Jackleen Rios
Studio Director
Jackleen Rios began her dance career at the age of four, learning traditional ballet technique from a well known dance studio in San Antonio called the Vladimir Marek Ballet Studio. She continued dancing throughout her adolescence growing in the art of dance learning other genres such as jazz, hip hop, and modern. She continued with her dance career by attending the University of North Texas in Denton Tx, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance Cume Laude. After receiving her BA in dance, she completed her Dance Certification for 8-12th grade to begin her journey in dance education. In 2015, Jackleen graduated from The University of Texas San Antonio with a Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology.
She also taught for the Parks and Recreation of San Antonio, displaying her choreography on the San Antonio’s famous Arneson theater and has been recognized for outstanding choreography. In 2010, she became the Dance Director for San Antonio Independent School District’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Jackleen started the dance program at YWLA. Some of her students started with little or no experience, and have become elite dancers, who have branched out into the dance world to be successful individuals. Her students have been in numerous opportunities throughout San Antonio, such as appearing on television shows, hip hop organizations, local music videos, and dancers for local singing artists.
The program has also participated in local events including the Battle of Flowers parade in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016. In 2015, The Young Women’s Leadership Academy was asked to perform for the Department of Education in Fine Arts in Washington D.C. Jackleen’s choreography was recognized by the Department of Education in Fine Arts’ as one of the best programs in San Antonio. Jackleen is also a member of The Texas Dance Educators Association and The Center for Education in Developing Fine Arts since 2010.
With more than 12 years of professional experience to her credit, Ms. Rios has excelled as a director and the owner of the Jewel of Art Dance Studio since 2016.
Ms. Rios is not only a business owner but also a professional dancer, choreographer, model and actress. She has worked with many local vocal artists as a choreographer, director, dancer and model. She has worked with artists such as pop artist Simply Rayne, Sarah Centeno, R&B singer Smoove, Latin Colombian Artist J Torres, American Idol contestant Steven Curd, Ugena, Stacy Nevaeh, Stonetribe Music and local band Horror on 24. She has modeled for companies such as Melrose Family Fashion, Our Kids Magazine and featured as a Woman in Business for SA Monthly Magazine. She has also appeared on local TV stations such as FOX 29, Kens5, KABB, and WOAI. Walked in SA Fashion week for Fashion Artist of the Year Fabian Diaz and nominee Priscilla Martinez for Fashion Artist of the Year 2017, 2018, 2019. Additionally walked the Runway for Beauty Fashion Week, Alani Taylor Fashion Show, Ever After Fashion Show, Runway for Raw Hollywood, Austin and SA. Additionally, she has been the lead actress for the short film Overlooked produced by Rudy Luna and Brent Strong. Jackleen has also creative directed and produced music videos for local Artists such as Ugena, Stacy Neavaeh, DJ Lil X and many more. Jackleen has recently became the Dancer of the Month Executive Account Curator for SA Monthly Magazine. Showcasing the most Brilliant Dancers in SA to be featured in the hottest magazine in SA. Jackleen has also danced alongside many celebrity Dance Choreographers such as G Madison, Markus Shields, Phil Wright who’s credits include Mariah Carey, JLO, Camilla Cabello, Kendrick Lamar, Rhianna and may more. She also had the opportunity to dance at the SA Film Festival for the late Patrick Swayze’s friends and family at the Beautiful Tobin Center.
On April 2, 2019, Jackleen Rios was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Although Ms. Rios is involved with many activities her main passion is teaching. The Jewel of Art Dance Studio has always been a dream of hers since she was a child. She has finally been able to reach the start and fulfill her lifelong dream of creating an environment for students to be able to find their passion and reach their dreams. The Jewel of Art Dance Studio is the stepping stone to create refined and brilliant dancers on and off the dance floor. Her goal is to ensure each dancer embodies dedication, commitment, artistry and passion. Ms. Rios considered the students to be her jewels and just as jewels shine with brilliance so will her students.
Priscilla Martinez
Ballet
Having taught dance for over 25 years, Priscilla specializes in classical ballet and lyrical contemporary dance. She is inspired by the talent of the dance community and her students every day. In her classroom, she brings her passion for dance and for teaching young people while sharing her knowledge and experience. She strives to encourage her students to explore the possibility of their talents and push beyond what they think is achievable within themselves as performers, athletes, and artists.
In her choreography, she invites her students to bring their thoughts and personalities to the piece to deepen the level of silent dialogue a dancer has with the audience. Through movement and emotional interpretation of the music, her choreography is rooted in pop-culture using classical and modern music. Using a current message, she’s able to produce a stimulating dance-art conversation with her audiences that transcends all ages.
Priscilla Martinez began her career as a dancer studying in San Antonio, and later in Boston & New York with some of her memorable teachers being Milton Myers (modern), Michael Vernon (ballet), Elena Kunikova (ballet), Armando Duarte (modern), Danny Sloan (modern/jazz), Sam Kurjikian (ballet), Fleming Halby (ballet), Teresa Champion (flamenco), and Susan Connally (ballet/jazz/modern).
In addition to her studies in New York, she added Theatre to her stage experience. There she performed in musicals and straight plays as well as numerous national commercials, voice-overs and print ads. She has performed extensively with various dance companies, including SA Dance Theatre, now known as SA Metropolitan Ballet.
She has also choreographed award winning concert pieces. Fragil and Signs of Life were both performed at Regional Dance America’s Southwest Festival and both received the Monticello Award for Emerging Choreography, and Out of Chaos, also performed at Festival, received the Project Tier Award. She has attended several National Craft of Choreography Conferences to further her work in choreography
Sophia Green
Jazz I-III
Sophia Green is an American dancer, choreographer, and performer. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she grew up studying ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop with San Antonio Parks and Recreation, The Jewel of Art Dance Studio, and the St. Anthony Catholic High School dance team. Sophia graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2024 with a BFA in Dance, where she worked with outstanding choreographers such as Netta Yerushalmy, Jennifer Mabus, Tyler Orcutt, Adele Nickel, and Dionne Sparkman Noble. She made her choreographic debut at SHSU with “Lofi Girl” and “Stranger.” In the future, Sophia plans to continue sharing her joy for dance.
Manny Diaz
Advanced Teen Hip Hop/ Adult Int Hip Hop
Manny is a San Antonio native who is 26 years old. He is an aspiring professional dancer/choreographer. Manny has been on his dance journey for 9 years and has truly shown himself this is the root of his ambitious nature. Convention settings are his bread and butter, with having over 15+ scholarships from Monsters Of Hip-Hop Dance convention, Misfit dance camp, The Lab Dance convention, and 541 Vibe City. He has had professional training in the entertainment industry and has also received technical training from Texas State University having undergone their dance program with an emphasis in performance and choreography. Manny loves to share his passion especially with people who love this craft as much as him.
Ashley Jennings
Beg Modern
Ms. Ashley has over 10+ years of dancing experience. She recently graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School where she was on the Patriot Varsity Dance Team for 3 years. She was awarded Best Technique for her last 2 years and Best Overall Dancer for her final year. She is currently attending Northwest Vista College as a dance major where she is a part of the Student Dance Company and is a student choreographer. She is currently employed at Jewel of Art Dance Studio and so excited to be teaching all the future Jewels.
Sabrina Rendon
Mommy and Me/Heels
Sabrina Rendón, a 23 year-old San Antonio native, has been dancing for 9 years and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, heels, and yoga. Sabrina joined the Taft Highstepper Dance Team as a sophomore and became Lieutenant Colonel of her team during her senior year. While on the team Sabrina had the opportunity to attend classes at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City and the Joffrey Ballet School, and also participated in competitions that earned her team National Championships with HTEDance and Crowdpleasers Dance. Examples of awards that she earned include the “Elite Performer” Award from Crowdpleasers, being selected for the Dance Company and Kick Company of HTEDance, as well as earning the title of National Miss High Kick at the HTEDance National Competition out of 90 competitors. Through the Taft Spirit Organization, her awards also include earning “Best Kicks” for two years in a row. Her teaching experience includes teaching with KinderDance of Alamo City where she provided on-site classes for students in jazz, ballet, and tap at local elementary schools and daycares. She continued dancing and choreographing with the Northwest Vista College Dance Program and performed on a collegiate dance team for two years with the UTSA Pom Squad. In the heels genre she has taken master classes with professional choreographers such as Yanis Marshall and Nicole Kirkland. Sabrina utilizes dance as a creative outlet and hopes to inspire others to reach their full potential and reach whatever goals they set their mind to.
Abigail Cuellar
Adult Modern/ Adv Teen Modern/Combo I &II
Alyssa Caballero
Children’s Classes Assistant
Coach John
Tumbling
John Sierra is an experienced and energetic teacher since 1970. He has been a gymnastic instructor and coach for the Northern Hills Gymnastics Club, YMCA, Gymex Corporation, Edgewood ISD, Harrison Unlimited Gymnastics Center, and SA Gymnastics Center. In 1985, he coach Girls Class IV gymnastics team that won first in the Texas Twisters competition and a gymnastic student who won first place in all around competition in the U.S.G.F Class IV Qualifier District Championship and third place in State Semi-Finals. He is knowledgeable in both cheer and gymnastics competitions as well as holding numerous Gymnastics clinics and workshops.
Tone Plata
Adult Int Hip Hop
Jayla Ball
Adult Commercial Dance
Jayla Ball is a professional hip hop dancer from Austin, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas in Theatre and Dance. She trained at Monsters hip hop convention, Kaos and is a former member of the Spurs Hype Squad. Jayla is a triple threat who acts, dances and sings in community theatres around San Antonio.
Tori Saldana
Beg Adult Hip Hop
Tori Saldana born and raised in San Antonio, Texas has been dancing for 17 years, since the age of 3. Starting out at Barbara and Tammys School of Dance, TJ’s Dance Factory, Chrissy’s Dance Academy, and finally settling at Earle Cobb Dance Studio from age 6-18. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary/ modern, and lyrical. Tori graduated in 2020 from North East School of The Arts as a dance major and performed in many shows such as Steppin’ Into the Holidays, Footnotes, Newsies, Mamma Mia, and more. She is currently at UTSA majoring is Medical Humanities/ Pre- med. Tori continues to persue dance and hopes to dance professionally one day.
Akasha
Vogue
