Instructors

All of our faculty and staff are CPR and First Aid Certified.

Jena Minnick-Harry,  Amanda White, Tori Roberts,  Jada Smith, Carly Pallo, Cassidy Breeze, Andrea Brache, Sharon Spalenka, Cee Cee Wakefield, Mychal Gabb, Theresa Turner, Ashley Plomaritis, Eleanor Moir-Dysinger, Sara Day, Gemma Hebson, Marji Himes, Kara Gardner, Mookie Washington, Ali Miller, Kasie Dorr, Camay Hammond, Renee Fox-Moore

  Photos by Cathy Cunningham Photography

Jena Minnick-Harry (Director/Owner/Teacher) has over 24 years of dance training and 16 years of teaching and choreography experience. She has a BS in Marketing and Minor in Psychology from Johnson & Wales University ('97). She is a Graduate of Ballet from Casalino School of Creative Arts in Salt Lake City, UT ('92).She has trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, classical voice, musical theater, tap, and modern. She has performed in lead and ensemble roles with Ballet West, Utah Ballet Company, Saddleback Civic Light Opera, Long Beach Opera Company and more. She has received awards for her choreography for several regional and national  competitions and has directed and produced nine stage productions. She has worked in management since 1996: as an office manager for a securities law firm, commercial/television production manager, hotel sales manager, and front of house restaurant manager.  Ms. Jena has combined her business and dance skills and has dedicated her life to bringing dance and the arts to her community.
Amanda Kay White, (Dance Team Director and Teacher - jazz, modern, hip hop, tap, ballet, pre-school dance, and lyrical), has studied both acting and various dance forms including Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Acrobatics & Pom Dance since the age of 5. Amanda has been teaching all styles of dance at MVDPAC since 2000. She received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance and B.A. in Communications from Chapman University, Orange County California. Amanda has received over eleven dance scholarships and awards and has performed in over 10 big productions. She is currently a member of Backhaus Dance Company based out of Orange County.  Amanda has worked as both a teacher and choreographer for eight years.  Amanda is also currently on staff at Chapman University. We are honored to have such a dedicated and talented person on our faculty. See Amanda's Classes.
Tori Roberts (tap, jazz, tumbling, pre-school dance, ballet) received a B.A. in Dance and Education from Chapman University. Her training began at age 3 studying in tap, ballet, lyrical, modern, acrobatics and jazz. She has been teaching tap, jazz and ballet for over 18  years. She has performed, choreographed and directed for numerous dance productions throughout the country. She has performed with the RockettesRadio City Christmas Spectacular for several years, Will Rogers Follies and on several cruise ships. She has also choreographed for Ballet Unlimited. Tori has received numerous awards for her choreography at regional and national competitions such as Spotlight, Showstopper, Starbound, and more. See Tori's Classes
Jada D. Smith (hip hop and modern) has been teaching dance for 19 successful years. Jada received her Bachelors Degree in Theatre/ Communications from Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota. She relocated to LA six years ago to pursue her career as a professional dancer. She has performed on National tours, appeared in numerous Television Shows and has been cast in several music videos. She has worked with artists such as: Missy Elliott, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Ying Yang Twins, R. Kelly, Dru Hill, Da Brat, Pink, Blaque, Juvenile, Tyrese, Ja Rule, and Bobby Brown. Jada's commercial credits include Joe Boxer, Coors Light, Impala, Right Guard and many other national spots. Jada's acting skills have gotten her plenty of roles in stage productions mainly in the Midwest region. In her spare time she has performed on dance teams for the LA Avengers (football team), Anaheim Storm (lacrosse) and the All-Star Girls (rugby). Structure and organization is an intricate part of Jada's life, she is Regina Williams' personal assistant and Corporate Coordinator for The Dancers Workshop. Jada is also the assistant director for The Sitcom Dancers and Stage Coordinator for Monique's Fat Chance television show. See Jada's Classes
Carly Pallo (Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, & Pre-Academy) has been studying and performing dance since age three and also has experience with voice and musical theater. She has been teaching dance at MVDPAC since 2004 and has studied there since 1997. She received the Excellence in Dance Award from Aliso Niguel High School Dance Team (2001-2004) and Outstanding Performer (2001 and 2003). She was also awarded Best Performer and Best Choreography at the 2006 Saddleback College student concert. Carly has worked with the Dana Hills High School Dance Team and also teaches Pilates and Yoga. She was a member of  Tap Overload for two and a half years and performed with the modern dance company Architexture Dance. She recently studied at the Jose Limon Summer Intensive of 2008 at Cal State Fullerton. Carly has an Associates Degree in Dance from Saddleback College and is finishing her final year at Cal State University Fullerton as a Dance major. See Carly's Classes
Cassidy Taylor (Jazz, Pre-school and Hip Hop Instructor) has has been dancing for over 20 years, studying Tap, jazz, ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Cheer. In 1997 she was selected to be a member of the UDA All Star team, where she performed through out France. Cassidy is a 2 time Dupree Dance Convention Scholarship winner and was a member of the Fresno City dancers as well as The Dance Company of  Portland. Cassidy has over 12 years of teaching experience, having taught at studios in California, Oregon, and Washington She has been coaching award winning competitive dance teams for the the past 7 years, receiving special choreography awards for Most Original and Most Entertaining dances. She continues to take classes and attend conventions and looks forward to passing her knowledge and love for dance to her students. See Cassidy's Classes
Theresa Turner (tumbling, pre-school dance, jazz) began gymnastics training at 10 years old. At 12, she began competing and began her coaching career at the age of 15 at the prestigious Cathy Rigby Gymnastics academy. She brought many teams to state titles during her six years there as a team all-around gymnastics coach. At age 22, she began a career in law enforcement, but her love of gymnastics brought her back to teaching again.  In the past 20 years she has taught many dancers to tumble and has a driving force in competition teams performing in the jazz and acro category. Winning many platinums and all-around awards including most entertaining and original choreography at Showstoppers, Hall of Fame and Star Power Dance competitions. See Theresa's Classes
Andrea Brache (ballet, pointe, stretch & conditioning)  is from Thousand Oaks, California, and is one of the founding company members of Backhausdance.  While attending ChapmanUniversity on scholarship, Andrea earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.A. in Advertising.  During her time at Chapman, she received many awards and had several opportunities to perform at the notable Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.  As a Backhausdance member, she is part of the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s ArtsTeach and ArtsConnect educational programs.  Andrea was awarded a Lester Horton Award for the 2006 season for Outstanding Achievement in Performance, Small Ensemble for Jennifer Backhaus’ work “eXit,” and the Lester Horton for Outstanding Achievement in Performance, Small Ensemble for the 2007 premiere of “Push,” one section of Backhaus’ work “Shift.”    See Andrea's Classes
Sharon Anne Spalenka (jazz, ballet, lyrical, pre-school dance) has been teaching and choreographing in the Orange County area for the past 20 years. She teaches all disciplines and all ages but her specialty is in Jazz and Tricks and Turns. Sharon holds a B.A. in Dance from Long Beach State and a Minor in Fashion Design and Merchandising. She was the Artistic Director for the Non Profit organization Golden State Dance and Tumbling Troupe where she took 3 teams to Europe to perform. She has choreographed for Fox television and various dance troupes that have performed in Japan, India and around the United States. Her students have gone on to dance for Houston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, North Carolina Ballet, The Rockette's and Off Broadway shows. Sharon's choreography continues to receive numerous choreography awards at regional and national competitions not to mention placing in the top ten groups, solos or duet and trios.   See Sharon's Classes
Elly Moir-Dysinger (Ballet/Stretch & Conditioning) Elly Moir-Dysinger was born and raised in Clydebank, Scotland where she trained in the Royal Academy of Dance and with Scottish Theatre Ballet. Elly has performed all over Europe and was based in London where she performed in the West End in “West Side Story” among other musicals. Elly moved to the States and settled in Las Vegas where she performed in “Siegfried and Roy” before taking on the challenge of Artistic Director of the Academy of Ballet which she directed for 12 years.. See Elly's Classes
Cee Cee Wakefield (Tap, ballet, jazz) comes to MVDPAC with a lifetime of dance experience and a wealth of knowledge in all forms of dance and studio management.  She started dancing at age 4 in her mother’s studio in Burbank, California. She and her mother, Fredericka Mohr, moved to the Saddleback Valley in 1972, opening Saddleback Dance Center. She was initially a teacher, then assisted as manager, and ultimately studio director until 2006. She is a founding Board member and past President for Golden State Dance Company. Cee Cee has a BA in Fine Arts / Dance from UC Irvine, as well as an Elementary School teaching credential. She is certified to teach the Cecchetti method of ballet through grade five, and has been a member of Dance Masters of America where she tested and qualified to teach tap, ballet, jazz and tumbling.  She has trained with masters such as Eugene Loring and Anthony Tudor in ballet, Linda Sohl-Donnel in Tap, and Roland Dupree in Jazz.  While directing SDC, the studio gained notoriety for a high level of technique, being the training ground for many dancers who have gone on to professional careers such as Barrette Vance, Michelle Carpenter, and Lauren Ziminsky. Cee Cee is thrilled to be a part of MVDPAC, teaching tap and working as Office Manager and co-Artistic Director. In addition, she has recently joined the Saddleback College Angels for the Arts Board of Directors. See Cee Cee Classes
Mychal Gabb (Hip hop, Tap, and Break Instructor) has been dancing since he could walk, not in the studio, but in his grandma’s kitchen. He taught himself how to break, dance, and pop n’ lock by watching music videos and Michael Jackson. He started his professional dance career when he went to college. He choreographed for his show choir and performed many dances for school functions while in high school. Mychal has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Swing, Salsa and Modern, but his passion lies in Tap and Hip Hop. He is majoring in Dance at Saddleback College and setting goals to create a dance troupe that focuses on his unique style. He intends to travel the world choreographing and performing and when his body is finished, he will continue to work and educate in this business that he loves. See Mychal's Classes
Sara Day received her early training from Axel & Cecilia Herring, Larry & Sarma Rosenburg, Molly Lynch, and Lila Zali. She studied with full scholarship with Maria Tallchief at Chicago Ballet and then later had a full scholarship as a Joffrey Trainee. She has performed with New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, San Fransisco Ballet, and Ballet Pacifica, gracing such stages as Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, OCPAC, War Memorial Opera House (SF), and City Center (NY) in a wide variety of contemporary and classical roles. Mrs. Day has a ballet teaching certificate from Dance Masters of America and a Vagonova Methodology Certificate from the Foiskola Institute. As the owner & director of American Ballet & Conditioning she has directed and choreographed Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and numerous other works. Her students have received scholarships to San Francisco Ballet School, ABT, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, Kirov Academy, Boston Ballet, and Joffrey Trainee. She is excited to bring her award winning program to MVDPAC where she began her journey as a ballet teacher almost a decade ago! See Sara's Classes
Ashley Plomaritis is currently majoring in Dance and Speech Therapy at Saddleback College. She has been dancing since she could walk and enrolled in a dance studio at three years of age. Since then, she has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, modern, swing, salsa, and African dance. Ashley has performed, assisted, and choreographed in many dance productions. She currently performs with the Saddleback Community College Dance Production where she was nominated President of the dance committee, where she is able to work hand in hand with the director, receiving experience in the entire production process. She has been honored with receiving Rookie of the Year and Performer of the Year runner-up. She is also a lead performer in “ArchiTexture”, a modern dance company that uses the environment as their stage. She has recently been assigned Assistant Director for the Saddleback College Outreach Program directed by Sharon Haas, in which she will be able to assist and choreograph for many productions throughout Southern California.  Ashley brings to her students her love and passion for dance, and her enthusiasm is contagious.See Ashley's Classes
Marji Himes teaches jazz, tap, pre-academy classes, and is the Director of our Musical Theatre program. Marji has been teaching dance and musical theatre in Orange County for over 20 years. She has a MFA in Dance from UC Irvine. She has choreographed and performed for companies such as Disney, Ringling Bros. Barney & Bailey Circus, and other local performance groups. Marji also directs the MVDPAC summer musical theatre programs. We are please to have Marji join our fine list of instructors here at MVDPAC. See Marji's Classes
Ali Miller (Pre-academy, jazz, tumbling, hip hop) has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern, African, lyrical, hip-hop, and anything else she could get into! She started teaching very early as a result of having two parents who were gymnastics instructors. She has competed as a soloist and also in group jazz and lyrical pieces. She was also a Varsity Dance Team Member and Varsity Cheerleader at Rancho Buena Vista High School. She has choreographed for her team in High School as well as Saddleback College, where she was awarded Rookie Of The Year. She has danced for Unity Dance Ensemble and is currently a member of Architexture, a Modern Dance Company based out of Orange County. Ali is currently a Liberal Studies Major at California State University Fullerton, with an emphasis in Elementary Education and a minor in dance. She hopes to become a kindergarten teacher, but never wants stop teaching or taking dance classes!  See Ali's Classes
Mookie Washington, one of the most talented B-Boys of Sickstep Crew & Automatic Response formally of LA Breakers, he is and individual who loves life and everything that comes with it. With his extensive background in dance and choreography, his work has been showcased all over the dance scene. His credits include KRS ONE, Justin Timberlake (MY LOVE), America’s Got Talent (made the Top 20), Americas Best Dance Crew, Robin In The Hood - a play in Dublin, Ireland,  Digital Underground, IPOD commercials, Stuff Magazine, Teen Magazine, The Source Magazine, SP Magazine, Rock The Bells, Make-A-Wish foundation, Hip Hop Harry TV show, Out For Fame, Hip Hop International, Maxt out 2006,07,08, PMX video game expo, and Hip Hop Live in Seattle. Mookie has taught in Ireland, Russia, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, L.A, Boston, Minnesota, Denmark, Canada, & many more places to come. See Mookie's Classes
Kasie Dorr (Pre academy, tap, musical theatre) has been training with MVDPAC since 1998 in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, Tumbling, Singing, and Musical Theatre. Ms. Dorr has been in our teacher training program since 2006 specializing in our Pre-academy classes. Ms. Dorr is a recipient of many regional and national awards for group, trio, duo and solo performances in Singing, Tap, Hip Hop, & Jazz. In 2008 she was awarded the National champion for Senior Hip Hop Trio and top 5 for her Tap Duo. She is a well rounded dancer who studies dance 12-15 hours per week. Ms Dorr is joining our faculty as pre-academy instructor and we are very pleased to add her to the MVDPAC faculty - top instructors with the highest quality training. See Kasie Dorr
Camay Hammond (Zumba/adult fitness) studied Zumba in Puyallup, WA and instantly fell in love with it. The Latin beats moved her in ways she didn’t know she could and she discovered the most fun & effective style of fitness. She became passionately addicted to Zumba, as many people do, and now she is so excited to bring Zumba to MVDPAC! Camay cannot stress enough the fact that you don’t have to be a dancer or in top physical shape to have a great time in her class. Zumba isn’t “exercise,” it’s a party & it is as good for the mind as it is for the body. See Camay's Classes
Renee Fox-Moore (Tap/Jazz/Pre-Academy) Renee, a former Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for eight seasons at various venues including: Universal Amphitheatre/Los Angeles, Auditorio Nacional/Mexico City, The Grand Palace/Branson and Cincinnati, Dodge/Phoenix Az, and Milwaukee WI. She has made 2 appearances on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno. Also appearing on KTLA, KCAL, E!, TeleVisa, The Wave, etc. International and National Tours consist of traveling & performing in the Bahamas, Bermuda, New York, Southern Caribbean, Japan, Las Vegas, Reno, and Southern California.
Kara Gardner has been studying jazz, cheer, hip hop, tricks and turns, tumbling and singing since the age of 7. She has performed regionally and nationally for over 3 years and was apart of an All-Star Nationally ranked dance team. Kara has performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada for an NDA championship, placed first at Nationals in San Diego, and competed in many other local competitions. After completing the MVDPAC teacher training program, Kara is now an enthusiastic and nurturing pre-academy instructor.  In addition to training and teaching in dance, she also is an administrator for dance. You can find Kara operating the front desk of MVDPAC, organizing student schedules, accounts, and other details. Kara is currently working on her nursing and psychology degree at Saddleback College and hopes to continue her career working with families like the ones MVDPAC.
Amber Davidson (voice - classical and contemporary, stage movement) received her degree in voice from Chapman University. She conducts both children and adult choir. She owns her own business providing groups of singers and soloists for performances. She has performed in several musicals and has gone on two national tours with a Gilbert and Sullivan opera company. She has won many vocal awards and continues to perform throughout Orange and L.A. Counties. Amber conducts private lessons for recreational and professional singers.
Mary Ford (Ballet/Pre-School Dance) began her ballet training at the age of four with the Long Beach Ballet. By the age of 10, she had performed with Los Angles Classical Ballet and the National Ballet of China. In 2001, she came to MVDPAC where she was introduced to all other forms of dance. She is a five year member of the MVDAPC Competitive Team. Along with her training, Mary has been accepted to numerous summer programs including The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Pacficia, and Long Beach Ballet. She has attended the Long Beach Ballet summer intensive in 2003 and 2006. After five years in the Teacher's Assistant program, Mary is thrilled to share her love and enthusiasm for dance with her own students.
Gemma Hebson (Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Voice) has been teaching for 10 years and performing since she was 4.  She has taught Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Musical theater, Acting, Choreography, and Stage Movement at the Orange County High School of the Arts, Laguna Beach High School, Rancho Capistrano Christian School, many elementary schools, the Performing Arts Lab, San Clemente Gymnastics, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Laguna Playhouse. Gemma has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Cal State Fullerton. Gemma is currently on faculty at Orange County High School of the Arts and is part of our summer intensive and musical theatre camp faculty.

Home | Contact Us | Registration | Class Schedule | Fees & Policies | Programs
Instructors Bios | Dance Team | Recital Info | Birthday Parties | News & Events