Genevieve Garner
Marlena Arellano
Heidi Cavanaugh
Amy Manlapaz-Chaffin
Darin Dantice
Sebastian Arango
Connie Needham
Rebekah Mitchell
Rebecca Thompson
Shawn Vitale
C. Tyson Garner discovered his passion for the arts at the age of 18. He was a member of the infamous song and dance group "The Young Americans" which launched him into his career. Tyson received a scholarship to Tremaine Dance Center in North Hollywood and continued his training at Orange Coast College, Jimmie DeFore Dance Center, and the Edge. He has an energetic performing style that can be seen in every aspect of the entertainment industry. From the stage to television, from Broadway to the classroom, his unique choreography, and passion for teaching has made him a sought after dance instructor. Tyson has performed on a number of television shows including Mad TV, Family Matters, The Parker's and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. His stage credits include the European Tour of Grease, and most notably the Broadway Cast of Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA. Tyson also appeared in the major motion picture Marci X. Tyson is excited to share his love and passion of the arts with students of all ages. Together with his wife, Genevieve, they are the proud owners of Dance Dynamics, Rancho Santa Margarita's Premier Commercial Dance Studio.
Genevieve Garner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from Chapman University. Genevieve started dancing at the age of two, studying ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics at Georgia's School of Dance. She has studied with some of the industries finest instructors including Georgia Copeland, Currie Pederson, Sue Gilson, and Linda-Sohl Donnell. As an adult Genevieve continued her training taking class at Jimmie Defore Dance Center, The Edge, and Tremaine's. Her professional career has taken her around the world. Genevieve has worked for Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines, performed as a member of the award winning show Tap Girls, danced for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Cisco Systems, Disney, and for the National Tap Dance Day in Philadelphia. As a teacher, Genevieve's choreography and students have won over 50 national awards including, most entertaining, best showmanship, and national champions. She is thrilled to offer her talents, dedication and passion with the students of Dance Dynamics. Tyson and Genevieve are the proud parents of Justin, their two year old son.
Connie Needham
Debbie Shain
The Directors
The Instructors
The Administration
Sebastian Arango has been moving and moved by music ever since he can remember. Starting off as a figure skater at the age of 10, going on to compete at the regional and national level, and then eventually making his way back to dance in search of an understanding of all movements in relationship to music. This search lead him here to Defore studio where he received a scholarship during the 2006 pulse term and was rigorously immersed in many dance & teaching styles. Shortly then after he was asked to be a part of Rhetoracle Dance Company which was an unexpected yet thrilling opportunity for him. Also since finishing scholarship Sebastian has taken the opportunity to expand his training by taking from numerous teachers and classes from all around the southern California area. In gratitude to all his wonderful teachers and mentors he hopes to bring his students the beauty, determination and strength they brought him. He feels very honored to be teaching at Dance Dynamics and his goal is for his students to find the passions we have inside and be able to express and communicate that with our bodies.
Rebecca Thompson, a California native, trained with Salwa Rizkalla, Alla Artyushkin, and Julie Ellis. In 1992 she achieved finalist standing in the Dorothy Chanller Spotlight Awards. At fourteen Rebecca joined David Wilcox's L.A. Classical Ballet, where she also performed excerpts from Nutcracker for the Jay Leno Tonight Show. Later she spent two years performing with Kirk Peterson's Hartford Ballet where she won numerous soloist roles. Before uniting with Jean Ann Ryan Productions, Rebecca danced with State Street Ballet. There, choreographer Robert Sund chose Rebecca to feature in many of his famous and new ballets. Rebecca is a highly sought after teacher, ballet mistress, and guest performer. By special guest invitation she has danced for the R.A.D., Guam's Sand Castle Theatre, Golden State Ballet, and Festival Ballet. Rebecca has also taught in Long Beach Ballet Arts Center's star studded summer program and ballet mistressed their award winning junior company. In 2003 and 2004 Rebecca helped teach and set La Bayadere and Cinderella for China's Guangshou Ballet. This last year she performed as a principal dancer with American National Ballet. Rebecca is currently teaching in Southern California and is continuing to shape her choreographic career.
Connie began dancing at the age of 10 and has been teaching dance for over 11 years. She started her professional career at age 12, dancing as a Mouseketeer at Disneyland, as well as performing with NYC Ballet in the children's cast of "Circus Polka." Connie has had extensive dance training in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. She has worked with Debbie Allen and Michael Peters, and has trained with the likes of Al & Harriet Dure, Fred Walton, Jackie Sleight, Doug Caldwell, and Joe Tremaine. Connie also has an extensive background in film and television with various credits ranging from tv sitcoms such as Eight is Enough for five seasons, Love Boat, Ellen, and Without a Trace, to commercials for companies such as Wendy's, McDonald's, and Charles Schwab. Connie is most proud of her two daughters Kimberly and Taylor.
Shawn Vitale started dancing at the age of 18. Her training began at Orange Coast College and continued to Jimmie Defore Dance Center, where she was awarded a full scholarship. Shawn trained in the professional program for 18 months, studying all styles from Ballet to Hip Hop and emerged a completely different dancer. Upon completing the program, she was offered a teaching position which still currently occupies. She has since become a main component in the juniors program at Defores and is also in charge of the Hip Hop performing groups. Her choreography has been seen in many dance shows including Unleashed, Generations, and most recently Pulse. Shawn is excited to share her passion for dance and love of teaching with the students of Dance Dynamics.
Connie Needham is one of our front desk staff members, and is also an instructor at Dance Dynamics. She has been a part of the studio for several years and enjoys participating in all the various studio functions. Performing arts is her passion and she is thankful to be able to share it with the young aspiring dancers.
Debbie Shain, the Office Manager, has been with Dance Dynamics since their opening in 2005 and watched it flourish into an award winning dance facility. Currently, Debbie works during the day in the office creating memos, bookkeeping, and more. She also over sees the other front desk staff and assists them when ever necessary. Debbie is available to help students and parents with anything they need and loves being a part of the Dance Dynamics Staff and family!
Darin Dantice has enjoyed working professionally as a dancer for the last eighteen years. He has traveled around the world for such companies as Walt Disney and Universal Studios, and has been the guest of dance companies such as Jazz Spectrum and New York City Ballet. His career has allowed him to learn the skills it takes to work and perform in the entertainment industry on the stage, television and movies. His athletic and technical approach toward teaching dance has come from his extensive background in the fitness industry combined with the lessons he continues to learn from his mentor, Paula Morgan. Darin has been honing in on his skills as a dance teacher for the last thirteen years and has enjoyed incorporating the benefits of Yoga and Pilates into his philosophy of teaching dance. Darin is excited to share his unique approach of dance instruction with the students of Dance Dynamics.
Meet
Our
Staff
Our
Staff
C. Tyson Garner
22576 Avenida Empresa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 - 949.888.9446
Marlena, born and raised in Riverside, CA, has trained in Los Angeles and Orange County for the past 16 years. Her knowledge and skills range from jazz and lyrical/contemporary to commercial hip hop, including popping and locking. Marlena ha appeared on MTV's The Wade Robson Project, VH1, and Elle Van's "Skin" music video. She has also choreographed and danced ina national commerical for TJ Maxx. Her theatre productions include Debbie Allan's Pepito's Story. Marlena traveled for two years on tour with Tito Puente, Jr., son of the legendary Latin percussionist Tito Puente. Her dedication to the art of dance and her choreographic talents continue to grow as she challenges herself choreographing for various groups such as competitive singing groups and upcoming artists. Marlena's work hasbeen showcased at the ever popular industry event "Carnival" in Hollywood, CA. Marlena has been awarded numerous choreography and achievement awards across the West Coast including consecutive National Championships with Cal State Fullerton. Currently, she continues to train herself while dancing in the professional hip hop company "Mavyn." Marlena is excited to share her talents and passion for the arts with the students of Dance Dynamics.
Heidi began her training at age 7, studying Acrobatics which led to top Awards in USGF Gymnastics. Her interests gradually changed and she began studying ballet, tap, and jazz at Georgia's School of Dance . During high school she also won numerous awards in competitive dance, and Varsity Co-ed Show Cheer. Heidi's professional credits include touring as The Pink Ranger in "The Power Rangers Live World Tour", Elmo in " Sesame Street Live" at Sea World, and a featured dancer at Knott's Berry Farm, stunt performer in " The Big Test" at Legoland, Ca. She also toured abroad for "Disney Fest" in Singapore . She loves working with children of all ages. And has taught hip-hop, jazz, and tumbling in numerous dance studios in the North County area. She and her husband Beto just recently returned from living in Costa Rica , where she enjoyed working for 5 years with kids and youth ministries. They welcomed their first child in December of 2008, baby Tavin. This is Heidi's second year on staff at Dance Dynamics.
Amy Manlapaz-Chaffin began her dance training at the early age of five where she quickly realized it would become her passion. She danced on scholarship with major ballet companies such as Ballet Aspen, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet attending their summer intensive programs. She auditioned for and was accepted to dance on stage with New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her dance styles are versatile and range from ballet and jazz to musicals and music videos. Some of her credits include dancing with the Crystal Cathedral and performing at Universal Studios, Hollywood. Amy was a lead dancer in Harlem Renaissance, a Gallimaufry production celebrating the life of performer Florence Mills and featuring Jonelle Allen from the hit show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Amy recently choreographed and was a lead dancer in BAM! Art hits the runway: a multi-media arts production combining dance, fashion, culinary arts, music, and video production in to one dynamic event. She graduated from Chapman University and has been teaching dance for the last ten years enjoying and inspiring people of all ages to learn the art and technique of dance through her energy and passion. This is Amy's second year on staff at Dance Dynamics.
Jerusha Needham
Susan Barnett
Rebekah began dancing at the age of 3 studying ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. Enjoying dance so much, she couldn't get enough and began training at Freddie Finn Dance Studio, Riverside Ballet Arts, and taking master classes in Los Angles (at The Edge and Tremaine Dance Center) and New York (at Broadway Dance Center and Steps). Rebekah initially intended to be a ballet dancer and spent summers studying at Houston Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet. Realizing her passion for all styles of dance, immediately after graduating from high school, Rebekah auditioned for "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular' and earned a part on the Ensemble cast in 2001. In 2002, Rebekah and over 200 ladies auditioned to be a world famous Radio City Rockette in Los Angeles, and Rebekah accepted one of the few positions given to new candidates that year. She spent 5 seasons touring across America with "The Christmas Spectacular' and will be performing her 4th season at Radio City Music Hall in New York in 2009. In her years as a Rockette, Rebekah has performed in The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, Rachel Ray, The Wow Awards, the Today Show, and was 1 of 12 Rockettes selected to perform on Dancing with the Stars in 2008. When Rebekah isn't doing "eye high kicks," she teaches at Dance Dynamics (Woot! Woot!), Freddie Finn Dance Studio, Riverside Children's Theater, and volunteers with the elementary program at Sandals Church where she met her husband Steven whom she married in February of 2009. Rebekah loves working with her enthusiastic, fun, and hard-working students here at Dance Dynamics!
Jerusha began dancing at the age of 3, taking ballet, tap, jazz, and clogging classes and privates, at a studio in Riverside. At 11, she decided to also attend a ballet studio in Riverside, to receive additional ballet technique. She continued her training taking master classes in all dance forms in Los Angeles and New York City. She attended ballet summer intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) New York and Irvine for 5 summers, Boston Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet, all on Scholarship. Jerusha has performed various ballet solos and pas de deux roles with California Riverside Ballet in their productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Holdberg Suites, and Swan Lake, to name a few, working with world renown choreographer, David Allan. She also performed weekly in a Russian Folk Dance Troope and toured with them nationally. Jerusha has won numerous 1st place awards for her tap, jazz, and clogging solos at National Dance Competitions and has placed in the overalls. She also was a finalist at the "Youth American Grand Prix" Ballet Competition, being coached by Charles Maple. Jerusha received dance scholarships to LA Dance Magic for four years and was a Dancer of the Year finalist in Las Vegas. She was also on scholarship at Defore's Dance Center, and is currently on their faculty there. Jerusha also currently teaches dance for Riverside Children's Theatre, and has choreographed two musicals for them.
Susan is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and dancer whose energetic teaching style can be seen in both the Riverside and Orange County areas. She has trained with various teachers and choreographers such as, Sue Gilson, Currie Pederson, Mandy Moore and Malaya. Her love of dance has led her to perform and choreograph for many exciting venues including, L.A. Laker and L.A. Clippers Halftime shows, as well as Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. Susan continues to participate in ongoing master classes and continues to train at The Edge in L.A. and Jimmie DeFore Dance Center in Orange County. In addition to her many years of professional dance training, she has 10 years of teaching experience. She has held the position of teacher and dance director at Temecula Valley and Chaparral High Schools in Temecula and has choreographed for many high school dance teams. Her distinctive choreography has received numerous high point and top choreography awards at regional and national competitions. Susan's students have been recipients for many scholarship awards, cash prizes and have gone on to be represented by top agencies such as the Bobby Ball Talent Agency. She has also judged dance competitions for Broadway Magic National Dance Competition and most recently, Dance Rave. Susan has a great enthusiasm and passion for dance and enjoys inspiring and sharing this love with all of her students.
Myra Moran
Kylie McDermott
Myra has been with Dance Dynamics for the past two years, and currently works the front desk two days a week. She is here to assist families and students with all their business needs. Myra loves being around the students, and has a daughter of her own who has been involved in competition dancing for many years. We enjoy having Myra as part of our staff!
Kylie was previously a student at DD, and is now in college. We are excited to welcome her to our staff. Kylie is available at the front desk to assist our families and students with business matters several days a week, and loves being a part of our DD family!