Teaching our students so much more than just dance.
Kristen Hollimon
Owner/Director/Instructor
Miss Kristen has been the owner of Absolute Dance since 2014 when she instantly fell in love with the atmosphere of our studio upon moving to Midland. She started dancing at the age of three in her hometown of San Diego, CA where she trained in all styles of dance until her love of dance took her to the collegiate level. Dancing for the University of Tennessee Dance Team led Miss Kristen to find her passion of teaching dance and business. Miss Kristen’s favorite thing about teaching at Absolute is seeing her students grow not only as dancers, but also as wonderful human beings. Helping them gain confidence, learn hard work, and how to be a great teammate is the best part about her job.
When she isn’t teaching, she loves traveling to new places and spending time with her husband Drew. Miss Kristen is so excited to work with all of our Absolute families this season and continue making their dance home a place to feel loved and accepted.
Amanda Pulliam
Office Manager
Amanda Pulliam is our Office Manager! She began teaching at 16 and moved from teaching to running all things Absolute several years ago. She enjoys watching her daughter Aubrey, play volleyball and spending time with her husband Keith! She loves assisting our dance families and is passionate about instilling confidence in every child.
Bonnie Baeza
Classroom Director/Instructor
Bonnie Baeza grew up dancing at Absolute and trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical and is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. She was an officer and led her high school dance team. Her favorite thing about teaching dance is forming relationships with each student! It is truly so much more than just dance. When Bonnie isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Johnny and her son, Leo. She looks forward to a new year of growth, costumes, and dance!
Chelsey Epperson
Artistic Director/Instructor
Chelsey Epperson spent her childhood studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical before being selected to travel as a teaching assistant for numerous choreographers in the Convention circuit, and continued dancing through college as a Crimson & Gold Dancer at Pittsburg State University. Chelsey began teaching at her mother’s studio as a Senior in High School, and has continued teaching ever since! In her many years as a teacher, Chelsey has enjoyed watching her students grow into amazing individuals with their own gifts & strengths in addition to becoming talented dancers. When she’s not planning Recital or rhinestoning costumes, you will most likely find Miss Chelsey watching movies, and spending some quiet time at home with her husband, Daniel and dog, Izzy. Miss Chelsey can’t wait to learn something new about each of her students year after year!
Krista Barker
Education Director/Master Teacher
Krista has been dancing since the age of 4. Her performances have taken her all over the United States, Canada, and Japan. She has had the opportunity to showcase her passion for dance through television, videos, concert tours, and live stage performances. “To inspire, and be inspired” is what Krista lives by, and she is a proud new mentor, teacher and choreographer for Kim Mcswain’s “Changing Lives” program. Just recently Krista launched AMP Dance Competition, to inspire kids to use their love for dance to make change in the community. Credits Include: Aaron Carter Jukebox Tour, Aaron Carter Japan Tour, Britney Spears Onyx Tour, Star Search, FAMEUS, West Coast Dance Explosion, Conversations of Lust, American Icons Live as Janet Jackson, America’s Best Dance Crew, The Goddess Concept, AMP Dance Competition, Purple, C(her)ish, British Invasion, Changing Lives, Top Jazz Choreographer for Break the Floor 2017.
Anna Torres
Instructor
Anna Torres You will see her teaching some on Mondays and Wednesday Mornings! She has taught all ages including the collegiate level! Her favorite genres are lyrical and jazz. She has two adorable kiddos, Carter and Ellison, and she loves training for her upcoming 26.2 mile marathon race! She looks forward to being a part of the Absolute Family and teaching again!
Andrea Daley
Instructor
Andrea Daley Miss Andrea has been trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Pointe right here in Midland. She danced for both Midland High Starz and Odessa College Blues dance teams. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching her students master a new step. When she isn’t teaching at Absolute, she likes to spend all her time with her two cats Olivia and Josie. Miss Andrea is so excited to be here for her 4th season with Absolute!
Diego Mata
Instructor
Diego Mata has been dancing for around 11 years and has taught for the past 4 years in the styles of hiphop, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. One of his favorite choreographers is Parris Goebel, well known for her work with Rihanna and the Royal Family dance team. His favorite thing about dance is being inspired by the movement and growth of each student he encounters. When he’s not dancing he is studying for a Biology degree at Odessa College or enjoying a great cup of coffee and reading a good book. Always looking forward to seeing hard work come to fruition, Diego will always be grateful for the art of dance.
Erica Howell
Instructor
Erica Howell has been trained in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop! She loved doing competitive dance where she grew up in Idaho! Her favorite thing about teaching is getting to know each student and watching them grow and develop confidence within themselves! When she isn’t teaching, she loves spending time with her Husband, Jackson, and her daughter, Harper! She loves spending time outside, loves to swim, read and enjoys being a wedding videographer on the side! This season she is most excited for teaching higher levels and getting to know all her students!
Leah Buck
Instructor
Leah Buck has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater and is a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing students accomplish goals and express themselves on stage. When she isn’t teaching at Absolute, she likes to spend time with her husband and kids and loves to travel. Leah is most excited to meet all of her new students and share her passion with them this season!
Hollie Allred
Instructor
Hollie Allred has trained at The Dance Gallery, and Priscilla Nicholson’s School of Dance, where she focused on ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz. She has taught cheer and dance to all ages over the past 20 years. Her favorite thing about teaching dance is working hard in class then seeing the kids perform their dance on stage! When Hollie isn’t teaching, she is spending time with her family and her dogs, reading, or online shopping! She is looking forward to all the new dances and costumes that the new season brings!
Maddy Luna
Instructor
Maddy Luna trained right here at Absolute in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Assistant Teaching! She competed competitively for 10yrs and was the co-captain of the Starz Dance Team. Maddy’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing the passion and happiness while her students perform,. When Maddy isn’t teaching, she likes to read a lot about True Crime! Maddy is most excited about making a positive impact on her students and helping them grow as dancers and people.
Mykah Rios
Instructor
Mykah Rios trained right here at Absolute in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and Assistant Teaching! She competed competitively for 12yrs and was the co-captain of the Starz Dance Team. Mykah’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing the progression of her students! When Mykah isn’t teaching, she likes to spend time with her family, friends and nephews! Mykah is so excited to see her student grow through dance, just as she did.
Shelbie Rein
Instructor
Shelbie Rein has been trained in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theater,Ballet, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Partnering. Shelbie trained at Just Dance! Studio in Carlsbad,NM for 10 years, a member of the Just Dance competition team for 7 years and a member of the Carlsbad High School dance company all 4 years of high school. Her favorite thing about teaching is sharing her love of dance with children and forming a safe place for all of her students. When she isn’t teaching at Absolute, she likes to spend time with her family and her pets. Shelbie is most excited to meet all of her new students and watch them grow this season.
A Word
From Our
Owner
I am so excited to work with all of our Absolute families this season and continue making their dance home a place to feel loved and accepted. I believe every dancer that walks through the doors should feel like it is a second home; a place that provides mentorship, friendship, and opportunities to help them reach whatever goals- dance and personal- they have in life.
– Kristen Hollimon