head Director
Melanie Phillips
Mrs. Phillips was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Brandeis High School and was a dance officer her senior year. She went to Texas State University, graduated with a BFA in Dance Education, and was a Texas State Strutter for 3 wonderful years. While on the team, she was a Line Officer, and was on Pom Squad and Jazz Elite. Her last year on Strutters she was Voted Best Dancer by her teammates. During her time on Strutters, she had the privilege of performing in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade and in the Disneyland Parade in Paris, France.
From 2015-2019, Mrs. Phillips taught at Saritas Dance Studio in San Antonio. While at Saritas, she taught Jazz, Hip Hop & Contemporary to dancers ages 6-19. Upon graduation, she started working for ShowMakers of America, and has been a staff member for 6 years. She's had the privilege of choreographing pieces for Summer Camps and work internal affairs for Contests.
In 2018, Mrs. Phillips started her career at Pat Neff Middle School in San Antonio, TX where she built the first dance program from the ground up. The following year in 2019, she moved up to Round Rock, TX, where she was the Varsity Dance Team Assistant Director and the Ensemble Dance Team Director. In 2020, she had the privilege of returning home, to direct the Smithson Valley Silver Spurs. Mrs. Phillips is thrilled to continue growing this legendary program, and looks forward to her 4th year year filled with all the traditional ranger events! She is also currently pursuing her Master's of Arts degree with a concentration in Dance Education at Texas Women's University.
Fun facts about Mrs. Phil! She has an unhealthy coffee addiction, with no plans on quitting. She has 2 crazy cats and the most supportive dance husband! She's always looking for TV show recommendations!
Assistant Director
Lindsay Gillean
Ms. Gillean is an Army Brat and was fortunate enough to grow up in many different states and countries with her dad being in the military. She's lived in San Antonio now for 19 years and has loved becoming a real Texas girl! She graduated from Johnson High School in 2010 where she was on both the Belles Drill Team and Legacies Dance Team including being an officer her junior year. While at Johnson, she also received the ‘Outstanding Junior of the Year’ award.
Ms. Gillean went to Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi and was on the Islander Dance Team for her first 2 years attending school there. During this time, she was voted ‘Rookie of the Year’ by her teammates and coaches. She graduated in 2015 with her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-6. During her high school and college dance careers she's had the privilege of attending many different ShowMakers camps, Tremaine Dance Conventions, and Dance Intensity master classes with different choreographers.
After her college dance career, she taught competitive gymnastics at different levels and continued working with surrounding schools to judge Dance Team and Officer tryouts. She worked at Hoffmann Elementary in NISD for 7 years and is very excited to begin her 8th year teaching as a Smithson Valley Ranger!
Fun facts about her: She enjoy's traveling, being active and is an Orange Theory Enthusiast. She has the sweetest rescue pup, Luna, who loves belly rubs and watching Netflix with her in her free time.