Francine Garton

 Francine teaches with her energetic personality and prides herself on building relationships with her pupils and their families to create a warm, friendly community spirit within her school. She instills discipline and respect, but believes that children learn best in a fun, happy environment. Francine won a scholarship to the prestigious Legat Russian Ballet School in Southern England and was then awarded a place at the Northern Ballet School to complete her training as a dancer and teacher. Francine was fortunate to receive training from some of the most respected ballerinas in the business and successfully completed her training as a dancer and teacher at the highest possible level, gaining honors in her examinations. Francine danced professionally with the Manchester City Ballet company performing as a Soloist in many ballets such as the Nutcracker and Giselle. She dances professionally worldwide and appeared on television and in Theatres throughout England.

Ruben “Fusion” Monet

As a choreographer, Ruben “Fusion” Monet has had the pleasure of working with Diana Ross, Missy Elliott, P. Diddy, Sisqo, Jermaine Dupre, Jagged Edge, Dru Hill, Lil Kim, Mary Mary, Apple Ipod Commercials, Tap Sensation Savion Glover, Lauren Silva, MTV VMA Awards, BET Awards, Showtime at the Apollo, Germany’s Bravo Awards, The U.K.’s “Top of the Pops,” “Concert in the Park,” and more! As a performer he has shared his style with Beyonce, Tyrese, Ludacris, Ja Rule, Nelly, Faith Evans, Will Smith, Backstreet Boys, N'SYNC, Stevie Wonder, P.Diddy, Missy Elliott, and others. He’s shared his teaching in Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Canada, Mexico, as well as top studios in L.A., Edge Performing Arts Center, and Millennium Dance Complex. He’s taught at countless colleges as well as S.D.S.U., and is currently on the staff at Palomar College in North County. He has proudly brought his experience, knowledge, and philosophy with him back home to San Diego by way of the Royal Dance Academy. “I enjoy working and representing the positive side of the hip-hop culture thru dance,” Fusion says. He also has a youth dance troupe, “Junior S.T.O.R.M. Troupers,” based right here at the Royal Dance Academy. They perform in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.

Jenny Baron

 Vanessa began dancing at the age of 3 and performing professionally by age 20. She has extensive training in classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, flamenco, salsa, hip hop and tap. Vanessa attended North Coast Ballet School, Ballet Arte Dance Theater and received a two-year scholarship at the Academy of Performing Arts straight out of high school. During the following years, she performed with local choreographers such as Elizabeth Swallow, Tina Diggs, Jean Isaacs & Lily Cattaneo. She soon began teaching, and found her love for dance blossoming once again as she saw it in the eyes of her students. After two years of teaching she auditioned for Salsa y Fuego Dance Company, where she danced for 18 months. She believed nothing could pull her away from touring and performing until she found the Royal Dance Academy in 2004. Vanessa couldn't have been more pleased to finally settle down and to once again share her love of dance. She is very passionate and caring, hoping to bring joy and enthusiasm to her students. She strives to continue her own dance education by attending workshops, and studying various methods of teaching and dance.

Madeline Wilson

 Madeline Wilson is a Mother of six children who was a “stay at home” Mum for several years. She returned to full-time college after her youngest child was in school to pursue her career in the secretarial field, and become certified with A.M.S.P.A.R. (Association of Medical Secretaries, Professional Administrators/Receptionists). In 1992 she immigrated to the United States (NJ) with her family and continued to work as Medical Staff Coordinator for the Meridian Health System, NJ. Madeline became certified through the Physical Mind Institute. She is also AAAI certified through “Powerhouse Pilates” as well as CPR Certified through the American Heart Association. Madeline loves to stay in shape and considers Pilates one of the best ways to exercise. She enjoys building relationships with her students that are centered around Pilates and healthy living.

Melissa Connolly

Melissa Connolly, originally from Massachusetts, began dancing at age three. She received a B.A. in dance from Bradford College and studied dance in London for six months at Middlesex University. She performed professionally in Boston with Back Bay Dance Theatre, Moving West Reparatory Dance Theatre, Kelly Donovan and Dancers, and Cambridge Choreographers Group. After graduating she danced at Jacobs Pillow, a prestigious summer dance school and studied with several choreographers such as Chet Walker, Milton Meyers and Mark Morris.

While in San Diego she has performed with Traves Butterworth Dance Company, judged Dance Masters of America dance competitions in L.A. and instructed the ballet scholarship auditions in 2003. During the summer she travels to New York City to study dance. She trained with Luigi in 2004 alongside many Broadway dancers like Liza Minnelli and Ben Vereen. She also attended the New York Dance Teacher Intensive this past summer. Melissa has been an instructor at the Royal Dance Academy since its opening in 2001. She is honored to share her passion for dance with the Royal Dance Academy family and is inspired every day by her students.

Karen Coleman

Karen Coleman, AEA, is a trained Musical Theatre performer with an extensive Broadway and Regional Theatre background. She spent six years in New York working on and off stage, performing leads in a number of shows. Karen spent the latter part of her stay in New York working with young actors in Broadway shows, including Tommy, Miss Saigon, and the King and I. She spent two years with the Lion King, and was with the Broadway company when they received the Tony Award in 1998 .

Karen studied Musical Theatre at the University of Arizona and at TVI and the Musical Theatre Forum in New York. Since returning to San Diego, she has taught tap, jazz, voice, and acting. She has spent the last 4 years teaching advanced tap in La Jolla and is excited to join the Royal Dance Academy. She
has won awards for her choreography and plans to bring a little Broadway style to her classes. Karen is a member of the Actors Equity Association.

Sarah

Sarah has recently returned to Southern California from Colorado, where she taught and choreographed for The Mountain Dance Center of Northern Colorado. Her choreography has received national awards, and has been showcased in prestigious repertoires, including The World’s Championship of Performing Arts of Burbank CA, Loretta Heights Performing Arts College of Denver CO, Colorado State University, and the Lincoln Center of Northern Colorado. In her early dance years, Sarah studied and performed with the Dance West Divas of Boulder CO, and the Sophistikit Dancers of Phoenix AZ. While in Phoenix, she studied ballet for 2 years under close supervision of TJ Maheras, of The Wagner Dance Studio. In 1998, Sarah received a dance scholarship at The Tremaine Dance Academy of North Hollywood, and in 1999 a work-study with Morolandis Millennium of North Hollywood. She has had the privilege to train and perform works by such artists as Joe Tremaine, Malaya Ho, Joaquin Escamilla, Siv Gaustad, Eddie Garcia, Shelly Armstrong, and Jen Ballard. Sarah’s passion for teaching and choreography has led her to construct dynamic and energetic classes, which push her students to grow both technically and creatively. -“The greatest joy for me as a teacher is seeing my students connect with the light that resides within each of them.”

Shocka

Originally from Oklahoma, Shocka began performing professionally at the age of 15yrs. She performed in musicals and plays while studying at Tulsa School of Ballet, home of Tulsa Ballet Theatre and also with the June Runyon School of Ballet.  While there, she was a performing member of Tulsa Dance Theatre, Myers Company Dancers, as well as various other theatre companies.  Striving to be the most complete triple threat, she moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and was awarded a scholarship at Retter's Academy of Dance.  She was also an original member of the R&B Dance Company. 

For over a decade she has worked in film and television with talents such as Queen Latifah, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Dreyfuss, Mario Lopez and many more. She also toured the country with Linda Bernabei-Retter and Marcea Lane on the Tremaine National Convention Tour, performing and teaching for thousands.

Still loving to perform live in shows in and around LA, she found time to choreograph and perform with the Moorpark Civic Ballet's Nutcracker for three seasons. For almost two decades she has taught toddlers to adults, in dance, drama, and gymnastics and has worked on specialty character performances for children's camps. Be it ballet, Pointe, tap, jazz, or hip hop, singing, acting, or tumbling….. she does it all, but still remains a perpetual student so she can continue to make her knowledge grow and pass it on to her students.

Pablo Infante
CALIFORNIA BALLET - SOLOIST
 
Pablo Infante was born in Tijuana Mexico in 1982. He began his ballet studies at Centro de Ballet y Arte. In 1998 he joined the Compania de Danza de Baja California and in 2002 was promoted to Principal Dancer. He joined The California Ballet Company in 2003 and was appointed a Soloist the same season. His repertoire includes featured roles in full length ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Midsummer Night's Dream, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, Paquita, Giselle among many others.
 
He has been a Guest Artist and Faculty with Intercity Ballet Theatre, Ballet Conservatory, New West Ballet, Festival Ballet Theatre, International Liryc Theatre, Dance Society of San Diego and The California Ballet School. Mr. Infante has also appeared with the San Diego Opera and the International Mainly Mozart Festival.
 
This is Pablo's first season sharing his expertise with the Royal Dance Academy.

Angela Watkin

Angela was born in Johannesburg, South Africa; and started her ballet training at the age of 4yrs., thereafter successfully passing all the Royal Academy of Dance Examinations, culminating in the Advanced II. She then joined the University of Cape Town’s Ballet Faculty, dancing professionally with the Company for 3 years: and at the same time attaining her University Diploma in the Teaching Methodology of Classical Ballet and related subjects, with Distinction.

Angela also studied various other styles of dance such as Spanish, Modern Dance, Historical Dance, and Ballroom. In 1966 she opened her own Dance Academy, entering students successfully in all the Examination levels of the Royal Academy of Dance. She also produced and directed numerous ballet performances.

In 1990, after successfully completing her training in London, she was invited to join the prestigious Board of International Examiners of the Royal Academy of Dance; and has continued examining extensively in many countries around the world.

In 2000 Angela, with her husband and family immigrated to the USA, settling in Irvine, and continued to teach in a Freelance capacity. She started teaching for the Royal Dance Academy in 2006; and is extremely happy to be associated with this fine Dance Academy.

Jenny Boo Asseff

Jenny was born in Seoul, South Korea, and began formal study in gymnastics and dance as a primary school pupil. A lifelong student of dance, she earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Dance from Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.  She has danced with the California Ballet Company since 2001 as a Corps de Ballet, earning “Dancer of the Year” honors for the 2005-2006 Season. During her tenure with the California Ballet, she has performed numerous and varied roles in such productions as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and many others. Jenny's experience as a passionate and dedicated instructor of ballet to students of diverse age groups and skill levels dates to 1995, since which time she has taught in both South Korea and the United States. 

Jaami Waali

Jaami, originally from Washington State, has been dancing since the age of 9, beginning with jazz and ballet. She began studying hip hop at the age of 14, and soon organized a school dance team at her high school. After she graduated, she joined AmeriCorps National Service and founded an after school hip hop dance program for teens, to help address the rising teen crime rate. She then moved to San Diego specifically to dance in the San Diego State University dance program.

Wanting to dance more, she began teaching hip hop at local gyms and dance studios throughout San Diego. In 2003, she founded Kruciaal Element hip hop dance troupe where she directed, choreographed, and organized numerous performances in San Diego and Los Angeles County. Jaami has danced with Fusion Force Dance Company, Urban FX Dance Company, and Funkanometry San Diego. She has been represented by Dorothy Day Otis Dance Agency, and currently holds representation with Bloc Agency. Jaami has a bachelor's degree in both Fine Arts and Dance from San Diego State University and has recently restarted Kruciaal Element Hip Hop Dance Troupe where she is showcasing her choreography for several events in Los Angeles.

Jaami has performed with performing artists Anisha Nicole, La Rain and Juice, whose recent song made the soundtrack for Stomp the Yard. Jaami’s TV credits include San Diego “Rock N' Roll Marathon,” “Salute to Teachers,” and “LA Special.”

Jaami’s teaching includes The Neutral Zone and Scriber Lake High School in Washington State, Being Fit Fitness Centers, 4 Women Only Fitness Center, K.Y.D.S Inc., Frog’s Club One, Mind Body & Soul Dance Studio, Pure Fitness, Montessori Shir Hashirim Preschool, A Time to Dance Dance Studio, Pacific Arts Dance Studio, Heartlight Aerobics, LA Fitness Center, 24 Hour Fitness Center, Escondido Recreation Department, UTC Ice Town, Culture Shock Dance Center, University of San Diego, Boogiezone Master Class and Mesa Community College. Her choreography includes works for San Diego Civic Dance Association; X-Force Dance Company; Generation F and for performing artists such as La Rain and Tawny Heath.

Aside from dancing, Jaami has over 10 years experience in social services where she has worked with youths from 2-18, adults with both physical and developmental disabilities and seniors. Jaami is very grateful for her wonderfully unique family and friends who have always loved and supported her; they have taught her optimism and laughter. She hopes to spread her love for life and dance to as many people as she can!

Gabriela Estrada

Gabriela was introduced to Ballet at the age of four at the Ballet Clasico de Hermosillo in Mexico. She complemented her young training with gymnastics, art and piano. In High School she studied Modern Dance, Musical Theatre and took voice lessons. In 1990 she graduated with a BA in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. Her college training included studies in different dance techniques such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Mexican Folk, complemented by studies in the areas of Injury Prevention, Kinesiology, voice lessons, and participation in different performing groups including UCI Spanish Dance Ensamble, the UCI touring Ensamble among other events. In 1990 she collaborated in the first meetings of the Irvine-Hermosillo Sister Cities Foundation.

After graduating she moved to Mexico where she participated as guest teacher for several schools, dance studios and gyms. She continued studying Ballet in the Vaganova, Royal Academy of Dance and Cuban techniques, Jazz, Modern, Aerobic instructor training and private lessons with Flamenco Master teachers. In 1996 she founded Dance Collage dance school and company where she has been director, teacher, choreographer and producer. Dance Collage has been participating in Dance competitions, cultural events, arts commissions, presenting RAD exams and presenting dance productions for both the studio and company.

In 1999 Mrs. Estrada was awarded a scholarship to do research in Spain and latter to become part of the faculty of the University of Sonora’s Dance Department where she has taught Ballet, Physical Conditioning, Anatomy/Injury Prevention, Movement Analysis and Benesh Notation. In 2001 Gabriela Estrada was selected as finalist in the Leo’s Choreography Competitive Event of the 10th Jazz Dance and her students won 1st place in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Best Shomanship at Tremaine Dance Conventions in Los Angeles. In 2002 her company was invited to perform at the Celebration of Dance Event in Phoenix, Arizona and her studio company performed in Disney World. In 2004 Mrs. Estrada was invited as Flamenco teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance Summer School in Long Beach, California where she has returned to teach each summer since.

In 2006 she received a scholarship to promote dance in the state of Sonora through master classes and performances with the Dance Collage company, and received a full scholarship to study her MFA studies at the University of California, Irvine.

Sharon

Sharon started dancing before she learned how to walk. She was born in the US but returned to Israel with her family at a young age.  Sharon received 18 years of training in Israel, receiving her certification as a dance instructor from the Wingate Institute, before returning to the US in 2002. She moved back to the US with her husband and while going to school as a pre-med, she was teaching classes in the bay area before relocating in San Diego to attend University of California San Diego. Since graduating in June 2006 and deciding medical school might not allow her to continue enjoying her passion, she has been teaching classes in greater San Diego while working in the medical field. Just in the past summer, both of her jazz and lyrical choreographies won the gold medals in the 2008 JCC Maccabi games. Her training includes ballet, flamenco, tap, modern, lyrical, jazz and hiphop. Dance to her is an amazing way of communication in which no words are needed…only movement and sound. Combining her love for kids and her passion for dance makes her feel complete.

Raina Laviste

Raina has a background in Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip-hop, and Ballet. She danced all throughout high school and choreographed dances for the bi-annual dance performances for Rancho Bernardo High School. She trained at Danceology Studio and Academy of Performing Arts. She has gained experience performing in multiple shows and competitions in San Diego.

Raina is currently working for her B.A. in Dance and Communications at California State University, Fullerton. She has been training in the college level for 3 years. She studies Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Composition with highly accredited instructors: Muriel Joyce, Gladys Kares, Robin Johnson, Debra Noble, and Macarena Gandarillas. She also serves as a teacher assistant for Gladys Kares' Modern class and Macarena Gandarillas' Jazz classes. She performed at the Cal State Fullerton Choreographer Showcase in 2006.

Raina is grateful to be able to share her passion and love for dance with her students at the Royal Dance Academy.

Christina Keithley

Christina has trained with various ballet schools in California, Virginia, and Rhode Island. Most notably, she trained under Melinda Cordell who was a former Soloist for the American Ballet Company. In 2003, she moved to London, England and began dancing at the Royal Academy of Dance. She trained under June Mitchell and in 2005 was accepted to the RAD ballet education program. Whilst studying in London, she trained with renowned ballet instructors and performed in annual ballet shows. Along with classical ballet technique, she has educational experience in repertoire, choreography, notation and dance analysis.

In 2008, Christina graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance earning a BA in Ballet Education with honors. Additionally, she earned distinction in her final teaching exam and is certified to teach all levels of the RAD syllabus. In the summer of 2008, Christina moved to San Diego and began teaching at the Royal Dance Academy. Possessing an infectious enthusiasm for dance, she is dedicated to every student and strives to teach disciplined dance within an enjoyable and rewarding atmosphere.

Claire Bloom

Claire is from South Africa where she has been involved in the dance world since the age of 3. She received her degree in Musical Theatre in 2003 and is trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap. Her performances in South Africa include The Boyfriend, Into the Woods, Honk, Blondes and Dancer for Debbie Rakusin. Claire then headed to London England, where she taught Jazz and Hip Hop for 2 years. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor. Claire immigrated to the USA in Jan 2009 and is thrilled to be sharing her passion and love for dance with the Royal Dance Academy.

Sara Shepich

Sara began dancing at the age of four in San Diego with the city's Park & Recreation Department. Starting with jazz and tap classes, she randomly took other forms of dance over the next ten years; reluctantly incorporating ballet at the late age of 12. To her surprise, she fell in love with ballet which improved her ability in every other discipline. At the age of 13 she met Tessandra Chavez,  just two years older than Sara, who invited her to be a part of the company that she was starting. By sixteen, Sara was mostly dancing with Tessie and taking ballet at studios all over San Diego. By the time she graduated from high school, Sara was taking hip hop classes with Culture Shock, ballet at San Diego Ballet and Stage 7, and experiencing the development of Tessie's unique modern-based style. She continued to class with as many different teachers as possible ranging from Mesa College staff, to convention classes with Mia Micheals and Pattie Obey, and Master Classes with Savion Glover and Christopher Huggins.

Sara is an original member of Unity Dance Ensemble which began in 1993, and is still dancing and choreographing for the company. She began teaching classes at around the age of 24 at Culture Shock Dance Center, where she still teaches jazz and ballet. In addition to those classes, she also teaches other disciplines including modern, jazz fusion, tap, and hip hop, as they are all necessary components of the Unity style. Sara has been teaching at Royal Dance Academy since 2008, introducing the students to the modern dance world. As the new season begins, modern classes have proved to be popular and Sara is excited to get to know more of RDA's students.