Evansville natives Molly Hall-Rode and Yvette Walts began THR!VE Dance 15 years ago, but have been teaching in Evansville for over a combined of 60 years.
Collectively they feel it is about more than just dance. They are incredibly passionate about teaching life skills to each dancer they come across.
In the last 15 years, they have taught over 6000 students in dance and tumbling. Molly and Yvette have created more than a space for children to perfect their craft. They have created a family and place for students to be their true, unique self. A space where each student is challenged and celebrated.
Their impact stretches past the last senior solo performance. Don't believe us? Ask their former students (below)!
FOUNDERS
MEET THE
YVETTE WALTS
MOLLY HALL-RODE
specialising in:
TAP • JAZZ • CONTEMPORARY • LYRICAL • HIP HOP • BALLET
Introducing
Our Faculty and Staff
DANCE FACULTY
Zoe Woebkenberg
Company Coach and Resident Choreographer
Zoe was born and raised in Evansville and began dancing at THR!VE at the age of 2. Since then she has taught at THR!VE for ten years and during this time at THR!VE, she has choreographed various national winning routines. After high school she pursued her Bachelor's of Arts in dance as well as a degree in psychology at the University of Alabama. While at UA, she had her choreography picked to be performed in New York City during the annual Young Choreographer's Festival curated by Emily Bufferd. Additionally, she has worked for UDA, teaching at conventions around the country.
J'Mya Brown
Company Coach and Resident Choreographer
J'Mya began dancing at the age of 3 years old in your hometown dance studio, The Southern Strutt of Irmo, SC, and had early training in several dance genres. Throughout the years, she enjoyed dancing in various roles in "The Nutcracker, local commercials, and roles as munchkins in the Broadway play, "The Wizard of Oz." She was also a member of Southern Strutt's competition team. J'Mya has won many regional and national awards, including overall high-score placements and regional titles. She had a successful career as a competitive dancer, earning numerous esteemed titles, accolades, and scholarships from renowned competitions and conventions. During this period, highly regarded musicians such as Chris Judd, Brian Friedman, Debbie Allen, and Mia Michaels granted her multiple scholarships. She has received instruction from renowned choreographers, including Brian Friedman, Tricia Miranda, Travis Wall, Shane Sparks, Tabitha, Napoleon D'Umo, Frank Gatson, Kevin, Marcel Wilson, Justin Giles, Jen Hamilton, Mike Minery, and Mandy Moore.
J'Mya's academic journey led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Organizational Leadership from Temple University. Her leadership skills were honed during her two-year tenure as captain and choreographer on the Temple Diamond Gems Dance Team. She played a pivotal role in guiding the team to its most prestigious position, securing 4th place in the national championships. J'Mya's expertise in jazz, pom, hip-hop, ballet, and lyrical/contemporary dance styles, coupled with her experience in both studying and instructing students, has made her a versatile and inspiring figure in the dance community.
J'Mya has been successful as a choreographer and has been awarded several choreography awards. Her choreographed dance routines won the highest awards at regional and national competitions. Furthermore, she possesses vast expertise in teaching and mentoring dancers of various age groups in hip-hop, jazz, tap, and modern/contemporary genres. She travels places offering her expertise through giving master workshops, choreographing, refining routines, and serving as a judge in contests. She holds a Dance Coach position at the prestigious THRIVE Dance, Cheer, and Tumble Studio in Evansville, Indiana. She has recently obtained a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from LSU. J'Mya aspires to ignite others' pursuit of their aspirations through her ardent love and devotion to dance. J'Mya wants to see her students succeed, be proud of their accomplishments, and enjoy all the hard work and dedication they put into their craft.
Caio Godoy
Ballet Instructor and Resident Choreographer
Caio is a University of Alabama alumni who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance with a minor in journalism and creative media. He was born in São Paulo, Brazil and later moved to Tennessee where his love for dance flourished. After graduating from Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts (CCA) and Chattanooga Dance Theater (CDT), he moved on to continue his studies in dance in the collegiate level. Since then, he has had works presented at CCA, CDT, and in concerts such as the Kathy Ault Kasch student choreography concert which his work won the prize award, Dance Alabama!, Dance Collection, #sickmoves, Emerging Choreographers Concert, and additionally performed in all of the above shows as well as Alabama Repertoire Dance Theater.
While at UA he has had the opportunity to do summer intensives at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City as well as Gus Giordano School of dance in Chicago where he got to learn and grow from world renowned dance teachers and master faculty. While at UA he served as the 2023-2024 historian for Dance Alabama! And dance liaison for Dance Alabama Film Festival for two consecutive years. He is so excited to work at THR!VE dance company this year where he will be teaching and choreographing as well as continuing his work in creative media and content creation.
Sarah Kerr
Ballet Instructor
Sarah grew up in a military family and has been dancing since the age of 4. She studied ballet as well as other styles of dance at many different ballet/dance studios growing up. She was a member of the Professional Training Division of Nashville Ballet and danced professionally with Columbia Classical Ballet(CCB) from 2017-2020. There, under the direction of Radenko Pavlovich, she was initially a member of the corps de ballet and then a Soloist. While dancing with CCB, she was selected to tour with the company. In addition to being a full-time company member, Sarah was Assistant to the Artistic Director and an instructor of multiple levels at the Pavlovich Ballet School. She helped stage numerous company performances and choreographed the ballet school student’s roles in these performances. When not at the studio she loves spending time with her husband, dog, and being outdoors with her growing family. She is excited to be apart of the Thrive faculty to share her love and knowledge of classical ballet with the next generation of dancers.
Stephanie Bonenberger
Dance Instructor
Stephanie Bonenberger has been working as a dance instructor at Thrive for over nine years. She enjoys teaching tap and jazz dance. During the day she works at Donaldson Capital Management and is the Team Lead for the Client Services Department.
Stephanie currently serves as the President of the Junior League of Evansville where she will be leading the League into its 100th year. Stephanie has also been volunteering with Sigma Kappa Sorority for over 15 years and currently serves as the Advisory Board Supervisor for the Gamma Beta Chapter.
Stephanie is a proud Evansville native who later attended the University of Louisville receiving her Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration. She also graduated as a member of the Acros Starquest Dance Company lead by Molly Rode and Yvette Walts. Stephanie is currently engaged to Blake Taylor and set to be married in June of 2025. She also loves her mini Golden Doodle, Sophie.
Amelia Kerr
Dance Instructor
Amelia is an Evansville native who has been a part of the THR!VE family for 8 years and has been an instructor for the last 6. She has worked as the THR!VE summer camp director since 2021, facilitating up to 8 camps each summer. Amelia teaches Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and her favorite, Hip-Hop, throughout her classes each week. Coming from a large family, Amelia has a natural ability to modify her educational approach to different ages, personalities, and learning styles. Her goal in every lesson is to inspire self-confidence in the dancer while teaching them hard work, patience, and perseverance. Amelia hopes to further her dance career in choreography and costume design while continuing to reach students through education. In her free time Amelia loves to sew, bake her famous mini chocolate chip cookies, and spend quality time with her family.
Emily Miller
Dance Instructor
Emily Miller was born and raised here in Evansville, IN. She danced and tumbled since the age of 2. She has worked at THR!VE since 2013. Her goal in each class is to help my kids build confidence and grow into wonderful humans. Additionally, she loves animals, reading, and kayaking!
Lillie Price
Dance Instructor
Maddie Berger
Dance Instructor
TUMBLE FACULTY
Gennadi Samsonov
Tumble Instructor
Gennadi Samsonov graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture, city of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Also studied at the Sports University in Leipzig, Germany. He has the title of Master of Sports of the USSR artistic gymnastics. He was a member of the Ukrainian national team in artistic gymnastics and participated in various national and international competitions. He began his coaching career in Ukraine and then continued in Kyrgyzstan, was head coach of the Kyrgyzstan team in artistic gymnastics. Since 2003, he have been living in the USA and worked as a gymnastics coach.
Svetlana Samsonova
Tumble Instructor
Svetlana Samsonova is a Master of Sports of the USSR in artistic gymnastics. Was national member Kurdistan national team artistic gymnastics. After finishing her sports career, she worked as a ballet dancer at the National Kyrgyzstan Circus. Was the president of the Aerobics Federation of Kyrgyzstan. In 2005 moved to the USA and started work as a gymnastics coach.
Tracy Rutledge
Tumble Instructor
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Timberly Brinker
Admin
Timberly has worked at THR!VE for the past 10 years and is very passionate about helping the parents and students of THR!VE in any way she can. She has three sons which are her world. She does not have a dance background, however she can bust a move. Following is a quote from Timberly: "Rest assured, your kids are well cared for at THR!VE!"
Cindy Zeller
Admin
SUBSTITUTE FACULTY
Heather Zimmer
Substitute
Paige Perkins
Substitute
Paige Perkins danced competitively for THR!VE Dance Company from ages 6-18. While on THR!VE, she competed on an episode of Dance Moms, attended many workshops lead by famous dancers/choreographers, and won several national titles with her THR!VE teammates. She began working for THR!VE in high school, and have loved every minute of it. She also danced collegiately for Western Kentucky University and got a degree in Sport Management. However, she now works full-time as the elementary music teacher for Cedar Hall Community School. She is also the coach for Memorial High School Tigerettes Dance Team.