TMX Teachers
Victoria Furka, Owner/Director
Valerie Simmons, Assistant Director
Valerie Simmons began her dance training at age 6 and has studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe modern, hip hop and ballroom. She has trained under instructors such as Frank Hatchett of Broadway Dance Center, Jo Rowan, Gregory Hines, as well as her mentors, the late Sylvia Manning the late legendary Al Gilbert, who she served as an assistant at various workshops during his later years. Valerie continues to teach his graded syllabus for the foundation of tap technique as a percursor to current, advanced rhythm tap style.
Valerie has taught tap master classes in the UK where she also trained in ballet, tap, jazz and vocal performance at Danceworks and Pineapple Studio in London as well as DanceEast in Ipswich.
Valerie is a National award winning choreographer/instructor and her tap students have received national and international awards.
Caitlin Franco
Caitlin Franco holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, emphasizing choreography and pedagogy, from Sam Houston State University. During her time at SHSU were Andy and Dionne Noble of NobleMotion Dance, Dana Nicolay with Dana Nicolay Dance Works, and Jennifer Pontius. Caitlin also had the privilege of studying and performing repertoire from some of the most well- known dance companies, such as; Astrid Von Ussar, Dominic Walsh, and Paul Taylor II Dance Company.
Once she graduated, Caitlin relocated to San Diego, California, where she danced professionally for over three years. Within her time in California, she became a soloist with Visionary Dance Company. She was also a consistent guest artist with the San Diego Dance Theater, Somebodies Dance Theater, and Blythe Barton Dance.
Aside from Caitlin’s professional career, she is equally passionate about teaching and choreographing. In 2012, her senior choreography project was hand-selected to represent SHSU at the American College Dance Festival Association (now known as ACDA). In 2014 she was awarded “Best Ensemble” for her co-choreographic work in the prestigious Choreography Showcase Awards held in San Diego, California. From 2015 to the present, Caitlin has had much success taking her choreographic skills to the competitive studio stage. Various dances of hers have been awarded National Titles, choreographic awards, and Best in Category awards.
Caitlin has dedicated her life to the art of dance, so much so that she opened up her studio in 2019, Cutting Edge Performing Arts. Now, as a former studio owner, Caitlin is excited to continue to share her passion and joy of dance with the TMX dancers and families.
Amber Rhodes
Ms. Amber is our tumble teacher and office manager. She is also a director for Primrose Schools.