WHO'S TEACHING

KAREN ALVAREZ
My name is Karen Alvarez and I am 22 years old. I started dancing when I was 10 years old and I have been in both jazz and hip hop competition teams through out middle school and high school. I was on Dance Live, which is a drug awareness performing group for Friday Night Live in Riverside for 2 years. I also competed in hip hop and taught classes at a studio for 3 years. I am currently performing and choreographing for The Booniez Crew. The Booniez Crew is an independent and very passionate hip hop dance group trying to make a name for themselves. Although I enjoy all styles of dance, hip hop is what I love to do.

ALIDA CARMONA
Alida began her serious ballet training at the "Phyllis Cyr Academy" under the direction of Anthony Sellers, in the late 1970s. She continued her training with the renowned Ballet master, Stephan Wenta, around the same time. All the while performing with the "San Gabriel Valley Ballet", under the direction of Virginia Paulo Lovejoy. Alida began teaching dance in the early 1980s, at various studios in Southern California. Alida is currently completing her ninth year at Imperial Dance Studio.

THERESA CATALDO
A resident of Orange County, Theresa trained and competed nationally with MKR Dance Productions since the age of 7. She was the dance captain of the Brea Olinda High School dance team where she was awarded Dancer of the Year, and top choreographer. She now studies dance at Mt. San Antonio College with intentions to transfer next year to Cal State Long Beach to major in dance. Dancing is Theresa's true passion. Her goal as a teacher is to inspire our young dancers to discover and embrace their talents.

EMILY EDGELL
Emily began her dance training at JUMP Dance Center in the fall of 1990. She was a prime member of Talent Troup for 10 years, competing at regional and national dance competitions throughout California. She worked under the direction of Debbie Allen in 1997 and performed in “Pepito’s Story” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. In 1998 she was accepted to the Joffrey Ballet School and traveled to New York for the summer program. In 2000 she portrayed the lead character Alice in “Alice in Wonderland”. Emily began choreographing for Talent Troup in 2003 for groups, duets, and numerous solos that received many awards. She was recognized with the “2004” Teacher of the Year” award at Jump Dance Center. Emily also worked with her high school dance team as a leader and a performer. She was named captain during her senior year and went on to win the Golden State Spirit Association Scholarship for her dedication to the team and work as a performer. Emily graduated from CSU / Long Beach with a BFA in dance!

KELLI JEANNE
Kelli Jeanne Collins has been dancing professionally since the age of nine years old. She has trained with the best dance instructors from all over the world. She was a principal dancer with Pacific American Ballet Theatre for 8 years.During that time she performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. She has toured the United States, Japan, and Europe with different companies. She recently starred in Siegfried and Roy's dance and magic show in Las Vegas and was there for 4 years. Her passion and love for dance is shown thru her work. Kelli has worked as a make up artist for T.V. and film. She also has experienced work as an actress/dancer for commercials and television. Kelli now resides in Irvine CA. excited to be coming out with her own make up line.

NICOLE RAY
Nicole is a resident of Brea, California and grew up dancing at Imperial Dance Studio training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Inspired by studio owner and instructor Todd Van Dorn and many other teachers, Nicole decided at a young age that she wanted to become a dance teacher. At age 16, Todd offered her a teaching position at Imperial Dance Studio, and began teaching a beginning tap class, and eventually began working on a full time basis. Now with 8 years of teaching experience, Nicole now teaches classes of all kinds and for all ages. According to Nicole, "dance has made me who I am today, and I love sharing my passion for dance with all of my students."