April Jamerson

April Fry Jamerson is internationally recognized for her passion and proficiency as a performer, instructor, choreographer, studio owner, and mentor. With a lifelong passion for the arts and fellow artists, April loves to champion students and their families and see them fulfill their highest potential while also growing in their appreciation for artistic expression and discovery. Born in Minerva, Ohio, April began dancing and performing at a young age, ultimately earning a Dean’s Scholarship to the prestigious Ohio University School of Dance and graduating Summa Cum Laude with highest distinction. While a student at Ohio University, April had the privilege to study under many distinguished faculty and guest artists. However, it would be the influence of Director Gladys Bailin that would shape April’s passion and perspective for proper dance education and continual exploration of movement.

Upon graduation, April relocated to Southern California where she was a company member of The Long Beach City Dance Theater and performed with many independent artists as well as with The Rudy Perez Dance Company and Louise Reichlin & Dancers. April’s passion to offer proper dance education to the underserved led her to partner with The Art of Dance, a non-profit youth organization in Compton, California.

During this time April developed a youth outreach program that saw hundreds of children come through the doors each week and off the streets to receive training in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap.

In the summer of 1992 April married her husband, Dave Jamerson, and moved to Houston, Texas, where she continued to teach, choreograph, and perform throughout the region at events like the Houston International Festival and the Houston Dance Coalition. April and Dave have four adult children: Bret, Elijah, Trey, and Mia. Their youngest, Mia, is a current dance student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this time April travelled internationally to teach, choreograph and perform. She has taught in the slums of Nairobi Kenya to the Grand Theater of Ephesus.

When the family relocated to Austin, Texas, in the summer of 2015, April retired from teaching and began looking for a classical ballet program for her daughter Mia. This led her to be introduced to the newly transplanted Kelly Yankle. April soon came out of retirement and began teaching alongside Kelly at The Dance Academy. While teaching at The Dance Academy April oversaw the development of the children’s program, the modern program and would end her tenure there as the Managing Director of Ballet Academy North.

April has helped build programs and dancers for over 35 years. She has taught in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya to the Grand Theater of Ephesus. Since arriving in Austin this passion has only grown leading her to be a part of the launch team for The Austin Dance Conservatory as Executive Director. She can’t wait to see the incredible legacy the faculty, students, and families will create as they collaborate together.