Our Instructors
Melissa - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Shining/Super Stars, & Pre Hip Hop
Melissa discovered her love for dance at 4 years old. She graduated from SDSU where she received her BA in dance and currently has over 30 years of teaching experience. Before opening the studio, she was the head of the dance department at Chula Vista High School, toured Europe performing with the Extraordinary Students of America, and was the dance captain in Starlight’s performance of Singin’ In the Rain. She fulfilled her dream and opened Dance Society in 1999 where she continues to share the love of dance with the youth in Chula Vista. Melissa is a mom of two and loves spending time with her Dance Society family.
Amanda - Advanced Jazz
Amanda started her journey with dance at Dance Society when she was 10 years old. She graduated as a Dance Society alumni and has been teaching for over 12 years. Amanda has performed at dance competitions in Los Angeles, Del Mar, Anaheim, and Las Vegas as part of Society Kids, Team Rave, and the Eastlake Dance Company. She has attended workshops taught by professional dancers at the Pulse Convention, Tremaine in LA, and the University of Arizona. She received a dance scholarship her senior year and was a member of the San Diego Ballet Junior Company. When asked why she loves to dance, Amanda replied “Dance has always been a place of escape for me. I can dance out any emotion that I’m feeling and express myself through movement and lyrics. Whether I’m mad, upset, or happy, dance is always there to help me release those emotions. It is a form of self-expression and that in itself is very freeing. Dance is so complex and that’s what I love about it. I love sharing my love for dance with my students. Watching them grow and evolve over the years, not only in dance but in their own lives as well, is so rewarding and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Samantha - Advanced Contemporary
Samantha has been dancing since the age of 4 and has trained in multiple styles. She has been teaching for over 10 years and uses her experience as a certified preschool teacher in our Pre-Primary class. Samantha has performed as part of a Varsity Dance team, a company member of Dancewerks, and performed in a Nutcracker adaptation with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. She has attended the Inaside Chicago Dance Summit Intensive, Dancewerks National Workshop, and Chicago Human Rhythm Project taught by professional choreographers. Throughout her dance career, she was awarded several scholarships such as the Standout Dancer award in 2010. When asked why she loves to teach dance, Samantha replied, “I get to continue to share my love for dance with my students every rehearsal. I was once in their shoes as a dancer and know how much of an impact your teachers make on your own journey with dance. If I can connect and make that experience an enjoyable one, I will try my hardest to do so. Teaching dance has such a huge impact on me all the same, showing me exactly how I can learn from all of my students.”
Bri - Hip Hop
Bri started dancing when she was 5 years old and has been teaching dance for over 10 years. She has performed at SeaWorld, the Safari Park, the televised award show ‘Salute to Teachers,’ and danced for the San Diego Enforcer Girls. Her favorite accomplishment was dancing for the NBA Legends Tour in Shanghai, China. Outside of dance, Bri is a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor, so not only will she teach her students how to dance but will give them a great workout! Bri loves the freedom that dance provides physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her favorite part of being a teacher is bringing out the creativity from her students and watching them grow into such bright and confident individuals.
Corina - Advanced Ballet
Corina began dancing at a young age and has been teaching dance for 28 years. She is also a former professional dancer with the San Diego Ballet. When asked why she loves to dance, Corina replied “It allows me to express myself creatively through movement and music. I love to teach dance because I feel a sense of purpose, that I can give back, and hopefully inspire dancers in the way that my favorite teachers inspired me, through inspiration, kindness, respect, and a positive passion and love for the art form.”
Mikaela - Ballet, Jazz, & Contemp
Mikaela has been dancing since the age of 8 and graduated as a Dance Society alumni. She has choreographed ballet routines for Southwestern College and has been a Dance Society teacher for 3 years. Mikaela received a Dance Award of Merit and won the Best Choreographic Concept for her original piece “Seeking Light”. Mikaela loves to dance because “It allows you to creatively express yourself while getting some feel-good exercise. I love how beautifully detail-oriented dance is! Teaching dance is one of my favorite things to do because I enjoy sharing the love of creative expression with my students, and love seeing them grow as dancers and individuals every dance session.”
Leilani - Hip Hop
Leilani’s hip hop classes are positive and inspiring. She has performed with several hip hop companies and continues to share her love for dance with her students.