OUR MISSION
It is our mission to educate students of the art and discipline of dance in a safe and fun environment. Bringing this art to the community of La Porte and surrounding areas, Next Level Dance offers a wide variety of dance forms to all ages.
MEET OUR STAFF
Angel Goines
Owner and Director of Next Level Dance, Angel Goines introduced and established her dance program in 2017 to the La Porte and surrounding communities. As a native of the city of La Porte, Angel began her dance training at the young age of four where her passion for the art began. She learned from various local studios, trained and performed on the Chato Drill Team at La Porte High School, and then learned a wider range of dance at San Jacinto Community College and Lamar University. Angel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance at Lamar where she focused her dance training and education in the dance department, and danced on the Lamar Dance Team. Throughout Angel’s dance education she worked under various instructors and professors as well as attended several outside intensives including American College Dance Festival, Regional Dance of America, Dance Masters of America, New Grounds Festival, White Mountain Summer Dance Festival and other small workshops. Her training includes Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Social Dance. After opening Next Level Dance in La Porte, the program had tremendous and rapid growth which allowed for an amazing staff of instructors and now it’s biggest dance studio location.
Whitney Goines
Miss Whitney Goines, Co-Owner of Next Level Dance, is no stranger to the arts. She has been a musician for the better part of her life, and strives to help the community of artists achieve their goals whether it be dance, music or theater. Her skillset of an administration professional for many years is being put into play in the background of NLD.
Danielle Cash
Danielle is 33 years old and has been an Next Level Dance parent & employee since 2017. Cheerleading is the stem of her interest in the creative arts, as she was a Varsity Cheerleader and Social Officer for 5 years. She expanded her interest in the arts by taking dance classes at school and in college. Childcare is also apart of Miss Danielle’s background. She worked as a daycare teacher where she learned to provide a positive environment for children to learn and grow.
Danielle is dedicated, hard working and optimistic. Since the start of Next Level Dance, 2017, Danielle assisted and trained to teach the younger Ballet, Jazz and Acro classes, under Angel Goines. Since 2019, Danielle has officially taught and coordinated our tutwotots, 3-5 yr old ballet, jazz and acro classes. She also assists our daycare and homeschool programs with Miss Angel. Danielle is going on her 3rd year as a coach for NXT Dance Company, specializing in the beginner level teams. Lastly, Danielle’s main title at Next Level Dance is Assistant Studio Manager, where she keeps the studio running and happening. Danielle is a dedicated wife, dance mom, band mom, coach, teacher, and studio manager and is so excited to begin her 5th year of Next Level Dance.
Britny Merriam-Lara
Britny Merriam-Lara is a multi-talented Dance Instructor well rounded in all forms of dance but most proficient in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical and Jazz. As a former dancer in the La Porte community she later also became a dance instructor for over 12 years to young dancers. Her achievements include participation in the Corps De Ballet with Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre with appearances in productions including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Dracula and Sleeping Beauty and also was honored to participate with the renowned school Joffrey Ballet in New York. She trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Webster, TX and also later became the Director's Assistant and Instructor at Dance World Studios Inc. Britny transitioned to Next Level Dance as an assistant teacher in Fall of 2020 and then a full time instructor and NXT Dance Company Coach in Spring of 2021. She is very enthusiastic about making dance fun and engaging, while challenging students to try new styles and extend comfort zones.
Courtney Morris
Courtney Morris has over 30 years dance experience, 20 of which she has spent instructing students of all ages in ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical. She believes all children should have the opportunity to dance. Courtney attended Lamar University as a member of the dance team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Administration. She currently works for her school district as an Early Childhood Instructional Coach.
Brooklyn Wilson
Brooklyn will be teaching tap , ballet, jazz and Highschool drill at our La Porte location! We are obsessed with her, and can’t wait for you all to meet her! Sign up for her classes today!
Julie Merriam
Our La Porte families probably recognize this sweet face as she worked the front desk thus last year and she will do it again this year! Not only is she super helpful, she keeps us super organized and also helps with literally anything we need from costumes to decor! Mrs. Julie is simply the best there is!
