffany has a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University, and a Masters of Education from Sam Houston State University. She resides locally with her husband, Cutter, and their 2 dogs. Tiffany is happy to have found a home at Dobie with the Lariaettes and Dobie Dance Department. She loves getting to work with such amazing students everyday!

 

Chelsea Henning, Lariaette Assistant Director 

Chelsea has been dancing since the age of 3. She began her dancing career at a competitive dance studio, Masters, the Upper Level. While at MUL, she won numerous awards at both regional and national dance competitions. She also had the honor of being a part of the USA Olympic Dance Team. She traveled to Riesa, Germany at the age of 10 to compete in the World Championship Dance Olympics where she was awarded the gold medal. Chelsea attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major and graduated from there in 2011. Moving on to college, she attended Texas Tech University as a Dance major and Secondary Education minor. While at TTU, she was a member of 2 dance companies, the Texas Tech University Dance Company and Flatlands Dance Company. She also had the opportunity to travel to the country of Trinidad and Tobago twice to perform in the annual COCO Dance Festival. Chelsea graduated from Texas Tech in May of 2016. Chelsea resides in Sugar Land, Texas with her husband Marc and their new baby girl. Chelsea is excited to continue her dance career at Dobie High School, where she is a dance educator and Assistant Director of the Dobie Lariaettes. Go horns!

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Elyssa Vega, Lasso Director & Lariaette Assistant Director

Elyssa Vega began dancing at the early age of 2. She began her training in Friendswood, TX at Bonnie Siscoe School of Dance and stayed when it transitioned to Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance (ABAD). There she was in the company in which she learned from various renowned choreographers and teachers, competed and attended various dance competitions and conventions, and performed in numerous showcases and recitals. She had the honor of attending the Rockettes Summer Intensive, received scholarships from numerous dance conventions, and attended numerous master classes, workshops, and summer intensives. ABAD was also where her teaching journey began. Elyssa attended Incarnate Word Academy and remained at ABAD until graduation in 2016. She went on to dance at the University of Houston (UH) where she participated in the UH Dance Ensemble and the Young Audiences Touring Company. She got the chance to be in several performances as well as travel abroad to Costa Rica to teach university students and assist with teaching repertoire. At the beginning of her time at UH she joined Dayton Academy of Dance studio in Dayton, TX as an instructor and choreographer in all styles of dance. Elyssa graduated from UH in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and now resides in Pearland, TX. She is so excited to be a part of the faculty at her family’s alma mater Dobie High School, and continue her career as a dance educator as well as Assistant Director of the Lariaettes and Director of the JV Lassos.

Previous Directors:

Victoria Armenta, 2017-2021

​Lori Alexander, 2008 - 2017

Shanna West Grubb, 2003-2008

Sherri Hoff, 1989-2003

Patty Hanzik LaTouche, 1982-1989

Peggy Moree Smith, 1972-1982

Glenda Pewthers, 1968-1972

 

 

Former Assistant Directors:

Elyssa Vega, 2021-2023

Chelsea Bohny Henning, 2016- 2023

Brianne Williams Sisson, 2016-2021

Mysha Corb, 2011-2016

Stacey Grayson, 2014-2016

Keri Maddox, 2010-2011

Libby Franklin Koepke, 2008-2010

Karie Yankie Goodwin, 2007-2008

Jessica Longoria Sellers, 2004-2006

Kelly Graham Dennis, 2003-2004