SPARK: In Bloom

Thank you to everyone who joined us for SPARK: In Bloom to spotlight the contributions of local dance leaders and celebrate Greater Houston’s vibrant dance community! During the event Lori Amare Bujung received the 2024 Dance Source Houston Artistic Honor and Jane Weiner received the 2024 Giannelli Service Award. Lori and Jane were recognized for the impact of their contributions to dance in our city. SPARK attendees enjoyed drinks, light bites, a raffle, and, of course, lots of dancing while donning their floral frocks.

The event raised funds for Dance Source Houston, currently in its 19th year as an arts service organization supporting the local dance community. Funds raised will support Dance Source Houston programs that provide direct support to danceworkers, including Artists In Residence, Dancer Fund, Dancer Physical Therapy Clinic, Day of Dancer Health, and more.

Thanks to all who raised a glass, showed off your moves, and took the floor with the who’s who of Houston dance!

If you missed the party, there’s still time to contribute towards our fundraising goal!

2024 Dance Source Houston Artistic Honoree
Lori Amare-Bujung

LORI AMARE-BUJUNG began her training in dance with Allie Belle Thomas who gave her a love of ballet.  She later trained with Frank Hatchett who gave her the opportunity to dance off-Broadway and train with professionals such as Rick Odums, and Maurice Hines.  

Bujung later joined the Kuumba House Dance Theatre where she taught, became a company dancer, and later moved into leadership, as company tour manager, school director, and grant writer.  She also danced with Several Dancers Core, Texas Dance Theatre, and local productions like the “Music of Motown,” and several productions with the Ensemble Theater.  She founded Second Generation Dance Company where she was able to choreograph several dynamic dance works and promote culture through dance.  

Amare-Bujung received a BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University and an MFA in Dance from Hollins University.  She taught at Houston Community College for five years and is in her 19th year teaching for Houston Independent School District.

2024 Giannelli Service Awardee
Jane Weiner

JANE WEINER established Hope Stone, Inc. in 1997 with a dream to unlock the innate creativity of children and adults through the arts. Graduating from Bowling Green State University with a degree in deaf/elementary education and minor in dance, Jane worked with the Doug Elkins Dance Company in New York City for a decade plus of dancing and touring before her move to Houston in 1996. She has set work on the Alley Theater, Houston Ballet II, Stages Repertory Theater, the Houston Children’s Museum, as well as many universities, and has collaborated with the Houston Symphony, the CAMH, and the Asia Society, and was a speaker at the 2012 TEDx Houston and 2013 TEDx TAMU. 

She is the Artistic Director of Hope Stone Dance and directs The Hope Project, Hope Stone’s mindful arts education outreach program.

2024 SPARK Host Committee Members

Lauren Anderson Sanja Korman
Christian Brown Lynn Lane
Teresa Chapman Lindsey McGill
C.C. Conner Kelly Myernick-Kubin
Marlana Doyle Beverly Parker
Jordan Drum Alex Soares
Christina Giannelli Stephanie Todd Wong

Event Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors for helping to make SPARK a success! If you are interested in sponsorship through monetary or in-kind support of the 2024 event, please contact [email protected].

Raffle Sponsors


Recognition Categories

Dance Source Houston Artistic Honor – Given to an artistic leader whose contributions have made a sustained impact on the Greater Houston dance community.

Giannelli Service Award – Given to an individual whose leadership and dedication have strengthened the dance community of Greater Houston.

2024 Honorees

Lori Amare-Bujung – Dance Source Houston Artistic Honoree

Jane Weiner – Giannelli Service Awardee

2023 Honorees

Rathna Kumar – Dance Source Houston Artistic Honoree

Maxine Silberstein – Giannelli Service Awardee

Learn more about the 2023 honorees here!


2023 Event Photos

2022 Event Photos