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< Back Julie Rhoton Artistic Director Julie has been a dance educator for over forty years. Before joining us here at SCPA, she owned her own successful dance studio: Inspirations Performing Arts Center, located in Moreno Valley, well known for its quality of dance instruction. After thirteen years in business, Julie closed Inspirations PAC and took time off to travel, teach and judging dance competitions. Soon, she began to miss studio life and found her way to us and accepted the position of SCPA's Artistic Director. Twenty years have passed since Julie started here at South Coast Performing Arts and we wouldn't change a thing. Julie is family to us and we share the same philosophies about dance, the development of dancers and studio life in general. Though we have created numerous Programs together, Julie is especially excited about our SCPA Fundraising Program where we highlight a non-profit charity with an annual fundraising campaign, partnering with our studio families and dancers to do good in the world together! #taliastrong #SCPAstrong #dancersmakingadifference In 2018, Julie's Tribute dance for our Talia: 'Saturday Smile' was nominated as a Industry Dance Award finalist for Best Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary Performance. Besting this acknowledgement was having "Saturday Smile" being invited to perform in the actual Industry Dance Awards show night! SCPA and our Saturday Smile dancers shined on this special night! In addition to studio life, Julie partnered with Keri LaGrand to author a 'Stretch and Strength' syllabus for dance educators. With the success of their first syllabus, two more syllabi's were created: "Advanced Stretch and Strength' and "Crazy Hard Exercises". As a prominent dance educator, Julie still travels teaching Master Classes emphasizing fundamentals of technique and using technique as an access for expression. Dancers that Julie has trained have worked in videos, commercials, theatre, film, television, have become professional choreographers and more than a few have opened their own dance studios. Though Julie has won numerous honors and accolades over the course of her career, what is closest to her heart is inclusion. Creating a space where children and young adults can feel a sense of belonging, to be themselves, in a nurturing, challenging and supportive environment through dance. Dance studio life is pretty wonderful, and so is our Julie! julie@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Megan Anderson Faculty: Jazz Megan Anderson has been dancing for 8 years and loves dance with all of her heart. Her favorite style is jazz funk, but she has trained and continues to train in a variety of styles. She is passionate about teaching the fundamentals of jazz and educating young dancers on the history of Jazz, to help them better understand the origins of certain movements. She believes understanding the history of the movement is extremely important for growth and development of technique. As an SCPA alumni, she is excited to join the faculty and help to train the next generation of SCPA dancers!

< Back Rachel Scott Faculty: Jazz Rachel Scott received her initial dance training at Southland Ballet Company where she studied the Vagonova method under the artistic direction of Salwa Rizkalla. During her adolescent years, she performed in full length ballets and later became a soloist with Festival Ballet Theater where she danced alongside renowned professionals such as ABT's Julie Kent. Rachel continued her dance training on a full scholarship at DeFore Dance Center, and shortly after completing her scholarship, was asked to join their Faculty as a ballet instructor. Rachel accepted, and since then, has been teaching ballet, pointe, and jazz alike for over ten years. Rachel was also one of the original members of Mike Esperanza's BARE Dance Company, and she has performed professionally in musical theatre for several years. She now teaches dance full time, and considers herself beyond blessed to share her passions with the students of South Coast Performing Arts. rachel@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Jessica Parr Competitive Director With over 12 years experience as an independent dance instructor and choreographer, Jessica's choreography in jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe and tap have won numerous local, regional and national awards. Dancers who were trained by Jessica have worked in music videos, theatre, television, motion pictures, been accepted into impressive dance companies and have become dance instructors and choreographers themselves. Her experience includes teaching at studios throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties in California from 2000-2006 then in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties in North and South Carolina from January 2008-April 2012. After which, she returned to California and started working with South Coast in Spring of 2012. Additional experience includes High School dance choreographer in Pacifica Dance Program from 1997-2000. Jessica is a well-rounded and gifted dance instructor who desires to share her talents by influencing others thru teaching. Jessica believes in motivating and educating students of all levels and from all walks of life. She helps them to feel confident about their bodies, skills and talent, while building self-esteem, confidence, and discipline to reach dreams. jessica@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Ashley Parker Faculty: Duckies, Combo, Jazz Ashley was born and raised in Orange County, CA and began dancing at The Irvine School of Dance. She continued to pursue ballet training with Ballet Pacifica in Irvine, CA. Over her dancing career, Ashley attended prestigious Summer Intensive Programs such as School of American Ballet , Pacific Northwest Balle t, Miami City Ballet and Joffrey Ballet School . Ashley joined the Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program in New York City from 2007-2009. Throughout her career she had extensive training in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary & Jazz dance. Ashley officially joined the SCPA faculty in 2015 - teaching a range of styles and ages! Her passion is sharing the love of dance with her students. ashley@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Anessa Davies Faculty: Tap Anessa Davies is a current Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate in Dance at California State University, Long Beach, while also working towards a minor in Sociology. Davies is trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, musical theater, and pom styles. She dedicated two years of her college career to the Long Beach State Spirit Team, under the direction of Rey Lozano. She has been in numerous productions at CSULB, showcasing her talent in two student works, one MFA thesis, and one faculty work, alongside esteemed tap guest artist Steve Zee. Along with Steve Zee, Anessa has trained under Andrew Vaca, Danzel Thompson-Stout, Rebecca Lemme, Steven Sofia, and many more. She made her dance film debut this past March, under choreographer Sierra Tanji, with the title of C'est La Vie. Anessa had the opportunity to choreograph a jazz piece titled Coffee For Two, for the 2024 Contemporary Concert at CSULB.

< Back Shawna Skipps Operations Director Shawna Skipps is the Operations Director at South Coast Performing Arts, where she keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With a keen eye for detail and organization, Shawna ensures that both faculty and families have the support they need for a seamless studio experience. A lifelong performer, Shawna is passionate about singing, dancing, and acting. She has extensive experience in all three, having performed in musical theater, choirs, and plays throughout her life. Shawna has also taught dance, singing, and acting, and she loves helping students develop their talents and build confidence. Although she started her college journey as a Musical Theater major, Shawna found her true calling in studio operations, combining her artistic background with her organizational skills. Outside of work, Shanwa enjoys spending time with her family, especially her siblings, and cherishes moments with her friends. shawna@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Colin Harabedian Faculty: Hip Hop Colin Harabedian is a dancer and choreographer from Carlsbad, CA. His specialty is in hip hop and contemporary dance, with focuses on hip hop, breaking, popping, and house dance. His history and experience in both the street dance, dance studios, concert, and the commercial dance world has led him to build a very well rounded and seasoned career that he brings into his classes and students. As a teacher, he feels that it’s important to share the proper foundation to students, regardless of style, and provide an open and safe space to learn and grow. He believes that when teaching hip hop, teaching multiple styles creates a stronger foundation for students to pull from in their choreography, freestyle, and general practice of the dance and culture. His teaching style focuses on building the tools to be able to freestyle, knowledge of dance, growth as a dancer, literacy and fluency of movement, strength and control, and mental and physical stamina. He loves getting to work with kids of all skill levels and watching them improve in their movement and their love of dance grow. Having a positive role in students’ lives is something he holds very dearly. Being able to play a small part in their journey as a dancer and person is a joy for him, and he loves watching the next generation of dancers that are coming up. colin@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Lindsey Lee Faculty: Jazz, Contemporary Lindsey first began dancing when she was six years old and hasn't stopped since. She trained at Irvine Dance Academy in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical. She devoted her life to dance and competed with both her studio as well as with her high school dance team when she was younger. In high school, she was awarded several solo titles including Miss USA National, Miss Dance Drill Team California and 4th Runner up to Miss Dance Drill Team United States. After high school, Lindsey attended UCLA where she earned her BFA in Art History and her Masters in Education. While in college, Lindsey danced professionally in Los Angeles as a member of the UCLA Dance Team. While on the UCLA Dance Team, Lindsey had many opportunities, including choreographing competition routines. She appeared on Fox Sports Television shows, and was a featured dancer in the Choreographers' Ball in Los Angeles. While living in LA, Lindsey continued to train at both the Edge PAC and was also on scholarship at the Dance Center, formerly known as Tremaines Studio of Dance. After college Lindsey worked for the United Spirit Association teaching summer dance camps all over California, Utah, Texas and Washington. Lindsey has choreographed for a variety of schools in the Southern CA area and continues to do so. Lindsey began coaching within the High School Dance Team arena and her team was awarded 1st place for their "Small Lyrical" dance in the USA Nationals Championship Division. In addition to teaching dance, Lindsey also judges for CADTD dance competitions. Lindsey is a dance teacher at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point and is working to develop the dance program within the school. During her first year of teaching she was awarded the "Rookie Dance Team Director of the Year" by the CADTD organization. Teaching dance is a dream come true for Lindsey and she hopes to instill within her students the same love and passion that she has for the art form of dance. Lindsey is married to her wonderful husband, Aaron and has two beautiful little girls, Camryn and Dani, who I am sure you will see dancing at the studio. lindsey@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Gina Quintana Faculty: Creative Movement Gina comes to us with over twenty five years of teaching experience. A graduate of University of California, Irvine with a degree in dance, Gina has taught ballet, jazz, tap, modern, creative movement, and cotillion in studios and schools throughout central and Southern California. When she isn't in the studio she can be found at elementary schools with The Wooden Floor, and in hospitals teaching dance for Parkinson's disease, and Discovery Arts, bringing the arts to hospitalized children. She also teaches at UCP in their recreation department, and spends her evenings performing at Disneyland. Gina is grateful for her many opportunities to share the joy of dance! gina@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Victoria Serra Owner Vicki has been involved with dance for nearly thirty years. South Coast Performing Arts has been in business for over twenty years. Vicki is the Co-Owner and Director of South Coast Performing Arts along with daughter, Stacey. Creating an environment where young people can practice positive values, develop community together AND in the process have the opportunity to become extraordinary dancers, singers and actors, is Vicki’s purpose for South Coast Performing Arts. vicki@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Tasha Skipps Faculty: Hip Hop Tasha discovered her love for dance at a young age, growing up immersed in the arts with a passion for dancing, singing, and acting. While all three brought her joy, it was dance that truly captured her heart. Over the years, Tasha has trained in a variety of dance styles, and her dedication has been recognized with several awards and honors. She had the privilege of attending a summer program at the Joffrey Ballet, where she focused on jazz and contemporary dance, and was invited to continue her training with their trainee program. In addition to performing, Tasha has had the opportunity to model for dance catalogs, further expanding her experience in the industry. Now, with over a decade of teaching experience, Tasha is grateful to be part of the SCPA team, where she shares her love for dance with students and contributes to the day-to-day operations. Whether she’s teaching, helping with office tasks, or supporting her fellow faculty and students, she strives to bring calm and positivity to everything she does. Tasha is proud to be part of a community that fosters growth and creativity. tasha@southcoastperformingarts.com