who we are...
Magnify School of Dance is a Christian dance ministry with locations throughout the North Houston area. With a passion for dance and a heart for worship Magnify was created in 2014. We believe that dance is for EVERYONE. We are passionate about the fact that God created beauty and expresses that beauty through people. We believe that artistic expression can be a powerful tool for worship and ministry. We strive for excellence through encouragement, community and friendship. We want our students to know that they are created uniquely by God and that He has a calling on each person’s life. We desire to share the joy of dance through positive instruction. Our instructors strive to live out their faith as examples of godliness, wholesomeness, worship and artistry. It is our goal to reclaim the arts for Christ, encourage our students and impact the community around us.
about the director...
Lauren Reitzammer is married to her high school sweetheart, Ryan. Together they have four precious boys, Tristan, Maverick, Pierce and Nolan. Lauren has been teaching dance for over two decades and is a gifted choreographer. Among many others, Lauren has had the pleasure of choreographing the Christmas Spectacular at Champion Forest Baptist Church for the past 6 years. As a gifted singer, speaker & writer, Lauren loves sharing messages of hope through various avenues. Lauren graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Religion and is passionate about blending her love of dance with her love of ministry. She believes that art should be used to glorify God and it was this passion that drove her to begin Magnify School of Dance. Seeing what God was doing through Magnify School of Dance, God placed a desire on Lauren’s heart to begin a dance company for adults. Magnify Dance Company began in August of 2015. The dance company performs a wide variety of dance styles including lyrical, ballet, modern, swing, ballroom, hip hop, etc. The company is comprised of men and women who share Lauren’s vision to see the gospel spread through the language of dance, performing for churches and events upon request. The company also serves as an inspiration for young dancers who desire to use their gifts for ministry. This fall Lauren will be heading up the Magnify Creative Academy at Champion Forest Baptist Church. For more of Lauren’s story, visit withfearandtrembling.org
Magnify School of Dance Instructors
Jenny Moyado Team and Troupe Director | Jazz and Lyrical Instructor
Jenny has been dancing for over 17 years and is passionate about sharing God's love with children and adults through dance. She has trained under Mrs. Lauren since she was a child and has taught with Magnify for the past 8 years. Jenny also serves as a choreographer for Joyful Sound and has choreographed multiple productions for National Youth Theater. Jenny directs two of Magnify's ministry teams: Team and Troupe. She is also the the lead Jazz instructor at Magnify and is a charter dance member for Magnify Dance Company. While Jenny’s teaching & performing talents are undeniable, it’s her heart that endears her to students and parents alike. We are so grateful to have Jenny as part of our Magnify team!
Erica Gallegos Director of AIM | Hip Hop, Musical Theater and Flexibility/Conditioning Instructor
Erica has been dancing for over 19 years. She has loved dancing in the Magnify Dance Company since it began in 2015. She is passionate about seeing revival through the performing arts. She is the resident theatre director for Concordia Lutheran High School as well as a USFSA certified figure skating coach at Ice at The Galleria. Erica also has loved
directing several productions with National Youth Theater. This season at Magnify Erica is teaching Musical Theater,
Hip Hop, Flexibility/Conditioning and leading our AIM (Artists in Ministry) ministry team!
directing several productions with National Youth Theater. This season at Magnify Erica is teaching Musical Theater,
Hip Hop, Flexibility/Conditioning and leading our AIM (Artists in Ministry) ministry team!
Abigail Gonzales Ballet and Pointe Instructor
Abigail danced for many years under Nancy Sulik at the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet. While with CCCB she danced in leading roles in The Nutcracker, Gaite Parisienne, & Alice in Wonderland. Abigail has also studied with summer programs including The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, Virginia School of the Arts, & the Atlanta Ballet. She attended Texas Christian University and graduated with a BFA in Ballet. Abigail pursued her Pilates certification with the Physical Mind Institute of New York while teaching dance in elementary schools. She is married with 4 children and loves teaching ballet and Pilates. Abigail teaches multiple levels of ballet at Magnify School of Dance and is the Programming Director for the Children’s Ministry at Woodsedge Community Church.
Durell R. Comedy Champion Forest Baptist Church Creative Academy Coordinator | Modern Instructor
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Durell is a native of Prince Georges County, MD and graduated from George Mason University receiving his BFA Degree in Dance Performance in 2008. Since then, he has worked and performed with artists such as The Metropolitan Opera, Troy Powell, Matthew Rushing, CorbinDances, Roger C. Jeffrey & Kyle Abraham. Mr. Comedy was a member of the Limón Dance Company from 2009-2015, where he performed soloist and principal roles. He transitioned to working with the Mark Morris Dance Group in 2015 and retired from his performance career in 2019. He, his wife, Hannah and 3 daughters, reside in Houston, TX and teaches at Houston Ballet Academy, Magnify Dance (Modern 5/6) and currently serves as a Worship Associate for Champion Forest Baptist Church.
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Kirsten Hart Ballet and Tap Instructor
Kirsten is a native of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where she began her dance training at the age of 9. She is a
dancer, teacher, and choreographer, holding 14 years of training in the styles of ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern,
musical theatre, tap, hip hop, and acro. Kirsten received her training from several institutions including the
Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB).
Kirsten holds a B.S. of Biology/Pre-Medicine and a Dance minor from Messiah University near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Kirsten currently a member of Open Sky dance collective and a Pure Barre instructor. She approaches her dance classes with extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to help her students become more informed, stronger dancers. Kirsten is excited to share her love for dance with all the students she meets at Magnify this year!
dancer, teacher, and choreographer, holding 14 years of training in the styles of ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern,
musical theatre, tap, hip hop, and acro. Kirsten received her training from several institutions including the
Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB).
Kirsten holds a B.S. of Biology/Pre-Medicine and a Dance minor from Messiah University near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Kirsten currently a member of Open Sky dance collective and a Pure Barre instructor. She approaches her dance classes with extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to help her students become more informed, stronger dancers. Kirsten is excited to share her love for dance with all the students she meets at Magnify this year!
Audrey Terrill Ballet and Tap Instructor
Audrey has taken ballet classes for as long as she can remember! Trained in classical ballet with the
Vagonova method, she has also received formal instruction in jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, and pointe. Each summer she leads and teaches at Gloria Deo Dance Camp, a week long day camp she created for girls
ages 4-12. Audrey has been on Magnify’s Jr Company for the past two years, and has absolutely loved
getting to worship, perform, and train with the company. It is a pleasure being able to share her love for
dance and Jesus with her students each week!
Vagonova method, she has also received formal instruction in jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, and pointe. Each summer she leads and teaches at Gloria Deo Dance Camp, a week long day camp she created for girls
ages 4-12. Audrey has been on Magnify’s Jr Company for the past two years, and has absolutely loved
getting to worship, perform, and train with the company. It is a pleasure being able to share her love for
dance and Jesus with her students each week!
Josh Godfrey Tumbling, Hip Hop and Jazz Instructor
Josh has trained under the director of men’s Houston ballet, numerous hip hop choreographers and, most recently, was a background dancer/traveling for several tours with Cameron Giles. He has worked with many artist such as Jon Glenn, Jaysn, Brent, and recently Eric Harleston! Josh started his dancing journey by choreographing for many local middle & high schools. When not dancing, he is running his own business, GrooveUp Ent. With many different circus performers, magicians, cosplayers, aerialist, dancers, models, gymnasts and singers all over the city of Houston. His company provides enjoyable entertainment for parties, events, birthdays, and more. Josh has been dancing for 3 years and professionally for 2 years! He teaches at Magnify, as well as at Delicate Rose, and DanceBarr. He has joined as a teacher as well as a member of the world of dance winning team, Soreal. He considers himself super blessed to be doing what he loves and hopes to continue to share his gifts and blessings from the Lord with others.
Victoria Bryan Tap Instructor
Victoria studied Musical Theatre at AMDA- New York City with an emphasis in Dance and Musical Theatre
with an emphasis in Dance at Sam Houston State. She has also studied Acting, Voice, Dance, Modeling,
Pageantry, Design and more under a multitude of companies/directors in both the Houston area and New York City. You may have even caught her performing on a cruise ship or 2! Even though she performs all over the Houston, her home theatre is in Deer Park at the Art Park Players where she has taught/lead the company for over a decade. Favorite performances include: Natalie (All Shook Up, APP), Pattie (Beehive,APP & Stageworks), Ginger(Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,APP),Miss Shields (A Christmas Story: The Musical Pearl Theatre) and of course Mrs. Claus (Christmas Spectacular, CFBC). Victoria would like to thank Lauren, Ryan, and the team for letting her be “the new kid on the block” and trusting her fully. It is a blessing to be apart of such a beautiful program that magnify’s and glorify’s our majestic Lord. Psalm 108:1.
with an emphasis in Dance at Sam Houston State. She has also studied Acting, Voice, Dance, Modeling,
Pageantry, Design and more under a multitude of companies/directors in both the Houston area and New York City. You may have even caught her performing on a cruise ship or 2! Even though she performs all over the Houston, her home theatre is in Deer Park at the Art Park Players where she has taught/lead the company for over a decade. Favorite performances include: Natalie (All Shook Up, APP), Pattie (Beehive,APP & Stageworks), Ginger(Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,APP),Miss Shields (A Christmas Story: The Musical Pearl Theatre) and of course Mrs. Claus (Christmas Spectacular, CFBC). Victoria would like to thank Lauren, Ryan, and the team for letting her be “the new kid on the block” and trusting her fully. It is a blessing to be apart of such a beautiful program that magnify’s and glorify’s our majestic Lord. Psalm 108:1.
Nomi Mucha Ballet and Tap Instructor
Nomi grew up dancing and trained in classical ballet for over 14 years where she gained an immense love and respect for the performing arts! Nomi is an accomplished dancer who joined Magnify Jr Company two years ago, and from there grew her skills in other dance styles including modern, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, partnering and more. She was promoted to Magnify Dance Company in 2023. This year Nomi will be teaching Ballet for Magnify School of Dance. She has a heart for children and is excited share her love for Jesus and the arts through dance!
Ashtyn Thiebaud Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical Instructor - Coming SOON!
Magnify Creative Academy Staff
Ryan Reitzammer Director of Operations
Ryan has been in ministry most of his adult life and is currently serving as the Director of Operations and Outreach for Magnify Dance Company. Ryan is also a charter member of Magnify Dance Company and loves nurturing healthy team building through real connection. After graduating from the University of Houston, Ryan spent 5 years in the financial service industry and over 10 years in student ministry before stepping away to focus his efforts at Magnify. Ryan is so grateful to do life with his high school sweetheart (Lauren) and their four boys (Tristan, Maverick, Pierce & Nolan)!
Magnify Creative Administration Staff
Robin Jackson Administration, Accounting, Volunteer & Event Coordinator
Robin Jackson is new to the Magnify family. She is excited to fill several roles at Magnify including event planning and coordinating volunteers, graphic design, and other administrative needs. She is married to her college sweetheart, Blake and they have four beautiful children, Nash, Neely, Nora and Nixon. Robin has an extensive background in music, grew up in musical theatre and has served in vocational church ministry for
25 years. She is passionate about music, urban farming, baking, gardening and facilitating community for believers. Robin cannot wait to get to know everyone & see what God has in store for her here at Magnify!
25 years. She is passionate about music, urban farming, baking, gardening and facilitating community for believers. Robin cannot wait to get to know everyone & see what God has in store for her here at Magnify!
Angel Pawlak Front Desk and Costumes
Angel and her daughter, Ashley, have been a part of our Magnify family since 2019, and she has been so active as a parent volunteer that we just had to have her here on staff! She has served this year as the kind face of our front desk and our Magnify Seamstress, organizing and altering all Magnify costumes. Angel is one of the hardest workers we know and does it all with a smile on her face. She loves Jesus, her family,
and Magnify - giving her all for each. Angel has been a huge blessing and it would not be the same here without her support and servant heart!
and Magnify - giving her all for each. Angel has been a huge blessing and it would not be the same here without her support and servant heart!
Magnify Creative Academy Music Staff
Emily Haverkorn Voice Teacher
Emily began training as a vocalist when she was 9. She participated in vocal competitions through
high school and college, and has received numerous awards for her work. Emily holds a B.S. in Vocal Performance as well as an M.B.A. in Business Management. She has been teaching voice for 12 years. Emily is passionate about helping each student find and hone their unique voice, and does so by focusing on healthy vocal techniques as well as performance skills. With experience singing in a range of genres and languages, she is equipped to teach any student with a desire to cultivate their gifts.
high school and college, and has received numerous awards for her work. Emily holds a B.S. in Vocal Performance as well as an M.B.A. in Business Management. She has been teaching voice for 12 years. Emily is passionate about helping each student find and hone their unique voice, and does so by focusing on healthy vocal techniques as well as performance skills. With experience singing in a range of genres and languages, she is equipped to teach any student with a desire to cultivate their gifts.
Carolyn Gibbens Piano Teacher - COMING SOON!
Hector Torres Guitar Teacher - COMING SOON!
We love partnering with our home church, Champion Forest, if you do not have a church home we would highly recommend you come join us!
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Discover more about each location by clicking the button below!