Talisa is a teacher and choreographer from New York with years of experience. She holds a B.A. in Dance and Psychology and has trained in styles including Ballet, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Latin partner styles, Modern, Tap, and more. Throughout her career, she has worked as a dancer and choreographer for several productions, including with Austin FC, Dance to Breathe Choreographer's Ball, Dell, Disney Events, DSW, Gap Inc., MTV Live, Old Navy, SXSW, Suav Shoes, The Austin Convention Center, The Circuit of the Americas, and more. Talisa is currently an active performer with a talent agency and choreographs for a wide range of projects, from weddings to music videos. In her classes at CYT (& anywhere!), Talisa fosters a safe space for self-expression, creativity, and confidence-building, with God leading the way!

Cecilia Proeger grew up in the border town of Laredo, Tx and focused on ballet (thanks mom!), sprinkled with any other activity and dance she could get into. She spent her teenage summers training at Boston Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet, and later spent a summer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance School. Although she did not study dance at UT, Ceci spent all of her time in that department. Upon graduating she danced professionally with Andrea Ariel Dance Theater, Spank Dance Company, Sharir+Bustamante Dance Works, and Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Co. After a 10 year hiatus, including having 3 kids and moving to South Africa for 4 years, she returned to perform in Andrea Ariel’s 30th anniversary show, along with some house concerts here and there. Ceci is thrilled to work with CYT in building up the next generation of performers! Many thanks to the Novaks' investment in Austin theater!