The Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts

The Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts
5700 Corsa Avenue Suite #106 * Westlake Village, CA 91362
ph: (818) 889-1515 fx: (818) 889-1562
academyofdance@sbcglobal.net

Lilly Alexander--Owner/Artistic Director

Lilly is originally from New York City and has a dance background equaled by only the great names in dance today.
Lilly began her career at four years of age in New York City. At the age of seven, she was seen by George Balanchine
and invited to study with the School of American Ballet. At eight, Balanchine awarded Lilly a Ford Foundation
Scholarship, and just one year later she directed her career toward professional status by performing with the New
York City Ballet Company, at City Center in New York City. Lilly next received a New York State funded
scholarship to the High School of Performing Arts, of which she is a graduate. During this process, she acquired
additional dance experience with the June Taylor Dancers, Luigis, Joffery Ballet Theatre, The International School of
Dance, and Julliard. She has also taken part on and off Broadway in stage appearances, working with the likes of
Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Peter Martins, Ben Vereen and George Balanchine, and performances at Carnegie Hall,
Lincoln Center, City Center, Radio City Musical Hall and the New York World’s Fair. Those from whom Lilly has
personally received training include: Nathalie Krassovska, Pierre Valdermeroff, George Balanchine, Anathole
Oboukhoff, Alexandra Danilova, Muriel Stuart, Felia Doubrovska and Antonia Tumkovsky. Ms. Alexander co-
founded choreographed and taught master classes for the New Jersey Dance Theatre Guild and has been a dance
educator for the past 35 years. Many of her students receieved scholarships and awards to The School of American
Ballet, ABT, The Joffery Ballet School, The Edge Scholarship Program, National Dance Competitions and other
prominent dance studios and companies throughout the USA. Her students have developed into master teachers and
have danced and choreographed all over the world. Over the years The Academy of Dance & School of Performing
Arts Competition Team has won Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, Cash Prizes as well as Platinum and 1st
place awards at an array of Competitions. Lilly has taught master classes and judged at several National Dance
Competitions and Conventions. In April of 2008 the Academy’s Competition team performed their undefeated
Award Winning Hip Hop routine at half-time for the Los Angeles Avengers Arena Football team at the Staples
Center. Many of Lilly’s protégés operate successful Dance Studios, have danced on Carnival Cruise Lines, direct the
prestigious Carnival at the Choreographers Ball at the Key Club in Hollywood, and have appeared on stage in Las
Vegas, on Broadway, in Videos, Films and Television. The recent movie and TV series “Fame” was a story based on
the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. The story speaks for itself, as does Lilly. She has been the
Owner and Artistic Director of The Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts since 1978.

Ahjalia Hall--Studio Manager/Instructor

Ahjalia Hall is from San Jose, California and has been training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop for over 20 years.
As the daughter of a professional dancer and studio owner, her passion for dance began at the young age of 2. At age
16, she moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA and pursue dance and dance instruction. At UCLA she was a member
of the nationally ranked UCLA All-Star dance team and a regular in the World Arts and Cultures (Dance) Program.
Ahjalia graduated from UCLA at the age of 20 with a degree in Sociology and Education, which she uses daily in her
work teaching developing dancers. Ahjalia’s versatility is endless as she has taught Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap,
Ballet, Yoga, Cheerleading, and Movement classes to dancers ages 2-65 at over 30 different Pre-schools, Elementary,
Jr. High, High School and dance studios throughout Southern California. She is currently on staff with the United
Spirit Association (USA) as a Head Instructor, Master Teacher, a member of the Program Development Team and
she was recently awarded the prestigious Most Valuable Player Award two years in a row for her outstanding
instruction during the 2007 & 2008 seasons.Ahjalia travels the country teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary &
Lyrical Master classes as well as University Dance Camps to thousands of Junior High High School and College
students throughout the year. She also works actively judging team tryouts, regional and national USA and Golden
State competitions. She has worked with and choreographed for nationally ranked dance teams throughout the United
States, including UCLA’s prestigious dance & spirit team and in May of 2009 she choreographed Boise State
Universities Mane Line Dancers 1st Place Hip Hop Routine at USA Collegiate Nationals. In April 2008 Ahjalia’s
students performed their undefeated Hip Hop routine at half-time for the Los Angeles Avengers Arena Football team
at the Staples Center. She was also an instructor for the half time spirit extravaganza for the
Los Angeles Clippers and most recently worked as a choreographer for recording artist John West and was an
instructor for the NFL Pro Bowl Half-Time Show 2008 in Hawaii with live performers “Lifehouse”. She has been the
director and choreographer for the Competition Team at The Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts for
the past 8 years and recently helped the students earn numerous Platinum and 1st place awards at competitions in
the 2009 competition season. Some of the teams recent awards were for Most Entertaining and for Best
Choreography as well as $2,000 in cash prizes. She is in her eleventh year teaching at the Academy of Dance and
School of Performing Arts and also works full time as the Business Manager of the studio.She has performed with
some of the top choreographers in the nation at Carnival the Choreographers Ball at the Key Club in Hollywood and
with the Epiphany Dance company. While performing will always be a hobby, her true passion is working with
young developing dancers and watching them learn and grow each year.

Jennifer Lettelleir

Jennifer LettelleirJennifer Lettelleir works as a choreographer, composer, vocalist, dancer, teacher and actress. She has
studied dance on scholarship in both New York (Steps, Broadway Dance Center) and Los Angeles (EDGE,
Tremaine). Her choreography has won many national dance competitions, (LADF, Co Dance, West Coast Dance
Explosion, Tremaine, JUMP) and has received rave reviews in the LA Weekly and BackstageWest/Dramalogue
locally. Most recently Jennifer won the LA WEEKLY Theatre Award for BEST CHOREOGRAPHER 2008 for her
work on the World Premier of Frank Zappa’s JOE’S GARAGE at the Open Fist Theatre in Hollywood. She toured
with the Broadway National company of CATS and has starred in many regional musical theatre productions
including: Evita, Cabaret, Three Penny Opera, Tintypes and Anything Goes. She was the Performing Arts Director
for the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles, and is the writer, creator and consultant to several county agencies on
multi media educational assembly programs currently touring LA County schools. Her choreography can also be seen
on several up and coming gymnasts throughout the Southern California area. She is a session singer for Lakeshore
Records (These Hills Have Eyes Movie Soundtrack) and is the lead singer/song writer in her L.A. based rock band,
Ma’s Furnace (www.masfurnace.com). Favorite achievement: writing, producing, directing, choreographing and
starring in her original Rock Opera, I HATE TV (www.ihatetvthemusical.com), receiving rave reviews and playing to
sold out houses. She has had the pleasure of teaching locally at the Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts
for 6 years now and looks forward to another great year! (www.jenniferlettelleir.com)

Jess Warfield

Jess Warfield began dancing at the age of two at what is now The Rock School West in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
At the age of seven, she started attending national dance conventions independent from her studio. When she was ten
years old, Jess began spending summers in Los Angeles training with the top choreographers in the world which gave
her great bi-coastal exposure to talent, technique and choreography. She has been a competition dancer most of her life
winning countless awards and scholarships. In 2000, Jess won a year-long scholarship to Tremaine Dance
Conventions. While on tour, she was asked to be Liz Imperio's main assistant and also assisted other members of the
faculty including Doug Caldwell, Desiree Robbins, Marty Dew, Wade Robson, and Joe Tremaine. After assisting and
touring with them throughout her scholarship, Tremaine hired her to tour as part of their staff. During the next three
years, Jess was the Assistant to the Director of Tremaine Dance Conventions as well as a dancing assistant to all of
the choreographers of the convention. Jess founded the dance team at Villa Maria Academy where she was the
captain, choreographer, and dancer for three years. Additionally, Jess has attended many intensive dance programs and
workshops throughout the country including New York City Dance Alliance Summer Intensive, Tremaine Summer
Intensive, Pacific Coast Dance Fest, and several of Broadway Dance Center's Summer and Winter Intensives. During
the Broadway Dance Center Intensives, Jess was asked to assist choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Chris Moss,
Liz Imperio, Doug Caldwell, and Dan Karaty. During the summer of 2002, Jess toured as a back-up dancer for T J
Espinoza. In 2004, Jess was asked to work with Rhapsody James and her very successful company called Rhapsody:
The Company based in New York City. Jess was a featured dancer in the nationally televised Boscov's Thanksgiving
Day Parade, a Jammin' Gold Dancer for 95.7FM, and a founding member of By Storm Hip Hop Company. She has
performed for many different organizations in the Philadelphia area including QVC and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Jess choreographed and was featured in a music video for a new artist named Jess Furman. She has recently
choreographed an audition piece for the B.FA program of Marymount Manhattan College. Jess has been teaching all
over the East Coast for the last ten years including Broadway Dance Center and The Rock School West. She has
choreographed many competition dances which have won numerous Choreography awards, high scores, overalls, and
titles at regional and national competitions. In 2008, Jess received her Bachelor's Degree from New York University in
Art History and Psychology. More recently, she served as Competition Team Manager and Artistic Consultant for
Flash Pointe Dance in Fairfield, CT in addition to choreographing and teaching for several other studios in
Connecticut. She is also presently a member of Clarity In Motion which is a contemporary company under the
direction of Dina Castelluccio and Karen Nerkowski. She is a very versatile dancer, performer, teacher, and
choreographer and has been trained in numerous styles including contemporary, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, tap, to
all forms of hip hop. Her classes integrate a very strong technical base coupled with unique musicality and an intense
passion for movement. She has inspired hundreds of students on the East Coast with her emotional story-telling and
hopes to bring her talent to dancers on the West Coast.

Celina Nightengale

Celina Nightengale was born and raised in Denver, Colorado where she started dancing at a very young age. She trained
at prestigious studios such as Cleo Parker Robinson, Colorado Ballet and Hill Academy of Dance and Dramatics. She
attended the University of Denver and obtained a B.A. in Communications/Marketing. While there she was a part of
the DU Dance Team which she served as captain for three years. She also danced professionally for the Colorado
Mammoth Wild Bunch serving as captain for two years. Celina had the opportunity to learn from and assist the
Denver Nuggets Dancers coach Sarah Schachterle with many projects including the Junior Denver Nugget Dancers. She
taught at various dance studios in Denver and continues to travel there to guest teach workshops and master classes.
After graduating, Celina accepted a scholarship to the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles California where
she studied for a year. She worked with instructors such as Adam Parson, JT Horenstein, Tovaris Wilson, and Cindera
Che and signed with BLOC dance agency. Some of Celina’s credits include dancing for: Everlast Boxing Company, the
NBA and NLL All-Star Games, Big and Rich, Disney’s Aladdin A Musical Spectacular, Redken 5th Avenue, Paula
Deanda, Chenelle, ESPN, Jason DeRulo, and Janet Jackson. She has also had the opportunity to work alongside actors
such as Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, Jane Fonda and gossip personality Perez Hilton. She looks forward to
sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the dancers of Academy of Dance and continuing her professional
career here in Los Angeles.

Alexa Diaz

Alexa Diaz is from Thousand Oaks, California and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She has been
involved in Shane Sparks’ Elite Hip hop crew, Floor Rockers, for three years. In addition, she has danced for musical
artists including the Hollywood Launch performers. She has danced on Carnival Cruise Lines, as well as Charity
Events for Nigel Lythgoe. Appearing in movies such as Sunday School Musical and School Gyrls, Alexa is able to
merge her enthusiasm for dancing, acting, and singing. She is currently performing in Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical
Spectacular, as both an ensemble role and the magic carpet. Alexa is an alumnus of The Academy of Dance & School
of Performing Arts and a former member of the Academy’s Competition Team. We are so very proud and pleased to
have her on staff. Alexa loves teaching and being able to share her passion of dance with others.

Peety Escovedo

Born into a family of world-renown musicians, Peety has been in the thick of the industry since birth. His father, who
is now an Emmy-nominated producer, toured with everyone from Marvin Gaye to Mariah Carey and he was never to
far from the action. Peety learned to dance at two years of age, instructed by Lionel Richie's background dancers, who
also taught the legendary Michael Jackson. This early jump on street dance has given him countless opportunities in
the dance world, as well as being an all around entertainer. Peety has shared the stage with MTV's "America's Best
Dance Crew" alumni: Kid Rainen and WishOne from Jabbawockeez, Do Knock of Super Crew, Steve of Quest Crew,
and all of the Beat Freaks.Peety’s direction in the dance studio is toward freestyle, individuality, and musicality. He
feels that there is an important element within the ability to freestyle that allows you to appreciate, understand, and
execute directives more concisely.

Home

Holly, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, recently moved to Los Angeles from Las Vegas, and is thrilled to be a part of
Academy of Dance! Holly holds a B.F.A in Dance/Musical Theatre from Wright State University [Dayton,OH].
After graduating, she went home to Pittsburgh, where she was Co-Artistic Director, Teacher and Choreographer for
Christine's School of Dance, the studio she grew up in which was owned and operated by her Mother. From there,
Holly moved to Las Vegas, where she performed in some of the most prestigious shows on the Strip, including "Donn
Arden's Jubilee!" and "La Cage Aux Folles", as well as in numerous Industrials and Conventions. In addition, she
taught and choreographed at many of the most respected dance studios. While in Las Vegas, Holly founded, directed,
choreographed and danced for her jazz/contemporary company "NOBOUNDARIES", which performed at many
venues throughout Vegas. Holly is schooled in all phases of dance, and has taught children and professionals all across
the country Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop and Acrobatics. She holds her Teacher's Training School [Grades
1-3] Certificates from Dance Masters of America, as well as her Cecchetti Ballet Certificates. Holly has been seen
dancing on Good Morning America, The Tyra Show, According to Jim, The View, Extra and most recently, America's
Got Talent. She is also a Judge and Master Teacher for many National Dance Competitions. Holly is excited to be in
Los Angeles, and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love of Dance with the students of Academy of Dance!

Holly Haynick

Alyssa Belden

Alyssa Belden has been dancing since the age of 3 and has loved every second of it. At the age of 13, Alyssa started
competing with an award-winning competition team in the style of jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. By 16, she started
teaching while continuing her training. Alyssa taught competition hip hop, jazz, & lyrical teams for 3 years winning
numerous choreography awards. She now teaches various dance classes throughout Ventura Country including the Simi
Valley YMCA, Studio 13, and Premier Dance Studio. Alyssa is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance with her young
students at Academy of Dance. Aside from teaching full time, Alyssa has had the opportunity to choreograph and
perform in 5 faculty dance concerts at Moorpark College and has been a finalist 2 years in a row for the Richard
Carpenter Scholarship Competition in which she was awarded $1500 in scholarship money for her choreography and
performance. She continues to perform in various shows/competitions whenever she has the opportunity. Alyssa is
continuing her dance training at Moorpark College where she is heavily involved in their ballet program. She attends
many dance conventions including The Pulse where she has taken class from Mia Michaels, Shane Sparks, Tyce Dioro,
Dave Scott, Laurieann Gibson, Wade Robson, and so many more. Alyssa is currently taking classes at The Edge where
is studying heavily under Joaquin Escamilla and has had the privilege of assisting him. She is so excited to have dance
in her life and is inspired daily by her teachers and her students.

Allison Crilly began her ballet training with Sandra Ritter and went on to study at the National Ballet School of Canada
in Toronto and as a resident student at Mounsey and Valaire (now Westside Academy), being coached by Royal Ballet’
s Rosemary Valaire. She has been a member of the Los Angeles based Aeolian Ballet Theatre since 1999,
dancing classical repertoire and debuting innovative new works in productions such as Les Sylphides, Romeo and
Juliet, The Tempest, Eulogy, Brides, Don Giovani, and more. In 2003 she accepted a position as instructor for the
Marat Daukayev School of Ballet. Under the mentorship of Mr. Daukayev (Now Artistic Director for the Kirov
Academy in Washington D.C.), she has continued to advance her career as a ballerina, choreographer, and teacher with
an emphasis on the Russian, St. Petersburg style of classical ballet training (i.e. Vaganova). While at the Daukayev
School she has seen her students grow artistically, physically, and professionally, winning coveted honors at
competition and going on to join some of the world’s most prestigious ballet schools and top-tier companies. She is a
Summa Cum Laude graduate in English Literature from UCLA, where she received the university’s esteemed Alumni
Scholarship, and is currently ABD in the doctoral program in theatre studies at UCI’s Claire Trevor School of the
Arts. She now lives in Ventura with her husband and their beautiful daughter, Pearl.

Allison Crilly

A dancer for over 20 years, Catherine Rounds' career started on scholarship with Barry and Anna Van Cura at Ballet
Tennessee and Robert Barnett at Atlanta Ballet. She furthered her training under such greats as Marat Daukayev from
the Kirov Ballet, Birute Barodicaite from the Ruth Page Foundation and Ricardo Bustamante from American Ballet
Theatre.

For 13 years, Catherine performed as a Corps de Ballet member and Soloist with Ballet Omaha and then Aeolian Ballet
in Los Angeles. Soloist roles include: The Tempest, Cinderella, La Bayadere, Romeo & Juliet and the Nutcracker. She
has also performed Corps de Ballet for Sleeping Beauty, Concerto Borocco and Les Sylphides.

Catherine has been teaching ballet in Los Angeles for over ten years, including seven years teaching and staging
productions for the prestigious Marat Daukayev School of Ballet.

Catherine Round

Zoi Tatopoulos

Zoi Tatopoulos began taking class at the age of 3. Taking place at competitions officially began at age 9. Two years
later enrolled with highly competitive dance company, The Dance House Performing Arts Academy. At the young age
of 16, she was offered the job to begin teaching jazz and modern at The Dance House. In the year 2008, Zoi auditioned
for the Greek, So You Think You Can Dance and was one of the finalists, placing third. After the successful show
ended, doors had opened, allowing Zoi to dance with the winner of Eurovision, Elena Paparizou. Followed by dancing
as one of three dancers in the well known Amita Motionistas Tour, back-up dancing for hip hop sensations, Stavento,
Tamta and Stereomike.She was featured in three different Greek Magazines, Downtown Magazine, OK Magazine and
Espresso Magazine/ Newspaper, with full-page articles and photo spreads based on her future aspirations and dance
experience. Zoi is excited to share her Dance experience with the students at Academy of Dance.

Samantha Hoe

A Native of New York, Samantha began her training at the age of 5 with Roya Curie, former prima ballerina of the
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. After Curie’s passing, Samantha continued her studies with Peter and Lisa Newman of
New York City Ballet and Valerie Feit of Alvin Ailey. Throughout her childhood, Samantha was accepted and attended
many summer intensives such as the Joffrey Ballet School, Alvin Ailey, and the American Academy of Ballet. In
2002, Samantha was accepted and attended the University of Hartford’s Hartt division on scholarship under the
direction of Peggy Lyman. In 2004, Samantha was again awarded a scholarship to attend Point Park University’s
Conservatory of Performing Arts where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Performance and Dance Pedagogy
in 2006. After Graduation, Samantha spent two seasons with Bodiography Contemporary Ballet as a soloist and was
asked to become part of the prestigious Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre faculty. Today, Samantha teaches throughout the
Los Angeles area and dances with California Contemporary Ballet, Creations Dance Theatre, and with The Los
Angeles Choreographers and Dancers.