713 STAFF

EMILY FIGUEROA

Emily Figueroa is a 25-year old dancer, teacher, and dance studio owner! Emily grew up in Houston, training mainly in Hip hop, tap, and modern dance. She attended HSPVA where her passion for dancing and teaching blossomed. Some of Emily’s credits include performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Super Bowl 50, Astroworld with Pharrell, and choreographing for artists such as Haleston Dare Chlo Subia. On top of these amazing achievements, emily has also had success being an award winning choreographer winning over 10+ competitions. She currently manages her family restaurant alongside opening her own dance studio in 2021 and teaching dance throughout the greater Houston area. In her free time, Emily loves to spend time with her dogs, cook, and find new ways to be active, whether cross training, taking gymnastics classes, or rollerskating.

Khalil is the co-studio owner of Garage 713 in Houston, TX and a working choreographer. Khalil first got the itch to perform and entertain after doing a rather odd rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for his 5th grade talent show. By fall 2008 Khalil Joined a performance dance team called FLY Dance Company. Here he trained in a few foundational styles such as popping, breaking, and locking. He was also able to build up his performance skills by performing locally all over the Houston area in various shows and/or events like the Bayou City Arts Festival, HighSchool spring shows, expos, quince’s, & more. From 2012 to 2021, Khalil got into the choreography & competition side of the dance community when he joined SoReal Dance Studio as a student, dancer, & instructor where his choreography would go on to win numerous awards. A career highlight for Khalil was winning an online choreography competition hosted by Jaquel Knight. Some other highlights include dancing in the Justin Bieber “Second Emotion” Music Video & the 2022 Billboard Music Awards with Diddy.  He has worked with various industry choreographers associated with Michael Jackson, Beyonce, N.E.R.D., Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Pharrell, Megan Thee Stallion and more. Khalil now hopes with owning a studio and having a new found leadership in the community the he bring back a little of how it was when he was just starting to dance. 

KHALIL MCNEIL

MANDY MONTEITH

A 24 year-old New York native, has been working and dancing in Houston since she was a kid, focusing on ballet and contemporary from a young age. She’s been dancing for 21 years and her favorite style is contemporary! She grew up performing ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary as well as doing competitive figure skating and playing sports. She later moved onto focusing on dance, obtaining her BFA in Dance at Arizona State University as well as studying overseas in contemporary dance. When she’s not dancing, Mandy does fashion styling and nutrition coaching, alongside her day job. Some of her favorite dancers are Micaela Taylor, Gigi Faye, Kiira Harper, and all of her talented friends! She’s performed in shows all throughout Houston with different artists and choreographers including Houston Contemporary Dance Company, 6 Degrees Dance, and presented a Christmas show/toy drive in collaboration with Jessica Figueroa. Her credits include directing multiple dance shows at Arizona State, coordinating costume design for Casey Choreo’s 14th Lovers Lane dance production, performing in VH1’s A Hip Hop Family Christmas produced by Jamie Foxx, and presenting films in three international film festivals. 

Noemi is a  25 yr old professional dancer based in Houston, Texas. She has been dancing for over 14 years and her training began at Aldine Dance Company with ballet, contemporary, jazz and Hip-hop. Noemi then attended Hussian College in Studio in Los Angeles, California where she earned a BFA in Commercial Dance. She was an elite member at KreativMindz Dance Academy where she established her signature grooves and was able to get signed with Bloc Talent Agency. She made appearances in music videos and live performances around LA working with artists such as Daddy Yankee, Meghan Trainor, The Jonas Brothers, Daya Luz, and more. Noemi currently resides in Houston and just finished a season with the famous NBA’s Clutch City Dancers for the Houston Rockets. She has also worked professionally in her hometown with artists such as Erika Banks, Frankie J, and, Baby Bash. She prides herself in passing down her industry knowledge to the Houston dance community and now specializes in teaching Jazz Funk and Hip-hop!

MIMI SALAZAR

NIALA AGUDELO

Niala is a 21 year old Houston native and will be graduating from The University Of Houston with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in dance. She has been dancing on and off since the age of 15. It was during her junior year that she decided to depart from her jock life and emerge herself into competitive dance full time. She prides herself in being knowledgeable in various styles such as jazz funk, hip hip, technique, commercial dance and strives to create her own style by fusing them. For her, dance is subjective and about enjoying what feels good. She is currently  a company dancer with Folkoholic Dance, a Lebanese dance group where she specializes in Dabke and soon to be belly dancing. She is also a member of the Ensemble dance group at The University of Houston, a performance team with a focus in modern. Her credits include dancing in various videos and shows under incredible artists such as Jilly Anais, YouthSoulLove, Roland Champaine, and much more. Lastly, she has experience teaching genres including ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, chinese dance, and heels for ages 3-adult for any and every level. She is so excited to be apart of the Garage family!

Jessica Luz Torres is a 25 year old professional dance artist, born and raised in Havana, Cuba. At the age of 4, she began dancing flamenco and ballet until she left her home to move to America. She continued to train in different styles throughout the years in the U.S. and went on to graduate with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Houston in 2020. She danced for several modern dance companies in Houston like Chapman Dance and Psophonia Dance Company, and that same year she helped manage and direct  a brand new company and sold out their first 2 shows. In 2021, Luz co-produced her first independent show called UpTurn- Evolving Attachments along with Mary Catherine McReynolds and Mia Pham. It was a community based dance event including Houston guest artists and local small businesses as vendors. Later that year, Luz collaborated on 2 other shows with dancer Mandy Monteith. Luz found her passion for hip hop and commercial dancing recently, and getting to know a different side of the Houston dance community has motivated her to find ways of mixing all the styles she loves. She opened up for 2Chainz with upcoming artist Jilly Anais and was featured in her newest music video “Like That”. She also works closely with artist Morena Roas a houston, local singer. Besides chasing her dream to become a well known dancer and artist, she also teaches ballet, flamenco, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary to children ages 3 and up at dance studios like Dance Expressions, and Athena Dance Academy. Her hobbies and other passions are signing, acting, painting, planning, and learning music and dance production. 

LUZ TORRES

KATE GRAY

Kate Gray is a 24 year old professional dancer from Houston, Texas. She has trained at Expressions, Dancezone, The Academy, and many more studios around the country. Her training consist of all styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, and Hip-hop. Though out her pre-professional years she was given the opportunity to travel all over assisting  world renowned choreographers such as Mollee Gray and Ade Obeyami. At the age of 18 she moved to Los Angeles, California to dance professionally alongside her career in the fashion industry as a wardrobe stylist. Soon after moving she gained representation from Clear Talent Agency. Some of her dance credits include Beyoncé, Adidas, and more. Kate recently returned back home to Houston where her love and passion for dance first began. Her teaching specialties are heels choreography and hip-hop. She is now eager to share her knowledge of the industry back with the Houston dance community! 

Giselle is a 20 year old dancer born and raised in Houston Texas. She has trained in many styles including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Giselle has trained with many companies and choreographers from all over. These include Kolanie Marks (Room & Board LA), Greg Chapkis (Chapkis Dance Team), Melvin TimTim, Andrew Baterina (SoReal Dance Studio), Khalil McNeil (Yeetyah Training Program) and more. Giselle has been in numerous of sets and performances, which include the Thanksgiving parade, Major City Lights, Reebok commercial, and many more. She loves being able to exchange with people and enjoys being a director for kids. She looks forward to continue her journey as a dancer and as a staff member at Garage 713 

GISELLE GUERRERO

DANIEL SANCHEZ

JOSHUA MENDOZA

BUDDHA SURANDI

ARNOLD VILLARREAL