| Faculty & Staff |
Rachel Tan - Director / Instructor / Choreographer
Ms. Rachel Tan is a certified teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (London) and
qualified to enter pupils for Royal Academy Grades and Major examinations. She taught,
choreographed and performed in the Pacific Northwest area and Asia before coming to
the Bay Area. Rachel is a graduate of University of Washington with a major in
Communications and a minor in Dance and Education. She was trained in the Royal
Academy of Dance and Imperial Society techniques. She is a member of Dance
Masters of America. Rachel is artistic in choreography and teaches beautifully
disciplined ballet. More information about Rachel Tan can be found in these articles:
"Gift from a Dancer" - Tri-City Voice, "Happy Feet" - East Bay Express, "Gift from a
Grateful Immigrant" - LDS News.
Ms. Rachel Tan is a certified teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (London) and
qualified to enter pupils for Royal Academy Grades and Major examinations. She taught,
choreographed and performed in the Pacific Northwest area and Asia before coming to
the Bay Area. Rachel is a graduate of University of Washington with a major in
Communications and a minor in Dance and Education. She was trained in the Royal
Academy of Dance and Imperial Society techniques. She is a member of Dance
Masters of America. Rachel is artistic in choreography and teaches beautifully
disciplined ballet. More information about Rachel Tan can be found in these articles:
"Gift from a Dancer" - Tri-City Voice, "Happy Feet" - East Bay Express, "Gift from a
Grateful Immigrant" - LDS News.
Isabelle Sjahsam - (Instructor) Ms. Isabelle Sjahsam studied the rigorous Royal
Academy of Dance system with Connie Vaughan, and at thirteen, moved to England to
continue her training and complete her major examinations in London. While in the
United Kingdom, she competed in the All England Dance Competition, reaching the
Quarter Finals with her ballet solo. At the age of eighteen, she completed her Advanced
examination, receiving her certification to teach the Royal Academy of Dance. She has
an International Baccalaureate from the American Community School in Cobham,
England. She also graduated from Mills College with a degree in Dance. Since then
Isabelle has taught dance to all ages, performed, and shown her work at a range of
venues. At the present time, she dances with DanceElixir and appears as a dancer in
her own company, ArtFace. Teaching dance is Isabelle’s passion; she has taught
ballet, modern, creative movement, and stretch and strength conditioning classes.
Academy of Dance system with Connie Vaughan, and at thirteen, moved to England to
continue her training and complete her major examinations in London. While in the
United Kingdom, she competed in the All England Dance Competition, reaching the
Quarter Finals with her ballet solo. At the age of eighteen, she completed her Advanced
examination, receiving her certification to teach the Royal Academy of Dance. She has
an International Baccalaureate from the American Community School in Cobham,
England. She also graduated from Mills College with a degree in Dance. Since then
Isabelle has taught dance to all ages, performed, and shown her work at a range of
venues. At the present time, she dances with DanceElixir and appears as a dancer in
her own company, ArtFace. Teaching dance is Isabelle’s passion; she has taught
ballet, modern, creative movement, and stretch and strength conditioning classes.
Leigh Ann Koelsch - (Instructor) Ms. Leigh Ann Koelsch is a graduate and licentiate
of the College of the Royal Academy of Dance, London. She was the only graduate in her
year to be awarded Honors for teaching both Graded and Vocational students. She is an
associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in the Modern Theatre and
National branches, and an affiliate of the American Academy of Ballet. She received her
early training and taught for thirteen years at the Susan Hayward School of Dancing in
Montara, CA, coaching students for RAD examinations from Pre-Primary through Solo
Seal Award, and preparing students for the Adeline Genee International Ballet
Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix. Leigh Ann has served as a guest teacher
at several RAD schools in California, including summer programs with Katie Heil School
of Ballet and Tahoe Dance School.
of the College of the Royal Academy of Dance, London. She was the only graduate in her
year to be awarded Honors for teaching both Graded and Vocational students. She is an
associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in the Modern Theatre and
National branches, and an affiliate of the American Academy of Ballet. She received her
early training and taught for thirteen years at the Susan Hayward School of Dancing in
Montara, CA, coaching students for RAD examinations from Pre-Primary through Solo
Seal Award, and preparing students for the Adeline Genee International Ballet
Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix. Leigh Ann has served as a guest teacher
at several RAD schools in California, including summer programs with Katie Heil School
of Ballet and Tahoe Dance School.
Bambi Fleeman - (Instructor) Ms. Bambi Fleeman was trained in London in the
style of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
She is a Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher, holds a teaching diploma from
the Stella Mann College, England, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a Minor in
Nutrition and Food Science from San Jose State University, and a California
Secondary Education teaching credential from San Francisco State University.
Working with young people has been especially rewarding and she enjoys utilizing her
educational and professional experience to train future dance professionals.
style of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
She is a Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher, holds a teaching diploma from
the Stella Mann College, England, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a Minor in
Nutrition and Food Science from San Jose State University, and a California
Secondary Education teaching credential from San Francisco State University.
Working with young people has been especially rewarding and she enjoys utilizing her
educational and professional experience to train future dance professionals.
Coreen Danaher - (Instructor) Ms. Coreen Danaher studied the RAD syllabus
under the teaching of Patricia O’Reilly at the Vallejo Ballet Conservatory, and has
passed all of the Vocational examinations. By achieving Honors on her Advanced 2
Vocational exam, she qualified for the Adeline Genee International Ballet
Competition, in which she participated in 2004. Coreen danced professionally with
Peninsula Ballet Theater in San Mateo for five years under the directorship of Michael
Lowe. Currently, Coreen is a dancer and Rehearsal Assistant for the Black
Diamond Ballet Theatre in Pittsburgh, CA, and also a dancer with Moving Arts Dance
in Walnut Creek.
under the teaching of Patricia O’Reilly at the Vallejo Ballet Conservatory, and has
passed all of the Vocational examinations. By achieving Honors on her Advanced 2
Vocational exam, she qualified for the Adeline Genee International Ballet
Competition, in which she participated in 2004. Coreen danced professionally with
Peninsula Ballet Theater in San Mateo for five years under the directorship of Michael
Lowe. Currently, Coreen is a dancer and Rehearsal Assistant for the Black
Diamond Ballet Theatre in Pittsburgh, CA, and also a dancer with Moving Arts Dance
in Walnut Creek.
Carol Howard - (Instructor) Ms. Carol Howard has an elementary teaching
credential from California State University, Los Angeles. She received her ballet
training in Southern California from Yvone Cusock, a former RAD children’s
examiner. She is an Affiliate Member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
credential from California State University, Los Angeles. She received her ballet
training in Southern California from Yvone Cusock, a former RAD children’s
examiner. She is an Affiliate Member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Sandra Burnham - (Instructor / Examiner in Residence) Ms. Sandra Burnham received
her RAD training in Yorkshire England. At the age of 16, she danced with “Ballet For All”, an
education unit of the Royal Ballet. Following this, a contract was offered to dance in Paris,
France, with the famous “Bluebell Girls” at the Paris Lido, where she stayed for 7 years. After
working in New York as a television production assistant, she returned to England to open
her ballet school, to which she dedicated 23 years. Many pupils went on to gain
scholarships and places at England’s most prestigious vocational schools including the
Royal Ballet School. Due to the success of her school, Sandra was invited to become a
Graded Examiner and Tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, a position which she has held
for the past 19 years. She began coaching our students in Fall 2008 for the 2009 YAGP -
Youth America Grand Prix Competition and coached again for 2010. Dusty Button, a former
student of Sandra's, gained the 3rd Place for the 2006 YAGP and is now dancing
professionally with the Royal Ballet.
her RAD training in Yorkshire England. At the age of 16, she danced with “Ballet For All”, an
education unit of the Royal Ballet. Following this, a contract was offered to dance in Paris,
France, with the famous “Bluebell Girls” at the Paris Lido, where she stayed for 7 years. After
working in New York as a television production assistant, she returned to England to open
her ballet school, to which she dedicated 23 years. Many pupils went on to gain
scholarships and places at England’s most prestigious vocational schools including the
Royal Ballet School. Due to the success of her school, Sandra was invited to become a
Graded Examiner and Tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, a position which she has held
for the past 19 years. She began coaching our students in Fall 2008 for the 2009 YAGP -
Youth America Grand Prix Competition and coached again for 2010. Dusty Button, a former
student of Sandra's, gained the 3rd Place for the 2006 YAGP and is now dancing
professionally with the Royal Ballet.
Maria LaMance – (Artist in Residence) Ms. Maria LaMance, a Bay Area native, received
her classical ballet training at the San Francisco Ballet School. As a dance major at San
Francisco State University, she broadened her training into Modern Dance, anatomy, and
kinesiology. Maria has performed professionally in numerous ballet, modern, and dance
theater companies throughout the Bay Area for over a decade and currently dances with
Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Huckabay McAllister Dance, Lowe Ballet, and Moving Arts Dance,
with whom she has recently performed principal roles on tours to Belarus, France, and
Scotland. She has instructed children, teens, and adults in ballet, modern, drama, and
character dance for 15 years. In her teaching, Maria respects the individual anatomical and
developmental capacities of every student, and emphasizes the importance of musicality
and self-expression in the goal of going beyond technique to connect with the hearts of the
audience.
her classical ballet training at the San Francisco Ballet School. As a dance major at San
Francisco State University, she broadened her training into Modern Dance, anatomy, and
kinesiology. Maria has performed professionally in numerous ballet, modern, and dance
theater companies throughout the Bay Area for over a decade and currently dances with
Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Huckabay McAllister Dance, Lowe Ballet, and Moving Arts Dance,
with whom she has recently performed principal roles on tours to Belarus, France, and
Scotland. She has instructed children, teens, and adults in ballet, modern, drama, and
character dance for 15 years. In her teaching, Maria respects the individual anatomical and
developmental capacities of every student, and emphasizes the importance of musicality
and self-expression in the goal of going beyond technique to connect with the hearts of the
audience.
Connie Vaughan - (Guest Instructor) Ms. Connie Vaughan began her training in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada then continued at the Hammond School in Chester, England
where she passed her major exams and teacher training. Prior to her teaching career, she
danced professionally in Europe and the USA. She opened her first ballet school in Aspen,
Colorado, where some of her students have become professional dancers with opera
ballets in Germany and a soloist with the National Ballet of Canada. After moving to
California, she taught at the Marin Ballet School and Sonoma State University for seven
years. An offer she could not refuse prompted a move back to Canada to run the Ballet
Department at Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta. Connie later returned to Napa,
California where she ran her own ballet school for 11 years. She commutes a long distance
to Rachel’s Ballet in Fremont but enjoys the students and the school’s direction. She shares
her love and joy of dance with its discipline and challenges that come along with the
training.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada then continued at the Hammond School in Chester, England
where she passed her major exams and teacher training. Prior to her teaching career, she
danced professionally in Europe and the USA. She opened her first ballet school in Aspen,
Colorado, where some of her students have become professional dancers with opera
ballets in Germany and a soloist with the National Ballet of Canada. After moving to
California, she taught at the Marin Ballet School and Sonoma State University for seven
years. An offer she could not refuse prompted a move back to Canada to run the Ballet
Department at Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta. Connie later returned to Napa,
California where she ran her own ballet school for 11 years. She commutes a long distance
to Rachel’s Ballet in Fremont but enjoys the students and the school’s direction. She shares
her love and joy of dance with its discipline and challenges that come along with the
training.
Karen Millar - (Guest Instructor) Ms. Karen Millar has taught ballet in Europe and the
United States over the last 30 years. During her tenure in the Bay Area, she has placed
students with San Francisco Ballet and with the Boston Ballet. She is a graduate and
Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London. She holds her Advanced Executant
with both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
While at the Royal Academy she studied ballet, character dance, Spanish dance, historical
dance, English folk dance, national dance choreography, jazz and contemporary dance with
a special emphasis on dance pedagogy. Karen settled in the South Bay where she owned
and operated Ballet Capriole for 10 years before becoming Director of Ballet at East West
Music and Dance.
United States over the last 30 years. During her tenure in the Bay Area, she has placed
students with San Francisco Ballet and with the Boston Ballet. She is a graduate and
Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London. She holds her Advanced Executant
with both the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
While at the Royal Academy she studied ballet, character dance, Spanish dance, historical
dance, English folk dance, national dance choreography, jazz and contemporary dance with
a special emphasis on dance pedagogy. Karen settled in the South Bay where she owned
and operated Ballet Capriole for 10 years before becoming Director of Ballet at East West
Music and Dance.
Copyright 2012-2013 Rachel's Ballet - Fremont, CA & Dublin, CA - Phone (510) 656-0920 - www.rachelsballet.com |
"Training and Inspiring Dancers and Teachers of Tomorrow" |
Howard Burnham - (Drama Instructor) Mr. Howard Burnham holds an honors
degree in History from the University of Durham, England. He was a co-founder of
England’s 1812 Theatre Company and of the Ryedale Arts Festival. Since moving to the
States, he has been for the past several years a Literary Artist in Residence of the
Richland County Public Library (US Library of the Year, 2001). Much of his drama work
is historical characterization for the National Park Service. Howard filmed the role of Lord
Cornwallis for the BBC-PBS series “Rebels and Redcoats”. He has nearly forty years
experience of drama coaching young people. Howard has also portrayed Godfather
Drosselmeyer and E.T.A. Hoffman in our 2010-2012 ballet productions of The
Nutcracker. You can visit him at www.howardburnham.com
degree in History from the University of Durham, England. He was a co-founder of
England’s 1812 Theatre Company and of the Ryedale Arts Festival. Since moving to the
States, he has been for the past several years a Literary Artist in Residence of the
Richland County Public Library (US Library of the Year, 2001). Much of his drama work
is historical characterization for the National Park Service. Howard filmed the role of Lord
Cornwallis for the BBC-PBS series “Rebels and Redcoats”. He has nearly forty years
experience of drama coaching young people. Howard has also portrayed Godfather
Drosselmeyer and E.T.A. Hoffman in our 2010-2012 ballet productions of The
Nutcracker. You can visit him at www.howardburnham.com
Vivian Aragon - (Instructor) Ms. Vivian Aragon is a freelance professional dancer as well
as an accomplished teacher and choreographer. She holds a BFA in Dance and a BA in Art
History from Purchase College, State University of New York. She also trained at Rotterdam
Dance Academy in the Netherlands and received her early training following the Royal
Academy of Dance syllabus at Susan Hayward School of Dancing in Montara, CA. She
completed all of the RAD examinations attaining the status of Associate of the Royal
Academy of Dance and was invited to compete as a semi-finalist in the Genee International
Ballet Competition in Sydney, Australia. She has worked with many Bay Area companies
and choreographers, including Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Black Diamond Ballet Theatre,
MenLowe Ballet, Napa Valley Ballet, Katie Faulkner/Little Seismic Dance Company, Milissa
Payne Project, Yayoi Kambara, and as a guest artist with ODC/Dance. She currently
performs with Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Samantha Giron Dance Project, Anna and the
Annadroids, and Oakland Ballet Company.
as an accomplished teacher and choreographer. She holds a BFA in Dance and a BA in Art
History from Purchase College, State University of New York. She also trained at Rotterdam
Dance Academy in the Netherlands and received her early training following the Royal
Academy of Dance syllabus at Susan Hayward School of Dancing in Montara, CA. She
completed all of the RAD examinations attaining the status of Associate of the Royal
Academy of Dance and was invited to compete as a semi-finalist in the Genee International
Ballet Competition in Sydney, Australia. She has worked with many Bay Area companies
and choreographers, including Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Black Diamond Ballet Theatre,
MenLowe Ballet, Napa Valley Ballet, Katie Faulkner/Little Seismic Dance Company, Milissa
Payne Project, Yayoi Kambara, and as a guest artist with ODC/Dance. She currently
performs with Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Samantha Giron Dance Project, Anna and the
Annadroids, and Oakland Ballet Company.
Jeanie Pors - (Instructor) Ms. Jeanie Pors received her early ballet training with Maria
and Serge Dare of Portland, Oregon. At age 17, she was awarded a Ford Foundation
scholarship to San Francisco Ballet School and trained under Herald Christensen and
Ruby Asquith. She danced professionally with Alan Howard’s Pacific Ballet of San
Francisco. In 1986, she opened Benicia Ballet School in Benicia, CA, and served as
director for 21 years and produced the annual Benicia Ballet Theatre full-length
Nutcracker. She received teacher training with Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is a registered teacher with the RAD and
has entered students for both the grades and vocational exams. She has placed students
in Anaheim Ballet (soloist) and Sacramento Ballet. She began sharing her knowledge
and passion for dance with the students at Rachel’s Ballet in Fall 2008.
and Serge Dare of Portland, Oregon. At age 17, she was awarded a Ford Foundation
scholarship to San Francisco Ballet School and trained under Herald Christensen and
Ruby Asquith. She danced professionally with Alan Howard’s Pacific Ballet of San
Francisco. In 1986, she opened Benicia Ballet School in Benicia, CA, and served as
director for 21 years and produced the annual Benicia Ballet Theatre full-length
Nutcracker. She received teacher training with Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is a registered teacher with the RAD and
has entered students for both the grades and vocational exams. She has placed students
in Anaheim Ballet (soloist) and Sacramento Ballet. She began sharing her knowledge
and passion for dance with the students at Rachel’s Ballet in Fall 2008.
Sudabeh Samori - (Guest Instructor) Ms. Sudabeh Samori has performed and
toured with both ballet and modern dance companies as well as the All Nations
Dance Company. She also performed in a dance film shot in New York for PBS. Ms.
Sudabeh, holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the State University of New
York Purchase College and has taught all ages from pre-school to adult for over
twenty years.
toured with both ballet and modern dance companies as well as the All Nations
Dance Company. She also performed in a dance film shot in New York for PBS. Ms.
Sudabeh, holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the State University of New
York Purchase College and has taught all ages from pre-school to adult for over
twenty years.
Ashley Baggaley - (Instructor) Ms. Ashley Baggaley is a registered teacher for the Royal
Academy of Dance and is a graduate of the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
programme. She has spent the last ten years dancing all over the world including being a
member of the Source Dance Company in Vancouver, Canada, choreographer for Wyndham
Cozumel Resort & Spa in Mexico, and as a featured performer and dance captain for
Carnival Cruise Lines. She has had the opportunity to perform and study dance all over the
coast of North America, including extensive training at Broadway Dance Center in New York
City. She is well versed in many genres of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical,
modern, musical theatre, contemporary and Latin rhythms. Ms Ashley is elated to be
joining the faculty at Rachel's Ballet in September 2013 and cannot wait to share her love for
dance and performance with her new students. [Note: Ms. Ashley, who is also a certified
Barre Fitness teacher, will help our competion students gain better strength and flexibility on
some Saturdays during PPDC rehearsals. She will also rotate and visit all three studio
locations to teach the strength and flexibility exercises during RAD classes.]
Academy of Dance and is a graduate of the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies
programme. She has spent the last ten years dancing all over the world including being a
member of the Source Dance Company in Vancouver, Canada, choreographer for Wyndham
Cozumel Resort & Spa in Mexico, and as a featured performer and dance captain for
Carnival Cruise Lines. She has had the opportunity to perform and study dance all over the
coast of North America, including extensive training at Broadway Dance Center in New York
City. She is well versed in many genres of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical,
modern, musical theatre, contemporary and Latin rhythms. Ms Ashley is elated to be
joining the faculty at Rachel's Ballet in September 2013 and cannot wait to share her love for
dance and performance with her new students. [Note: Ms. Ashley, who is also a certified
Barre Fitness teacher, will help our competion students gain better strength and flexibility on
some Saturdays during PPDC rehearsals. She will also rotate and visit all three studio
locations to teach the strength and flexibility exercises during RAD classes.]
Kristina Johnson - (Instructor) Ms. Kristina Johnson is a registered teacher for the
Royal Academy of Dance. She will be joining Rachel's Ballet in July 2013. Her
biography will be posted soon. [Note: Ms. Kristina will help us continue our community
outreach programs by teaching free classes at local libraries.]
Royal Academy of Dance. She will be joining Rachel's Ballet in July 2013. Her
biography will be posted soon. [Note: Ms. Kristina will help us continue our community
outreach programs by teaching free classes at local libraries.]
