Our Team
Athena (Yutong Zhang)
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
FOLKLORIC INSTRUCTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Athena Zhang is a distinguished Chinese Folkloric dance artist and visionary leader whose career is defined by elite performance, groundbreaking choreography, and executive direction. A graduate of the Beijing Dance Academy — the premier institution for dance in China — Athena is a recipient of the Lotus Award, widely considered the “Oscar” of the Chinese dance world. Her profound impact on the industry is highlighted by her long-standing tenure as the Dance Artistic Director for CCTV’s （China Central Television, China’s national broadcaster) Star Avenue, where she directed over 560 stage performances and shaped the artistic identity of thousands of performers.
As the founder of the Athena Dance Academy, she always pursues a love for the spirit of art in her dictionary. “Dance is a living art, dance art is an interpretation of internal personality, artistic spirit, and quality. The artistic spirit and quality of dance are the beginning source of dance art. “—— This is her artistic spirit and the best interpretation of Athena Dance Academy
Hope Magee
BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, ACRO, JAZZ, TAP INSTRUCTOR
Hope Magee is an accomplished ballet and multidisciplinary dance educator whose career is rooted in elite technical training and a lifelong commitment to the arts. Her journey led her from Northern California to some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including the world-renowned Master Ballet Academy, the Sarasota Ballet Pre-professional Conservatory, and a high-level traineeship with BalletMet. Mentored since the age of 13 by the esteemed Theodore Constant, Hope arrived in the Houston dance scene in 2023 with a reputation for excellence and a professional recommendation that reflects her standing in the industry. Beyond her impressive performance pedigree, she is a deeply passionate educator with eight years of experience across a vast array of disciplines—from Ballet and Contemporary to Hip Hop and Acro. Hope possesses a unique gift for connecting with dancers of all ages, from Pre-K to adult, and is dedicated to helping every student transform their technical goals into profound artistic achievements.
Sky Edward
HIP HOP, KPOP INSTRUCTOR
With over a decade of experience in K-Pop and Hip Hop, Ms Sky brings a wealth of competitive expertise to our studio. As the founder and Director of the award-winning team Cosmix, Ms Sky has led dancers to numerous podium finishes since 2023. Currently performing with the elite crew Wyldstyl at Soundbox Studios, they balance a high-level performance career—competing on global stages like World of Dance—with a passion for mentorship. Whether in the lab or on the stage, Ms Sky is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of movement and helping the next generation of dancers find their competitive edge.
Alix Harris
BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ INSTRUCTOR
Alix Harris is an accomplished ballet artist and multidisciplinary dancer whose career is defined by competitive excellence and a high-level academic pursuit. A Houston native, Alix has mastered a versatile range of disciplines from classical Ballet and Pointe to Contemporary and Hip Hop, earning recognition as a top 25 senior woman in both classical and contemporary categories at prestigious competitions like ADC/IBC and the Youth American Grand Prix. Her elite training includes serving as a ballet major at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and receiving full scholarships to the Cincinnati and Oregon Ballet summer intensives. As she prepares to continue her dance education at Scripps College in the fall of 2026, Alix brings a fresh, competitive perspective to the faculty, dedicated to inspiring Houston’s dancers through technical precision and artistic passion.
Aniya Wingate
BALLET, TAP DANCE, JAZZ, CONTEMPORARY INSTRUCTOR
Aniya Wingate is a Houston-based dancer, choreographer, and youth advocate. A BFA Dance graduate from Sam Houston State University, she performs with Urban Souls Dance Company and teaches young dancers at Athena Dance Academy. Her work explores social and environmental justice, notably in Caution: Roses Die Here and the short film Shoulders Deep. She is also the subject of Raising Aniya, a documentary on environmental justice in the Gulf Coast. Her choreography has been showcased at the Limitless Dance Festival, The Black Agenda, and national events like the Climate Story Lab.