Brynne Becker has settled into a teaching career spanning more than twenty years after dancing professionally for ten years. Within that time frame she was the owner/director of ‘The Dance School’ in Westminster, California. Under Brynne’s direction ‘The Dance School’ captured many awards including Star Search appearances, performances with the Moscow, Joffrey, and American Ballet Theatre, also numerous Top Choreography awards at regional and national levels. After retiring ‘The Dance School’ in 2000, Brynne’s friendship and admiration of Paula Kessinger drew her to join the West Coast family. Brynne’s most recent accomplishments include capturing the National titles of “Teen Miss Starpower” and “Petite Miss Starpower 2002.” Brynne’s methods of technical training and clean lines is what separates her students from the rest.

Mona Costanzo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from State University in New York. She has been a faculty member of Irvine Dance Academy for fourteen years and is thrilled to announce that she is now certified to teach Pilates. Mona has appeared in movies and television. Mona has choreographed several ballets including: Cinderella, The Firebird, Four Seasons, and Alice in Wonderland. She and husband Chris are parents to Christopher, Olivia, and Daniel. Mona teaches Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Pointe and Pilates for Irvine Dance Academy. Mona has a strong desire for her students to perform at their very best. She is a great teacher to work with because she is motivated, organized and a team player.

Cathy Golan has over two decades of teaching experience. She has been dancing since the age of three and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, with an emphasis in Dance, from the California State University, Fullerton. Cathy continues to study ballet, tap, and yoga at various studios and conventions both local and abroad. She and husband Mark have two daughters who are also dancers. Kimberly, a sophomore at California State University Long Beach and Kristen, a freshman at Woodbridge High School. Cathy teaches Tap and Ballet for Irvine Dance Academy.

Janice Gollner holds a BA in Dance from the California State University, Fullerton and has completed graduate work in dance education at UCLA. She begins her tenth year on the faculty of Irvine Dance Academy. Jan spent ten years in Sacramento where she developed her own dance program specializing in dance movement for children. She has served as an artist-in-resident with STARTS (Students, Teachers, Artists, Reaching, Teaching, Sharing), which works with disabled children in elementary schools. Jan teaches our outreach program for Montessori Schools. Janice and her husband Jim delight in sixteen year old Erin, who may follow her mother’s footsteps and teach dance. Janice also pioneered the Mommy and Me classes here. Janice teaches Creative Ballet, Mommy and Me, Pre-Ballet, Ballet, and Tap at Irvine Dance Academy.

Melissa Hardwick has been teaching for over 10 years. She trained at Freddie Finn Dance Studios as well as Jimmy De’Forre Studios and has taught at several studios throughout Southern California. Melissa was the Assistant Director at Dance Unlimited in Riverside for 5 years. She has also won several tap choreography awards. As well as teaching and choreographing for studios, Melissa has also assisted Shelley Lawrence with High School Dance Team for the past 3 years. Melissa has enjoyed helping with costume design, sewing, and rhinestoning for West Coast for the past 7 years. Melissa is a proud mother of two children. She is also a Licensed Court Reporter, graduating in October, 1998.

Paula Kessinger (Artistic Director) has been a renowned choreographer, dance instructor, and personal manager for more than 25 years. She holds a Degree in Theater Arts and has studied ballet, jazz, and tap in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. Paula performed on stage, as an actress, dancer, and ice skater for over 10 years. Her students come from all over Southern California to train with her. She has choreographed winning numbers for Star Search and has won numerous top choreography awards at National Dance Competitions. Many of her students have gone on to pursue careers as professional dancers in the industry. They have performed on Broadway in productions of “Hairspray,” “42nd Street,’” “Aieda,” and the “Lion King,” to name a few. Along with dance, Paula is a top choreographer for both national and international competing figure skaters. She has also choreographed for members of the U.S. Gymnastics Team. Paula has been the Artistic Director for the West Coast School of the Arts for nearly 10 years. Paula has received top choreography awards at Showstoppers, Showbiz and Starpower Nationals. West Coast won The Top Victory Cup at Starpower Nationals 2003 in Las Vegas under Paula’s direction. She has also received the Capezio Choreography award several times over the past ten years.

Shelley Lawrence has worked as a Dancer/Teacher/Choreographer in Orange County and throughout Southern California for the past 15 years. She has had training with Fred & Gerry Finn, Tina & Dennis Caspary, Liz Imperio, Greg Russell and many more. Shelley graduated with her B.F.A. in Dance from California State Fullerton in 1994. She has received numerous choreography awards from several national dance competition’s such as, Showbiz, Starpower, KAR and Star Systems. She has also coached Jr. Miss Dance USA title winners in 1994, 1996 and first runner-up in 1997. Many of Shelley’s students are working in the industry with Pepsi, Disney, Dr. Pepper and are represented by top Hollywood agencies. Shelley has also received recognition for her design and embellish award winning costumes for competitive dancers.

Cio Malonzo is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine. He has been dancing and choreographing for over four years and specializes in hip-hop, popping, locking, and breaking. Cio has been the coordinator of a hip-hop collegiate dance team at UCI called Kaba Modern. He has choreographed several dances for this team, as well as other collegiate dance teams. Cio dances professionally for the Bobby Ball Agency in Hollywood. He has auditioned for such famous music artists as N*Sync, Mya, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and Jennifer Lopez. Cio teaches Hip Hop for Irvine Dance Academy.

Nicole Montoya has been dancing since 1988. She danced in Irvine Dance Academy jazz and lyrical performing groups throughout high school. For the past five years Nicole has been a dance instructor at Irvine Dance Academy. She teaches Jazz, Lyrical and Technique and Turns. Nicole was Studio Dancer of the Year for Tremaine Competition and Convention 2000 / 2001. As a sophomore at Orange Coast College, Nicole is working hard towards an Associate of Arts Degree and a Teacher - Training Certificate. Nicole was recently awarded a Special Merit Scholarship for directing an ensemble at Orange Coast College for 2003. She also teaches dance classes
for The Dance Company in Riverside.

Dawni Novak (Assistant Director) is a professional Teacher/Choreographer with over 25 years of Dance/Entertainment experience. She has had extensive training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Gymnastics. Her professional career as a Performer and Choreographer include stage, film, video, industries, and television. Some of her credits include Disney, CBS Studios, Adidas, Ballet West, Miss America Pageant, Battle of the Network Stars, Radio Broadcasters of America, and NHL All Stars. She has been a Teacher/Choreographer in Los Angeles and Orange County for 25 years, specializing in teens and young adults ---- many who have and are currently working in the entertainment industry. Her choreography has been awarded top honors at local and national levels. She is a nine time recipient of the Capezio/Showbiz choreography award for tap.

Carlee Puffer is a Professional Teacher / Choreographer / Dancer with over twenty years of Dance/Entertainment experience. She has had extensive training in the United States and Internationally in Ballet, Gymnastics, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap. Carlee has performed in commercials, industrials, videos, television, and on stage. Some of her credits include Saban Entertainment, Skechers, City of Hope, Michael Barrymore Show, and Avante Garde. Carlee is presently a Teacher/Choreographer for West Coast School of the Arts in Irvine, California along with teaching and choreographing for numerous nationally award winning song/cheer squads across the state. Her students come from all over Southern California to train with her, and many of them currently work in the entertainment industry. Carlee’s choreography has been recognized at local and national levels, receiving top awards.

Daniel Reyes is a talented Hip Hop dancer and instructor. With a unique mix of break dancing, street and commercial styles, his classes are visibly high energy and fun. While a student at Orange Coast College, Daniel is not only a student furthering his dance training but he is also guest teaching masters classes. Daniel’s most professional experience to date has been his participation with the notable group Dance ‘N Etc. Daniel has taught all levels of Hip Hop for the cities of Corona and Long Beach and enjoys doing the same at Irvine Dance Academy. Don’t miss his classes!

Erin Rutherford has been dancing since the age of three. She has taught dance for ten years - the past four years at Irvine Dance Academy. She has trained with Stanley Holden, Michael Cortez and Jim Taylor. Erin has been a cast member for Disneyland’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” show. She is currently a company member of Mandala Danceworks, a modern dance company in Orange County. She is continuing her education at Orange Coast College and plans to transfer to the University of California, Irvine where she will pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Erin teaches Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Tap. She is a nurturing, dedicated, warm teacher who encourages her students to do their best. Erin has performed with American Ballet Theater and Ballet West.

Sara McKinney-Sanders holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. She has performed with such noted choreographers as Sean Greene, formerly of the Lewitsky Dance Company and Diane Alexander-Bonds the former choreographer for the Laker girls. While performing throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, she has taught jazz and lyrical for Irvine Dance Academy, The Dance Center, and the Professional Dance Network Convention in Palm Springs. In addition, she has traveled throughout the United States teaching conventions and workshops for the United Spirit Association. Sara has choreographed for many award winning and nationally recognized dance teams. She has also been the assistant choreographer for a Rollerblade Industrial in New York City, and for a Disney music video. Currently she is on staff at the Orange County High School of the Arts in the Commercial Dance Department. She has appeared in commercials for Rhino Records and Fantastic Sams, and was also a featured dancer on the TV show “Your Big Break” produced by Dick Clark and the feature film “Beautiful” directed by Sally Field. Sara is currently earning her certification in Pilates at Studio Du Corps.

Danielle Stewart holds a BFA and MFA in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. She has an extensive background as a professional choreographer, dancer, actress, and model in Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, and Europe. With her versatility, Danielle’s career has included major magazine ads in Glamour and International Vogue, dancing in the Washington Ballet, as well as work in films and commercials. She has taught at the University of California, Irvine, Rancho Santiago College, and Orange Coast College and has been an Irvine Dance Academy faculty member since 1984. Danielle teaches all levels of Ballet, including Creative Ballet, Pre-Ballet at Irvine Dance Academy.

Amanda Wanstreet is a second year student at Orange Coast College. She plans to transfer to USC or UCLA. Amanda has been dancing since age three and performing since age five. She danced with Irvine Dance Academy’s competing companies in jazz, lyrical and tap for four years and was honored her senior year being crowned Dancer of the Year. She is a graduate of Northwood High School where she was a member of the dance team and Varsity Song Captain. Amanda teaches Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap for Irvine Dance Academy.