Our instructors are more than just teachers; they are mentors who inspire, motivate, and cultivate the next generation of dancers. Get to know the faces behind our classes!
Cathy Jelic
Executive Director
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Cathy’s dance & performing arts journey began in middle school, where she first started cheerleading in her hometown of Willow Glen. It was during various cheerleading camps and conventions that she was introduced to dance—a love affair that’s lasted a lifetime. When she first came to work for Action Day Primary Plus in August 1993, she became involved in the company’s extensive Dance Program. After obtaining her BS from San Jose State University, she accepted the position of Director of Human Resources. She took a break from teaching while raising her two daughters, whom she enjoyed watching perform on stage. When her oldest daughter was in fourth grade, she noticed that she was very serious about pursuing the passion of dance and desired to be part of a team. It was at this point she began to examine the possibility of founding a dance team with her own talented instructors and students. A performance and competitive dance team was founded titled the West Valley Dance Cats in September 2009, and the Company has since continued to expand and thrive. Cathy has provided support and wisdom to all of the performance/competition team coaches, as well as her creative vision. It is with her guidance that West Valley Dance Company continues to blossom into the large, close-knit dance “family” it is today. Currently, Cathy is a Partner of Action Day Schools and the Executive Director of the Dance Program.
Shannon Claude
Studio Director
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Shannon quite literally grew up on stage. She began performing and competing at the age of five—and instantly fell in love with the environment. In her early years, she was featured on “Star Search,” where she met other talented choreographers and dancers who remain very active in the dance community to this day. She has also danced on several middle school, high school, and studio teams and won numerous awards and scholarships. She has taught and choreographed at various studios since 2002, and came to teach for Action Day’s Dance & Performing Arts Program in the fall of 2005. At the time, she taught mostly preschool and young child dance classes. Her experience and love of dance were soon recognized and paved the way of her filling the role of Assistant Director of the Dance Program and Director of the West Valley Dance Cats. In 2015, she became the Studio Director of West Valley Dance Company. Her ever-pervading goal for the dance family she directs is to create a fun, professional environment where she is able to share her passion with the children and young adults she teaches.
Shiyo Yamamoto
Mt. View and Willow Glen Studio Director
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Shiyo began her dance journey at our very own Action Day School, where she first discovered her love for dance and performing. With extensive training in a wide range of styles, she competed both nationally and internationally, including in Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai. Her competitive achievements earned her numerous scholarships, which allowed her to train at prestigious institutions such as the San Francisco Conservatory of the Arts, San Francisco Ballet, and the American School of Ballet SI Program in New York City.
Shiyo’s performance highlights include appearances at the Beijing Summer Festivals, Sacramento Kings games, and serving as a Tour Assistant for the Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention. In addition to performing, Shiyo developed a deep passion for teaching and mentoring young dancers. She has served on the United Spirit Association (USA) Dance Staff, coached award-winning high school dance teams and Palo Alto High School and participated as a panel judge for Varsity Spirit Competitions.
When the opportunity arose to teach for West Valley Dance Company, sister company to Action Day School it was a full circle moment in her dance journey. During her first season with WVDC, the Mountain View studio opened its doors. Since 2017, Shiyo has proudly served as the Studio Director of WVDC Mountain View, and has expanded her leadership to include directing our Willow Glen studio. Shiyo continues to pour her passion into developing both our Performance Team and most recently, our Mountain View Competition Team, inspiring the next generation of dancers through her dedication, creativity, and leadership.
She is truly grateful for the support and spirit of the WVDC community, which continues to inspire her every day.
Anna Buonomo
Action Day Schools Dance Director
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Anna Buonomo is an Italian-born contemporary choreographer who has worked in the UK (and Europe) as a dance artist, performer and teacher. Her works have been performed in UK, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland gaining audience and critic acclaim. Alongside her artistic career, she has taught since the age of 16. She has 20+ years of experience teaching ballet and music/dance to 2-5 year-olds, to Elementary School age children as well as professionals and adults. She has also been a Lecturer for BA: Urban Dance Practice at University of East London for 6 years. There's something truly special about instilling a love of movement and dance in the next generation - and she feels incredibly fortunate to be able to share this gift with others.
Rebecca Aguirre
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Rebecca has been performing and dancing on stage since childhood and danced and sang with her main dance school for over 20 years. She joins us from the UK where she achieved 10 years experience running and teaching in her own dance and drama school for ages 18 months to adult and gained many qualifications. Rebecca holds her Acrobatic Arts certifications and has attained the highest level certification in the Alixa Flexibility program. She is also fully qualified with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in Tap, Modern Jazz, Imperial Classical Ballet and Street & Hip Hop, as well as being certified with the iD Company in Contemporary. In addition to being qualified in dance teaching, Rebecca also holds a Masters degree in Acting from a top London drama school, a Bachelors degree in Theater and several drama teaching certifications. We are indeed fortunate to have the expertise of Rebecca as a part of WVDC!
Miranda Baclig
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Miranda’s dance journey began at just 3 years old at her local studio in the East Bay, where she was inspired by watching her older sister dance. Her passion blossomed as she trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip-hop, competing and performing throughout high school. Along the way, she attended master classes and workshops with renowned dancers and choreographers, further enriching her experience.
Now in her final semesters at San Jose State University, Miranda is majoring in Sociology while pursuing a Dance minor. She is dedicated to refining her skills and techniques. After graduation, she aims to earn a Master’s in Teaching. Her love for teaching ignited at her childhood studio, and now Miranda is thrilled to continue her dance journey at WVDC!
Basma Baiya
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Basma’s journey as an arts educator is both inspiring and deeply rooted in her diverse experiences with dance. From her early training in Morocco to her professional performances and teaching roles in the US, she brings a rich tapestry of cultural and artistic knowledge to her students. Her work at local dance studios and schools in San Jose highlights her dedication to sharing the vibrant cultures of Hip-Hop and Afro dance with young dancers. Basma’s enthusiasm for teaching and mentorship shines through her commitment to guiding children in their artistic exploration and cultural education. Her blend of personal experience and passion for dance continues to shape and inspire the next generation of artists. We are so fortunate to have Basma as a part of WVDC!
Sabine Blyth
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Sabine started dancing in 2005 after her mom watched the first season of “Dancing with the Stars” and enrolled her in dance lessons. She was hooked instantly and knew that one day she would become a professional dancer. Since then, she has won several titles, including United States Ballroom Amateur Champion, International Grand Ball Rising Star Smooth Champion, and Ballroom Blackpool Pro/Am Champion. Sabine loves competing, but her true passion lies in teaching, as she hopes to inspire young dancers the same way she was inspired when she started her dance journey.
Gianna Calderon
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Gianna’s journey in dance includes training at prestigious NYC studios like PMT House of Dance, EXPG NYC, and Broadway Dance Center where a solid foundation was laid for her skills. Moving back to the Bay Area, she seamlessly integrated into the local dance scene with Commonality and SNACKPACK Dance Collective. Gianna’s experience extends beyond just training and performing; she’s also made an impact as a guest teacher around Bay Area studios and as a choreographer for various live performances, both locally and internationally in the Philippines.
Currently, Gianna’s commitment to dance continues as she’s still heavily involved in training, performing, and competing. Her diverse background and ongoing involvement in different aspects of dance highlight her dedication and versatility in the field. We are thrilled to have Gianna as a part of the WVDC family!
Claire Cheng
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Attending Action Day Schools at Amber, Claire started dancing when she was just 2 years old. She grew up through WVDC’s dance program, performing a wide variety of styles with the competition team since age 6. In high school, Claire continued fostering her love of dance as a member of her high school’s dance team and a choreographer for the annual school dance production. Claire discovered her love for teaching in 2022 when she began volunteering at Friends of Children with Special Needs, where she teaches special needs students singing and dancing. After she graduates from The Harker School this year, Claire plans to pursue a dance minor in college, pairing it with her studies in neuroscience and continuing to build on her dance experience. We are thrilled to have one of our very own shaping the next generation of dancers at WVDC!
Traci Colons
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Traci has been a teaching artist in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Growing up dancing with the Recreation Programs in the City of Newark and Fremont, Traci was active in many style including tap, ballet and pointe, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and a taste of hip hop. With an extensive background working at elementary schools as the school librarian and classroom instructional assistant, she has always loved tying in her love of reading, books, and storytelling into her dance and performance classes. Traci spends her summers teaching Musical Theatre Camps in San Francisco, sharing her love for dance, performance, and theatre. A musical theatre performer and choreographer herself, she continues to work with with local community theatre companies such as Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre, Tri-Valley Young Performers Academy and Stage 1 Theatre (where she is currently a Board Member and Director of Education). Traci will be completing her B.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Sports and Performance from Grand Canyon University in the Spring of 2023. Teaching performing arts in the discipline of dance to people of all ages and levels and encouraging her students to perform from their heart is what makes Traci’s dancing heart the happiest!
Krista Dana
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Krista has been dancing for over 30 years in the styles of ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern and tumbling. Years in the studio led her to join her high school dance team, the Fremont Featherettes. Krista attended UC Riverside where she received a BA in dance with a focus in modern dance and choreography. Over the years she’s had the opportunities to study with several dance masters including Gloria Mohr, Fred Strickler and Keith Banks. She has been teaching for 8 years now and continues to take studio classes. She’s excited to bring her knowledge and style to WVDC.
Camille Donnelly
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Camille began dancing when she was 5 years old. Growing up in Berkeley, she was trained in all forms of dance like jazz, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical, hip hop, and more. Throughout high school, while working with SF Based Velocity Circus, Camille performed for Google, Samsung, and more. Now in college at San Jose State University, she is a third year member of the Division 1 San Jose State University Dance Team. Her love for dance continues to grow as she performs at major events and competitions with her team. Camille thrives on the energy of live performance and values the strong bond she shares with her teammates. She is excited to join the WVDC team and mentor the next generation of dancers, hoping to inspire others.
Hope Fellows
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A dancer since the age of three, Hope has been teaching and directing dancers for over ten years. She has received extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theater. Upon her graduation from UC Berkeley, Hope received The Mask and Dagger Memorial Prize for Extraordinary Contributions to Theater, Dance and Performance Studies. Hope has received awards for her artistry and choreography as a competitive coach; her dancers have earned regional titles, been selected for collegiate dance teams, and worked as assistants at conventions. Additionally, Hope holds certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, and Ballet Barre Fitness. Hope strives to help her students reach their fullest potential whilst nurturing a life-long love of dance.
Emerald Gray
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Emerald has been dancing with the Action Day Schools family since she was 2 years old. Her love for dance has lead her here to start teaching young students and to help foster their passion for dance. Emerald has participated in dozens of Action Day Schools annual productions and also was an original WVDC Dance Cat and has some competition dance since age 9. Emerald is attending Mission College, studying kinesiology with the hopes to become a sports trainer. Emerald is excited for the opportunity to continue sharing her love for dance with the WVDC team!
Lydia Hadley
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Lydia has been dancing with WVDC nearly her entire life and is thrilled to now be a part of the WVDC team as a teacher. She started dancing at the age of two and discovered her love of performing. Lydia danced danced both recreationally and competitively at WVDC, eventually diving into the world of musical theatre. Having studied in many different styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, Lydia is currently continuing her dance journey at San Jose State University where she is pursuing her degree in Theater Arts. Lydia is excited for this new chapter in her WVDC journey and can’t wait to share her love of dance with all of her students!
Dani Keats
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Dani is a professional dance teacher and performer, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a bachelor's degree in dance from San Jose State University in 2006 and has been an instructor for nearly 20 years. With expertise in various styles such as ballet, jazz, musical theater, contemporary, and now ballroom, Dani has taught all levels and ages, ranging from 18 months-72 years old. Her teaching philosophy is to ensure students have immense fun while being challenged in a safe and supportive environment! Her performance credits include: World Famous Hubba Hubba Revue, Radio Disney Dance Crew, Nickelodeon's Celebration Parade, San Francisco's Pride Parade, and more. Dani is also the founder and director of Cabaret San Jose (@cabaretsanjose), a premier dance troupe featuring classically trained dance artists, aerialists, burlesque, and circus acts. We are thrilled to have Dani as a part of the WVDC family!
Carlee King
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Carlee’s first dance teacher was none other than WVDC's Miss Shannon Claude herself! Her debut dance performance as a tiger tot in the Aladdin dance show was at the age of 2. Carlee enjoyed dance classes throughout her elementary and middle school years. Her highlights include playing Flounder in the Little Mermaid show, performing with the Dance Cats competition team, and being co-captain of the rehearsal hall at the Center for the Performing Arts during yearly dance shows. Currently, Carlee spends her days teaching preschool and dance classes at the University campus. We are so excited to have Carlee pass her enthusiasm for dance on to the dancers of WVDC!
Ali Lambrecht
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Ali has been teaching and choreographing in the San Francisco Bay Area for 22 years. Most recently as Owner/Director of Coastal Vibe Dance Company in Santa Cruz, California. Her dancers have been accepted into the nations top dance programs such as Chapman University, the Boston Conservatory, the Alvin Ailey School, Loyola Marymount University of Manhattan, Alonzo Kings Lines, UT Austin, UC Irvine, Julliard, and USC. Ali’s students have gone on to perform on FOX’S So You Think You Can Dance, The Ellen Show, and Holland America Cruz Lines to name a few.
Annabel Lewis
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Annabel began dancing at 3 years old and has always loved performing on stage. She has danced all styles, but focuses on Hip Hop and Ballet. Dance makes her feel like she can express her feelings without using words and loves connecting with the music. Annabel has always loved working with young kids. She aims to be a good role model, to build a welcoming judgement free environment and encourage her student’s creativity. As a current WVDC Competition team member and instructor, Annabel is excited to continue her dance education and keep teaching at WVDC.
Grace Lu
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Lyndsey’s dance journey began at just 2 years old and she has loved it ever since! Having trained in various styles such as jazz, hip-Hop, ballet, contemporary, modern, tap & more, Lyndsey grew up on stage competing and sharing her passion through what she loved most. Throughout the many years, Lyndsey has received various scholarships including The Joffrey Ballet School, Elite traveling teams, Alvin Ailey Summer intensive, and AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles . After training for 16 years at her home studio, Lyndsey was accepted into one of the most prestigious companies in her senior year and chose to continue her training in Los Angeles. During her time in Los Angeles, Lyndsey has worked on various video projects, shows, and workshopping with some of the most well known choreographers in the industry. While continuing to pursue her professional dance career, Lyndsey is excited and eager to be back in the Bay Area to share her love and knowledge for dance as part of the WVDC family!
Kim Macias
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Kim has acquired over 30 years of dance training and experience since she first developed her passion for dance. She had the opportunity to train under the direction of Jackie Sleight, Dave Carter, and Liz Imperio in her early years. Aside from competitive dancing, Kim also danced on Independence High School’s Dance Team where she was a student choreographer and director. She has since coached Oak Grove High School’s successful competitive cheer and dance team which included an NFL Pro Bowl half-time performance in Hawaii. Kim began working for ADPP/WVDC in 2007 as a dance instructor with a wealth of dance knowledge. Currently, she keeps herself on her toes as a mother to her own tiny dancers and continues to teach for WVDC.
Julianna Martinez
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Julianna took her first ballet class at Action Day when she was just 3 years old! Since then, she continued her dance training in many other styles within the program including jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop and more. She joined the West Valley Dance Cats as an original member when it was first created and fell in love with dancing competitively, continuing to compete for many seasons with WVDC. Julianna also performed, competed, and received personal titles with her award-winning high school dance team & nationally ranked college dance team. She continued taking dance classes and courses in college while also working as a dance teacher and competition coach for various dance studios in Southern California. She also serves as an advisor and choreographer for her former high school dance team in her hometown of Santa Clara. Julianna graduated from California State University Long Beach with degrees in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology, Chemistry, and Dance. Julianna is thrilled to be returning to WVDC as an instructor, and she looks forward to attending medical school in the future.
Mandi Marquez
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Mandi's dance journey began at the age of 2 as an active participant in gymnastics and dance classes. Her intense passion for dance further led to enrolling in WVDC at the age of 7 a jazz class sparked joy and her love for dance blossomed. Having studied a variety of styles, being drawn drawn to hip hop led her to being a member of the performance team and earned her a spot on the competition team at the age of 11.
As a teen, Mandi was introduced to the WVDC Teacher's Assistant program and found pure enjoyment encouraging and watching students blossom just the way she did. As a teacher, Mandi is beyond grateful and excited to see her students succeed with WVDC!
Chiara Mattioli
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A recent Spartan alumna with an immense passion for dance and the performing arts, Chiara is a product of the San Diego Civic Dance Arts’ parks & recreation program. Born to Brazilian Italian immigrant parents who wholeheartedly believed in the power of languages, dance was one of the most athletic and expressive forms. Chiara continued her dance education through the Creative Arts Department at San Jose State University and both the official university and club competition dance teams. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz and lyrical, and she is so excited to share that zeal with the WVDC family!
Vanessa McGautha
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Vaness’s love of dance began in early childhood while a competitive baton twirler. With choreography and teaching experience spanning 30 years, Vanessa was a dance team member for the San Jose State dance team Sparta Gold as well as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. While obtaining her bachelors degree in Public Relations, Vanessa was also a staff member for Universal Dance Association teaching high school/college dance team camps across the country and judging the National Dance Team Championship as televised on ESPN. Currently, Vanessa is an adjudicator for various dance competitions as well as a member of the audition panel for the Golden State Warriors entertainment teams. Vanessa’s unique delivery of hip hop along with music & historical theory give her students a challenging yet fun experience they can enjoy.
Ailli Meyer
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Ailli has been dancing her entire life, dedicating 13 years to perfecting her craft in Japan and San Diego with a focus on Ballet. With a deep love for the art, she danced professionally with a Ballet Company for four years before transitioning into teaching. Joining the West Valley Dance Company has reignited her passion for dance and sparked her joy in sharing the art form with students. Ailli is driven by the desire to inspire her students to embrace the beauty and discipline of dance, encouraging them to reach their fullest potential!
Isabelle O’Hara
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Isabelle’s dance journey began at the age of three at Action Day Schools Allen campus, where her passion for movement took root. At just seven years old, Isabelle became a proud member of the West Valley Dance Cats, where she honed her skills and deepened her love for dance. Isabelle’s journey continued through high school as a member of the Presentation High School Dance Team, where she experienced the joy of teamwork and performance. At 15, Isabelle took on the role of Teacher’s Assistant at West Valley Dance Company, where she discovered her passion for teaching. In college, Isabelle joined Danceworks at Hofstra University, further expanding her dance education and experience. During college breaks, she began substituting classes, which led Isabelle to step into the role of a teacher, sharing her love for dance with the next generation. We are thrilled for Isabelle to continue her legacy at WVDC!
Lily O'Hara
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Attending Action Day Schools Allen, Lily took her first ballet class when she was 18 month old. Falling in love with dance through her WVDC training led her to becoming a competitive dancer at 6 years old! Having studied a wide range of disciplines, Jazz & Contemporary are where her passion lies. Lily made so many meaningful connections throughout her dance journey, she wanted to pass her knowledge on to a new generation of dancers. After completing our WVDC Teacher’s Assistant Program, and assisting throughout our extensive roster of classes, we are so excited to have Miss Lily on our faculty at WVDC!
Nikhita Panjnani
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Nikhita began dancing as a young girl twirling around to her favorite Bollywood music! Classically trained in Bharatnatyam, Nikhita completed her solo Arangetram (a two-and-a-half-hour-long graduation dance recital) in 2017. Having worked as a choreographer and technique assistant teacher, Nikhita has also studied, performed, and choreographed various Indian folk dances. Crowned Junior Miss Asia Oklahoma (2018-2019), Nikhita choreographed her own piece that played a part in winning title, a platform she used to advocate for the importance of passion and individualization in education. Nikhita is currently a Junior at Santa Clara University, where she is majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing and Theatre. An ardent reader, musician, singer, and songwriter, Nikhita is the incoming Editor in Chief of SCU’s global literary magazine, the Santa Clara Review. She is so excited and grateful to be sharing the joy of Bollywood dance with WVDC!
Morgan Pott
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Morgan brings a wealth of knowledge in dance and Pilates, combined with a strong dedication to nurturing young talent. Her classes focus on building a solid foundation in ballet and tap for children ages 3-6, while older students challenged to refine their rhythm and precision under her guidance. She began her dance journey at East West Music and Dance at just 3 years old, where she mastered traditional Broadway tap techniques.
Since January 2024, Morgan has been a Company Dancer with Montage Dance Studios, contributing her creativity to both studio productions and competitions. She collaborates with fellow dancers to highlight her choreography and has performed at numerous festivals and competitions throughout the Bay Area with Montage’s contemporary and tap groups.
Currently pursuing a Dance Minor at San Jose State University, Morgan continues to advance her skills through challenging coursework and performances, excelling in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. We are beyond thrilled to have Morgan bring her contagious energy and inspiration to the WVDC family!
Rebecca Rubenstein
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A choreographer, teacher, and dancer, Rebecca began her dance journey at just 3 years old in Connecticut. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Dance from Keene State College before moving to California to pursue her passion for choreography and teaching. Since relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008, Rebecca has been sharing her expertise with students of all ages and backgrounds while working with multiple companies. She is deeply inspired by the unique spirit of dance within each individual and is dedicated to helping others discover their own voice through movement.She has experience teaching levels primary through pre-pro, ages 3-18. In addition to being a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor she is also certified in the Alixa Flexibility Method which helps her students to progress with their flexibility training needed for both acro and dance. With a BS degree in biology and love for the arts and teaching dance, Leandra has a passion for the biomechanics of AcroDance and endorsing safe and progressive training. She is excited to introduce this curriculum to the students at West Valley Dance.
Leandra Saenz
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Leandra trained in acro/gymnastics as a child and has been teaching Acro for over 20 years in a dance studio setting. In 2018 she became certified with Acrobatic Arts and has transitioned her acro teaching style to rely heavily on the Acrobatic Arts curriculum. The program is designed to teach acro through safe proper progressions and really stresses the importance of alignment and training everything on both sides. She is very passionate about her students having proper strength and awareness of alignment before attempting advanced skills.
She has experience teaching levels primary through pre-pro, ages 3-18. In addition to being a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor she is also certified in the Alixa Flexibility Method which helps her students to progress with their flexibility training needed for both acro and dance. With a BS degree in biology and love for the arts and teaching dance, Leandra has a passion for the biomechanics of AcroDance and endorsing safe and progressive training. She is excited to introduce this curriculum to the students at West Valley Dance.
Rose Sanchez
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Rose joined the WVDC family in March, 2019 and she currently works at the Willow Glen and Mountain View studios as well as the boutique. She is the friendly face and helpful person you first see at the desk at the studio and boutique! Rose has a love of dance that began when she was a child. And although she never took dance herself, and when her own daughter (our very own Ms. Melissa) was 3, Rose signed her up for a dance class. Dance had a profound effect on her family and the positive impact of dance on her daughter became quickly evident! Rose was involved as a team mom backstage for recitals and competitions and spent many late nights and weekends sewing and rhinestoning costumes! Rose loves working at the boutique and seeing the children’s faces when they put on their first pair of tap or ballet shoes! We are fortunate to have Rose as a dedicated member of our dance family!
Nada Sedki
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Nada moved to California in August 2018. She grew up dancing in Michigan; taking ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and hiphop. She immediately fell in love with dance and started competing shortly after that. She was on her high school’s dance team all 4 years and became captain her senior year. Nada choreographed her own solo during her last year of high school and received many special awards for it. She had the opportunity of dancing with the Detroit Pistons Dance Team at their halftime show. Nada graduated with a bachelors degree in dance education from Wayne State University. At Wayne, she focused on ballet, modern, and improvisation. She also got the chance to attend master classes led by amazing choreographers like Sonya Tayeh, Ray Mercer, and many more. After graduating, she started teaching at various dance studios around Michigan as well as coaching a high school pom/dance team. She attended many local competitions with her students and won a great deal of awards. Nada is very excited to be in California and be a part of the WVDC team. Nada has a special place in her heart for hiphop and she can’t wait to share her love of dance with the upcoming generation!
Ari Siguenza
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Ari has been dancing for over two decades, beginning at the age of 3 at a local studio in the East Bay. She began competing at the age of 8 and continued until she graduated from high school. She loves creating and cultivating a deep love for dance in every student she works with and strives to continue her dance education through adult classes and online training to become the best dance instructor she can be.
In addition to being an instructor, she has earned an Associate degree in Cultural Anthropology from Las Positas Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography. She is an artist through and through and enjoys combining her passions to open new creative doors in all aspects of her art. Ari looks forward to joining WVDC’s teaching staff and passing on her knowledge and love of dance!
Hayden Slaugh
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Hayden has been dancing since she was 18 months old. Throughout her years of dancing, she has fallen in love with both the art form and the thrill of performing. Over time, her passion for dance has grown not only as a performer but also as a mentor. After training as an assistant, Hayden found joy in helping young dancers build confidence and discover their potential. Her ultimate goal is to create a safe, encouraging environment while sharing everything she has learned to help children express their creativity. She hopes her dedication and positive personality will inspire and shape the next generation of dancers.
Monica Stephens
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Monica Stephens is a dance artist and educator from Orange County, California. With training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz, she earned her B.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine in 2019.
Monica was part of the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s Dance Journey program in 2020, studying contemporary dance and KCDC repertory. She has performed at dance festivals in the Los Angeles area, including Blacktinx, Mashup Contemporary International Women’s Day Festival, HN11, and MixMatch Dance Festival.
Furthering her education through classes in LA and SF, Monica recently participated in Pina Bausch repertory intensives in LA and Berlin. Passionate about guiding dancers of all ages, she aims to create spaces for sustainable practices and artistic growth. Monica is excited to join the WVDC and Action Day School team.
Lauren Uppal
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Lauren began her dance journey as an Action Day student at just 4 years old. Soon thereafter, she became a part of WVDCs competition team. Having tried her hand at many different sports, she never held the same passion as she did while dancing. Lauren cherishes the supportive and kind community she grew up dancing in and she hopes to provide that same experience for her own students. She thrives on cultivating an environment where her students love what they are learning, they aren't afraid to try new things and they can truly be themselves. We are so excited to have Lauren teaching a new generation of dancers!
Brittany Watts
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Brittany first discovered her love for dance performing in musical theatre productions. Some of her favorite productions she has been a part of are Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, Singin’ in the Rain and Elf. Through performing in theatre on stage, her love for dance grew. From teaching classes to choreographing, Brittany has had a wide variety of professional dance experience. She began her journey with WVDC in 2016, since then Brittany has creatively produced over 10 productions. Her passion grows through helping dancers of all ages discover their talents in dance/theatre and she looks forward to working with the performers of WVDC’s 2026 production of Despicable Me.
Lyndsey Wolf
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Lyndsey’s dance journey began at just 2 years old and she has loved it ever since! Having trained in various styles such as jazz, hip-Hop, ballet, contemporary, modern, tap & more, Lyndsey grew up on stage competing and sharing her passion through what she loved most. Throughout the many years, Lyndsey has received various scholarships including The Joffrey Ballet School, Elite traveling teams, Alvin Ailey Summer intensive, and AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles . After training for 16 years at her home studio, Lyndsey was accepted into one of the most prestigious companies in her senior year and chose to continue her training in Los Angeles. During her time in Los Angeles, Lyndsey has worked on various video projects, shows, and workshopping with some of the most well known choreographers in the industry. While continuing to pursue her professional dance career, Lyndsey is excited and eager to be back in the Bay Area to share her love and knowledge for dance as part of the WVDC family!
Jade Woodworth
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Miss Jade started her dance journey at the age of 7, training in various styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and character. Thriving in the dance team circuit, Miss Jade competed with her middle school, high school and her college dance team at the University of California Merced where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. With multiple years of teaching experience at various Bay Area studios, we are thrilled to have Miss Jade as a part of our WVDC faculty!
