Your Dance Instructors

Leslie Scates

Assistant Director for Dance Programs
713-348-5773
lscates [at] rice.edu

Leslie Scates is the newest addition to the Rice Recreation staff. As the Assistant Director for Dance Programs, Leslie will oversee the Rice Dance Theatre, teach dance-related Lifetime Physical Activity Program courses, and implement community dance programs. Leslie comes to Rice from the University of Houston, where she taught (and still teaches) post modern improvisation technique classes. She is also an experienced performer and choreographer who has been commissioned to create many wonderful dance pieces.

Leslie received her B.A. from the University of Houston in 1993. At UH, she majored in Psychology and Anthropology, and uses many of the ideas fundamental to each field to inspire her choreography. Leslie is lifetime learner who continues to stretch her skill set in performance by dancing with new partners and by working, performing, and viewing performances outside of Houston.

Jill Banta

Social Dance Coordinator
713-348-5773
Jill.B.Banta [at] rice.edu

After receiving a BS in Business Management from the University of Alabama, then an MBA from the University of Houston, Jill spent quite a few years in consulting and management of human resources, business procedure flows analysis, employee training, cash flow and business requirements projections, and insurance and risk analysis.  Some projects included design and development of sales and marketing materials, website maintenance, database restructuring and merging, and warehouse inventory restructuring.  In the late 90s Jill began taking social dance lessons then quickly decided that was her calling.  Shortly thereafter she began teaching social dance and continuing serious study of social dancing while also competing on the Western, West Coast Swing, and Salsa dance circuits.  In 2006 Jill began teaching LPAP social dance classes for Rice University.  Then in 2009 she filled the newly created position of Rice Social Dance Coordinator.  She has also received a ballroom instructor’s certification and dance proficiency certifications in several ballroom dances.

Joe Modlin

Gyrokinesis Instructor
josephmodlin [at] aol.com
hopestoneinc.org

Joseph Modlin, a certified GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS instructor, began his dance training at Ball State University in Muchie, Indiana.  While there, he additionally trained with Anderson Young Ballet Theatre.  Since moving to Houston in 1977, Joe has danced with Chrysalis Dance Company, Houston Repertoire Ballet, Allegro Ballet, Woodlands Dance Company and has guested with several independent choreographers such as Amy Ell, Leslie Scates, Karne Stokes, Lindsey McGill, Ritchie Hubscher, Toni Valle and Sara Draper.  Joe currently teaches GYROTONIC sessions at GYROTONIC HOUSTON in the Montrose area.  He is also a dancer as well as the Office Manager and Public Relations Coordinator for Hope Stone Inc.

 

 

 

For information contact:

• Leslie Scates
  Assistant Director for Dance Programs
  Recreation Center
  Dance office: 713-348-5773
  lscates [at] rice.edu

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