Meet Your Director
Ms. Renee
Ms. Renee Burdick, owner and director of the Stephenville Dance Center, is a native of Washington, D.C. where she trained on scholarship at the Fairfax Ballet under the tutelage of Thomas & Ilona Russell. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Ballet and a minor in Business in 2002 from Texas Christian University. While at TCU, she trained with ballet legend Fernando Bujones, Elizabeth Gillaspy, Li-Chou Cheng, Christian von Howard, Susan Douglas Roberts and many others. Upon graduation, Renee moved to New York where she danced with Mariana Beckerman Dance Company. She has also performed with Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Ballet Frontier, Wild Goose Chase, Caroline Calouche Dance Company, at the American College Dance Festival, and the American Dance Festival. She has traveled all over the country and Mexico performing with these companies. After hanging up her pointe shoes, she moved to Stephenville with her husband where she had been the director of the SPARD dance program for four years before opening the Stephenville Dance Center. Ms. Renee holds an Masters in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Tarleton State University. She has been an adjunct faculty member with the Tarleton Kinesiology Department for the past 12 years. She has also enjoyed being involved with the TSU theater department as choreographer. She has choreographed theater productions such as "Grease," "West Side Story," "The Boyfriend," and "You Never Know." Ms. Burdick’s choreography has won 4 national Championship titles at the Showstoppers Dance Competition. She also is involved with the Ballet Frontier’s production of the ,Nutcracker where she is the children’s repertoire director for the Granbury Opera House productions. She is excited to start her 20th year of teaching and directing SDC This fall!
Meet Your Teachers
Ms. Courtney
G’day! I’m an Aussie-born, dedicated dance teacher with a lifelong passion for dance. From my very first plié to now, I’ve trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and Tap. I have completed many dance examinations in Australia, as well as receiving my Teachers Certificate, Progressing Ballet Technique Certificate and a Certificate IV in Dance.
My teaching journey has taken me across Australia and internationally. Upon graduating school, I began full-time dance training at Dynamite Studios Australia where I found my love for teaching. Whilst studying fulltime, I was also teaching at local studios and schools, teaching curriculum-based dance education and genre theory, while also leading the Petit Pointers baby ballet programs with the Queensland Ballet curriculum.
In 2023, I accepted my first overseas contract in Hong Kong, teaching full-time as a dance teacher. There, I taught a wide range of styles whilst also choreographing routines for the annual showcase and competition teams. I had the pleasure of choreographing for many productions including Dance World Cup qualifiers, K11 Musea showcases, and Grease the Musical, where my work received high praise.
From beginners to competition teams, I’ve taught students aged 3 to 17+ across Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and beyond. I bring a mix of discipline, creativity, and fun to every class. My heart lies in helping young performers unlock their confidence, find their groove, and grow into powerful, expressive artists — both on and off the stage.
Ms. Whitney
Training & Performance
Whitney Dayberry’s diverse dance background spans Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Gymnastics, Folklorico, and Musical Theatre. Her performance experience includes full-length ballets such as Giselle and Coppélia, musicals like Bye Bye Birdie, The Sound of Music, and Wizard of Oz, and an impressive array of dance recitals, choir competitions, and theatrical productions. A highlight of her early training was tapping with the legendary Gregory Hines.
Theatre & Choreography
As both a performer and director, Whitney has a wide range of theatrical experience. She studied acting at KD Studios Theater School in Dallas and appeared in productions including Rags, Jekyll and Hyde, and The Producers. Her choreography and direction have brought to life musicals like Frozen, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, Rent, and Anything Goes for high schools, Christian youth theatres, and community theatres. She has also led award-winning and National Champion competition and dance teams across Texas and Colorado.
Education & Teaching
Whitney holds a Bachelor of Science in Dance from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University. She has a Dance Specialist Certification and has held certifications in Power Pilates, Yoga, and Sports Nutrition. She has taught Dance, Pilates, Yoga, and an array of Kinesiology classes in studios and college settings—including as an Adjunct professor for both Tarleton State University and Tarrant County College. As a beloved instructor, she is known for her high standards, deep knowledge, and ability to inspire confidence in her students.
Community & Creative Spirit
A natural leader and performer, Whitney thrives on creating thrilling and engaging performance environments. After meeting Renee Burdick in 2010 (they later found out they’re distant cousins!), she has been at Stephenville Dance Center’s productions behind-the-scenes and as stage manager, a villain on stage (Wicked Witch, Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook), and played the Genie in Aladdin. With the help of her supportive husband, Riley, and beautiful children, Crockett and Pepper, she continues to teach, choreograph, perform, and mentor with energy and passion. Whether she’s in the studio or on stage, she may or may not carry a secret stash of glitter with her!