Resident Instructors

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KATIE COLLINS, Co-Owner & Artistic Director

Specialties: Ballet, Tap, Jazz – for all age groups.
Director of Dance & Company’s Performance Crew

Artistic Director and co-owner, has a widespread background in dance. She began her training at the age of 3, and ultimately found a love for dance when she started her extensive dance training in 1999. Katie began student-teaching at the age of 12 and received her first class as a teacher three years later. She teaches ballet, tap, and jazz, specializing in teens and preteens. Katie graduated from San Diego State University in May, 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and a minor in dance. Her dance degree has expanded her knowledge of dance history, methodology, physiology, choreography technique and improvisation. She is delighted to pass all of this (and more) along to her students at Dance & Company. Specialties: Ballet, Tap and Jazz – for all age groups. Director of Dance & Company’s Performance Crew

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LISA LEWIS, Co-Owner & Business Director

Specialties: Ballet, Mat Pilates, Adult Program

LISA LEWIS

As Business Director, Co-Owner, and instructor at Dance & Company, Lisa Lewis brings a comprehensive knowledge of both business and dance.  Having studied ballet for over 30 years in San Diego, where she began her training as an adult, Lisa is dedicated to teaching other adults the basics of dance as both a creative outlet and a healthy lifestyle. Lisa was introduced to Pilates over 20 years ago and quickly fell in love with it, realizing the importance of core strength and stability especially as we age.  To further her training, she continues to take classes in Pilates and attends workshops in San Diego and NYC to help enhance her skills as an instructor.

 

KATHLEEN KELEHER, Asst. Artistic Director

Specialties: Jazz, Tap, Tricks & Turns

Kathleen began dancing at the age of 3, and knew at an early age dance would play a significant part in her life! After 15 years at a competitive dance studio, she attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor Degree of Business Administration & a Minor in Dance. Kathleen had the privilege of dancing for the UNH Dance Company – a performance company specializing in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Musical Theater & Aerial Dance – and was also awarded the Jean Mattox Scholarship for Excellence in Dance. Kathleen has been teaching Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, & Aerial Dance to various age groups since 2008, and loves sharing her passion for dance with her students.

Originally from the Boston, Massachusetts area, Kathleen relocated to San Diego in 2012, and joined the wonderful team at Dance & Company shortly thereafter. Although she greatly misses her family & friends back East, the staff & students at Dance & Company quickly became a second family to her. Specialties: Jazz, Tap and Tricks & Turns

Kathleen is also Dance & Company’s Assistant Artistic Director

Grace Asaro

Specialties: Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tap

Grace Asaro is a native San Diegan who was been performing dance and theatre her whole life. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in theatre performance from Northern Arizona University. She has choreographed and directed a wide variety of shows and enjoys experimenting with different ways movement can tell stories! As a teacher, Grace has experience with every age from 3 years old to adult dancers. She believes in the philosophy of being a well-rounded artist with many different styles under her belt and hopes to pass this on to the next generation of performers. Some of Grace’s favorite styles to teach and perform include Fosse jazz, classical ballet, musical theatre, tap, and modern.

  • DANIELLE BEHRENS Performing a Dance Move
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DANIELLE BEHRENS

Specialties: Tap, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Ballet, Tricks & Turns

Danielle Behrens was born and raised in Visalia, California. She works professionally as a musical theatre performer and dance instructor in both California and New York City. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and teaching and choreographing since the age of 16. While studying dance at Sierra Performing Arts Center, Danielle quickly discovered that she wanted to pursue a career in the arts and began training in voice and acting as well. She continued her training at College of the Sequoias, and then transferred to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. After graduation, Danielle joined the North American touring cast of The Wizard of Oz working as a swing. She then performed on the Disney Wonder cruise ship where she appeared onstage as Aurora, Cinderella, Belle and more. Danielle has also had the pleasure of performing at many regional theaters around the country. Some of her favorite credits include: Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain, and Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera. She has worked as an instructor and choreographer at Broadway Dance Center, Thommie Retter’s NYC Tap Crew, Lopresti Dance Theatre, Sierra Performing Arts Center and College of the Sequoias. She loves sharing her passion for the arts as well as everything she has learned along the way! Specialties: Tap, Musical Theatre & Jazz

CITRA BENHAR

Specialties: Hip Hop

Annie Johnston started dancing at the age of three in Conway, Arkansas, where she was born and raised. Annie received most of her dance training from Blackbird Academy of Arts where she was a member of the Pre-professional Apprentice program—emphasis in ballet—and the Aviate Dance Ensemble, in addition to working as an assistant teacher. With Blackbird Academy, she performed in various full length ballets, including The Little Mermaid the Ballet and Cinderella the Ballet. Annie was also a member of the Conway High School Varsity Dance Team and has continued to choreograph for both the Varsity team as well as the Conway Junior High dance teams in the styles of pom, jazz, kickline, and technique/conditioning. Annie graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science and is continuing her education at Point Loma Nazarene University to obtain her Masters in Kinesiology for Sport Performance. Throughout her four years in undergrad, she was a dance instructor at Stage Door Dance Arts, where she taught ages ranging from 2-18 in a variety of dance styles and conditioning, but specializing in ballet and pointe. She is also NASM group fitness certified. Annie has a passion for teaching and strives to be a lifelong learner herself, melding the artistry of dance and body mechanics.

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ANNIE JOHNSTON

Specialties: Ballet, Tricks & Turns, Combo

Annie Johnston started dancing at the age of three in Conway, Arkansas, where she was born and raised. Annie received most of her dance training from Blackbird Academy of Arts where she was a member of the Pre-professional Apprentice program—emphasis in ballet—and the Aviate Dance Ensemble, in addition to working as an assistant teacher. With Blackbird Academy, she performed in various full length ballets, including The Little Mermaid the Ballet and Cinderella the Ballet. Annie was also a member of the Conway High School Varsity Dance Team and has continued to choreograph for both the Varsity team as well as the Conway Junior High dance teams in the styles of pom, jazz, kickline, and technique/conditioning. Annie graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science and is continuing her education at Point Loma Nazarene University to obtain her Masters in Kinesiology for Sport Performance. Throughout her four years in undergrad, she was a dance instructor at Stage Door Dance Arts, where she taught ages ranging from 2-18 in a variety of dance styles and conditioning, but specializing in ballet and pointe. She is also NASM group fitness certified. Annie has a passion for teaching and strives to be a lifelong learner herself, melding the artistry of dance and body mechanics.

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KATEY KONDERIK-ODUCAYEN

Specialties: Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre

Katey has a huge passion for dance and feels very fortunate to be able to share her love for the art form with others, and hopes that her dancing and teaching will inspire others to pursue their dreams.

Katey was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ where she began her dance training at 2 1/2 years old. She has trained extensively in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Hip-Hop. Amongst other teachers, Katey has trained with Nadya Zubkov, Olga Tarasova, Slawomir & Irena Wozniak, Julie Grooters, and Lili Griffiths. She has received many awards in dance including winning first place in the 2011 Arizona Young Artist Competition. At the age of 17 Katey joined her first professional dance company “Center Dance Ensemble” where she performed featured soloist and ensemble roles under the direction of Frances Smith Cohen, and worked closely with CDE’s resident choreographer Diane McNeal Hunt. After moving to San Diego in 2013, Katey began performing at SeaWorld in Madagascar Live: Operation Vacation.Exploring more of the Musical Theatre side of dancing Katey has performed featured soloist and ensemble roles in The Welk Resort Theatre production of The King And I, and in San Diego Musical Theatre productions of Singin’ In The Rain, 42nd Street, The Producers, and White Christmas. Katey has 10 years of teaching experience, and in addition to being a dance instructor, Katey continues to explore all dance career opportunities whether it be Theme Parks, Musical Theatre, Concert Dance, Cruise Ships, or Commercial. Katey is very excited to be joining the staff at Dance & Co., and looks forward to a wonderful dance season. Specialties: Ballet, Jazz & Musical Theatre

Nicole Oga

Specialties: Acro, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Improv & Partnering

Nicole Oga (she/her/hers) is a radical thinking dance artist, educator, and pedagogue who approaches her work through an intersectional lens that is influenced by abolition, collective liberation, anti-racist, black feminist praxis. She received her BA in Dance from UCSD and in June 2024 she graduated from the University of the Arts Helsinki with a Master’s in Dance Pedagogy. Nicole is a constant student who believes life is a continuous journey of learning, growing, and evolving. In her work she regularly questions and evaluates her practices and methodologies to ensure she is inclusive and in true solidarity with her community. Nicole has a passion for teaching acro, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, ballet, improvisation, and partnering.
Photo Credit: Antti Rintala

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BRITTANY RICHARDSON-MAY

Specialties: Ballet, Contemporary, Combo

Brittany grew up dancing at Performing Arts Workshop, Encinitas under the Direction of Leslie Craig. Brittany has attended summer intensives at State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara, and taken summer classes from Larry Rosenburg. Brittany’s thirteen years of Ballet training led her to receive her BA in dance from California State University, Fullerton. Under the department direction of Gladys Kares, Brittany began her modern training. She trained in Limon, Horton, and Graham from instructors Debra Noble, Alvin Rangel, and Lisa D Long; as well as keeping up her Ballet training with Muriel Joyce. Brittany May has performed in CSUF’s Fall and Spring Dance Concerts where she danced in contemporary ballet pieces by Muriel Joyce followed by classical repertoire from “Giselle.” Brittany Graduated Magma Cum Laude from the University Honors Program. Her senior thesis involved a research investigation on the style of Horton and how it related to Ballet dancers. She created and completed case studies that led her to acknowledge the benefits of the style on Ballerinas. Throughout her Honors project, she found her passion for teaching. Brittany just recently began teaching at Dance & Company in November and is excited to be a part of the family. Specialties: Ballet, Contemporary, & Combo

 

  • Headshot of VALERIE SALGADO Dance & Company faculty
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VALERIE SALGADO

Specialties: Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz

 

Valerie Salgado is a Choreographer, Performer, and Educator based in San Diego, CA. With an eclectic training background and experience

in theater, television, and concert dance, Valerie brings a unique perspective to the creation process. Her passion for dance and leadership skills motivate and inspire those she works with. Choreographer credits include entertainment for Europa Park (Germany), Playland, and Dorney Park, Hairspray, Footloose, Off-Broadway’s Helen on 86th Street and Transcendence Theater Company’s This Magic Moment.

As an Associate, Valerie contributed to Season One of the Emmy award-winning series, Smash, the world premiere of Frozen on Disney Cruise Line, and the Off-Broadway premiere of Bunty Berman Presents.Valerie received her classical training under the direction of Philip and Chales Fuller in Pasadena, CA and her BA in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. She will complete her Masters in Special Education with an Emphasis on Autism in May 2022 from San Diego State University. Specialties: Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz

  • Headshot of MADDIE SERRANO Dance & Company faculty
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MADDIE SERRANO

Specialties: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Combo

Maddie started dancing at the age of 8 in Southern California. She received her formal Ballet training from Inspire School of Ballet in Eastlake, CA. Maddie was a competitive dancer on the EHS dance team for several years, under the direction of Kristy Greenway and Natalie Barone. She has instructed Ballet and Lyrical workshops at her alma mater, Eastlake High School. Throughout her competitive dance years, she had the pleasure of training with some great choreographers, such as Ambrose Respicio, Shana Clark, Mikeal Villela, and Kevin Frey. She attended many dance competitions all over California where she competed in groups and solos. She is well trained in Contemporary, Ballet, Lyrical, Technical Jazz, and Fusion Jazz, and has become a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor. Maddie has starred in various ballet productions such as Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty, and the Beast, and her favorite role being Clara in The Nutcracker. She has always had a strong passion for teaching and hopes to inspire young children and teens to always do what they love. Specialties: Ballet, Jazz & Lyrical

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BELLA WOODRUFF

Specialties: Hip Hop, Pom

Coming Soon!