| | Joanna Santor |
| Joanna Santor established Dance Creations in 1995 after successfully teaching and running ballet programs for various dance studios throughout the Southland since 1987. A native of the Philippines, dance has been a part of Joanna's life since the age of 3. She began her studies in the Philippines and continued in the United States with various professional dancers and teachers in the Los Angeles Area. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge in Liberal Studies, where her classes included children's creative movement, children's literature, children's art and recreation. She is also a certified teacher with Dance Masters of America, Inc. Joanna is a proud mother of three and has lived in the Simi Valley community since 1980.
Teaching has always been the most rewarding aspect of Joanna's dance career and Dance Creations was established to allow her to pass on her love of the art to aspiring dancers of the community. Since it's beginning, the students of Dance Creations have participated in annual recital and community organized parades, have been guest artists at various college concerts and benefits and have won numerous top awards at national dance competitions.
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| | Chris McCarty |
| Chris McCarty combines her early childhood education and extensive dance background to do what she loves to do: teaching young children to dance and experience freedom and joy in movement. She has danced since the age of 3, trained in the style of Al Gilbert and Joe Tremaine, and has been actively involved in musical productions throughout her career. A credential graduate of California State University of Northridge, Chris teaches preschool/parent education classes for the Simi Valley Unified School District and has over 25 years of experience teaching dance to adults and children of all ages and abilities. With three children of her own, Chris understands the importance of positive feedback which encourages students to feel good about dance and themselves. She is a certified teacher with Dance Masters of America, Inc.
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| | Leanna Bodnar |
| Leanna hails from the San Francisco Bay Area where she began her extensive training in the performing arts. She studied under gifted teachers including ballet: Yehuda Mayor and Christine Elliot; voice: Ina Krause and Florence Riggs; acting: Howard Fine, Jay Goldberg, and Uta Hagen (scholarship).
She made her professional debut at age 17 as Maggie in A Chorus Line. Some performing credits include principal roles in the Broadway National Touring companies of Grease (1996), Cats (1991-1993), and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1991). Favorite roles performed with regional theater companies throughout the county include Eva in Evita, Polly in Crazy For You, Maria and Liesl in The Sound of Music, and Tzeital in Fiddler on the Roof. She was also a founding member of the Musical Theater Guild of Los Angeles. Over her 15 year career she had the pleasure of working with many television celebrities, and Broadway’s best including Tony Award recipients and the legendary Jerome Robbins.
She retired from performing 10 years ago when she married her multi-talented husband Mark and began opening their pet boutiques, Three Dog Bakery. They have two daughters, Lark and Lily.
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| | Guynemer Caceres |
| Guynemer has been with Dance Creations for over 5 years, and has been the Choreographer and Creative Director for their award winning Hip Hop Teams for over 4 years. He has taken Top Choreography honors at various competitions including Czar, That's Dancin', Showstoppers, and Encore Dance Competition. He took Top Honors at International Dance Challenge winning their Senior Large Group title, Top Platinum Choreography award and the prestigious Ultimate Dance Challenge Champions in 2005 for their number "Outbreak". Other accolades include the Top Teacher award at Star Systems in 2005 and the Most Entertaining Dance at Spotlight Dance Cup in 2005 & 2006. Most recently Guynemer won the Judges Award at Thunderstruck Dance Competition and took Top Overall Gold/Platinum awards at Czar.
His goal is to always make the audience enjoy what they are watching on stage.
Guynemer also holds a Bachelors Degree in Adolescent Psychology and is signed with one of LA's top dance agencies.
"If my work doesn't make you laugh, cheer, or groove... I'll give you your money back!"
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| | Leah Craig |
| Bio Coming Soon.
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| | Michelle Galanti |
| Michelle has taught ballet for Dance Creations since 1995, helping students grow as dancers and self-confident individuals. Clasically trained in ballet since the age of five, Michelle has received scholarships from ABT, SAB and San Francisco Ballet Company. She also holds a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology and manages the Cardiac Fitness Center, Echocardiography and Electrocardiography departments at Glendale Memorial Hospital. Fusing together her extensive background in classical dance training and exercise physiology, Michelle delights in teaching the art of dance while educating students on the importance of proper technique for injury prevention. Michelle’s energetic and passionate classes illustrate her personal philosophy; "Dance is not something you do when you are young, but something you will enjoy for the rest of your life."
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| | Kat Griffin |
| Bio Coming Soon.
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| | Sam Herrero |
| Sam began dancing at the age of 6 and has been trained in the art of ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz. She has competed and received Platinum Awards in numerous dance competitions in Southern California, such as DMA, Czar Productions, LADF, and Showstoppers. The biggest highlight of Sam's dancing career was being named Miss Dance of Southern California in 2001. The Miss Dance of Southern California title led her to the DMA National Competition in New York City, where she was able to learn various techniques and styles from many of the top choreographers throughout the country. An alumni of Dance Creations, she has been able to assist many dance instructors throughout the Southland at The EDGE, Tremaine's, and the Millennium Dance Complex. A recent graduate of California State University, Northridge with a degree in Marketing, Sam is very excited to share her dance training in ballet, jazz, and lyrical classes this upcoming fall.
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| | Tania Hoyt |
| Tania comes from a family of entertainers. Her mother was a singer and pianist and her father was a singer, in theatre, Broadway, TV, movies and a published author. Tania was trained in acting, dancing & musical theatre. She began her training at the age of five. She was a dancer and singer in a local traveling, performing group called Edward's On Stage for many years. She has been dancing for more than 30 years - Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Pointe. She was trained extensively in Ballet & Pointe by Dan Durrie, who was a member of Boston & Joffrey Ballet. Tania joined his dance company and performed tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre all over the San Fernando Valley and LA areas. She also trained with Joe Tremaine, Barry Lather, Dennon Rawles, Douglas Caldwell, and Marcea Lane. Tania has been teaching for numerous studios and is known for her endless energy. Her fun-loving approach to teaching makes her classes so enjoyable. Tania also has two certifications in Pilates Mat as well as a certification in Sport Yoga. She teaches dance, Yoga, and Pilates for Cal Lutheran University. She has choreographed shows for elementary schools and Platinum routines for Santa Susanna Performing Arts High School Competition Choir and worked with Ventura High Dance Team for several years. Tania absolutely LOVES dancing... it is her life long passion.
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| | Tamara McCarty |
| Tamara McCarty joins the Dance Creations team for a second season of classical ballet instruction. For over 10 years, Tamara has trained at Dance Creations in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, and Tap. She has also studied with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, Long Beach Ballet, and participates regularly in master classes offered by prominent L.A. choreographers. When she's not in the classroom, you can find her performing on various stages throughout the Southland. She is excited to once again share her passion and strong technical background with young dancers.
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| | Alex Porter |
| Alex Porter, Miss Dance of Southern California in 2004, began her training at Dance Creations and continues to train at professional studios such as Edge Performing Arts and Millennium. Her enthusiasm for Hip-Hop and her ability to share her passion grows stronger year by year.
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| | Aaron Porter |
| Aaron Porter is a versatile dancer and choreographer from Los Angeles. He has worked with Academy Award winner Ron Howard in "The Grinch", Academy nominated director Christian Taylor in "Showboy" (Best Film Milan Film Festival 2002) and Hinton Battle (The Wiz, Dreamgirls). Aaron has done numerous commercials including spots for McDonald's, CBS, and Pepsi. His television credits include Disney's "Phil of the Future", Disney's in Concert Series with B*Witched, and Fame LA. Aaron has choreographed for Jason Alexander (Seinfield, The Producers). Aaron has professionally trained dancers who have gone on to work with Britney Spears, Debbie Allen, Cirque du Soliel, winners on the television series "Fame" and "Star Search." He has been teaching at EDGE and Millennium Dance Complex for the past seven years. Students have included Jenna Elfman (EdTV), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under). Aaron choreographed industrials for software giant Cisco Systems, the historic "It's Magic" 50th Anniversary Show at the Kodak Theatre. His choreography can also be seen in the MGM feature film "Sleepover." He also teaches master classes and workshops throughout the US.
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| | Dawn Ringer |
| Dawn began tap and jazz lessons at the age of 8 when her mom enrolled her at Bobby Thatcher’s Dance Studio in Simi Valley. What began as a mother’s attempt to instill gracefulness in her daughter, resulted in Dawn’s lifelong love for dance in any form. Dawn continued her jazz and tap training at Bobby Thatcher’s through high school, continued training in jazz at Moorpark College, and performed liturgical dance at California Lutheran University where she graduated with B.S. Degrees in Psychology and English. After taking some time off dance for career and family, Dawn began dancing again when her daughter, Aryanna started classes at Dance Creations. Inspired by her talented and caring teachers, Chris and Joanna, Dawn expanded her dance training through local studios in Simi Valley and the Los Angeles area and through master training classes in tap. Dawn feels so fortunate to have been given the gift of dance as a child and to now be able to pass that gift on through teaching; it is life coming full circle. Dawn is thrilled to be part of the Dance Creations family.
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| | Stacey Searight |
| Bio Coming Soon.
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| | Leasa Shukiar |
| Leasa has been dancing since the age of 4. She has danced professionally all over the world. Her favorite roles are Judy in A Chorus Line, Ellie in Showboat, and Tess in Crazy For You. Dancing changed her life while performing on Holland America Cruiselines, she fell in love with a fellow cast mate who became her husband. Leasa is a magna cum laude graduate of California Lutheran University. She taught 3rd grade in LA Unified for 4 years and has taught preschool dance for the past 5 years. Leasa loves teaching the wee ones classes at Dance Creations and keeps her classes fun and playful using lots of props and age appropriate music. Her proudest "productions" are her 2 daughters, Carly and Hayley.
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| | Mike Williams |
| Mike Williams is the creative genius and award-winning choreographer behind Dance Creations' jazz and lyrical competitive teams. As a certified member of Dance Masters of America and a recipient of an "EDGE" Scholarship, Mike has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. He incorporates his unique style and diverse technique in all of his work. His classes are high-energy, fast-paced, and challenging for the committed dancer. Michael is consistently awarded "Top Choreographer" at Southland competitions including: Showstoppers, CZAR Productions, LADF, and Dance Masters of America.
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| | Crystal Zibalese |
| Crystal Zibalese is a cum laude BFA Dance graduate from Chapman University, specializing in dance teaching methods, choreography, and kinesiology. She joins the Dance Creations team with years of professional experience as a choreographer and performer with Backhausdance, a modern dance company. Trained in all styles of dance, Crystal has worked with student and school groups since 2001. She is the recipient of many dance scholarships and thoroughly enjoys sharing her expertise with the aspiring dancers in the studio.
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