Joanna Vargas - Studio Artistic Director/Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, and Tap Instructor
Joanna has taught dance for over half the 20 years that she has been dancing. Joanna is trained in jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop, street, lyrical, tap, improvisation, and hula. She studied and majored in dance at University of California Santa Barbara and California State University Long Beach. She has performed for several recording artists and dance shows in California, Mexico, Japan, Arizona, Nevada and New Jersey. Having choreographed numerous award winning dances for different dance groups including drill, cheer, song, hip-hop, recording artists, fashion shows, sororities, master classes and church groups, Joanna has also been featured on the Channel 7 News, Pasadena Star News, Around Alhambra, Dance Spirit Magazine, Drill Dance Magazine and NoHo Newspaper.
Joanna opened JAYVEE DANCE CENTER in late October 2004. It has been her life long passion to own and direct a dance studio that promotes positive energy and encourages dancers to pursue their dream! Joanna is also the artist director and creator of the annual MAXT OUT dance showcase in Los Angeles, CA, the CEO of JAYVEE Dance Productions, INC. since 1999, and the director/creator of GROOVAHOLIX, Teen GROOV, and Baby GROOV. Miss Vargas also finds time to direct the LADYHAWK Dance/Cheer squad for an award winning minor league football team here in Los Angeles. Joanna's passion is teaching children and adults. Experience her energy and versatile choreography when taking one of her classes!
Star Peterson - Ballet Instructor
Star is trained in American classical ballet and has danced with the Classical Ballet Academy for the past fifteen years. She started teaching at the tender age of sixteen and has taken on various choreography and performance projects since. For the past three years she has choreographed annual two hour productions along with fifteen minute duets for the Classical Ballet Academy. In addition to her work at her home studio, she ventured out to direct and choreograph the entire end of the year recital for La Cresenta Montessori School. Incorporating a variety of music and strong technique, Star continues to excel in every class!
Shannon Grant - Ballet Instructor
Shannon has been a member of the companies City Ballet of San Diego, City Ballet of Los Angeles, and Media City Ballet. She has also performed internationally and as a principal dancer for a number of independent productions, including specific roles choreographed just for her.
Shannon is trained in the classic Russian style Vaganova and has annually attended summer intensive ballet programs including the Joffrey Ballet(New York), Vaganova Festival(Philadelphia), the Scottish National Ballet(Edinburgh and Scotland). You can currently see Shannon in "Shag with a Twist", a musical play in Los Angeles.
Carlos Miller (BBOY PSYCHO) - Break Dance Instructor
Carlos "PSYCHO" Miller is versatile in breakdancing, hip-hop, capoeira, acrobatics, gymnastics, kung fu, and is a black belt in kickboxing. In addition to his training, Carlos is also certified in stretching, CPR, PT fundamentals, kickboxing, and as a personal trainer. Miller's previous performances and featured choreography include but are not limited to: European Commercial "Electro Breakdance" (2002), "Chester the Idiot" Documentary film (2003), Wrestle Mania XIX (2003), Battle of the Gospel Lyricist (2003), Dance Coordinator for Warehouse Shoe Sale Dance Team (2002-2003), and The Way of Circus (2003). Carlos has also choreographed for many independent dance groups and colleges. He currently dances in the World Famous Air Force Break Crew and Aggro Alliance Trick Team. This talented breaker has paved his way in the dance world and continues to leave his mark wherever he goes with his positive energy and enthusiasm for the Hip-Hop culture!
Brian Hirano - Hip-Hop and Break Dance Instructor
Brian Hirano is originally from the Bay Area and is now based out of Orange County. He started his dance career nine years ago with breaking and house stepping in High School. Since then, Brian has danced with the award winning hip hop dance team CADC(Chinese Association Dance Crew) of University of California, Irvine for four years. He is currently studying hip-hop and has since expanded his training to jazz. He is currently a principal dancer of the renowned hip hop dance team, Team Boogiezone - Breed. He has helped lead his dance groups to many victories at competitions such as Fusion, Ultimate Brawl, Vibe, Bustagroove and Maxt Out. Brian has brought us his experience, style, and intricate style of dance to inspire our students to become strong and versatile dancers.
Justin Nguyen - Hip-Hop Instructor
Justin Nguyen is a remarkable dancer with many high profile experiences to back it up! He has trained at renowned studios including The Edge Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Center among others. Justin has been able to break into the dance scene by teaching, choreographing, and performing. Justin has been featured in many music videos such as Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You", A-Teens "Floor Filler", and Hilary Duff/Lil' Romeo "Tell Me A Story". He has also been featured on Good Day L.A., performed live at Wango Tango, a Clipper's Game half-time show, and a Millennium Dance Complex Showcase. Justin's exceptional talent has enabled him to continue to create a name for himself in the professional dance environment.
Judy Cisneros - Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Tap Instructor
Judiette Cisneros has trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop, and ballet at one of the top ten studios in the nation, Just Plain Dancin' in Corona, CA. She has also trained at the Edge Performing Arts Center, Millennium Dance Complex, and at Debbie Reynolds in North Hollywood. She has assisted Jeff Costa in Jeff Costa's Cardio Striptease at the World Famous Fitness Festival in Rimini Italy and has toured Europe with "Pulse" Dance Troupe. She is currently performing all over southern California and Seattle, WA with Team Boogiezone - BREED of Orange County/Los Angeles. Her choreography has won many titles in competitions like "Showbiz", "Hall Spotlight of Fame", and "Dance Explosion". She is currently teaching in Corona, Orange, and last but not least....JAYVEE Dance Center of Alhambra!
Angel Wade - Hip-Hop Instructor
Angel Wade has been dancing since the age of 4 years. She has taken instruction at Lula Washington Dance Theater, Athletic Garage, and Millennium Dance Complex. She has had the honor of taking Master Classes with Wade Robson, Fatima, and may more.
Ms. Wade has performed with Madonna Grimes Theater, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, and Bre Dance. She has choreographed for the Cal State Los Angeles Cheer Team, Shocktreatment Dance Drill Team, and is currently choreographing for the West Coast All Starz Hip Hop Team. Ms. Wade has Regional and State Championship titles under her belt and is still active in the dance world as a performer.
Eddie "Midnight Dancer" Pruitt - Pop, Lock, and Robot Instructor
Eddie was raised in Los Angeles and in 1976, he began his interest in Robotic Miming at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, he was introduced to the art of Poppin' (Poplocking). Between 1979 and 1983, Midnight perfected and studied his art and also began to learn other styles of dance. His interest in mechanics, martial arts, pencil, and pen & ink cartooning boosted his drive to succeed. Over the years, Midnight has performed in numerous city wide events including the L.A. Marathon, L.A. Fiesta, L.A. Department of Parks and Recreation, and Parades (Los Angeles Easter Parade, Los Angeles Cinco de Mayo Festival, Black History Parade, Compton/Watts Christmas Parade, and Lynwood Parade). Midnight is currently a member of the World Famous L.A. Breakers and a poppin' group called Geo-Matrix. Midnight brings his personal experience, history, and style to all his students and creates success through self expression.
Vy Nguyen - Hip-Hop and Jazz Instructor
Vy Nguyen was born and raised in Olympia, WA. She has trained in jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, and gymnastics, at Debbi's Dance Etc. for eleven years and taught for two years. She is a member of the non-profit organization Positive Programs Inc. in the group "Generation X" where she traveled throughout the Northwest to send a positive message to teens through dance and music. After graduating high school and completing her Associative Arts Degree at South Puget Sounds Community College, she went on to continue her studies at Western Washington University (WWU) where she taught hip-hop classes and became co-captain and co-choreographer of the University's hip-hop team. Vy also taught classes at a local dance studio and danced with the Seattle-based hip-hop group PhyZiKal GraFFi-T while also working as a new artist through Battalion Entertainment. After graduating from WWU in 2004 with her B.A. in English Literature, she was signed by the Vietnamese production company, Van Son Entertainment, where she performs concerts all over the world. Now residing in California, she continues to dance, teach, and write songs for her up-coming album.