Alana Tillim  | Owner/Director

Alana is a proud wife, mother, and female entrepreneur. She has owned Santa Barbara Dance Arts since 1998 and built  her business while managing a career in Corporate Marketing Non-Profit and the Political Arena.   In 2004, Alana left her ‘day jobs’ and co-founded the Arts Mentorship Program with Steven Lovelace with the mission of creating support and access to young and emerging artists.  Since its inception, it has gone on to give out over $200,000 in scholarships, provide over 30,000 hours of affordable rehearsal space, and support over 1,000 pre-professional company dancers.

She was honored to be named  Pacific Coast Business Times “Top 40 Under 40” in 2009, and has gone on to receive honors from several dignitaries and local organizations for her dedication to the community.  Alana has volunteered for several local non-profits including Take Back the Night, United Way, Girls Inc, Fun In the Sun, and she served on the board of the SB Neighborhood Clinics and SB Dance Alliance where she served as president from 2007-2011. She received an Apogee Award in 2018 for her legacy in dance education and the Inspiration Award from More Than Just Great dancing for her leadership during the twin tragedies of the Thomas Fire and Debris Flow.

She is a Certified Coach for More Than Just Great Dancing and speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and youth to expand and inspire their own journey. In 2019 she was a invited guest on the podcast Onward Nation.

Alana believes that dance can heal, and the lessons it teaches extend far beyond the classroom.  She hopes that all who visit SB Dance Arts feel a sense of belonging, community, and creative freedom. 

Hannah Hayward |  educational director, competition team director, instructor

Hannah Hayward is a vibrant artist who is passionate about movement, education, and performance. She graduated with honors from the Ailey School Scholarship Program in NYC and holds certifications from American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum and the University of Tennessee, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Philosophy and Psychology. 

Hannah has been a teaching assistant to Francisco Gella, a Pre-Professional Trainee with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, a tour assistant for Artists Simply Human, and is on faculty at Rock the House Dance Convention. She has received numerous accolades, including YAGP Regional medals and top awards at The Dance Awards. Her performance credits span notable events like the Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and New York Fashion Week. Hannah is proud to say that some of her dance students have gone on to train at Rambert School, The Ailey School, Kanyok Arts Initiative, Georgia Ballet, and Ballet Idaho. Hannah co-founded Tessera Dance Theater, contributed to Tennessee Theatre’s Marquee Awards, and teaches nationwide, setting choreography across the U.S.

JERELYN alcantar | MARKETING AND OPERATIONS Director

Jerelyn has lived and worked in Santa Barbara for 11 years. Originally from a small Texas town, she made the trek to San Antonio several times weekly to attend Jazz and Ballet classes at her dance company through her high school years. She graduated with a BFA in Studio Arts from Biola University in 2010. She’s new working in the Dance Industry, coming from a nearly ten year career in the local craft beer scene, working all facets of the industry. Jerelyn spends her free time learning traditional cooking techniques, camping, reading history books, spending quality time with her husband and two kitties, and making art and jewelry. Jerelyn believes in the power and ability of dance to transform community and lives. She’s thrilled to be surrounded by dance, and to be calling Santa Barbara Dance Arts her home.

Maria Pantoja | Sr. Customer Care Manager

Maria is an Oxnard/Ventura native who has over 16+ years of administrative and customer service experience. Coming from managing state programs and accounting, Maria is excited to offer exceptional office support and transition into the Sr. Customer Care Manager role with SBDA. Maria and her husband, Cesar, are a blended family of 7! She enjoys weekly soccer games with her step kids and Violin recitals with her daughter. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Simba who is about to be 3yrs old and the baby of their home! Maria is also a former Sizzling Dulzura Bachata/Salsa dancer and performed Folklorico for several years! In her free time, she enjoys horse races, reading, rollerblading, and Zumba classes. She is also a State of California wedding officiant and celebrates weddings most every weekend! Maria enjoys building relationships and looking forward to working with you to have a successful season with SBDA! You'll find Maria in the office ready to help!

Maria habla español

michelle mauk | customer care Manager

Michelle came to SB Dance arts in January 2021 after a long successful career in Consumer Product and Pharmaceutical sales in the SF Bay Area. She spent 25 years representing Consumer Product companies like Bristol Myers Squibb, L'Oréal and Mars with both Regional and National accounts. Michelle and her husband KC returned to Santa Barbara from the Bay Area after he retired to be closer to her parents. They have three adult children with their oldest son and his wife now also living here in Santa Barbara. Michelle enjoys using her career skills to help administratively and more importantly engaging with kids of all ages and their families. Michelle is also a new grandma to twin girls Rye & Shay and enjoys spending lots of time with them!

lacy olivera | costume concierge

Lacy Olivera was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. At the age of 4 she was bouncing around doing cartwheels and handstands wherever she could. She became a competitive gymnast and traveled all over the United States for over ten years. After quitting gymnastics there seemed to be something missing in her life, so she tried out for the dance team at her local high school. From there another passion grew and she started taking jazz, ballet and hip hop classes. She performed with her dance studio and competed at many competitions with her school dance team. After college and working full time, she became a mom of two little girls. Lacy's passion for dance came back after her children were born and has never stopped since. She loves teaching the Cardio Hip Hop for adults at Santa Barbara Dance Arts. She enjoys the escape that dance brings and how all the problems of the day just seem to melt away. Lacy describes dance as a therapy and has seen how it can impact so many people. The concept of making dance accessible to all and the community that it builds is something that she knew she wanted to be a part of.

keely ross | content creator, guest instructor

Keely Ross is currently a student at UCSB, having been admitted as a dance major. She has been dancing since the age of three at a studio based in Los Angeles, studying all disciplines of dance. She has competed and performed at The Pulse, Radix, Art of Movement, Dance Atak, and Nuvo, as well as numerous charity events, and local performances. Keely was chosen to be captain of her high school dance team junior and senior year, and continues creating choreography and training the team after graduation. Keely has choreographed for dance studios, high school dance teams, and competitive groups. Keely is currently captain of the hip-hop group at UCSB, Untitled Dance Company. Keely trains, conditions, performs, and choreographs for this collegiate team. Keely has worked with children at all levels, emphasizing safety, creativity, positivity, and fun. Keely is so excited to begin a new chapter at SBDA, and is so grateful she is teaching at a studio that nurtures each student with open arms and big hearts!

Nathan Calzada  | Youth Department Head, Acrobatics Director, Instructor

Nathan is a Santa Barbara native; he was born here and finally found his way back. He moved around California and went onto a stint at Ventura and Moorpark Colleges where he truly fell in love with Dance. He has graduated from UCSB with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in choreography. Picking up dance at a late age of 18, his training started with a rigorous gymnastics and diving training regime for ten plus years. He then went on to dance in college and found a love for hip-hop and has acquired the grace of ballet, modern and jazz. In 2004 he was on MTV’s show The Wade Robson Projects, as well as dancing in music videos and has graced his presence across international stages. In 2014 he toured with UCSB’s Senior Dance Company across Europe through Prague and Italy. He has choreographed for many colleges throughout California, Washington and Arizona, creating works to bring joy, comedy and thoughtful art to the minds of audience members.  He has been teaching since he was 16, so for the past several years has taught at many studios, gymnastics and Cheer Gyms in the Ventura and Orange Counties.

Meredith Ventura | jazz department head, instructor

Meredith Ventura is a multi-creative artist based out of southern California. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a B.F.A. in Dance with specializations in Choreography and Pedagogy, and received her M.F.A. in dance at Hollins University in collaboration with the Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, and The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (formerly the Forsythe Company). She is a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Ph.D. student in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies focusing on early modern dance and its intersections with cabaret and jazz modernism. As the founder and artistic director of Selah Dance Collective, Ms. Ventura has produced full evening-length performances and presented works throughout Europe and the United States, including a recent production presented by Gibney's Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center in New York City. Ms. Ventura is the Director of Education at State Street Ballet, where she developed innovative certificate programs in Choreography and Dance Education for their Professional Track Training Program. In her role at State Street Ballet, she also has choreographed for and collaborated with Opera Santa Barbara, the New West Symphony, and Lights Up! Theater Company. Ms. Ventura volunteers as a board member for Center Stage Theater, the Arts Mentorship Program, and the Public Domain Players.

Meredith is Aerial Arts Certified, with distinction. She has been teaching acro for over 10 years.

amara galloway   |  Ballet department head, Instructor

Amara Galloway, originally from Fairfax, Virginia, received her formal ballet training from BalletNova Center for Dance, The Joffrey Ballet Chicago, and Ballet Arizona. She is currently a professional dancer with State Street Ballet. Her performance experience includes principal roles in Carmina Burana and The Nutcracker as well as soloist roles in Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and The Sleeping Beauty. Amara has performed full-length ballets by George Balanchine and Sir Frederick Ashton and has been featured in numerous contemporary works. In 2021 she performed as an Ababu Princess and held the position of Dance Captain for the Broadway musical Kismet, directed by Lonny Price. This past spring she toured internationally with State Street Ballet to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Amara has a background in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, improvisation, hip hop, and acrobatics and was a semi-finalist at The Youth America Grand Prix Competition. She is looking forward to a new season sharing her love of dance with the students of Santa Barbara Dance Arts!

Erika Cruz | youth and preschool department head, Instructor

Erika Cruz is a graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory studying at both Los Angeles and New York City. After receiving her BFA degree in Performing Arts: Musical Theatre she began performing professionally with regional theaters in LA, a National Tour with TheatreWorksUSA, and most recently finished her first cruise line contract with AIDA Cruiselines. Some of her other favorite credits include: Eva Peron in Evita, Whatsername in American Idiot, Maria in West Side Story, and Nancy in Oliver! Erika has had a passion for teaching and has been teaching Ballet and Musical Theatre in Los Angeles since 2021, as well as subbing classes in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. Erika has worked with children from 18 months to those in their teens, promoting compassion through creativity all the while being safe and highlighting positivity. Erika is thrilled to be part of the SBDA family, and to promote a community that highlights such diversity and life long lessons through the beauty of dance.

JACQUELYN RABAGO | hip hop department head, INSTRUCTOR

Jacky Rabago is a student at UCSB studying Psychological and Brain Sciences. She grew up in San Diego where she began dancing at the age of three, and has loved dancing more and more every day since then. She began taking ballet classes, and over the years has added contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, improvisation, and choreography to her training. She competed with Neisha's Dance and Music Academy as well as with her high school dance team, Eastlake Dance Company. In her junior year of high school she was the vice president and, in her senior year, she was the president of the company. On this team, she taught classes and choreographed several pieces. When she is in San Diego, she is a substitute dance teacher for a variety of styles. She is now dancing as part of the UCSB dance team, Untitled Dance Company. Jacky is excited to share and spread her love for dance with SBDA!

ALIYAH HABIB | INSTRUCTOR

Hi everyone, I’m Aliyah! I’m 20 years old and  I’m from the Bay Area. I grew up dancing since I was 2 at my local dance studio, training in many styles such as hip-hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap. I began competing at age 9, and have been passionate about dance ever since. I currently dance on a hip hop team at UC Santa Barbara called Untitled Dance Company. While hip hop is my favorite style, I have always loved training in other styles as well, especially jazz and contemporary. I’m passionate about creating a safe space and welcoming community through dance, as it continues to be just that for me. I’m looking forward to sharing my love for dance with you all! 

Ava Markovich | Instructor

Ava is a student and dancer raised in Santa Clarita California. She began dancing about 10 years ago at her home studio, Dance Studio 84. There she was trained in contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop and tumbling. She attended conventions such as Adrenaline, Revive, Nuvo, and Heat as well as many other competitions. In high school, Ava was a part of the West Ranch high school dance team where she received 2 national titles and several top ten dancer of the year awards. She was later promoted to the role of co-captain and helped lead her team to an undefeated season. She continues to grow her love for dance by participating in shows put on by the UCSB dance department and by exploring and assisting competition choreography. Growing up in LA gave her great opportunities in the dance industry and she is so excited to share with everyone her knowledge and passion!

Brenna Chumacero | Instructor

Brenna Chumacero is a professional dancer with State Street Ballet. She started dancing when she was 3 years old and decided she wanted to go professional when she turned 15. She has always had a love for the movement and creative process dance allows her to explore. With that and hard work, she trained in Ballet West Professional Training Division and was promoted to Trainee the following year. She was given many opportunities such as performing lead roles in 3 Balanchine Ballets. Her professional training has given her opportunities to teach ages 3-18. Her goal at Dance Arts is to create a positive environment, help students learn to engage in active and creative movement.

Frankie Matesso | Instructor

Francesca Matesso is a dedicated 4th-year student at UCSB, majoring in Communications, and a proud member of the UCSB dance team. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old and has spent years honing her skills. Her passion for teaching and choreographing emerged in high school, where she discovered the joy of sharing her love for dance with others. Now, with years of experience as both a dancer and choreographer, she is eager to continue inspiring and leading others in the world of dance.

Gianna Cossitor | Instructor

Gianna grew up in San Jose, California, and started dancing at 3 years old. She trained in tap, jazz, acro, modern, and ballet throughout her dance experience. At the age of 13, Gianna began teaching alongside her mentors, gaining valuable experience and knowledge from seasoned professionals. By the time she was 17, she was given the opportunity to teach her own classes and teach young aspiring teachers as well.

She is a dedicated and passionate dance teacher with 9 years of experience in the Cecchetti method of ballet. She attended the Cecchetti Council’s summer intensive at 15 years old, receiving a full ride scholarship from them 2 years in a row.

She moved to Santa Barbara to study dance and sociology at Santa Barbara City College, with the intention of getting her Associates degree in dance and transferring to UC Santa Barbara to continue her sociology degree.

Throughout the pandemic, Gianna's love for teaching children flourished even more. She discovered a passion for nurturing and helping them develop their skills and confidence through dance. This experience solidified her desire to pursue a career centered around helping and teaching kids. Gianna's goal is to combine her love for dance and her dedication to helping children by pursuing a career that encompasses both. Whether it be through teaching dance or working in a role that supports and empowers young minds, she is determined to make a difference and inspire the next generation.

Gianna is very excited to be able to share her love for dance with the Santa Barbara Dance Arts family!

Hannah Wagster | Instructor

Hannah Wagster is a dancer and choreographer based in the California Bay Area. She began dancing at the age of 2 and trained at Lana’s Dance Studio in Morgan Hill, California. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop for over 15 years. She began competing at the age of 12 and won many Regional titles with her team. After graduating high school, she attended West Valley College and began teaching at her home studio. Hannah fell in love with teaching kids various styles of dance as well as choreographing her own pieces. She led many of her students to excel in their competition pieces. Hannah takes pride in creating a welcoming and fun dance environment for her students. After graduating with an associate’s degree in Biology, she was accepted to the University of California-Santa Barbara where she is majoring in Biopsychology. Hannah is excited to continue her love for teaching here at Santa Barbara Dance Arts!

Hope Patterson | Instructor

Hailing from Hong Kong, Hope began her training at the Academy for Performing Arts’ Gifted Young Dancers Program where she studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical theater and Chinese Classical Dance. Additionally, Hope trained under faculty and company members from Hong Kong Ballet, and traveled to New York City to train and perform with Complexions Contemporary Ballet as part of their pre-professional division. Hope graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance in May 2024, with a minor in Sports Media Studies. During her time at Kaufman, Hope performed the works of Kyle Abraham, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylián, Justin Peck, Dwight Rhoden, and Hope Boykin, and studied under Jodie Gates and William Forsythe.

While pursuing her artistic goals, Hope has taught and choreographed internationally - at various studios and intensives in Hong Kong, as well as in New York. Hope is excited to be joining State Street Ballet this season as a trainee. She looks forward to immersing herself in the vibrant dance community of Santa Barbara, where she is eager to share her passion for dance and help educate and inspire the next generation of young dancers!

Isabella Bautista | INSTRUCTOR

Isabella Bautista is a student at UCSB majoring in Dance. She was born and raised in San Diego where she began dancing at the age of ten, and has grown to love and appreciate dance and can’t imagine her life without it. She began taking jazz classes, and over the years has added ballet, jazz funk, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, improvisation, and choreography to her training. She competed with Neisha's Dance and Music Academy as well as with her high school dance team, Eastlake Dance Company. At ND&MA she began assisting younger age student classes her 2nd year on the Competition Team and by her 5th year she was teaching her own classes, Mini Jazz and Hip Hop 1. On her high school dance team, she was Event/Socials Coordinator her Senior Year, in which she hosted many bondings and events to fundraise her team throughout the year. Her senior year she began traveling across the country as an ambassador for Guidance Experience Competition and Tremaine Performance Company. As a part of these companies, she assists several convention teachers for a variety of styles. She will continue to travel and assist for Tremaine Performance Company throughout her college career. Isabella is so excited to help dancers learn and grow their love for dancers like her teachers did for her at SBDA! 

Kiana Klein patton

From San Diego, California, Kiana is a double major in Brain Sciences and Sociology at UCSB. She has 17 years of dance experience, including 10 years competing at the advanced level. She's performed internationally in venues like London, Disneyland, and Universal Studios. Kiana has also taught at various studios in both San Diego and Santa Barbara, and serves as a Varsity Spirit Dance Instructor. With Varsity, Kiana travels nationwide to train elite high school competitive dance teams where she has choreographed multiple award-winning routines.

Krystal Belluomini | Adult class Instructor

Krystal is our Adult Beginner Cardio Hip Hop instructor. She is passionate about uplifting others and helping them discover joy and confidence through dance. Krystal has a BA in dance, is ACE certified, and has been working in the dance fitness industry over the last 7 years. She creates a positive and judgment free atmosphere where ALL are welcome to RISE! Come join the Cardio Hip Hop party on Wednesday nights from 6-7pm.

Lyla Beck | student teacher

Lyla has been at Santa Barbara Dancer Arts for eight years and this will be her fifth year in company. Outside of dance, she likes to volunteer in her community, hang out with friends, spend time with her family, and read. She has done student choreography for the past three years in the student showcase! Dance has taught her many lessons such as public speaking, time management, working hard, and confidence. This year, Lyla is very excited to be in the inclusion coalition to try to help make a difference in our dance community, and excited to be teaching after her many years of training in Leadership Academy. She wants to lead by being a good example for younger students and speak out against things she is passionate about. Lyla can’t wait for a great year this year!

Find out more about Lyla’s training with Leadership Academy.

MADELINE STINER | INSTRUCTOR

Madeline grew up in Orange County, where she began her formal dance training at the American Ballet Theatre Gillespie School under the direction of Alaine Haubert. She has attended summer intensives with companies such as American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Bolshoi Ballet, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and many more. She received private training from former principal dancer Stella Abrera, the current director of ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. While completing her B.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, she received a two-year contract to train with American Repertory Ballet, where she danced roles in ballets including The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella, and Giselle. Madeline is currently a State Street Ballet trainee.

MAKAYLA MILTON | INSTRUCTOR

Originally from San Diego, Makayla Milton has been passionately dancing for 16 years, primarily focusing on ballet while also exploring tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern dance. With three years of teaching experience, she inspires her students to express themselves through movement. Currently in her third year at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Makayla is pursuing a double major in Dance and Sociology. She recently completed a fellowship in New York City, Dance Education Laboratory at 92NY, further enriching her dance education and teaching approach. Makayla is excited to continue sharing her love for dance with fellow dancers at Santa Barbara Dance Arts.

Michelle Okeke | Instructor

Michelle Okeke is a passionate dancer and student born in Long Beach, California and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. She is currently a third-year Biopsychology major at UC Santa Barbara, with plans to attend medical school and specialize in radiology.

Michelle began dancing at age eight alongside her twin sister, starting with hip hop and eventually training in jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, and tumbling. She honed her skills at Garner Fine Arts Academy and Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, where she took master classes, studied pedagogy, and choreographed for musicals.

She has attended dance conventions and competitions, earning a Judges’ Choice Award at the VIP Dance Competition for her contemporary/modern duet “Sunova.” Michelle has also directed two praise dance teams—P149 and Victory Dancers—and used dance to further her platform in a local Miss America pageant. She is excited to join Santa Barbara Dance Arts and share her love for dance with the next generation.

Rachyl Pines | Instructor

Rachyl has more than 8 years of experience teaching ballet. She began her ballet training at The Ballet Studio in Temecula, CA. She attended summer intensive programs with American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Walnut Hill School of the Arts to augment her training. Rachyl was a company member at City Ballet of San Diego for 3 seasons when she shifted focus to go to graduate school. Rachyl completed her PhD in Communication at UCSB. Rachyl is now a company member in her fifth season with Selah Dance Collective and Nebula Dance Lab. She  is also a professional aerial silks artist! 

SOPHIA ZANTE |  INSTRUCTOR

Sophia is currently a third year student attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. She grew up in the Bay Area and loved participating in competitive dance from second grade until her graduating years. She did a wide variety of styles including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, musical theater and contemporary. Dance has always been a passion of hers and she looks forward to sharing this with the students in her classes

taylor alfama | instructor

Taylor is an alum of Santa Barbara Dance Arts and Axis Dance Company. She is a recent graduate Carpinteria High school and the Move With Purpose Leadership Acsdemy. Taylor has been dancing for 15+ years. Taylor is excited to start her journey in teaching dance and is looking forward to having her own classes this year. Outside of dance, Taylor loves shopping, traveling and being with people she loves. Dance has always been a big part of her life and she is so excited for this season!

Chloe Roberts  |  Instructor & Choreographer

CHLOE GRACE ROBERTS was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Chloe is trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, musical theatre, hip-hop, tap, ballroom, and improvisation. She has worked with choreographers including Jodinik Jo of the Centre du Danse Marais in Paris and Tucker Knox of So You Think You Can Dance. Company work includes Urbanity Dance Company (Boston), Selah Dance Company (SB), Nebula Dance Company (SB), The Prague Shakespeare Company (CZ), and Reject Dance Theatre (NYC). Recent productions include Chicago (Liz and Dance Captain), American Psycho (SB), Grease (Cha-Cha and Dance Captain), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Choreographer), and High Society (Mavis and principal dancer). Chloe travels across the US to set choreography for studios and companies for both the competition and concert stages. She is a judge and member of Impact Dance Adjudicators.  She is also the Jazz Director at Santa Barbara Dance Arts.  @chloerobertsdance, #chloerobertschoreo

gianna burright | instructor & Choreographer

Gianna Burright is a California based dance artist who holds a BFA in Dance from UCSB and an MFA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance. At UCSB she received the Tonia Shimin Award for excellence and promise in the field of dance and at Laban she was a Leverhulme Scholar and recipient of the Lesley Anne-Sayers Research Award. 

Gianna has presented her work in England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Cyprus, Greece and the US, including locations such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery, Bonnie Bird Theatre, Waterloo East Theatre, The Place and the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ZOO venues. Gianna’s credits include; UCSB Dance Company, Selah Dance Collective, The Improv Sessions, A Truefitt Collective, Nebula Dance Lab, Motion Theatre Dance Company, Santa Barbara Museum of Art (dance education lesson plans), Devin Fulton Dance, Irvine Valley College performance ensemble, assistant/rehearsal director to Danielle Agami of Ate9, a part of LA Contemporary Dance Companies first ever choreography lab and has been a guest artist for the dance departments at Nordhoff High School, Thacher High School, Ojai Valley School and Santa Barbara High School (Musical Theater). Burright is the co-founder/co- artistic director of the newly established international dance collective GBworks; which supports and produces work of female, female identifying and non-binary artists that has crossed the borders of the US, England and Scottland with desire to keep expanding. 

Gianna is passionate about creativity and collaboration which are her foundation for choreography, performance and dance education. She continuously asks the question of how dance can cross borders, change perspectives and outlooks on collaboration and communication. Gianna is currently dancing and choreographing professionally, and is honored to be on both a teacher and administrator at Santa Barbara Dance Arts.

Lauren Serrano | guest Instructor

Lauren graduated from University of California Santa Barbara with a B.F.A. in dance. She is originally from Orange County where she trained at many local studios including Jimmy Defores, and Edge Performing Arts Studio in Los Angeles. She went to Orange County High School for the Performing Arts for classical and commercial dance. She has won various scholarships including a 3-month training scholarship at Edge Performing Arts studio, Miss Drill Team USA and she received the departmental achievement award from UCSB in 2011. Lauren moved to New York City in 2012 for a work-study scholarship with Jennifer Muller and the Works. She has had the opportunity to dance with singing artists such as Mayer Hawthorne, and performed choreography in New York for choreographers Young Soon Kim, Toni Renee Johnson, Jacobs Dance Collective, Pedro Ruiz, Jennifer Muller and Mike Esperanza. Lauren recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with her masters in dance education from the Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program at Hunter College with the Presidential Special Recognition Award. Lauren is also a certified Pilates mat teacher and certified personal trainer. She is currently dancing professionally in Santa Barbara and is honored to be teaching at Santa Barbara Dance Arts.

SARAH MARIE PICARD | INSTRUCTOR

Sarah Marie Picard is an American dancer, choreographer, actress, and painter. Born in Phoenix, Arizona to a family of professional athletes including her mother and father who were LPGA and PGA tour players. Her great grandfather, Armand Picard from France who was a painter and her great grandmother Lucille, a singer, both immigrants who arrived from France to Canada to this day remain one of Sarah’s greatest inspirations.

The sensation of painting, the feeling of color, texture, and expression is soothing to my soul and I often refer to the experience as a romance between me and my canvas.

This love for artistic expression took me to school where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in New York City at Tisch School for the Arts and since then I’ve worked full-time as an artist, most recently showcasing my solo exhibit in The Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. I now reside in Southern California I make the daily walk to my studio.

Ms. Picard resides in Southern California and when she’s not painting, she can be found with her beautiful pup, Auggie, recording her new 6 song EP album, in the dance studio, at the beach, or working on her next children’s book. 

SUNNY REICHERT | INSTRUCTOR & choreographer

Sunny Reichert was born in rural Illinois where she started training in dance at the age of 5. At the age of 10, she joined her first dance company and began traveling nationwide, competing in various dance competitions. Throughout high school she received numerous dance scholarships and earned national recognition with her dance companies. Sunny moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue her career in dance and quickly began working in film, TV and print. Some of her career highlights were working for Aamco, Comedy Central, FOX, Matchbox 20, NBC, Pepsi and William Morris Entertainment. While working, Sunny also received her degree from Cal State Northridge in 2009, where she minored in dance. Sunny is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary and hip-hop and has used her well-rounded training to build a successful teaching career. For 18 years now, Sunny has been a teacher producing and choreographing many of her own dance performances and productions. She has also directed two different dance companies for children and pre-professionals. Sunny is proud to say some of her dance students have gone on to train at Julliard, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and The American Ballet Theatre. Sunny continues teaching dance full-time while also traveling to teach as a master teacher at other schools and dance intensives.

Steven Lovelace  | Instructor, Director Emeritus

Steven Lovelace founded Santa Barbara Dance Arts (formerly Santa Barbara Jazz Dance Academy) in 1997. Shortly after he met Alana Tillim, the two of them co-directed the business from 1998-2013, when Steven sold the business to Alana. Steven loves teaching at Dance Arts and choreographs for the Student Dance Companies. Steven began his dance career in Kay Fulton's Santa Barbara City College Dance Department. Since then, he danced with Repertory-West Dance Company, Santa Barbara Dance Theatre, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera, Bill Evans Dance Company, and Nora Reynolds Dance. He was a member of the Lit Moon Theatre Company and co-directed Dance Warehouse from 1985-91. He has taught locally at Laguna Blanca, Marymount, Cate, and San Marcos, Crane and currently teaches at Peabody school. He co-directs Stage Left Theatre Company. 

Steven’s reach in the community includes work with the Summer Solstice Celebration, SB Dance Alliance and he is the co-founder and scholarship mentor for the Arts Mentorship Program. He has helped generations of children fall in love with dance!