Staff at Castro Valley Performing Arts

STAFF

Castro Valley Performing Arts Staff Castro Valley Performing Arts is proud to offer a comprehensive and unique dance program with exceptionally talented instructors. We provide classes designed to build self-confidence, self-expression and motivation while working hard and having fun! Our Staff: Janet Nordgren-Taddie \| McGarry Caven \| Ashley Cowl \| Laura Dougherty \| Kristina Dresen \| Sierra Gordon \| Amy Green \| Jacquie Hatton \| Chelsea Hix \| Kristi Kaady \| Melissa Kessler \| Connie Lekas Lecatsas \| Kyle Limin \| Vanessa McGautha \| Saki Suto \| Jennifer Yee
	Janet Nordgren-Taddie Studio Director With over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Janet has toured with such names as the Temptations, JoAnn Castle, Bob Hope and Dorothy LaMour. She also spent several years performing aboard Princess Cruise Lines (The Love Boat) singing and dancing in their nightly musical productions. Her television credits include "Dick Clark's Special of the Year Show" and various commercials for Princess Cruises and American Express. Her choreography credits include a dance fitness television pilot featuring Joanie Greggins, Billy Hufsy from FAME and MC Hammer; The Teen Miss California Pageant; Miss CA Pageant; Outstanding Teen of California Pageant; Ohlone College Summerfest theater productions of Grease and A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum; and numerous industrials throughout the state of CA. She also served as dance director of the syndicated television program "Morning Stretch". Prior to opening Castro Valley Performing Arts, Janet was the director of The Academy for the Performing Arts in Fremont and Newark and a member of the faculty in the drama department at Ohlone College in Fremont. » Back to Top
	McGarry Caven Specializing in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern McGarry comes to us with extensive training in ballet, modern and jazz. He has studied with the San Francisco Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet, Banff School of Fine Arts and the First Chamber Dance Lab. He has toured with Chita Riviera in the national touring company of Chicago; with the Joffrey Ballet Company; and danced the lead in Bare Touch of Vegas, Casino Des Paris, Viv Les Girls, Dance Fever, Bravo Vegas, Branded in Las Vegas. Along with his performing career, he was the artist in residence in the dance department at UNLV for five years. While in Las Vegas, he taught at the Backstage Dance Studio and choreographed for the Actors Repertory Theater. He has choreographed shows for Harveys, Lake Tahoe; The Crystal Room, Tokyo, Japan; and the Aruba Concorde Hotel in Aruba. He currently teaches at CVPA and travels extensively as a free lance choreographer and teacher throughout the US and Canada. » Back to Top
	Ashley Cowl Specializing in Musical Theater Ashley is a professional actor, singer, and dancer whose LA and regional credits include Rosalia, u/s Anita in West Side Story (Producers Associates), Demeter in Cats (Cabrillo Music Theatre and Fullerton Civic Light Opera), Phyllis Dale in 42nd Street (Cabrillo Music Theatre), and in the company of The Wizard of Oz (Musical Theatre West), as well as performing the role of Marta in the Ovation Award-winning Los Angeles revival of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Other credits include Musical Theatre West’s “Broadway in the Park” with Jai Rodriguez (Bravo’s Queer Eye, Rent) and Sabrina Sloan (Nat’l tour In The Heights), and “Dancing For Life!” - NYC Festival of Dance, Dancers Responding to Aids/ Equity Fights AIDS. As a past student of Janet Taddie at the Academy for the Performing Arts (going way back!) and here at CVPA, she is a former Miss Dance of CA for Dance Masters and had the privilege of dancing in Smuin Ballet’s The Christmas Ballet and Oakland Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Ashley holds a B.F.A. degree in Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she trained with such respected performers as Karen Morrow, Jane Lanier, and Danny Gurwin. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. » Back to Top
	Laura Dougherty Specializing in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Stretch n' Strengthen, and Musical Theatre Laura has been dancing since the age of 13 with most of her training under Janet Nordgren-Taddie and Rob Perry. She has also trained at Berkeley Ballet Theatre, San Jose State University and is a graduate of the Theatre Arts Intensive at San Jose’s American Musical Theatre. She is also a 4-year veteran of San Jose State’s Musical Theatre Company One directed by Janie Scott. Along with her training, she has performed in professional and community theatre musicals throughout the Bay Area. Some of her favorites include Singin’ In The Rain at AMT; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at AMT, where she was received the Ginny Award for Best Dancer; West Side Story at Cabrillo Stage; and Chorus Line at Ohlone College playing the role as Cassie. Laura believes that ballet technique is one of the most important things in dance as it not only teaches discipline and strength, but a sense of grace and body awareness. Her classes are challenging, yet fun and exciting. » Back to Top
	Kristina Dresen Specializing in Children's Classes, Tap, Jazz, and Pre-Ballet Kristina's been dancing since the age of five. She has also been actively involved in local theater productions, her favorite being "Charlie Brown". Kristina is currently teaching and choreographing numbers for theater classes at the Douglas Morrison Theater summer program as well as teaching a large number of children's classes at Castro Valley Performing Arts. She loves working with children and is currently taking classes at Las Positas Community College to further her career in liberal studies and child development. Her classes are both fun and challenging. Kristina's classes encourage the young dancer to explore their creativity while building self-confidence. She has a large following of tiny dancers who adore her - appropriately calling her the "the little old lady who lives in the shoe" - tap shoe that is!! » Back to Top
	Sierra Gordon Specializing in Jazz and Contemporary Sierra Michelle Gordon was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has extensive training in jazz, contemporary and hip hop. Sierra was a member of the three-time national championship University of Tennessee Dance Team and is a current member of the Golden State Warriors Girls. She has done commercial work for ESPN as well as choreography for the Universal Dance Association which hosts top-ranking dance teams in the nation. Sierra's motivation as a teacher/choreographer is fueled by her passion for the art of dance and love for teaching. CVPA is proud to welcome Sierra to our faculty. » Back to Top
	Amy Green Specializing in Tumbling Amy comes to Castro Valley Performing Arts with extensive gymnastics training. Hailing from Connecticut, she was a competitive gymnast until her focus turned towards coaching. Along with coaching at the varsity level, she developed a tumbling program for tiny tots. Upon moving to California, she began an intramural gymnastics program for the San Mateo YMCA specializing in gymnastic choreography for dancers. With a focus on building strength and agility, she brings her wealth of knowledge to our students in a fun but disciplined environment. » Back to Top
	Jacquie Hatton Specializing in Tap, Jazz, and Children's Ballet Jacquie Hatton has been dancing since the age of three. She is a Castro Valley Performing Arts Alumni. She has extensive training in tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop. Jacquie’s professional experience includes being a member of the Golden State Warriors Junior Jam hip-hop squad; being a featured tap dancer in the opening number of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City; being a featured performer for a benefit performance of Dancer’s Responding to Aids in Bryant Park, New York City; and being a featured dancer on the Miss California Pageant. She has held national titles for Dance Educators of America and Starbound National Talent Competition. Jacquie was also the recipient of the Stanley Kahn award for Excellent Tap Technique from Dance Masters of California. While Jacquie's forte is tap, student's in Jacquie's classes find her to be both motivating as well as challenging in all forms of dance. Jacquie's choregraphy is creative and fresh and has won top awards in many local and national competitions. » Back to Top
	Chelsea Hix Specializing in Ballet Chelsea began her ballet training at Sebastopol Ballet School and went on to train at the Academy of International Ballet in Philadelphia. She has had the honor of training extensively with Anastasia Babayeva and Denis Gronostayskiy of the Bolshoi Ballet, and Tamara Statkoun of the Kirov Ballet. She attended summer programs in Philadelphia, working with Maria Youskevich and Richmond Ballet's Malcolm Burn. She has performed and toured on the East Coast with International Ballet Classique and the Connecticut Ballet, and she joined Peninsula Ballet Theatre in 2007. Chelsea has also performed with the Oakland Ballet, Ballet Santa Barbara, and as a guest artist throughout the Bay Area. She has also recently completed her BA in English and French from Sonoma State University. » Back to Top
	Kristi Kaady Specializing in "Mommy and Me" Classes Kristi Kaady is the director of the Castro Valley Performing Arts “Mommy and Me” program. She also oversees CVPA’s “Mommy and Me” classes offered through the Hayward Area Recreation Department and through Dublin City Parks and Recreation Department. Kristi has studied ballet and jazz from various teachers throughout the Bay Area and has studied “early childhood development”. Kristi’s classes are designed to enhance basic motor skills and introduce students to a classroom environment. Students in her classes explore dance and movement through the use of beanbags, scarves, balls, parachutes and more. Her classes encourage imagination and creativity and are lots of fun for both the young dancer and the parent. » Back to Top
	Melissa Kessler Specializing in Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Cheerleading, and Toddler/Children's Classes Melissa has been dancing since the age of five, spending the majority of her training under the direction of Janet Nordgren-Taddie. She is a four year veteran of the Golden State Warrior Girls professional cheerleading team. In September of 2003, she was chosen to represent the NBA in Beijing and Shanghai, China. In addition to her performing and teaching, she also coaches and choreographs for many Bay Area cheerleading squads - most recently working with the Bishop O'Dowd High School and Cal State Hayward cheerleaders. Melissa's classes are both fun and challenging for her students. » Back to Top
	Connie Lekas Lecatsas Specializing in Dance Classes for Dancers with Special Needs Connie, aka YiaYia, studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts as well as at San Francisco State University where her major studies were in Education and Spectrum Disorders. Connie has worked in the Castro Valley Unified School District for over 30 years in Special Education. She is also an avid dance connoisseur, has competed in Ballroom Dancing with Bradley Montoya, and danced in a Hellenic dance troupe. Connie is a strong believer in "Ability Awareness" and with this innovative program hopes to bring it to the dance floor. » Back to Top
	Kyle Limin Specializing in Contemporary and Contemporary Hip-Hop San Francisco native, Kyle Limin, is a contemporary hip hop dancer and choreographer in his six year of contributing to the dance community. He has taught and worked with some of the Bay Area's most established hip hop companies: Funk Beyond Control, Mind Over Matter, Funkanometry SF. In 2010, he received a BA in Dance from SF State and gained residency at City Dance, as well as In the Groove Studios, teaching contemporary hip hop. He has performed and led workshops throughout California, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York and has recently started his own company, Call It Art. Kyle's main goal when teaching is to remind people that focus and commitment can make anyone a 'dancer', because all movement comes from a human place. » Back to Top
	Vanessa McGautha Specializing in Jazz and Hip-Hop Vanessa joined the CVPA staff in 1998. She is a former head instructor and choreographer for Universal Dance Association, where she taught across the country, as well as judged the National Dance Team Championships, televised on ESPN. Vanessa is also a former dancer and choreographer for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. Her innovative fusion of jazz and hip hop provide a style that is challenging, yet exciting for her students. » Back to Top
	Saki Suto Specializing in Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz A specialist in Lyrical Jazz Dance, Saki Suto has worked with some of the world's top dance instructors, including renowned instructor Sheila Barker at the Broadway Dance Center in New York. Widely known both for her technical ability and the diverse repertoire of choreography she performs both live and in televised appearances across the United States and Japan, Saki and her company (The scratch 4 Bloomin') presently dance at premier venues in the Bay Area. She also currently serves as mentor and choreographer to a select number of talented students. Additionally, Saki's Jazz Dance classes are a perennial source of challenge, inspiration and delight among dancers in the Bay Area. » Back to Top
	Jennifer Yee Specializing in Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Children's Classes Jennifer Yee has over 20 years of dance experience in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. She is a bay area native and trained under the direction of Janet Taddie at Castro Valley Performing Arts. In 1998, Jennifer attended UCLA as a dance major, where she was also Artistic Director for the Los Angeles based, international hip-hop organization, Culture Shock. In 2003, Jennifer moved to New York City to attend Columbia University, where she later performed with Culture Shock New York and founded the New York City based Future Shock performance company. Jennifer currently resides in San Francisco and teaches tap, jazz, and hip-hop classes. Her classes are upbeat, fun, and provide a unique urban flair for all ages! » Back to Top