Charlene has been teaching dance and cheer throughout San Diego County since 2006 and began her teaching career teaching for New West Ballet in San Marcos, Coronado Academy of Dance in Coronado, Little Stars Dance Academy in Poway, Dance with Nance in Encinitas, and the City of Fallbrook Recreation. Later, she began her recreational PERFORMING ARTS dance and ENRICHMENT CLASS program, Charlene's Dance N Cheer (CDC) in 2010, so she could share her experience and love of dance and cheer to children. She always strives to give her students the highest quality, studio type classes, that are affordable in an atmosphere that promotes self confidence and FUN!!!
Charlene began dancing at the age of five in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, doing tap, ballet, cheer, and hula. When she moved back to her hometown of San Diego, she focused on classical ballet, studying at New West Ballet under the direction of Eugenia Keefer and taking classes with cassandra and pablo infante (now with ncad). Highlighted roles with New West include the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, the Dew Drop Fairy, Spanish Chocolate, Dancing Doll, and Merliton in the Nutcracker, and Odile, the Black Swan in Swan Lake.
Charlene was a member of the varsity cheerleading team in high school and earned the UCA (United Cheerleader's Association) title "All-Star." In college, she was a member of the California State University San Marcos Women's Dance team. In 2008, Charlene performed at Copley Symphony Hall with California Ballet Company and the San Diego Symphony for their Holiday Pops Concert in the Nutcracker roles of "Chinese Tea," and the "Waltz of the Flowers." Charlene has also danced with Del Mar Ballet in San Diego (now known as Pacific Arts).
Charlene earned her B.A. in Criminology in 2006 and her M.A. in Sociology in 2008 from California State University San Marcos. She has over 16 years of experience working with and teaching infants, children, and adults in both the performing arts setting and preschool setting, with units in Child Development. She also is the mother of two boys, age 14 and 8.
Miss
Charlene
Founder / Owner
OUR Veteran INSTRUCTORS
Miss Cierra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. Cierra has taught performing arts for over 12 years. She started teaching at her hometown studio at age 16 and then became the Performing Arts Specialist at the Westside YMCA of Greater Tulsa during university. She currently teaches, choreographs, directs, and stage manages classes and performances at La Mesa Community Center, Coronado Community Center, Loma Portal Elementary, and many other community centers and schools in San Diego County with Charlene’s Dance.
On the weekends, Miss Cierra is a member and performer for Catalyst Dance Ensemble, a hip hop and contemporary dance company based in Point Loma. She has also presented her choreographic works at the WINGS Women's Conference, ORU’s Culture Festivals, and the collaborative dance film, “A Psalm of Our Own”, and several jr. musical theater productions for her church, Ocean View Church.
Miss
Cierra
Creative Director/
Youth Program Coordinator
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SYDNEY
Sydney has always had a passion and love for the arts! At the age of 2 Sydney started singing and dancing and by 4, she was taking classes at rec centers! Starting with ballet, polynesian and musical theater, she instantly fell in love! Sydney then moved to a studio and began dancing focusing on hip-hop and jazz. She then began taking a range of classes such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary. Sydney started dancing with the show choir at her high school and was dance captain for 2 years! All throughout high school Sydney kept up with her love for dance and music by taking voice lessons and dancing for groups at her high school. She has been classically trained and trained in pop vocally, as well as singing for her church for almost 13 years! Besides show choir, Sydney also danced in Nani Girls which was the Hula/Tahitian group at her high school. While on her break from dancing at her studio she missed being able to dance and decided to get back into it. So after high school Sydney wanted to do more with the arts and began teaching at her studio as a sub instructor and became a vocal coach! Sydney was also the choreographer for her show choir after she graduated and loved being able to share her talents and time. She is currently still working at her studio and loves being able to teach, and share her love for dance. Miss Sydney is looking forward to continuing her journey teaching and doing what she loves, dancing and singing her heart out!
Program Coordinator/
Events Manager
mISS
vERONICA
Miss V brings a lifetime of dedication to the arts and athletics to Charlene’s Dance & Cheer. A ballerina since the age of 3, she grew up immersed in dance, later competing in jazz, ballet, and contemporary with Centerstage and performing in San Francisco’s vibrant performing arts scene. Alongside her dance career, Miss V has years of experience as a cheerleader and coach, working with the Junior Suns Basketball Team and the Boys & Girls Clubs since 2016, where she has inspired young athletes with her energy, creativity, and leadership.
Her passion for teaching extends beyond the studio. Miss V served as an art teacher for elementary students in San Francisco for three years and has coordinated creative programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs. She is also a published poet and practicing artist, with her work often bridging movement, identity, and community.
Miss V holds a Master of Fine Arts degree and continues to expand her knowledge as both an educator and artist. At Charlene’s, she is excited to bring her blend of technical training, artistic vision, and enthusiasm to every student, encouraging them to grow in confidence, skill, and self-expression. She incorporates her experience in parkour, gymnastics, cheer, and musical theater to create dynamic, well-rounded training that challenges students both physically and creatively. With multiple teaching awards and years of classroom experience, Miss V is dedicated to fostering discipline, teamwork, and joy in every lesson.
Social Media Manager/
Artistic Director
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Natalie
Natalie fell in love with dance at her preschool and immediately enrolled in a dance studio, entering the competitive dance world at age 6. She continued training and competing with Empire Dance Productions in Lake Elsinore, CA in the genres of ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap for over 12 years! Throughout these competitive years with her teams and as a soloist, she won numerous awards, including the title of “Miss Showbiz” in 2014. Shortly after, Natalie began teaching ballet and creative movement in her hometown. In 2016, she moved to San Diego to attend UC San Diego and earned her bachelor’s degree in... you guessed it - Marine Biology! Natalie has been with Charlene’s Dance N Cheer since 2021 teaching toddler tiny tots, ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, musical theater, hip hop and more!
Early Childhood
Curriculum Coordinator
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Gabby
Miss Gabby has over 20 years of experience as a performing artist! Growing up, Gabby was a regional and national competitor in various forms of dance, most notably tap, musical theater jazz, contemporary and modern. She began teaching studio dance classes at age 15, and at her high school, became the captain of the dance ensemble, assistant director of the drama program, and student director of choirs before graduating in 2017. Gabby went on to earn her Bachelors in Professional Music (musical theater writing and entrepreneurship) from Berklee College of Music in 2020, and continued training in dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee during her time in undergrad. Upon finishing her bachelors, Gabby moved to San Diego for 4 years where she had the opportunity to work with over 2000 students in various extracurricular activities. From Fall 2022-Summer 2025, Gabby taught full time with Charlene’s Dance N’ Cheer and experienced teaching almost every class that we offer: tiny tots, musical theater, gymnastics and tumbling, dance, cheer, baking, arts and crafts, etc! On top of CDC, Gabby has worked for various other educational and enrichment programs in San Diego including music directing for Storybook Youth Theater, coaching gymnastics for G3Kids Incorporated, teaching infant/parent music classes at Nightingale Music Studios, and teaching dance classes with ARC Experience.
At the end of summer 2025, Gabby moved back to Boston where she is now pursuing her Masters of Arts in Applied Theater and Theater Education at Emerson College, but she has certainly not left CDC! Gabby has recently stepped into her new role as Instructor Liaison Coordinator where she is now focusing on instructor training, evaluating praxis, and creating and updating class lesson plans! Gabby is a great resource when it comes to answering questions about our program from anyone’s perspective (instructor, parent, student, etc.) and she is more than happy to connect with you about all things CDC!!
New Instructor
Liaison Coordinator
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Mary
Mary began her journey in the performing arts at just 3 years old, joining her sisters in tap dance through San Diego’s Parks and Recreation programs. She later added gymnastics—mastering skills like aerials and bar techniques at a young age—and eventually cheerleading in high school at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and with the San Diego Rebels All Star team.
She earned her English degree from San Diego State University, where she also captained the cheerleading squad during the electric Marshall Faulk era. While in college, she held multiple leadership roles in the arts, including Gymnastics Program Director at Mira Mesa Rec Center and tap instructor at Southwestern College.
After two decades as an Executive Assistant, Mary returned full-time to her passion—teaching. She coached gymnastics at San Diego Gymnastics, taught dance at Dance to Evolve, and worked with special needs students at Arms Wide Open. She later expanded her teaching at Charlene’s Dance N Cheer to include early childhood programs in dance, gymnastics, science, and musical theater.
In August 2025, Mary relocated to Yuma, AZ to be closer to her grandson, continuing her mission to inspire students of all ages at Yuma Gymnastics and Dancer’s Workshop of Yuma. She remains actively involved with Charlene’s Dance N Cheer, supporting remotely with admin, choreography, and curriculum—because, above all, she loves the family it has given her.
Lesson Plan Coordinator/
Cheer Choreographer
MISS VERONICA
Veronica was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in 1983. A natural-born dancer, she began moving to music before she could walk and started classical training in San Diego at the age of 14. Through jazz, Veronica discovered a sense of freedom and self-expression on the dance floor, sparking a lifelong passion for dance. One of her biggest inspirations was her high school dance instructor, Gail Mitchell, who taught her to work hard, believe in herself, and never give up. During these formative years, Veronica learned that the words “I can’t” were useless—persistence and dedication were the keys to mastering any style. She danced and cheered throughout high school, earning the “Best Dancer” title in her class. During her senior year, she performed a solo and choreographed her first show piece.
After graduating, Veronica attended California State University, Long Beach, where she continued her dance education and further developed her choreographic skills, solidifying her goal of teaching dance. Over the years, she has performed with various dance companies throughout California, including Heart and Soul Dance Company and Culture Shock San Diego’s Afta Shock. Veronica has trained in multiple dance styles, including jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, and ballroom. She has performed in numerous student and faculty choreography shows at Southwestern College and Mesa College, working alongside talented dancers, instructors, and choreographers who have shaped her understanding of the art.
Veronica enjoys serving as a guest artist in dance workshops across California and remains an active member of the San Diego dance community. Her greatest joy is sharing her passion for dance and inspiring others to pursue their love of movement.
Lead Supervising Instructor
Ms. Alexis has been teaching for Charlene's Dance and Cheer since 2021 and is known for her high energy and goofy personality! Her experience in the performing arts started in 2002, where she began taking dance, theater, and music lessons at five years old. From middle school up until college she would play double bass in multiple ensembles and participate in the schools' plays and musicals--when time allowed!
Ms. Alexis graduated with her Bachelor's in Linguistics and a minor in Theater and Dance, at the University of California Davis in 2018. In the years following, she began her work teaching the performing arts with various dance, theater, and music programs, as well as being a part time nanny. This is also where she discovered her passion for teaching children and has been committed to serving the youth ever since! Ms. Alexis teaches voice, piano, violin, cheer, hiphop, ballet, and musical theater--musical theater being her favorite! Outside of teaching, she enjoys taking her dogs to the park, learning new languages, and watching the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Miss ALEXIS
MISS megan
Megan is a San Diego-based freelance dancer, choreographer, collaborator, and teacher. Originally from San Jose, CA, Megan began her dance training at the age of two and has studied extensively in the styles of ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern throughout her career. In 2016, she received a B.F.A. in Dance from San Diego State University, and was a member of the SDSU Dance Company where she continued to perform and adapt her personal movement aesthetic. She has attended programs including the American Dance Festival six-week school, ADF Winter Intensive 2015 and the San Diego Dance Theater Summer Workshop. Most recently, Megan made the cross-country move from California to New York to further pursue her dance career and expand her network of dance collaborators and fellow movement inventors. After a year dancing in New York, she is back in her favorite place, San Diego, to continue teaching and creating.
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ALEXA
Alexa, a San Diego native, has always loved performing and being creative. Growing up in musical theatre, she developed a passion for the stage and later expanded her talents into sports like volleyball, lacrosse, and cheer. Just as much as she loves performing, Alexa’s heart lights up when working with kids. She has engaged in her church’s children’s ministry for years, overseeing children’s programs and leading the children’s choir, helping young voices grow in confidence. Alexa is currently pursuing her nursing degree with plans to specialize in pediatrics, excited to blend her caring nature with her passion for making a difference in kids’ lives. Outside of school and work, she finds joy in traveling, making music, and running her own small nail business. No matter what she’s doing, Alexa brings positivity, creativity, and encouragement—always inspiring others to grow while having fun along the way.
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NYDIA
Nydia Duran is an experienced and dynamic Mexican American movement educator with a strong background in dance, choreography, yoga, and Pilates. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, in 2017 and has obtained numerous certifications in ballet, ballroom dance, Pilates, and yoga. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Nydia brings a wealth of knowledge to her students.
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She is committed to helping individuals of all ages and skill levels enhance their physical well-being and love for dance. Through her clear instruction and supportive environment, she promotes increased stability, ease of movement, and a stronger mind-body connection. Nydia's award-winning choreography and diverse approach empower students to explore their creativity, develop a deeper connection with dance, and cultivate inner peace.
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Hope
Hope brings the joy and rigor of dance to every class she teaches. With a B.F.A. in Dance from UC Irvine and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, she blends strong technique, creative expression, and thoughtful pedagogy in her instruction. Over her 20+ years teaching students of all ages, she’s choreographed recital and studio works, coached performance skills, and led movement-based programming for early childhood up through pre-professional levels. Her performance resume includes roles in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, The Last Unicorn, The Wizard of Oz, and multiple contemporary and musical theater productions. Hope believes dance should be accessible to all and strives to cultivate confidence, artistry, and joy in every student.
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NOEL
Noel has always had a love for music and dance for as long as she can remember. Noel started singing from the early age of 2 and began performing in her local community theater at 6 years old. At 7 years old, Noel began training and competing in dance styles ballet, lyrical, contemporary, pom, jazz and hip hop. Noel continued to sing and dance in her high school’s advanced choir and dance team for all 4 years and served as a co-captain for her senior year. After graduating high school, she has continued to sing at sporting events and pageants in San Diego. When Noel is not teaching, she enjoys reading, playing with her dogs and spending time with her family. Noel is so excited to be a part of the CDC team since 2023 and has loved every minute of it. She is currently working toward her Child Development degree and dreams of being a Kindergarten teacher.
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Chloé
Chloé started at Charlene’s dance & cheer in the summer of 2023, She has always loved working with youth and inspiring others, would often babysit as a teenager and work as a Party Princess, and after school art and fitness instructor before finding Charlene’s Dance N Cheer.
She grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, the Bay Area CA, and moved to San Diego in 2019 to be closer to the sea and happy weather.
Chloé grew up taking ballet and singing lessons, and as a teenager got into musical theatre. She has been in community center productions such as Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid, and Sweeney Todd. After high school she was a model for three years and was in some magazines and commercials, but really found her passion to be creating art expression through the lens.
She is a huge advocate for the arts and self expression through art, music, dance, and fashion. She is currently at SDSU studying sociology and child development on the way to become a Kindergarten teacher and art instructor.
Her favorite classes to teach at CDNC are: Anything with art, or an emphasis with music/ sing & dance.
When she is not teaching, she is at home with her two dogs, crafting, coloring, rollerskating, singing, and trying new fun makeup looks!
Some words I would use to describe myself with are: Bubbly, charismatic, creative, eclectic, and joyful.
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HEATHER
Heather began dancing at nine and has been teaching in San Diego since 2005. Originally from Eugene, Oregon, she has taught throughout San Diego and the Bay Area with extensive training in dance education. Her teaching credits include Eveoke Dance Theater, Malashock Dance Company, La Jolla Country Day School, ODC Dance Commons, and Northern Light School, among others.
As a performer, Heather has worked in hip-hop, modern, jazz, contemporary, burlesque, dancehall, island fusion, and gymnastics with companies such as Dance Northwest, Breakdown Dance Company, Bodywerk, and toured with Refuge in the arts (2012), and performed with NuEra (2017-2020). She holds a Sociology degree with honors from UC Berkeley (2016), integrating themes of body image, self-esteem, injustice, and mental health into her teaching. Certified to teach movement for people with disabilities, she has specialized in inclusive dance since 2005.
Heather founded San Diego’s first Women in Hip-Hop Conference in 2007, drawing national talent and presenting workshops on hip-hop’s African-American roots, a subject she researched at UC Berkeley. Performance highlights include La Jolla Playhouse’s BREAK (2012), Refuge in the Arts (2017–2020), and touring with NuEra, blending hip-hop, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean styles. Beyond her career, Heather is also a proud mother of twin boys.
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KENDALL
Kendall has loved dance for as long as she can remember. She took her very first ballet class at a recreation center when she was just three years old and fell in love right away. Growing up, she trained mostly in ballet, but in high school she joined her school’s competitive dance team where she discovered a love for contemporary, fusion, jazz, and lyrical styles.
When she started college at San Diego State University, Kendall realized how much she missed dancing, so she began teaching for Charlene during her freshman year. Teaching quickly became one of her favorite parts of life, and now as a senior, she’s excited to keep learning, growing, and sharing her passion for dance with her students.
Outside of teaching, Kendall enjoys cooking, spending time at the beach, and of course, dancing. No matter where life takes her, dance has always been her favorite way to express herself, and she’s grateful for the chance to pass that love on to others.
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Hayley
Hayley Reeder is a passionate and versatile dance educator with over 12 years of teaching experience in a wide range of styles, including musical theatre, cheer, hip hop, and contemporary dance. Her training began at an early age under the guidance of respected instructors such as Debbie Moore, Ashley Paige, Laura Hawkins, Colleen Klein, Kim Raymond, and Steve Rooks.
Hayley holds a BFA in Dance with a minor in Music from Missouri State University, where she also studied musical theatre and performed in numerous acting showcases and stage productions. She was actively involved in both Spring and Fall university performances, consistently seeking opportunities to expand her craft and contribute creatively. Her original choreography, “Straight Lines,” was selected to represent the university at the 2019 American Dance Association Conference, showcasing her innovation and leadership in choreography.
A dynamic performer herself, Hayley is currently a member of a competitive hip hop team and recently took the stage at World of Dance, one of the premier dance competitions in the world.
In and out of the classroom, Hayley brings energy, creativity, and a genuine love for working with students. Her well-rounded background allows her to connect with dancers and performers of all levels. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys painting, composing on the piano, roller skating, playing soccer, rock climbing, relaxing at the beach, and, of course, sipping coffee.
Above all, Hayley is committed to inspiring the next generation of artists and performers. She believes in using the arts as a powerful tool to build confidence, discipline, and community in young people — helping shape not just great performers, but great individuals.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Cynthia headed to California in her 20's and didn't look back. She is a lifelong learner. An interior designer by degree, working in that field since 1986. Married to what turned out to be The Man of My Dreams, for this lifetime; and has 2 grown kiddos in their 20's. As a mother, she learned and applied parenting techniques, volunteered in her children's classes teaching art in their K-5 years and loved it. Became a Recreation Enrichment teacher creating classes to adults design/FengShui to children's rhythm and drums. By 2016 started her second career in child development specializing in preschool through 8 years old. By 2024 I shifted to be an independent teacher where I could be more flexible with lesson plans and activities to meet the needs of the child/families in my care. My passion is helping young people to be capable and confident using the arts and the outdoors. She plans activities that connect school/life readiness skills with art, science and free play, indoors and out!
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Cynthia
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Rayanna
Rayanna's journey in the performing arts began at a young age in Big Bear City, CA, where she trained in gymnastics, tumbling, tap, ballet, and jazz. She quickly developed a love for musical theater and choir, leading her to study guitar, piano, and opera, and to perform in numerous lead roles at the Big Bear Performing Arts Theater. Her passion for the arts was matched only by her love for working with children, a calling that started early when she bartered babysitting for singing lessons.
​She continued her education at The California Pacific Performing Arts Academy, focusing on music, stagecraft, psychology, and child development. As a member of the renowned "Young Americans" performance group in college, she also studied dance intensively. During this time, she participated in a powerful outreach program that brought the arts to children in schools, homeless shelters, and juvenile halls, helping them discover their talents and passions. This experience solidified her belief in the transformative power of performance.
​Her professional career has been dedicated to bringing magic and creativity to children across California. As a character performer for prestigious companies including Disneyland, Dazzling D's Princess Productions, and San Diego's Storybook Characters, she brought princesses like Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, and Rapunzel to life at countless birthday events. Additionally, she has shared her musical expertise as a teacher at Nightingale's Music School.
​Beyond her background in performance, Rayanna is an Enrichment Instructor for Creative Brain Learning and Music Star within the Riverside Unified School District. In this role, she teaches engaging STEAM, STEM, and music programs, and excels at helping children explore the exciting connections between creativity, science, and technology.
​With a rich and diverse background, Rayanna's passion for empowering young minds grows with each passing day. Her dynamic and encouraging teaching style allows her to connect with every child's unique way of learning and creating.
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CASEY
Casey Flores has been teaching dance throughout San Diego County for the past 10 years. She earned her B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and a B.A. in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies with a focus on dance from the University of California, Berkeley. Casey led and taught youth development programs for the EDD from 2007 to 2014 and is currently a program manager and dance teaching artist for A Step Beyond, a nonprofit organization in Escondido, California. She has also taught in the Bay Area and internationally in Costa Rica. Casey teaches from a trauma-informed perspective, always empowering and highlighting her students' voices. She is now in her second year of pursuing a master's degree in peace and justice at the University of California and plans to graduate in May.
OUR New INSTRUCTOrs
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ARDEN
Arden Noland grew up in Escondido, CA and was passionate about dance and performing arts from an early age. She began taking dance classes at Best Foot Forward Dance Studio at age six, and began competing at eight. Her favorite styles were jazz and musical theater, but she is now proficient in a multitude of styles. Through the years, she won multiple regional and national titles. Arden began assisting classes at her studio in middle school, and started teaching in high school. She was on her high school varsity dance team, and now competes internationally with the UC San Diego Dance Team. She is majoring in applied mathematics with a minor in business, and plans to graduate in June 2027. Arden is an aspiring professional dancer, planning to audition for the Rams Cheerleaders and Laker Girls after graduation. Until then, she is excited to work with and inspire the next generation of young dancers!
MISS KENDALL
Kendall got into gymnastics pretty much as soon as she could walk and trained for a few years before moving into cheerleading, which quickly became her main passion. She’s been cheering for over a decade now and has taken it all the way to the Division I level as an athlete at San Diego State University. Along the way, she started coaching cheer and gymnastics in 2019 and has continued to do so since then. Kendall knows what it’s like to work with kids just starting out and loves helping them grow. On top of sports, Kendall also grew up doing musical theater. Some of her favorite roles include a mermaid in Peter Pan, a student in The Outsiders, and a fish in The Little Mermaid. She took acting classes as a kid, which helped her step into those parts with confidence. Now she’s excited to pass on what she learned to kids who share that same love for theater. Kendall also spent three years training in hip hop dance, which added another layer to her love for movement and performance. Learning hip hop gave her a strong sense of rhythm and it’s one of the reasons she enjoys exploring different sides of dance. She loves bringing that same energy into her classes to keep kids moving, creative, and having fun. Originally from Washington state, Kendall moved to San Diego to attend SDSU as a psychology major. Her long-term plan is to earn her doctorate and become a pediatric psychologist because her love for kids is never-ending. Between her experiences in cheer, dance, gymnastics, and theater, she’s thrilled to bring her skills, energy, and passion into CDC classes!
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JENNA
Jenna is originally from Orange County, California, and recently moved to San Marcos to attend California State University San Marcos, where she is pursuing her degree in Marketing. Growing up, Jenna spent her life immersed in dance, training and competing on teams in a variety of styles including pom, jazz, hip hop, ballet, tumbling, tap, and lyrical.
She also gained early teaching experience at her studio and performed with her high school dance team.
After stepping away from competitive dance, Jenna continued her passion for working with children through years of experience as a nanny. Combining her love for dance and her gift for teaching, Jenna found joy in inspiring young dancers to grow in both skill and confidence. She is excited to share her knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm with the next generation of dancers at Charlene's Dance Studio.
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VANESSA
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. Ms. V began her dance journey at the age of 3 with the Bonnie Curtis Studio of Dance, training in all available genres. Ms. V served as Captain and choreographer for the Santa Barbara High School Dance and Drill Team. Her educational background includes Early Childhood Education at Santa Barbara City College, Dance Education with the National Dance Education Organization, and music and movement education through Kindermusik University.
Ms. V’s work experience includes several years at Santa Barbara Dance Arts as an Instructor and Director. Ms. V taught the music program at private and public Santa Barbara preschools. She has worked as an Independent Teaching Artist, creating inclusive, diverse, and accessible dance, music, and art education programs for people of all abilities and ages.
Ms. V and family, (wife Danisha, daughter Karina, and pets Luca, Luna, and Charlie), moved to Oceanside this summer. Now, Ms. V enjoys teaching toddlers to tweens at Charlene’s Cheer and Dance and looks forward to a fantastic dance season!
Kaley has been passionate about dance from an early age, beginning her competitive training at just six years old and continuing through high school. She went on to become captain of the University of Hawaii dance team, where she further developed her leadership skills and love for performance.
Trained in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, ballet, Polynesian, and tap, Kaley brings a diverse background and a creative approach to her teaching. She began sharing her love for dance as a teenager, teaching classes throughout high school and college, and quickly discovered the joy of working with children.
After spending the last three years as a nanny, Kaley realized how much she missed the studio and returned to her true passion—dance and teaching. She is also currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with the goal of becoming a teacher, blending her dedication to both education and the arts.
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KALEY
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Emily
Miss Emily has been teaching for Charlene’s Dance and Cheer since 2023. She was born and raised in San Diego, California and loves it here! She did gymnastics when she was 5 and has done competitive cheer from the age of 6 until she was 18 years old. Along with competitive cheer, she did sideline cheer her freshman year of high school. She loves to teach cheer and dance classes, especially the Swiftie dance classes. Miss Emily has always had jobs working with kids and is excited to teach more classes for Charlene. She graduates from SDSU in 2026 and looks forward to what the future holds!
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Nicolle
Ms. Nicolle was born and raised in San Diego and began to dance and practice gymnastics at age 4. As she grew up she focused more on dance and began competing. Ms. Nicolle began working with kids as an assistant teacher at her dance studio at age 12. After high school she worked as a full time nanny in Spain for a year where she not only deepened her passion for working with kids but kept up her passion for dance and the arts. Now Ms. Nicolle continues dancing as well as teaching multiple classes a week consisting of cheer, swifties and tumbling.
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Romy
With roots in Oahu, Hawaii, Miss Romy brings a vibrant mix of experience in musical theatre, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and commercial dance styles. She has performed for the Walt Disney Company worldwide, including at locations such as Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney's El Capitan Theatre, and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa.
Once a shy kid who found her voice through the performing arts, Romy is passionate about helping her students discover their own confidence and joy through the arts, too!
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Nadell
Nadell’s journey in the performing arts began with singing, performing Rihanna’s Diamonds at age six before joining choir and show choir in middle school. There, she discovered her love for dance, quickly excelling and earning opportunities to choreograph, teach peers, and perform the National Anthem at Pechanga Arena in 2017. In high school, she became a dance captain and won “Best Female Performer” in her first show choir competition (2020). By her junior year, she expanded her training to jazz, musical theater, tap, ballet, and contemporary, ultimately finding her passion in hip-hop.
Over the past six years, Nadell has performed with five dance teams, including VSA Modern, NSfemW, and The Woo, while also teaching K-pop dance classes (2022–2024). At Grossmont College, her choreography was selected for the American College Dance Association in 2025. Today, she continues training at Legacy Studios and Culture Shock, supports San Diego’s local dance community, and teaches hip-hop to kids at her community center.
Nadell is passionate about sharing her love of dance and inspiring others through performance and teaching.
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Lilly
Lilly is from Escondido California, she started dancing at age 4 for a rec class and loved it! She then moved to a studio where she danced for 11 years and has competitively danced for 8 years. She has been trained in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical theater, and Lyrical. Throughout the years she has assisted classes at her studio. And she loved helping out with the kids. Her senior year of High School she joined her schools Varsity Dance team where they won nationals for their pom routine. Miss Lilly is looking forward to share her love for dance and continue doing what she loves!
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Emilia
Emilia was born and raised in SoCal and has always had a heart for dance and teaching. She started training at the age of three at Carlsbad Dance Center for ten years while also competing there and then finished dancing at Oceanside Dance Academy until she graduated. She trained under many well known choreographers such as Tarua Hall and Theo Ivey. In high school Emilia was on her varsity POM team and also competed with them. After high school she started teaching right away and teaches at various studios/companies across North County. Emilia is currently going to school to get a degree in Elementary Education. She is so excited to share her passion for dance within all her classes.
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Brooke
​Brooke grew up in Las Vegas, where she attended middle school and high school. During those years, cheerleading became a central part of her life. She began cheering in middle school, gaining confidence and learning the importance of teamwork. In high school, she continued with school cheer while also competing in competitive cheerleading. Balancing both taught her discipline, time management, and how to consistently push herself to succeed.
Outside of cheerleading, Brooke gained experience in babysitting, helping families in her community care for young children. Through this, she developed responsibility, patience, and the ability to be a positive role model. Babysitting allowed her to build trust with parents while creating fun and safe environments for kids.
Through cheer and babysitting, Brooke has built strong skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Growing up in Las Vegas gave her opportunities to balance school, sports, and work, shaping her into a hardworking and dependable individual.
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Cynthia
Cynthia is originally from Denver, Colorado, and is currently a junior at San Diego State University, where she is majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Psychology. She grew up as a gymnast and was a member of her high school’s varsity cheer team as a freshman. Combining her passion for working with children and her love for gymnastics, Cynthia has spent the past four years coaching kids ages 0–14. She takes pride in her patience, encouragement, and ability to support every child’s growth and confidence. Now joining Charlene’s Instructors, Cynthia is excited to continue sharing her passion and looks forward to all that’s ahead!
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LIV
Liv has been dancing for her entire life, starting with standing by the TV watching “Dancing With the Stars”, then continued throughout high school with ballet and jazz. She danced with Mendocino Ballet Company for 14 years, and danced in many classical ballets with roles such as Spanish Coffee from “the Nutcracker”, Myrtha from “Giselle”, and the Caterpillar in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. Liv also taught ballet for ages 3-5 and jazz for ages 7-9. Liv is currently attending UC San Diego and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Education, and a minor in dance. Her love for education stemmed from being a camp counselor in her hometown, and she is excited to combine her loves of dance and education and inspire a new generation of dancers!
MISS JOCELYN
Jocelyn is a San Diego native with a lifelong passion for dance. She began her training in grade school, studying jazz, hip hop, and lyrical, and quickly discovered the joy of performance and movement. Throughout her years as a dancer, Jocelyn developed versatility across styles while nurturing a deep love for artistic expression. In high school, she expanded her performance experience by joining the cheer team, blending her dance background with energy and teamwork. Jocelyn also has a love for working with kids and finds joy in sharing her passion for dance with younger generations. Dance has remained a central part of Jocelyn’s life and continues to inspire her journey both on and off the stage.
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Rachel
Meet Rachel Martinez! She has been working as a TA for CDC for just about a year. Rachel majored in illustration with an emphasis on children's books in 2022 and has a deep love for all things art. She’s a big fan of cartoons and other pop culture media, and has been singing since she first learned to speak. Her favorite part about working with children is the enriching experience of helping them learn—while also making them laugh!
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Alia
Alia Eddington is a force of nature in the dance world. She doesn’t just dance she lives, breathes, and embodies every single movement. Her journey began when she was just a little girl, stepping into ballet classes at her local rec center, and that spark of love for dance never stopped burning. It only grew stronger as she moved through her high school years, where she stepped into the role of Dance Captain, leading with a passion and drive that was contagious. After graduation, there was no question in her mind; all she wanted to do was dance.
Now, Alia is a proud and dedicated member of Charlene’s Dance Company, where she’s able to pour her heart and soul into every performance, and more importantly, into every class she teaches. This isn’t just a job for Alia; it’s her purpose. She finds joy in the process, in the hard work, and in the connection she creates with her students. As a regular dancer at the Culture Shock studio, Alia isn’t just someone who dances; she lives at the studio, constantly honing her craft and soaking in knowledge. She's also part of their exclusive work-study program, training nearly every day, striving for greatness, and inspiring those around her with her dedication and talent.
But Alia’s real magic shines through when she teaches. She has an undeniable gift for connecting with her students, and the pure joy on their faces when they learn something new is what drives her. She creates an environment that is both fun and inspiring; a space where kids can be themselves, explore their creativity, and learn about themselves through the arts. Her impact isn’t just about teaching dance; it’s about instilling confidence, joy, and a love for expression that will last a lifetime.
get ready to be inspired!
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Crystal
Crystal has been working in educational settings since 2017 within K -12 OUSD and VUSD classrooms ranging between roles in teacher assisting, special education, behavior therapy and in art enrichment. She has had a close connection to music and has performed in piano and choir recitals since the age of 5 years old. Crystal comes from a family line of teachers and found her natural talent into her adulthood. She has found purpose and importance in bringing joy, empathy and encouragement with her students. When she is not supporting the kiddos she is working on her education and career in counseling/advising, hiking and exploring nature, or cuddling with her cats!
More Bios
to come
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Gabby
BIO COMING SOON
