Carla Mullendore

Owner / Director

Carla MullendoreCarla Mullendore began dancing over 35 years ago. She has been teaching for over 25 years, dancing professionally for over 24 years, and involved in the competition world for over 25 years. In addition, Carla has worked for more than 20 years as a fitness professional. Her training and studies include Wichita State University, Friends University, University Boulder Colorado, Garth Fagan Dance Co., Limon Dance Co., Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co., Merce Cunningham Dance Co, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Stomp, and David Howard to name a few.

 

Carla began teaching at age 15 at a local studio in Newton, KS which she later took over as owner and director. During her 10 year direction of Newton Dance Center her competitive dancers achieved top awards at Starlight, Star Power, Talent on Parade, NYC Dance Alliance, Spotlight and Dupree Dance Expo. Her Irish troupe from Newton Dance Center also competed regularly with successful top awards as well as toured regionally on a professional level with live bands such as Rowan and Patrick Street. She also directed the dance department for Butler County College for 5 years and coached the Butler Honey Bears drill team which also was successful with top awards at International Dance Challenge, Five Star Productions, Nations Best Collegiate, National Dance Alliance and Universal Dance Association. In the midst of all the classes and rehearsals, she also found time to judge at many competitions and choreograph musicals such as Music Man, Anything Goes and Cinderella.

 

Carla’s professional dancing career has taken her all around the world. Besides the opportunities to perform with the companies she studied with, she performed with Benita Bike Dance Art Company which toured Poland. She danced on the MS Crystal Symphony, Crystal Cruises where she performed pieces of Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evita, Les Miserables, CATS, Mama Mia, Miss Saigon, Chorus Line, Le Jazz Hot, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweet Charity, Mame, Little Gigi, Hello Dolly, a Grease Medley, and an entire show based on Cole Porter music. Most recently she played the role of Cassandra in CATS which performed in the Los Angeles area.

 

Carla uses her experience and love of dance and fitness to motivate and inspire future performers. She enjoys sharing her talent and knowledge with others to help them be successful and reach their goals.