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Is thrilled to be entering her 20th year of teaching! In 1999, she founded Stephanie Elder School of Dance which later became Camarillo Academy of Performing Arts. As the Artistic Director of CAPA, her students have won numerous awards and scholarships and many have gone on to pursue a career in the performing arts. She is a certified member of Dance Masters of America (DMA) since 2000. In 2004, Stephanie alongside her sister Lauren, was awarded the DMA Member of the Year award. October 2008 marked another milestone for Stephanie...she and her husband, Josh, welcomed a ballerina of their very own- Estella Grace Briones.
Stephanie wishes to thank all of the wonderful families at CAPA who have helped her turn a simple dance studio in to a dance community where the love of the performing arts is nutured.
Lauren has been dancing and performing as long as she can remember! She has performed with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, Gateway Ballet of St. Louis and American Dance Troupe, as well as competing regionally and nationally. After graduating with honors from the University of California Santa Barbara, she has devoted her energy to teaching dance full-time. Lauren has served as Children's Ballet Mistress for the Moscow Ballet's Santa Barbara production of The Nutcracker and is currently the head of CAPA's Invitational program as well as the Artistic Director for CAPA's newly formed Young Dance Artists Performing Arts Company. Lauren is a member of Dance Masters of America.
Crystaldawn is a Southern California native and CAPA student alumni. She has been dancing for the past 20 years, six of which have been teaching. She attended California Institute of the Arts and received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in dance in May of 2008. During her years at Cal Arts, Crystaldawn choreographed and performed in many works, some of which were chosen to be performed at REDCAT, an interdisciplinary contemporary arts center located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. She has also choreographed award-winning dances for CAPA's YDA Company.
Jo Bliss has been teaching dance to children since 1983. She owned and operated her own dance studio in Oklahoma City, Okla. from 1989 until 2005 when she moved to California to nanny for her daughter. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, studied dance on a dance scholarship at Oklahoma City University from 1983 to 1987 and enjoyed taking class with Ballet Oklahoma for over 10 years. She danced in over 20 musicals including "Annie", "My One and Only", and "Crazy for You". She was awarded the "Gypsy" award twice and served as dance captain in "Dames at Sea". She is a member and past officer of Oklahoma Dance Masters Association. Jo is thrilled to join the CAPA staff this year.
Kimberly is entering her eighth year on faculty at CAPA. She has worked with recording artists such as Chris Brown and Usher and was featured as a dancer on an episode of "The Simple Life" with Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie. Kim is a guest instructor for Rio Mesa Dance Team and is represented by the prestigious dance agency, DDO.
Michele has been dancing for seven years at CAPA and is a member of their YDA company. She has won numerous award at both regional and national levels and has received special recognition for her performances. Last year, she won the title of "Teen Miss Dance of Southern California 2008" and went on to win "Teen Miss Dance of America 2009-first runner up". This year, she was selected to perform in the Richard Carpenter Scholarship Competition and was awarded first prize. She is currently represented by DDO Artists Agency. Most recently, through a national audition tour, Michele was chosen as one of 44 students to study at the Julliard Performing Arts Institution in New York City this summer. She is thrilled to have this opportunity and looks forward to a wonderful experience at this prestigious school. She hopes that her love of dance will inspire her students to dream big!
Carmen is in development with her management companies “K and C Management”, “Sugah Sugah Entertainment” and “Street Visions Productions:” All three versed within the entertainment industry of managing talent and producing independent productions. Early on she received a full scholarship at the USC Performing Arts Annex as a Modern major, studying the Bella Lewitzky and Lestor Horton technique. At seventeen she became a principal dancer for ten years for The Ka Ron Lehman Dance Company, a fusion of Russian Ballet, Grahm and Horton. In 1992 she crossed over into the Entertainment Industry as performer and choreographer, combining Lyrical Jazz, African, Modern, Hip-Hop, and Freestyle to television, film, music videos, and stage productions. She has worked nationally and abroad in Japan, Thailand, Germany, Europe and Africa. During the ninety’s Hip Hop industry video phenomenon era, Carmen was a catalyst that helped set the stage for many of the mainstream dance shows today, "So You Think You Can Dance", "America's Best Dance Crew", "You Got Served", "Stomp at the Yard", "Step Up 1, 2 and 3".
Jason Coosner holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance with a concentration in Choreography from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. SMU’s Dance Program is one of the top 5 in the nation and Jason was one of four, internationally, to be accepted as a 2007 candidate; he was awarded a Full-Artistic scholarship for the duration of his studies by the Meadows School of the Arts. During his tenure he had the privilege of studying under award winning jazz dance legend Danny Buraczeski and contemporary jazz master Max Stone. Throughout his graduate studies Jason created 3 new, fully produced, dance works and taught Jazz Dance for three semesters on faculty. While in Dallas he served as the Assistant Artistic Director for Collin County Ballet Theatre. He was also the Director of Musical Theatre and Contemporary Dance at Hathaway Academy of Ballet, one of Dallas’ premiere pre-professional performing arts schools teaching classes in Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acting. Jason also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Theatre from the Professional Training Program at Elon University in North Carolina. Currently Jason teaches and choreographs throughout Los Angeles and continues to perform locally as an actor and singer.
Maggie has been awarded Top Choreographer, 2nd Overall Production and three Most Entertaining awards at Dance Master Of America. She is a DMA National Title Holder 2001. Maggie is also an LA Dance Invitational (1999 & 2003) & LA Dance Force Competition Gold Medal Winner (1994-2002). She danced professionally with Danny Daniels and The Dance America Company, toured with Columbia Artists as a lead dancer and has performed feature roles for HBO, John Denver television shows and Pennies from Heaven. She has choreographer of the Hallmark TV movie, "A Grandpa for Christmas" as well as Gilmore Girls Season Opener and "An Evening with Gaeda Mier". Maggie was honored in 2008 in New York City's Tap Week for her vast contribution to the tap community. Maggie is a member of Dance Masters of America, serving as Vice President and has taught for over 30 years.
Ashley grew up dancing in Southern California. She traveled to Austria and Paris to perform at the Tranzsommer Invitational Dance Festival and has competed nationally for over ten years. She has been choreographing for eight years, Ashley has danced for Disney, Warner Brothers, performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Greek Theater. She has had the privilege of working with greats such as Danny Daniels, Sam Webber and Gregory Hines. She received the NYC Dance Alliance Critics Choice Awards, was Dance Masters of America's "Miss Teen Dance of Southern California 2000" and Spotlight semi-finalist in 2001 and 2002. Ashley was featured in Dance Spirit Magazine and recently earned her bachelors degree in Philosophy from UCLA.
Rebecca is entering her third year at CAPA. Her television appearances include performances with Dolly Parton, Disney's Young Musicians, Jerry Lewis Stars Across America and various MTV music videos. She has been seen on stage as a tap soloist at the Greek Theatre and has performed featured roles with Pacific Festival Ballet. She has competed at both the regional and national levels and has recently been featured in Dance Spirit magazine. Rebecca is currently an honors student at UCLA.
Carole is a certified teacher of both Dance Masters of America and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), a worldwide organization based in London, England where Carole was born and received her early training with the Royal Academy of Dance. As a professional dancer and singer she performed in many Broadway and TV shows, including No, No, Nanette, How to Succeed in Business and The Bing Crosby Tribute, working for renowed choreographers such as Michael Kidd and Donald Saddler. She has choreographed numerous shows, commercials and film sequences. Her teaching career spans twenty years, including owning her own school in Mendocino, California to teaching at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, Western Ballet and most recently at the renowned School of Alberta Ballet in Canada, where she served as Children's Ballet Mistress. Her students have been awarded scholarships to San Francisco Ballet School, Alvin Ailey and Canada's National Ballet School.
Nadar was Russian-trained in Leningrad. He was a principal dancer with Berlin Opera, Las Scala di Milan, and Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires. Nader was Artistic Manager and Ballet Master at Cairo Opera House and worked with Rudolph Nureyev for four years in Europe.
Marni started her dance training at the age of six. She trained on scholarship with Stanley Holden's Ballet Academy in Los Angeles, where she studied under the direction of Stanley Holden and Margaret Hills. Marni has performed professionally for various events such as P.D.S Picnics, Debbie Reynolds celebrity benefits, Stevie Wonder's Black Arts Festival at the Rose Bowl, the 14th Annual NAACP Image Awards and she opened for a Richard Pryor movie premier. She was a member of a company called Dansemble under the direction of Sylvia Lewis. Marni is the proud mother of four and is entering her eight year at CAPA.
Nick got his start dancing at Arizona State University with the Hip Hop Coalition under the direction of Leslie Scott (LADF, EDGE, Millennium. After dancing only a year and half, he began teaching at local Phoenix studios and soon after became artistic director of the ASU Hip Hop Coalition. He trained with notable teachers and choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Tabitha and Napoleon, Leslie Scott, Phlex, Matt Cady, Marty Kudelka, Melanie Benz. His teaching credits include Dance Masters Convention teacher, Loyola Marymount University, teaching nationally as well as internationally and Hollywood Dance Experience Convention, not to mention numerous studios over his teaching career. Some of his dance credits include Rihanna, IceBreaker Gum, MTV VMA, CBS Fashion Rocks, TV pilot "Cooking's a Drag, Intel, Wells Fargo, Rahzel-the Human Beatbox, DJ Perry Farrel. He's also done numerous award-winning choreography, Carnival: Choreographer's Ball, upcoming artist Mikal and WNBA Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad.
Jean danced on full scholarship with the School of American Ballet Theater in New York, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Teatro alla Scala in Milan. She was a soloist with Harkness II in New York under the direction of David Howard. She coached with Alexandra Danilove, Anton Dolin, John Kriza and Lupe Serrano. Jean was featured in the Danskins Are For Dancing ad campaign, has starred in dozens of national commercials, television shows and feature films. Her students have been highly recognized at prestigious summer programs such as Boston Ballet, Chicago Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet and ABT in New York and has also won top awards at various regional and national competitions.
Katie has been dancing for fourteen years and continues to receive her training at CAPA in many areas of dance. She has been a member of the CAPA assistant program for the past five years and is currently the captain of the program. Katie also is a substitute teacher and finds she enjoys sharing her love of dance with the little ones. Katie is excited to be part of the CAPA faculty and looks forward to another dynamic year.
Daniella has lived and studied dance extensively in LA and New York. She has trained under influential teachers and top choreographers, such as: Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Richard Alston, Theresa Hayes, Michele Assaf, Michelle Barber, Tracie Stanfield, Keri LaGrand and Frank Hatchett. Daniella is a National Adjudicator for competitions such as Starbound, Starquest and Dance Rage. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where she is now on staff in their dance department. This is her second year at CAPA and she is thrilled to work with such passionate young dancers.
Jeffrey joined the faculty of CAPA directly from the Jesus Christ Superstar national tour. His stage credits include Bansal in The Lion King at the Pantages, Jeffrey in international tours of Smokey Joe's Café and as Judah in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in St. Louis. Jeffrey received the Ovation Award for Best Featured Actor for his Broadway performance of Little Moe in Five Guys Named Moe. His TV credits include For Your Love, Jamie Foxx (WB) and Golden Palace (CBS). He has written and directed shows for Hillcrest Country Clubs with Sidney Pointier, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. Jeffrey is looking forward to his fifth year at CAPA.
Mary may look familiar to you, she joined CAPA alongside her twin sister Maggie Danielsen in March 2006. Mary danced professionally with Danny Daniels and Dance America Company. She toured with Columbia Artists as a lead dancer. She was a featured dancer in the John Denver Special, on several HBO specials, and appeared in the movie Pennies from Heaven. Mary works with many entertainers in television, film and theatrical projects.
Rebekah's love for the arts began at the tender age of seven with ballet and rhythmic gymnastics classes. Her passion grew throughout her high school years in Australia. Rebekah continued her training after graduating high school at Wesley Institute for Ministry and Arts where she was offered a full dance scholarship. This opened up doors for her professional career. Prior to moving to the USA from Australia, Rebekah danced professionally with Western Sydney Dance Theatre in Sydney, Australia and them later in the US, danced with AD Deum Dance Company in Houston, Texas. Rebekah has trained extensively in ballet, contemporary, jazz/hip-hop, gymnastics, competitive aerobics and drama. She has true love for the creative arts! Welcome Rebekah!
Vanessa comes to CAPA with an extensive professional background and huge talent! A graduate of CSUN Northridge with a masters' degree in voice and music industry studies, her performances include starring roles on Broadway in Dream Girls and Ragtime. Regionally she has appeared in many productions including South Pacific, House of Flowers and Amen Corner. Her voice has been featured on jingles for Pepsi and Paul Mitchell. In addition, Vanessa has toured as a background vocalist for renowned artists Janet Jackson, Engelbert Humperdinck, and can be heard on numerous recordings for movies and television shows.
Enters her fourth Year of teaching Dunham Modern Technique at CAPA. She works with the (Dunham technique based) Marshall Dance Company and is a member of Datugan Dance Theater. Zari has studied with The Ailey School in New York and was a scholarship student at the American Dance Festival. She received her BFA in Dance and composition at Cal Arts and has performed and Choreographed for theater projects in Los Angeles, North Carolina, Houston and Aix-En -Provence France. Zari is the Admissions Counselor for the Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at Cal Arts and is also a freelance Dance Videographer fluent in English and French.
Recently finished work on the upcoming feature film, Bolden, scheduled for release in 2008. Other professional dancing credits include the 2006 Victoria's Secret fashion show with Justin Timberlake, DSW's Spring 2007 shoe commercial, the European tour of Grease, and industrials for Wella/ Sebastian Hair Care, Harley Davidson, Swarovski Crystals, Ed Hardy and Red Bull. Nicole completed her professional training in the scholarship program at The Edge performing arts center. Since then, she has pursued a career in dance and teaching throughout the U.S. & Canada.
