Our Staff
Kim Willett-Owner of Windsor Studio & Dance Team Director
Kim is a 25 year member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dancing and has been an examiner for the Association since 1995. She founded the nationally recognized BodyTalk Dance Company in 1985 to offer opportunities for all dancers interested in pursuing a professional dance career. She has studied in New York City and Los Angeles under many of the nation's top choreographers and instructors.
Kim studied psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and is the mother of three children.
In demand to run programs in other cities, teach master classes and judge competitions, Ms. Kim chooses to work with "her kids." Besides her own children Rachael, Jeremy and Cheyenne, her proudest accomplishments are the professional dancers she has trained, particularly those who studied while on scholarship.
Kristy Willett- Owner of North Studio
Kristy has been dancing and singing since she could walk and talk. music and performance is her passion! She is also a singer/songwriter and the lead female vocalist for the Austin rock band "Ninety Degree Turn". Her dance training has continued both in classes and at conventions and has 30+ years experience as an instructor and is a member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dance. Kristy is the proud mother of Derek, Dillon, Payton, Jaycie and stepmother to Adeline Bergdorf.
Cheyenne Petrich
Cheyenne is the granddaughter of studio founder Joyce Willett and the daughter of the professional dance company director and Windsor location owner Kim Willett. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, gymnastics, and more. Cheyenne loves working with children and her warm and loving nature makes her great at it! She is a graduate of University of Texas and works as co-manager of the Windsor location.
Carolyn Jennings Brown
Carolyn Jennings Brown fell in love with the stage when she was two years old. She grew up in the theater and trained in acting, dance and voice for nearly 20 years. Her passion for performing comes from her desire to inspire her community to support the arts. When not holding audition workshops, public speaking or teaching at JWSD, Carolyn enjoys volunteering in her community, the public school system and at local Children's Hospitals. She is excited to begin her fifth year of teaching with JWSD!
Jaycie Litteral
Ms. Jaycie has been dancing and singing since age 2. She began assisting classes at a young age and grew up dancing at JWSD and Body Talk dance Company. Jaycie is the daughter Kristy Willett and the granddaughter of Joyce Willett and is a beautiful dancer and performer and adores working with kids! Jaycie is also a singer/songwriter and is the female vocalist for the original Austin band "Tomi Balmy."
Anisha Causey
Anisha has been dancing with JWSD for the past 30 years. She was an eight year member of the Body Talk Dance Company and has received many awards for her choreography. Ms. Anisha was raised in a large family with an in home daycare and carries with her a love and understanding of children that she has gained through life experience. She trained with the renowned staff at the Los Angeles Dance Foundation for three summers and attends conventions throughout the year to further her training. She is a member of the Texas Association Teachers of Dance and is the proud mother of Daria Cappachino.
Mara Demel
Mara trained with Body Talk Dance Company right here at JWSD. She attended numerous workshops in L.A at “The Edge”, and “STEPS” dance studio in New York. Ms. Mara is an accomplished dancer and can teach all styles of dance. She loves children and her love and patience shine through in her classes and interaction with the children. She is one of the most beloved staff members at JWSD!
Payton Litteral
Payton has been dancing since he was two. He is crazy about Hip-Hop and teaches with energy and enthusiasm. He is the son of Kristy Willett and the grandson of Joyce Willett.
Amy Bushong
Ms. Amy has been teaching dance classes with us for 5 years and recently received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin in education. she plans to return to grad school in 2019 to work on her masters degree and has a passion for working with children with special needs.
Savannah Weinberg
Savannah moved from Southern California where she attended Laguna Ballet for 15 years, studying under the tutelage of Shery Gilbert. She had the opportunity to be mentored by career ballerinas, some of which include Miranda Weese, Vladimir Malakhov (director of Staatsballet Berlin) and Gonzalo Garcia. Throughout her years, she attended various intensives including Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King Lines. Savannah also had the opportunity to be a company member with Joffrey Ballet II for the summer of 2014. Savannah recently graduated from Baylor University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Mathematics and Business Administration in 2019. She has over 5 years of teaching experience and is excited to contribute to JWSD!
Sierra Wiggers
Sierra began dancing at the age of 7 and moved on to competition dance at age 10 after her love for the craft deepened. Starting at DanceEmotions, she gained a connection with Melissa Best and Brie Underwood so continued with them on to join Evolve Dance Company in 2013. Sierra was able to grow immensely while on company; receiving recognition from a multitude of competitions and working with many talented choreographers such as Emma Portner, Morgan Burke, Easton Blake Payne, Erica Sobol, Will Johnston, and Mary Grace McNally. Expanding on her knowledge of Ballet, Contemporary, Improvisation as well as beginning to teach her Junior year, she remained a part of Evolve until graduating high school. She is now attending The University of Texas at Austin as an Advertising major and is happy to be continuing teaching and dancing at JWSD!
Rachael Petrich
Ms. Rachael: Rachael Petrich started training at Joyce Willett School of Dance at the age of two. She began performing with the studio dance company, Body Talk, at age six and continued with Body Talk until she graduated from Westwood high school in 2007. Ms. Rachael began assisting classes at a young age and began teaching full time once she graduated high school.
She studied elementary education at Austin Community College. Ms. Rachael became a member of Texas Association of Teachers of Dance (TATD) in 2015, taking her test in tap. In addition to teaching, Ms. Rachael managed the JWSD Windsor location until suffering an anoxic brain injury in May 2016. Ms. Rachael continues to actively pursue recovery from this traumatic event and has returned to assisting classes with the aspiration of again leading her own classes. She also plans to return to ACC with the hope of becoming a kindergarten teacher. She is the daughter of Kim Willett (owner JWSD Windsor) and granddaughter of Joyce Willett.
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