Dance Teachers in Los Gatos & Sunnyvale, CA
Dance Attack! Performing Arts offers dance classes in Los Gatos, CA, and Sunnyvale, CA. We are proud to be the dance studio students of all ages who choose to enhance their skills, build their confidence, and improve their technique. Whether you are looking to dance competitively or recreationally, our team of instructors are experienced in a variety of dance styles. They are passionate about sharing their love of dance and are proud to teach a range of disciplines including Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet, Latin Jazz, and Acro.
Meet Our Dance Teachers
Kimberly Griffin (KG) – Los Gatos Performing Company Co-Director, Tap Director, A Bay Area native, Kimberly Griffin trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, and ballet at a competitive studio where she was lucky enough to discover her passion for teaching earlier than most. Kim was privileged to work under renowned instructors such as Sam Weber, Ryan Lohoff, Michelle Miner, Namita Kapoor, and Angela Carter to name a few who helped shape her choreography and teaching style. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she has created award-winning dances, been honored with several choreography awards, and coached numerous title award recipients.
In 2015, Kimberly also joined Debbie Sternbach’s professional company, Fascinating Rhythm Productions. She won the first “So You Think You Can Tap” contest in May of 2010 and was awarded “San Francisco’s Best Tapper” by Arthur Duncan. In 2009, Kimberly was awarded the title of Miss Teen Walnut Creek, and competed in Miss Teen California Pageant. Currently she works as a Registered Nurse, serves as Director of Tap and Performing Company Co-director to Dance Attack in Los Gatos strives to keep tap alive and thriving!
Amanda Marquez (AM) – Los Gatos Performing Company Co-Director, Jazz Director, Latin Jazz
Amanda Marquez’s dance background is versatile and extensive with her core training from The School of the Garden State Ballet, NJ in classical ballet, modern, and jazz. Her studies continued into New York Style Mambo, International Latin, and Latin Jazz. Amanda has made television appearances on Telemundo, Univision, and the BBC Vancouver, and has done many live performances including the Latin Billboard Awards in Miami. Amanda has taught and performed alongside director Sekou McMiller and SMC Dance Co. in Vancouver, China, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, and Chicago. In addition, Amanda is certified in Ashtanga yoga and holds a BA degree in Sociology and Family Studies from San Jose State University, and also is on the faculty of the SJSU Dance Department.
Theresa Hoyer (TH), Prep Squad & Mini Squad Director/Party Coordinator/Musical Theater/Adaptive Dance, attended San Jose State University as a special major in Musical Theatre and a double minor in Dance and Elementary Education. In addition to dancing and performing, Theresa has worked as a stage manager and tech crew for various productions at SJSU and community theaters such as Tabard Theatre Co., Sunnyvale Community Players, and Company One. She is a musical theater director for Starting Arts. Theresa’s current goal is to become an elementary school teacher, as well as get involved with other theatre companies to pursue a career in outreach, bringing theater into schools and encouraging kids to be more confident and enthusiastic about the arts. Theresa teaches Tap, Musical Theater, and Combo classes, as well as classes for dancers with Special Needs, and she co-directs the Dance Attack! Los Gatos Prep Squad and the Dance Attack! Sunnyvale Mini Squad, and the Sunnyvale Performing Crew.
Anton Pankevich (AP) – Ballet trained at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, School of American Ballet in New York City, and San Francisco Ballet School. He has danced with New York City Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Royal Ballet in London, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Ballet San Jose. As a teacher, Anton has taught as a ballet master at English National Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Leipzig Ballet, Hanover Ballet, Wiesbaden Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Ballet San Jose.
Maria LaMance (ML) – Ballet received her classical ballet training at the San Francisco Ballet School. As a dance major at San Francisco State University, she broadened her training in Modern Dance, anatomy, and kinesiology. Maria has performed professionally with numerous companies including Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Dance Through Time, Huckabay McAllister Dance, and Moving Arts Dance, with whom she performed principal roles on tours to Belarus, France, and Scotland. Most recently, Maria has been performing with Oakland Ballet, Run for Your Life Dance Company, Art Face Performance Group, and Menlowe Ballet Company. Maria has instructed children, teens, and adults in ballet, modern, drama, and character dance. In her teaching, Maria respects the individual anatomical and developmental capacities of every student and emphasizes the importance of musicality and self-expression.
Jayvin Rey Lee (JRL) – Hip Hop, CO-Director Sunnyvale Performing CrewMr. Jayvin has 21 years of dance experience with 12 years of teaching experience. He began his journey as a freestyle dancer, then transitioned into open-style choreography. He expanded his knowledge in high school by taking technique classes and dancing for a local hip-hop team. This helped increase his hip-hop, popping, turfing, jazz, and vocabulary. He moved on to co-direct and choreograph for his school team, Gen3. During college, he became a resident choreographer for their dance company. Recently, his endeavors have moved on to battle in open-style and house dance events.
As an instructor, he has been involved in both teaching recreational and directing competitive hip-hop programs. As a supplement to his teaching, his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology allows him to help students become more coordinated, athletic, and knowledgeable about physical health. Students can expect his dynamic classes to revolve around growth, community, and most importantly, fun.
Kaitlyn Ellis (KE) – Prep and Mini Squad/Hip Hop/Tap/Preschool Tap/Ballet
began dancing at the age of 2 at Dance Attack and joined the competitive team at 8 years old. Kaitlyn trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary. She is perusing a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance.
Dani Delgadillo (DD) – Hip Hop has been a competitive dancer in all styles including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical since the age of 8. As a dancer, Dani grew to love all genres and specializes in style and movement quality. She has been recognized during her competitive career with many overall awards, scholarships, and National Grand championships. Dani began teaching in 2017 and soon became a popular and respected teacher in the Santa Cruz area. She serves as an assistant coach on the Aptos High School dance team, and she has choreographed for hip-hop conventions and competitive teams. Dani loves performing, teaching, and coaching and feels like the most rewarding moments are when her students grow and learn to love dance as she does.
Kaitlyn Scadina Mansfield (KSM) – Preschool Tap/Ballet/Hip Hop/Ballet/Jazz With her background ofB.A. in Dance from UC Berkeley, Kaitlyn loves continuing to impart her love and knowledge for dance to young minds. At Dance Attack she’ll be teaching jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop! Outside of Dance Attack! she choreographs youth musicals for Starting Arts and performs herself.
Monica Beribaka (MB) – Preschool Tap/Ballet/Jr. Hip Hop has danced at Dance Attack since she was 3 years old up until 18 years old. She is currently attending West Valley College. She has lots of experience with children starting from a young age. Helping her mom with her babysitting job, assisting in teaching children at a local church school that taught the Serbian language, and recently becoming a babysitter herself have all led to her wanting to share her passion for dance to children. Monica teaches preschool Tap, Ballet, and junior Hip Hop.
Joy Lee (JL) – Contemporary
Studio Owner
Owner Murphy Rowan started singing and dancing at age 5 right here in the Bay Area with Children’s Playhouse of San Jose. This early immersion, plus her theater degree from UC Davis, led to a busy performing career, including jobs at Great America (Yogi’s Great Election – 1988 – really!), American Musical Theater of San Jose (Grand Hotel), The Willows (Spitfire Grill), The Western Stage (The Who’s Tommy and City of Angels), 42nd St. Moon (Leave It to Me!), and TheatreWorks (Kept and Gypsy), as well as 5 Years at sea, performing roles like “Lola” in Copacabana on the Crown, Cunard, and Holland America cruise lines.
Murphy and her husband, Bryan, are so grateful to Elaine and Lee Pinto for entrusting the now 35-year legacy of Dance Attack! to them. They believe deeply in the importance of nurturing a love of learning as well as excellent education in the Arts, and are excited to continue the programs the Pintos have built, including classes and camps, professional dance instruction, and student choreography experience.
