Our Faculty

Carla Olson
Owner/Instructor/Choreographer

Carla began dancing at the age of six studying Ballet, Tap and Jazz.  She began teaching at the age of 15.  Post high school, Carla continued her dance study at Cornish Institute College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington then moved to Hollywood, California to study at Dupree Dance Academy. She then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration at University of Portland in Oregon. Post College, Carla continued her dance studies at Spectrum Dance Theatre in Seattle, Washington.   Over the years, she has studied with many dance masters such as Michael Rooney, Carol Connors, Jackie Sleight, Van “The Man” Porter, Dianne Walker, Jason Samuel-Smith and many more. Carla opened Academy of Dance in 1997.

Jennifer Dean
Owner/Synergy Company Director/Instructor/Choreographer

Jennifer brings with her over 20 years of dance training with extensive background in Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Broadway, Tap, and Audition Technique for TV, film and commercials. She has studied and performed with Westlake Dance Center, Cornish College, Spectrum Dance Theatre, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Jennifer has performed in and choreographed many local musical and stage productions. She has competed in both regional and national dance competitions taking top honors. She has been a back-up dancer for both Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Jennifer shares her passion for dance and performance in the classroom and on-stage. She began teaching at Academy of Dance in 2000 and is now an Owner and Director.

Lisa McGinley
Instructor/Choreographer

Lisa began studying Ballet at age 4.  She joined Pasadena Dance Theatre studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical under the instruction of Evelyn Lemone, Rikki Lugo and Miss Diane East.  Lisa has starred in many off-Broadway productions such as Carousel, Anything Goes, Sweet Charity, and A Chorus Line.  She danced in Moulin Rouge de Paris at the Las Vegas Hilton, in Fosses’ Chicago at the Union Plaza and A Chorus Line at the Sahara, Las Vegas. Lisa has also performed with the New York City Opera, guest starred in television movies, commercials, Disney’s Golden Horseshoe Revue and in the Grand Opening of Tokyo Disneyland in Japan.  Her career as an instructor began at the age of 14 with Pasadena Dance Theatre.  She continued her teaching and coaching at the studio level and enjoyed most of her prestigious job at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts West, teaching movement to actors.  Presently, Lisa is proud to teach at Academy of Dance and enjoys the positive, nurturing and professional atmosphere where she can do what she truly loves; connecting with others through the expression of dance.
 

Lynelle Stauffer
Instructor/Choreographer
 

Kaitlin Winters
Instructor/Choreographer

Kaitlin brings with her several years of dance instructional experience along with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Science.  She is a dynamic, brilliant, and highly motivated individual who has a gift for organizing.  Kaitlin's strengths as a dance instructor lie in the technical understanding of classical dance and her amiable personality and ability to communicate with her students, parents, and staff members is a further asset to our studio.
 

Jennifer Mikani
Instructor
 

Amy Warren
Instructor
 

Roxanne Olson
Receptionist/Instructor

Roxanne is a former owner of several small businesses. She is also a former fully licensed childcare provider and pre-school teacher in which she was able to share her love for children. Roxanne is highly organized and brings with her years of experience in customer relations along with a heart for serving children and their families.
 

Jessica Gallagher
Apprentice
 

Jonah Kendziora
Apprentice
 

Shelleena Bunker
Receptionist