About Us
ABOUT US
Hi!
My name is Michelle Ritenour and I am the owner and founder of Encore School of Dance or "ESOD" as we call it around here. I started the studio in 1994 on a simple principle that we have stayed true to over the last three decades - we are "More Than Just Great Dancing"!
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So what does that mean? It means that at a baseline we provide excellence in dance education. Our teachers are qualified and our curriculum has inspired confidence in thousands of students; placing students on every local dance team as well as college programs.
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However, we are MORE Than Just Great Dancing! At ESOD, dance has lasting value because dance lessons are life lessons. Dance meets imperative needs for social-emotional skills, mental well-being, and physical health and provides quality friendships and role models. And, THAT is the greatest investment a parent could make in their child. I don't only share that as a dance teacher but as a mom of two myself.
At ESOD dance becomes family and the studio becomes a second home for kids during their developmental years. Our school has five spacious studios with state of the art sound systems, wall to wall mirrors with three sprung marley floors, a sprung wood floor and a wall to wall spring floor to help prevent injury to our students.
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We value each and every dancer and parent, and want to make sure your experience with ESOD is consistently exceptional. Integrity, quality and customization are at the forefront of our business. Our staff and faculty always give 100% of themselves, making for an exceptional and positive experience for you and your dancer. When it comes down to it, we're going to help you raise your children by giving them the most fun and enlightening experience possible. You will soon find out it's not just our studio, it's your studio.
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Our mission is to Inspire, Lead and Love children through dance!
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Welcome to ESOD!
McKenzie Benecchi (Dance Instructor)
McKenzie Benecchi has been dancing since the age of three and began her training in Washington State, studying tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and hip hop. Growing up as a competitive dancer, she developed strong discipline, performance skills, and a deep love for the art form. She trained extensively at top national conventions including 24Seven, Nuvo, and Jump, learning from industry-leading educators and choreographers who continually challenged and inspired her.McKenzie completed her ISTD Tap exams through Advanced 2 and her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) classical ballet exams through Advanced 2, receiving international evaluation and recognition for her technique and artistry. She also completed a Level 3 teacher training course with the RAD, strengthening her technical foundation and igniting her passion for teaching.Throughout her training, McKenzie earned numerous top awards and scholarships, including a scholarship to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School through Dance Magazine. She also traveled as part of the Soul Elite Scholarship program with Soul de Soul Dance Convention, gaining valuable experience assisting and training within a vibrant dance community.Her intensive training includes programs at Allegro Performing Arts Center with choreographers such as Tessandra Chavez; Spring Break Pancake with Cat Cogliandro; the Sheer Talent Ballet Intensive under Charmaine Hunter; and coursework at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. She has been influenced by world-renowned artists including Anthony Morigerato, Stacey Tookey, Denise Wall, Will Loftis, G Madison, Kenzie Crosley, Brian Friedman, Blake McGrath, Travis Wall, and many others.Inspired by the mentors who shaped her journey, McKenzie is passionate about nurturing confident, technically strong, and expressive dancers. She finds joy in guiding students to grow both as artists and individuals, fostering a supportive and motivating classroom environment where dancers can thrive.
Maci Bleacher (Company Director, Social Media & Creative Director & Dance Instructor)
Maci Bleacher began dancing at the age of two, training in all major dance styles and developing a lifelong passion for movement and performance. She danced competitively from age eight through seventeen, where she built a foundation of discipline, artistry, and teamwork that continues to influence her teaching today. After high school, Maci attended Tarrant County College, majoring in Radio, Television, and Film. During her studies, she worked on several independent films and small television productions throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, gaining valuable experience in storytelling, production, and creative collaboration. Maci joined the staff at Encore School of Dance in 2010 and became Company Director in 2018. With a leadership style rooted in passion, dedication, and genuine love for her dancers, she encourages her students to push beyond their comfort zones while maintaining a positive, supportive environment. She prioritizes strong technique, teamwork, and sportsmanship, believing that dance builds both exceptional performers and confident, compassionate individuals. Throughout her seven-plus years choreographing competitively, Maci has earned several choreography awards, recognizing both her creativity and her ability to develop dancers who shine onstage. She is committed to continuous growth, furthering her education each year through conventions, teacher training programs, and ongoing professional development with More Than Just Great Dancing®. When she isn’t in the studio, Maci loves spending time outdoors with her husband and their two young boys, making memories and enjoying family adventures.
Anna Chavez (Ballet Director & Dance Instructor)
Anna Chavez began dancing at the age of three at Dallas Ballet Center, where she quickly discovered her love for ballet. She is trained in Cecchetti, Vaganova, and French methods, and by age eight was competing in tap, jazz, and lyrical at Plano’s Dance Expressions under Kim Bryant. Anna continued her dance training through college, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from the University of North Texas, where she studied under renowned faculty. At UNT, she was introduced to modern dance and trained in a wide range of techniques, including Horton, Limón, and Graham. Following graduation, Anna continued her studies in New York City before returning to Texas to teach, perform, and tour with a dance competition.
She has thirteen years of teaching experience, has directed eight Spring Ballets at Encore, and has received multiple choreography awards (2006, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2025). Outside of dance, Anna enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is a wife and a mom, with another little one on the way. Additionally, she is a certified yoga teacher and served two years as Children’s Director at Dido United Methodist Church. Anna continues to perform with Contemporary Dance Fort Worth, under the direction of Kerry Krieman, across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Stori Cline (Dance Team Director & Dance Instructor)
Stori Cline is a passionate and high-energy dance instructor who has been teaching since 2013. She holds a B.A. in Dance Studies from Texas Woman’s University and has performed professionally with the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue, FC Dallas, the Dallas Wings, and the Columbus Lions. She also served as Dance Captain for numerous productions at the State Theater of Georgia. With over a decade of teaching experience, Stori has trained dancers of all ages in styles such as hip hop, jazz, tap, and musical theatre. Her choreography has been featured in competitions and stage productions, and her students are consistently recognized for their strong performance quality and confidence on stage. Known for her positive instruction, contagious energy, and love of music, Stori lets rhythm inspire her choreography and fuel her creativity. She is her students’ biggest cheerleader, encouraging them every step of the way. Stori loves her dancers as if they were her own and strives to be the teacher she wished she had growing up—one who leads with love, positivity, and unwavering support. Stori believes in fostering confidence, discipline, and creativity while always creating a safe and encouraging environment where dancers can thrive both inside and outside the studio. When she’s not teaching, Stori enjoys spending time with her family, creating through music and video editing, and growing in her faith. She is deeply thankful for the gifts God has given her and uses her teaching as a way to share love, joy, and encouragement with her students.
Payton Cox (Dance Instructor)
Payton Cox is a passionate and experienced dance instructor with more than seven years of teaching experience across all age ranges. A longtime member of the Encore School of Dance family, Payton completed the majority of her training at ESOD and later earned her Associate of Fine Arts degree from Tarrant County College. Throughout her dance career, she studied under renowned choreographers and educators including Gregg Russell, Kent Boyd, Will Thomas, Jackie Sleight, Keith Clifton, and Eddie Moody. As a competitive dancer with ESOD, Payton trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, earning top placements at regional and national competitions such as Act 1 Talent, Legacy Dance Championships, Encore Performing Arts Dance Competition, and Starpower National Talent Competition. She also performed lead roles in Encore’s Annual Spring Ballet showcases and appeared in numerous recital productions. Payton has proudly taught exclusively at Encore, sharing her expertise with dancers ages two through eighteen. Her choreography has been featured in ESOD’s Recitals and Christmas Shows, as well as award-winning routines at Legacy Dance Championships, Imagine Dance Challenge, and Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. Dedicated to fostering both artistry and confidence, Payton creates an engaging and supportive classroom environment where dancers are encouraged to grow in technique, expression, and passion for movement.
Fun fact: Before becoming an instructor, Payton danced at Encore for eight years—six of those as part of the competitive team!
Rachel Hudler (Community Outreach Director & Dance Instructor)
Now in her 21st season at Encore School of Dance, Rachel Hudler Grimes is a passionate dance teacher, certified personal trainer, and fitness coach with expertise in strength, nutrition, and balance. She teaches tumbling to toddlers and pre-K children and has experience instructing tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and drill team, as well as assisting with Encore’s Star Leadership Program. Rachel also directs the No Boundaries Dance Team, an adaptive program for individuals with diverse physical and intellectual abilities. As the Community Outreach Director at Encore, she coordinates special events, community performances, and initiatives supporting local charities. Building community in and out of the studio is something she takes great pride in. Rachel also leads Cardio Dance Jam, a high-energy dance-fitness class for adults. Her teaching philosophy blends skill-building, confidence, and self-expression, inspiring students of all ages. Outside the studio, Rachel enjoys staying active at the gym, exploring the outdoors, attending concerts, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Lauren Mellott (Dance Instructor)
Lauren Mellott is an instructor at Encore School of Dance for students of all ages. She trained at ESOD for fourteen years and attended many competitions and conventions as a member of the studio’s company, learning from various notable choreographers. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in history, where she also trained in ballet, modern, and other styles. This is her seventh year instructing at Encore, where she teaches all styles and choreographs for the studio’s company, specializing in musical theater. Her competitive routines have won overall awards, special awards, and a regional championship. Outside of the studio, she enjoys watching movies, doing puzzles, and spoiling her cat, Oliver. Lauren aims to create a positive space for her students where they can grow as dancers, performers, and people.
Stephanie Ross (Dance Instructor)
Stephanie Ross is an enthusiastic hip hop and jazz instructor who has been teaching and choreographing for more than 17 years. A Mansfield, Texas native, she began training at the age of four in all major dance styles, excelling in high-energy performance forms including hip hop, jazz, pom, and musical theater. Stephanie was a drill team officer at Mansfield High School and went on to dance at the Division I collegiate level as a four-year member of the Texas A&M Dance Team, where she also served as Social & PR Officer. During her time at A&M, she performed at NCAA and SEC athletic events nationwide and appeared on major media platforms including ESPN, SEC Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Stephanie holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and a Master’s in Sport Management & Marketing from Texas A&M University. In addition to teaching in studio settings, she spent six years directing public school dance programs, including founding competitive middle school teams and leading adaptive dance and PE programs for students with special needs. Her choreography has earned top placements and special awards at regional competitions across Texas. Known for her energized instruction and passion for helping dancers grow in both skill and confidence, Stephanie specializes in hip hop, jazz, leaps & turns, and performance quality training. She strives to create an encouraging, hard-working environment where dancers build strength, discipline, artistry, and lifelong confidence. Outside the studio, Stephanie enjoys the outdoors, fitness, and time with her family. She works in marketing and shares her love for movement at home as a proud dance mom.
Alexis Ward (Cheer, Tumbling & Acro Instructor)
With over seven years of experience in cheer and tumbling and five years of coaching, Coach Alexis brings energy, expertise, and passion to every practice. A former cheerleader and certified tumbling instructor, Alexis specializes in building strong fundamentals, developing advanced skills, and helping athletes grow both on and off the mat. Known for her positive coaching style and commitment to safety, Alexis works with athletes of all ages and skill levels—whether they're just starting out or pushing toward elite-level performance. From perfecting aerials to polishing routines, Coach Alexis is dedicated to helping every athlete gain confidence, discipline, and a love for the sport. Alexis is certified in Acrobatic Arts Modules 1 & 2 and is USASF certified. She specializes in tumbling technique, stunt progressions, flexibility training, and routine development. When she’s not in the gym, Alexis enjoys choreographing routines, crafting, playing with her dog, and spending time outdoors.