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 Ballet Instructor
Jenny Moyado has been dancing for over 16 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 7 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 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.
Erica Gallegos Director of AIM | Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Lyrical Instructor
Erica Gallegos has been dancing for over 18 years. She has loved dancing in the Magnify Dance Company since it began in 2015. Erica is passionate about seeing revival through the performing arts, both on stage and on screen. Erica is the resident theatre director for Concordia Lutheran High School as well as a USFSA certified figure skating coach at Ice at The Galleria. She enjoys training her students both to perform and compete. Erica also has loved directing several productions with National Youth Theatre. Erica is currently teaching musical theater, lyrical, hip-hop and AIM at Magnify this year.
Abigail Gonzales Ballet Instructor
Abigail Gonzales 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 at Magnify and Pilates at Breathe Pilates Studio!
Durrell Comedy Champion Forest Baptist Church Creative Academy Coordinator | Modern Instructor
Durell R. Comedy is a native of Prince Georges County, MD and began dancing at the age of 6. He graduated from the Visual & Performing Arts program at Suitland High School in 2004 and 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. An instructor certified in teaching Limon principles, he’s taught master classes and workshops at Vassar College, Maryland Youth Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, CityDance Center at Strathmore & the Limon Institute. A former fellowship student at the Ailey School and a recent adjunct faculty member at George Mason University’s School of Dance, Mr. Comedy was awarded the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Visual and Performing Arts of George Mason University. Comedy began working as an apprentice with the Mark Morris Dance Group in 2015 and became a company member in 2016 and retired from his performance career in 2019. He, his wife, Hannah and 3 daughters, reside in Houston, TX and currently serves as Worship Associate and Creative Arts Academy Coordinator for Champion Forest Baptist Church, located in NW Houston.
Abigail Collier Jr Co/ Company Rehearsal Assistant | Ballet, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop Instructor
Abigail Collier has been dancing for 15 years. She grew up training in various styles, but primarily studied ABT ballet.
She has had the joy of teaching ballet, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, pointe and tap. Her passion is for students to deepen their relationship with Jesus through movement and dance. This year, she has the opportunity to be the rehearsal assistant for Magnify’s Jr. Company/Company.
She has had the joy of teaching ballet, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, pointe and tap. Her passion is for students to deepen their relationship with Jesus through movement and dance. This year, she has the opportunity to be the rehearsal assistant for Magnify’s Jr. Company/Company.
Kirsten Hart Ballet, Pointé, Jazz 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!
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!
Laura Cole Ballet, Acro Instructor
Laura began training at a young age, and completed her examinations through Level 7 under the American Ballet Theatre curriculum. Laura danced as a member of Ballet Excelsior Training program for 3 years. She has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, modern, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, hand balancing, aerial, and contortion. This is her second year at Magnify, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach acrobatics/flexibility and ballet in addition to dancing in the Magnify Dance Company. Laura loves to learn about the anatomy of safe and effective stretching which lead her to get two certifications in stretching. She is excited to see her students advance, but her ultimate desire is to teach them to glorify God through movement and dance!
Sara Christopher Jazz Instructor
Sara has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She started her training with American Academy of Dance and then joined Magnify where she found her family. Sara has been dancing with Magnify for 6 years, and is currently dancing as part of Magnify's Company. This is her first year as a Magnify instructor, and she currently teaches the Jazz 1 and 2 students. Sara is so thankful for all the opportunities dance has provided, and endeavors to spread Gods glory through everything she does
Mary-Jean Morrissette Ballet Instructor
Mary-Jean has been dancing for over 13 years. She began in classical ballet, and examined ABT levels Primary through 7. For 4 years she was a member of the Ballet Excelsior Trainee program. She has also trained in modern, pointe, hip hop, jazz, lyrical and tap. This is her second year dancing with Magnify's Company, and her first year teaching. Mary-Jean's passion is to share the love and joy of Jesus with children. She is so thankful to have the opportunity to do so through teaching preschool ballet!
Lexi Whittington Hip Hop, Lyrical Instructor
Lexi Whittington has been dancing for over 15 years and strives to glorify God with her talents. She has trained in several studios, including Sassy Feet Dance Company, where she found her passion for Hip-hop. She then moved to a pre-professional ballet studio and fell in love with modern dance. She joined Magnify’s Jr. Company in 2018 and has loved every minute. She is thrilled to teach in the same studio that showed her how to glorify God with dance.
Darby Wood Tumbling Instructor
Darby Wood started gymnastics when she was a young girl, advancing to competitive gymnastics for five years. She especially enjoys tumbling and spent four years as a coach for at Flips TX. She has loved the experience of teaching at Magnify! Darby is passionate about giving kids a positive learning environment were they can grow in all aspects of their life, gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s love for them, and give students a firm foundation on the gospel. She has enjoyed being part of the Magnify family and feels blessed to have the opportunity to teach.
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 Academy Music Staff
Coming Soon
our partners.....
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ONE HEART. MANY LOCATIONS.
We jump at the chance to work with schools and churches to provide a Christ-centered approach to dance. |
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Discover more about each location by clicking the button below!