Kalia Barnett
Kalia graduated from JRSOD after 14 years of dance. She was a member of Razzmatazz for 4 years and an assistant dance teacher at the studio for 7 years. Kalia had the role of Wendy in “Peter Pan” and Figaro in “Pinocchio”. She also played The Toybox Ballerina in Toyland Fantasy and has danced at other events in the Houston area. Kalia is currently attending San Jacinto College to become a physical therapy assistant. “JRSOD gave me the opportunity to learn dance technique and gracefulness in a loving environment. Being on stage and performing is one of the best feelings in the world.”
Rachel Manning
Rachel took her first dance class at Jill Rauscher School of Dance when she was 8 years old, and instantly fell in love. In high school, Rachel was an active member of the studio and the Razzmatazz performing company, serving as President her senior year. She participated in a variety of performances in the community, attended dance conventions, played the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, and did an independent study mentorship with Miss Jill. In addition to dancing at JRSOD, Rachel was a member of her high school drill team, the Clear Lake Flairs and served as a Line Mom her senior year.
Rachel continued her dance education in college, studying at Texas Tech University; graduating in 2013 with a Bachelors of Art in Dance. While at Texas Tech she was a member of the TTU Dance Company, Dancers with Soul Hip Hop Team, and Chi Tau Epsilon (Dance National Honor Society) serving as President her senior year. Rachel also had the honor of bringing her senior choreography piece to American College Dance Association’s South-Central Conference to be adjudicated and then later selected for the Gala Concert.
Professionally, Rachel has been teaching dance and choreographing since 2013. Some of her resume includes: working as the drill team director for the Brenham HS Belles and the Brenham JH Brenadiers, starting a dance program in grades 7-12 in Brenham ISD, choreographing high school musical productions including “In The Heights”, “Once Upon a Mattress”, and “Matilda” and teaching at Jill Rauscher School of Dance.
In 2020, after giving birth to her son Hagan, Rachel and her husband decided to move back to the Clear Lake Area to be closer to family. Rachel is thrilled to be back at JRSOD teaching again! This is where she was first introduced to dance and what was the beginning of a lifelong love and passion for dancing. She loves that she can share her love and knowledge of dance with the students at the studio!