8:15am - 9:15am: Basic Acting

Any age, taught by Amy Lynne Hillard

9:00am - 9:55am: Musical Theater Games and Movement

Ages 5 - 8, taught by Alina Bangerter

Ages 8 - 18, taught by Nikki Morrison Carico

Ages 12 - 18, taught by Tatyana Smith

September 6th - October 4th

Each class runs for five weeks: four Saturday classes + one showcase

Greene Dance Studio

4311 Sara Rd. Suite 209, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Time: 8:15-9:15 AM
Location: Greene Dance Studio, located at 4311 Sara Rd. Suite 209, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Price: $125
It’s time to start with the basics! Are you ready to begin building your own “actor’s toolkit” and learn what it takes to create believable and exciting characters for the stage? Then this is the perfect class for you! No matter what age, all students will be provided with training from the ground up during this course. We will start with the foundational building blocks of acting so that the next time you’re cast in a show, you’re ready to rise to the occasion!
Amy has spent most of her life revolving around the theatre world in one way or another. She started taking her own acting classes as an elementary student and credits that time of her life for the unwavering love for the craft of theatre. Since starting to work with Heartstrings in 2022, she has enjoyed directing and working with the casts of each production she’s had the opportunity to be a part of in various capacities. Amy graduated from The University of Toledo with a bachelors in English & a focus on Creative Writing. After a lifelong journey of loving stories & obsessing over how they can come to life on stage, she’s excited to share her knowledge and passion with new students!

Time: 9:00 AM-9:55 AM
Location: Greene Dance Studio, located at 4311 Sara Rd. Suite 209, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Price: $125
Musical Theater Games and Movement is a great introductory class for students 5-8! We’ll do what the class name says: play some games and practice some movement! The main focus will be what musical theater is all about: FUN! We’ll also learn a short dance for the class showcase. Come ready to dance, play, and have fun!
Alina Bangerter is a young, driven director, actress, and dancer who loves helping others experience the joy of dance and theater—and she can’t wait to share that passion with her students. Since the age of five, she has had a heart for directing and has led a variety of children’s productions, including Robin Hood, Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, and Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Alina has trained in ballet with Dance Theater Southwest and is currently expanding her skills by learning clogging and tap. She also has a deep love for folk dance and serves as the lead choreographer for the Albuquerque Folk Dance Group, where they explore traditional dances from around the world!

Time: 10:00 AM-10:55 AM
Location: Greene Dance Studio, located at 4311 Sara Rd. Suite 209, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Price: $125
Choreography class is meant for students 8 and over who have some dance or performance experience. The class will focus on basic musical theater dance steps and vocabulary. We’ll also learn a dance number to perform for the class showcase. Come to this class ready to strengthen dance skills, move a lot, and have fun!
Nikki has spent most of her life on or near the stage. She grew up dancing and performing, and has spent the last 4 years choreographing for heartstrings productions. She loves movement and dance, and is excited to share that love with her students. She is also a 5th grade teacher at New Mexico International School and is passionate about education in all its forms.

Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Greene Dance Studio, located at 4311 Sara Rd. Suite 209, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Price: $225
This dynamic vocal intensive is designed for young singers who want to strengthen their technique while bringing songs to life through powerful storytelling. Students will learn proper breath support, vocal placement, diction, and tone production to ensure a healthy, resonant sound. Through guided exercises and repertoire work, they will explore how to convey emotion, character, and narrative, turning each performance into a captivating experience for the audience. This class blends classical vocal principles with expressive interpretation, empowering singers to connect deeply with their music. By the end of this intensive, students will have both the technical tools and dramatic skills to sing with confidence, artistry, and authenticity.
Tatyana Smith is a dedicated General Music Teacher at Mission Avenue Elementary and Vocal Director at Heartstrings Theatre Company. She earned her degree in Music Education with a concentration in Vocal Music from Alabama A&M University. A classically trained vocalist specializing in opera, Tatyana has also performed in numerous theatre productions over the years. Her passion lies in nurturing and developing young voices, helping students discover both skill and confidence. With a lifelong devotion to the performing arts, she brings artistry, discipline, and joy to every classroom and stage she enters.