Our Team

Mrs. Sarah Brown

Sarah Grace Brown started her early training in Kaufman, Texas at "Sandra Marsh Dance Academy" at the age of three. She excelled quickly under the teaching of Jennifer McBride the late Sandra Marsh. At the age of seven, she attended the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet where she focused only on the Ballet. By the age of nine, she was invited to be an apprentice with their pre-professional company. She was accepted to School of American Ballet Summer Program and attended during the summers between 2001 to 2003.

She then attended Pacific Northwest Ballet Summer Program the following four summers. In 2015, she was accepted to attend Virginia School of the Arts, where she excelled and graduated in 2008. Sarah has won numerous scholarships and awards in her early years of dancing. She received multiple full honorary scholarships to prestigious schools such as School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and Virginia School of the Arts. She was also chosen to perform at the IBC in Jackson, Mississippi.

After graduation, Sarah performed and studied under Resident Choreographer Christopher Huggins, of Alvin Ailey, in Italy. She studied under, and performed for, many great international choreographers and directors. When she returned to the states, she dedicated a year to freelancing in New York City, where she studied under many "greats."

Sarah was invited to join the Missouri Ballet Theatre where she danced as a "Principle Dancer" for five seasons. She performed roles including "Titania and Helena" in Midsummers Night's Dream, "Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy" in The Nutcracker, "Evil Stepsister" in Cinderella, "Draculas Bride" in Dracula, and many others. She was the lead in many pieces Choreographed by Adam Sage and the late Robert Valentine Philander, such as "Baroque," "Vivaldi's Four Seasons," "Hoop Pas des Deux," to name a few.

Sarah got an offer to be a demi soloist and moved back to Dallas/Fort Worth. After two seasons, she was promoted to soloist with the Avant Chamber Ballet. She danced there four seasons, performing ballets like "Concerto Baroqueo," "Walpurgisnacth," "Raymonda," "Who Cares," "Lion" in Carnival of the Animals, "the Nutcracker," "Ghost of Christmas Past" in A Christmas Carol, and many more.

Because of Sarah's Passion for Teaching, she decided to retire from performing and focus on giving back. Sarah first started learning how to teach young dancers when she was only nine years old. She was invited to assist Anne Etgken and Bill Atkinson with the three and four-year-old classes.

Ms. Sarah Brown recently moved to Ennis, TX and now students can come learn from her and hear stories of her past!

Ms. Sarah has always dreamed of owning and directing her own studio and thanks to her family and loving husband, it is now possible. At Avant Garde, we believe that each student is gifted and learn very differently. We cater to all types of learning, whether they are visual, audible, or kinesthetic learners. Dance is truly a form of beauty and grace; it's a chance to block out all the world's troubles, get those endorphins running, and transform into a beautiful artist.

We invite you to join us on our journey to growth, grace, beauty, fun, and knowledge.

Welcome to Avant Garde Theatre of Dance!

Mr. Chris Brown

Christopher Brown has two wonderful children, Christian age 14 and Addison age 7. He is also the proud husband to Sarah Brown! Chris has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems Technologies. He also has 6 other certifications surrounding Computer Science and is the creator of our Website and Internal Software.

Chris has been an entrepreneur for the past 12 years, running over 5 very successful companies. Chris started his journey while getting his Associates Degree by starting a small Website Design company which took off only after 1 year of being in business. He was working nearly 20 simultaneous accounts per month and had dozens of employees working for the company after the first year. He then was hired by a customer full-time to design and manage their internal Computer System Infustructure. He went on to become the C.O.O. of a Software Development Company through this and generated millions of dollars for the organization.

He decided to look into different paths, to expand his knowledge in business and learn more about how companies thrived. He started his own Mobile Video Game Trailer company, which became the Number 1 gaming service company in Dallas, Texas for 3 years. They offered Game Trailers, Knockerball, Virtual Reality, Bounce Houses, Foot Darts, and more. After 3 years he sold the company to venture into new ideas. He wanted to learn more about sales and marketing, so he studied to become an owner of a Sales and Marketing company. This company took off instantly and forced him to relocate to Colorado.

He later met Sarah Austin and instantly realised that, as a team, there is nothing they can't do together. He left his company in Colorado and moved back to Texas to be closer to his and Sarah's family. On January 1st at the Launch Party of Avant Garde Theatre of Dance, he proposed to Sarah Austin and it was evident that their new home and future lies right here in Ennis, Texas.

You can see a video of the Launch Party and proposal on our Facebook Page or by clicking the link here -> https://www.facebook.com/117248623467732/videos/399616131322496

Mr. Cole Foster

Cole Foster has been dancing for over ten years in various styles, such as contemporary, ballet, jazz, modern, and lyrical.

Mr. Cole spent 3 years performing with the National Title Winning, Black Gold Dance Company, and trained at various dance studios, such as Dance Xpressions and Contemporary Ballet Dallas.

He has been hyper focused on his passion for teaching the art of dance in Ennis for over 3 years now.

His first year at Avant Garde Theatre of Dance, Mr. Cole proved his ability to choreograph a wide variety of competitive and show worthy pieces.

If you try to test Mr. Cole on his terminology or technique skills for ballet, contemporary, jazz, acro, modern, or lyrical, you will definitely lose.

Mr. Cole was promoted to Assistant Artistic Director in March of 2022 for his dedication to the students and families in our community, his award winning competition choreography, his amazing annual show choreography, his knowledge and passion for dance, and his love for Avant Garde Theatre of Dance!

We are pleased to be able to give Mr. Cole the space he needs to grow with us and our community, as we continue to reveal our passion for the love of dance.

Ms. Samantha Gross

Beginning her dance training at the age of three, Samantha's passion for dance quickly grew. She is a former student and teacher of GO! Dance & Gymnastics Studios in Ennis, TX. Starting out as a recreational dancer like many, by the age of eight, she began dancing competitively with the GO! Dance Junior and Senior performing companies in jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theater, and lyrical dance. At age 10, she was assisting preschool and beginner level dance classes. By age 16, she was teaching and creating choreography for classes of her own, for herself, and for the younger competitive teams.

Midway through high school, she decided to pursue dance more seriously and joined Dallas Powerhouse of Dance in Dallas, TX. There, she was a part of the Senior Pre-Professional Performance Company where she had the pleasure to learn from Dallas-based dance artists such as Meredith Marks, Kevin Harris, Phil Gonzalez, Kristi Bittenbender, Lonnie Hightower, and DeeDee Munson. She also performed "Snow Queen" in the Nutcracker and variations of Swan Lake her senior year.

A 2022 alumnus of Texas State University, she holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance & Choreography with minors in Business Administration and Exercises & Sports science. At Texas State, she studied modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, improvisation, choreography, and dance pedagogy under Ana Baer, Michelle Nance, Nicole Wesley, Kaysie-Seitz Brown, Christa Oliver, Rocio Luna, Torens Johnson, Megan Moss, and several student dance artists. She participated in student dance organizations such as CIMTEYA and Merge Dance Company's Semilla Fest. She has presented and performed numerous original works, for both stage and video, in Texas State choreography productions. She worked as a dance instructor for Heather Stolle's School of Dance in both San Antonio and Boerne, TX. She attended numerous professional development conferences such as TATD, TDIF, and ACDA.

Most importantly, she developed her approach to dance performance and choreography. The cornerstones include encouraging fun, nurturing curiosity and creativity, prioritizing health and autonomy, and challenging both the mind and body.

Now, she's moved back to the Dallas, TX area where you can find her dancing en pointe in the nightly Illumination Sensation show at the State Fair of Texas. Samantha is super excited to join the Avant Garde Theater of Dance team this season, and looks forward to meeting you!

Miss Sammy Aranda

Born and raised in Waxahachie, Texas. Samantha's passion for wanting to help others grew. From an early age it was evident that her perseverance would form her into the caring and brilliant young lady she is.

Samantha is dedicated to always making a positive impact wherever she goes. Beyond the professional realm, Samantha is devoted to her family and friends. The 2 most important people in her life is her wonderful little boy, Santiago, and best friend/husband.

When she is not making memories with her family, she is in the kitchen baking her heart away. She is excited to see where this next adventure in life will take her. Ready to lend a helping hand.