Friendly Faces with a Passion for Teaching

Teri Wilkerson

Owner & Artistic Director

Teri Wilkerson has been the owner/director of Dance Discovery Studios for the past 39 yrs. She received her Dance Masters Certification in 1985. Since 1992, she has choreographed and/or directed over 180 musicals and plays for ACU, HSU, McM, AHS, WHS, and the Historic Paramount Theatre. She has received the Excellence in Choreography Award from the American College Theatre Festival, the Region 6 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography, as well as the Presidential Teaching Award from the United States Department of Education. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Chameleon Performing Arts Company. Teri has trained with professional teachers and choreographers from LA to NY. Her students have gone on to successful careers in all aspects of the performing arts, including Broadway, professional dance companies, cruise lines, and countless national tours.

Kirby Altimont

Co – Owner

Kirby Altimont (Wilkerson), an Abilene native, has been involved in the studio since before her first steps. Kirby was a part of our teaching staff from 2007 until she moved to Dallas in 2017. While in Abilene, she choreographed for Abilene High and Wylie choral programs, musicals, and various local performances. She performed as a Professional with Dancing With the Abilene Stars for four years. Kirby served as Director of Core Hip Hop Company from 2014-2017. She trained with the Dallas Mavericks Dancers where she was a finalist, Broadway Dance Center, Millennium Dance Complex, and Monsters of Hip Hop.

Riley Arnold

Office Manager

Riley Arnold is from Snyder, Texas. Having received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Hardin-Simmons University, Riley became a part of the DDS family in 2014. After graduating in 2018, Riley pursued professional opportunities in performance and stage managing in Dallas, Texas. Moving back to Abilene in 2020, Riley returned to Dance Discovery as the office manager, while also teaching tap. While managing the office, Riley loves every opportunity to interact with our parents and our students. He plays a huge role in insuring that our studio remains a space of positivity for each person who enters through our doors. He says “the opportunity to have a front row seat in witnessing young performers grow as artists and individuals is the best part of the job.”

Rebecka Soliz

Director of Jazz & Contemporary

Rebecka Soliz, a native from Abilene, TX, has been dancing for 17 years. She is trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She was a member of the Cougarette drill team for four years, where she served as Senior Lieutenant. She has attended dance conventions such as Jump, where she studied under Travis Wall, Alex Wong, and Teddy Forance. She has performed in Hawaii, the Dallas Christmas Parade, and a Carnival Cruise. Becka has also choreographed for many local organizations including the Wylie Junior Belles, and Chorus Abilene. “I enjoy instructing my classes based on the personalities of the students in them, and I love when they share their own ideas with me. The imaginations of our students always inspire and motivate me to keep in touch with mine. When my students walk into class each week, I want them to feel comfortable and encouraged to explore their individual relationships with dance.”

Viviana Murillo

Director of Hip Hop

Viviana Hita-Murillo is a graduate of Abilene High, who recently graduated from the Texas Cosmetology College in Abilene with her certification as a nail technician. Vivi has been dancing with Dance Discovery for 14 years. She has experience in 14 years of Hip-Hop, six years of Contemporary, four years of Ballet, five years of Jazz. Vivi played soccer for seven years, and was on the Abilene High Gold Rush Drill Team for two years. “My teaching style includes having fun and learning new moves every class. My goal for my kids is for them to feel comfortable expressing themselves in dance and finding their own groove.”

Mallory Wildman

Marketing Manager

Mallory Wildman, a recent graduate of Abilene High School, is the Marketing Manager for Dance Discovery Studios while also teaching an array of classes. Beginning dance at a very young age, she has trained in styles such as ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip-hop. Mallory served as the Social Officer President and 1st Lieutenant of the Abilene High Gold Rush Drill Team while also participating in Abilene High’s musicals, “Matilda” and, “SpongeBob The Musical.” “My style of dance reflects the kind of people I’m working with. I have to ask myself if my students would enjoy and thrive at the style l’m giving them. Although, I do love to throw in something new and challenge them to something they might not have experience in. It’s all about balance and creating a safe space for everyone to try new things without feeling uncomfortable.”

Rylee Dawson

Rylee Dawson is a recent graduate of Abilene Christian University, who grew up dancing in Southern California. Training for 15 years in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, pom, and hip hop, she competed for 10 years earning various titles, but found a love for choreography and creating art through movement. After moving to Abilene to attend ACU, Rylee has choreographed for multiple ACU shows and performances. “My teaching style builds firm foundations of technique and vocabulary while challenging students artistically. I encourage my students to use dance as an avenue of communicating thoughts, ideas, and feelings.”

Laurol Kerby

Laurol Kerby has been dancing for 20 years; trained in contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. She just recently got married in June 2024! Her husband, Mason Kerby, is a worship pastor at Beltway Park Church here in Abilene. Outside the studio, Laurol also works at a downtown hair salon called Dorée. She has worked with the Abilene Wylie Belles from 2019-2024 and danced as a Professional for Dancing with the Abilene Stars for the past 3 years. “My number one goal is for every single one of my students to find the confidence within themselves and shine each and every time they perform, hoping this is something they will take with them for life. My teaching style is uplifting and engaging. Not one of my students goes unnoticed; I love seeing the growth from day 1 of class to recital in May. I aim to teach my students something new every time they walk into my class and be a light for them every week.”

Summer Roberts

Summer Roberts is from Merkel, TX. As a recent graduate from Merkel High School, Summer has been dancing with Dance Discovery. She plans to attend Texas College of Cosmetology in Abilene to receive her certification to be a hairstylist. Summer has experience in 14 years of ballet, 13 years in hip-hop, seven years in contemporary, seven years in jazz, and one year in tap. As an assistant teacher for six years, she helped teach Ballet, Hip-hop, and Tap. “My teaching style is fun but serious. I encourage my students to work hard, but to enjoy their time spent on the dance floor. I wish for my students to build a strong and healthy relationship with dance in order to feel free and comfortable dancing. “

Aaron Polanco

Aaron Polanco (Poki) is a former gymnast and competitive cheerleader for 10 years. Having danced for eight years, Aaron specializes in acrobatics and contemporary while also being trained in ballet, jazz, and hip hop. He has danced as a Professional with Dancing with the Abilene Stars for the last three years. As a member of the Chameleon Performing Arts Company, Aaron has performed for Chorus Abilene, Ben Richey Boys’ Camp Belting for the Boys, was in McMurry’s summer production of Chicago the Musical, and most recently acted as one of the dance captains in the Historic Paramount Theatre’s production of Legally Blonde. “My teaching style is fun but serious. Safety is a big factor when it comes to tumbling, stretching, and achieving new skills. I want my students to learn that working hard for what they want is important in dance, as well as in life. Watching them grow and have their own creativity come to life is an experience like no other.”