Precision, Passion and Possibility in Every Step
Faculty
Denise Donovan
Owner/ Director & Teacher (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Tumbling & Taiko) | BA
Denise is a Certified Instructor for the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Western Region of the U.S. Denise received her BA at the University of California, Riverside, in choreography. At UCR she danced with the Gluck Tap Troupe under the direction of Fred Strickler and was also a member of the Leo Trio. Denise has taught at several academic institutions including Redlands University, Riverside City College, Cal State Long Beach for the Summer School Program of the Royal Academy of Dance, and AB Miller High Dance Conservatory. During her ten years as Co-director of Riverside City College Dance Touring ensemble, Denise received the honor of Adjunct Teacher of the Year. In addition to teaching taiko (Japanese drumming), she has performed with the Taiko Center of Los Angeles, dancing in Italy, France and Japan.
Jeanna Shelton
Assistant Artistic Director (Ballet, Jazz & Modern) | BA
Jeanna Shelton began her dance training in Riverside, CA with Jo Dierdorff and continued her studies with many masters all along the West Coast, including Susan Rose (Lewitzky/Horton), Rebecca Wright (ABT), George de la Pena (ABT), and Pat Hon (Graham). Upon admission to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle where she focused heavily on her Modern dance training, she also danced with the Seattle Supersonics. (BRING BACK THE SONICS!!) Jeanna then made her way back down to SoCal where she received her BA in Dance Performance from the University of California, Riverside, and was the recipient of the Chancellor's Performance Award and the Maxwell H. Gluck Dance Fellowship. While at UCR, she began performing professionally with Susan Rose and Dancers and continued with them for 5 years. After graduating, Jeanna began her tenure at Riverside City College and was there for 10 years teaching all levels of Modern dance. In 2009, her good friend Denise Donovan convinced her to join a small dance studio in Claremont, CA. Village Dance Arts, owned and operated by Ms. Toni Carrion, was where Jeanna began studying and teaching the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum under the tutelage of Ms. Donovan, and proudly taught there for 16 years. Jeanna is excited to, once again, collaborate with Ms. Donovan on her new venture of Dance Gallery!!
Florencia Abergel
Ballet & Modern
Florencia, aka "Ms. Flower," began her lifelong love for music and movement began studying the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum at the age of eight. At Wellesley College in Massachusetts she expanded her dance repertoire with Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and African Dance classes, performing with the Wellesley College Dancers. In addition to her classes at Dance Gallery, Florencia expresses herself through music as a singer/songwriter of the medicine music band "ShamaMamahS." Her music is available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms. She offers private and group lessons for the ukulele as well as songwriting workshops.
Miki Amen
Tap & Taiko | BFA
Miki earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Dance and Choreography from the University of California, Riverside, where she received a Chancellor’s Performance Scholarship in Dance. Miki toured for two years, traveling around the United States, with the live stage shows “Sesame Street Live,” and “Dragon Tales Live.” Miki is also a member of the Taiko Center of Los Angeles, a Japanese drumming ensemble. In addition to her many television credits, Miki has collaborated with tap and taiko at the Hollywood Bowl, Ford Theatre, the Japan American Theatre, and others.
Anthony Loa
Jazz, Musical Theater & Zumba | BA
Anthony had been the resident Jazz Dance Instructor and Assistant Director for the Dance Conservatory at AB Miller High School in Fontana for the past 23 years. He began his dance training at Defore Dance Center in Costa Mesa and Riverside Community College where he was a member of the Dance Touring Ensemble. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside, where he received a BA in Dance / Choreography and was a member of the Gluck Modern Dance Ensemble. Anthony has performed and choreographed for numerous cheer/dance teams, show choirs, formal dance concerts and musical theater productions. Anthony is also a certified Zumba instructor at various fitness locations.
Madison Dye
Ballet
Madison is a committed ballet instructor with a strong foundation in classical technique and a passion for fostering growth in dancers of all ages. Drawing on years of personal training and performance experience with Ms. Denise and others, Madison emphasizes precision, artistry, and discipline in class. She is currently pursuing the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certification to further enhance her teaching credentials and deepen her knowledge of the RAD ballet syllabus and pedagogy. With a focus on creating a supportive and structured learning environment, Madison is dedicated to inspiring students to reach their fullest potential both in and out of the studio.
Bill Marshall
All Abilities
William R. Marshall has studied dance since he was 3 years old. His studies are ballet, tap, jazz, modern, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre and tumbling. After high school, Bill performed in musicals at Riverside City College that included: Foot Loose, Beauty and The Beast, Anything Goes under the direction of Jodi Jillian. Other Theatre projects include Life House in Redlands were Conway Birdie and Scrooge. Bill has studied dance at AB Miller Conservatory and Riverside City College. Bill has studied dance at AB Miller Conservatory and Riverside City College. He has also completed the Pathways Program at UCLA, is currently studying art at Tierra Del Sol Art Studio, and at Performing Arts Studio West is engaged in acting, music and dance.
Gillian Mitchell
Hip Hop & Musical Theater
Gillian began her dance training with Ms. Denise at the age of eight, focusing primarily on ballet. In her senior year she completed the Royal Academy of Dance Vocational Graded Examination in Dance: Advanced 2 Ballet. In addition to teaching dance, Gillian is a developing actress and singer, pursuing opportunities in television and film. Her academic goals include a degree in Finance with an emphasis toward the entertainment production industry.
Avie Bjerk
Teacher (Tap & Tumbling for Tots)
Avie, a student at Claremont High School, has been dancing with Ms. Denise since the age of five. Through her study of many styles of dance, including ballet, tap and jazz, Avie has cultivated her passion for performing and teaching. That inspiration is fostered in her students. She is a current and past president of the Dance Gallery Dance Club, hosting events and mentoring many of her fellow students. In addition to dance, Avie studies the violin and enjoys reading and crafting.