MEET OUR STAFF

Cristina acquired CPAA in the Fall of 2022. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cristina started her dance training at the age of 7. Although a lifelong dancer trained in ballet and contemporary, she took the entrepreneurial path after receiving her B.A. at SDSU in 1996. She oversees her family businesses located in Lake Tahoe, Reno, The San Francisco Bay Area, Long Beach, and San Diego. CPAA is her first studio acquisition.

Mary White-Phlek is a Carlsbad native that began her performing arts journey at the age of 3. She spent her childhood immersed in the Dance and Theatre world and found that her true joy was when she was up onstage in front of an audience. Mary began teaching and choreographing at the age of 16 and went on to receive her BA in Dance from UCSD. She is also spent several year touring throughout San Diego and L.A. as a singer/song writer. She continued sharing her life's passion for the arts through her involvement throughout the community as a Director and Choreographer, as well as Drama teacher and Artist in Residence through both Vista and Carlsbad Unified School District. Mary found herself constantly envisioning opening up a Performing Arts Studio that would be unlike anything else she had ever been a part of. She envisioned a place where dancers, musicians, actors and like-minded people could hone their craft and be inspired to experience true artistic expression. Her mission was to create a place that would give students something different than the traditional dance studio experience. She believes that by allow students to exercise their voice and share their ideas, they will foster the qualities of the visionaries of our future. In 2009, Mary's dream became a reality and CPAA was born. She is honored to say that the vision of growth and evolving only increases each year. She is dedicated to continuing her mission in providing a inspiring and nurturing environment for our children and the future creators of this world.

CPAA is happy to welcome back Sloane Kearney to our administrative team! Sloane worked at the studio in 2012 as a dance teacher (jazz, tap, lyrical) and theatre director (13 the Musical), and was there for our inaugural year of Broadway Bound summer workshop. Sloane grew up in Carlsbad, and started dancing when she was 4 years old. She became involved in Carlsbad Community Theatre in elementary school, which is where her friendship/mentorship with Mary White first began! Some favorite Carlsbad Community Theatre moments include assistant directing Wizard of Oz, being Frenchie in Grease, and spending many summers teaching workshops and being part of a wonderfully silly community. She moved to Philadelphia, PA in summer 2013, where she worked as a movement and theatre teacher for a small private school, teaching students pre-k through 12th grade. Although Sloane loved her cheesesteak filled life in PA, she decided to pack up her snow boots and head back to the ocean. Sloane is passionate about all things dance, theatre and Mary White related! She is excited to join our team and watch the magic happen!

Kimberly grew up in Orange County, dancing at Pacific Dance and Jimmie DeFore Dance Center. While in college at CSU, Fullerton, Kimberly fell in love with Pilates, yoga, and barre, which she would later teach as a personal trainer around California and in Kuwait. When she isn't busy supporting the studio, she loves hanging out with her husband and dog, hiking, and watching Netflix!

Mueller holds an MA in Performance Psychology, a BFA in Dance Performance, aMinor in Integrated Educational Studies, and is a certified PBT instructor. Shannon is formally trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. Her performance credits include original works of Merce Cunningham, the LA Tap Festival, and a variety of performances at Chapman University including excerpts of Memphis and That’s Entertainment! Shannon has won numerous awards for her choreography, which has been presented internationally and worldwide. She was selected as one of Regional Dance America's Emerging Choreographers to attend their annual RDA Craft of Choreography Conference. She was also chosen to set an original piece at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland for their annual showcase, “The Exhibition." Shannon's choreography for the stage and the screen have been viewed at the MixMatch Dance Festival in Santa Monica, the Young Choreographer’s Festival in New York City, the San Diego International Fringe Festival, the NDEO Conference in La Jolla, ADF’s Movies by Movers, the 92Y Mobile Dance Film Festival, and multiple short films for Pairodocks Films production company.

Teaching dance is fulfilling for Shannon because she knows she is teaching more than just dance steps and technique. She allows her students to develop creativity, passion, confidence, good character, and determination. She hopes to always inspire students to be no less than their best.

Dewey Decking is thrilled to be apart of the family at CPAA! Dewey’s family traces back five generations of Carlsbad history. As a youth, he dedicated over ten years performing for regional theatre’s in San Diego County, including Carlsbad Community Theatre, and Moonlight Amphitheater. He trained at Dance Arts with Lewis McKay, and took voice from James Cook. Dewey then attended Boston Conservatory where he majored in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance, setting him on a trajectory towards artistic growth. Technical expertise, formidable work ethic, and an expansive portfolio were all essential components to the success of his career. Coming full circle with decades of training, complemented with professional experience performing in high level productions, he’s returned to the area, giving back to the dance, and theatrical community with which he was raised. Dewey is an active executive board member of CCT. He choreographs for schools, and Theatre’s across the county. He loves to participate, create, and express in this community of artists,especially at CPAA!

Delanee is from Orange County, California, and started dancing at the age of 3! She grew up training and competitive dancing at West Coast School of the arts, where she was trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, and Musical Theater, all up until the age of 18. Once she graduated, she continued on to the Lady Hornets Dance Team at Fullerton Junior College. She stayed there from 2018-2020, where they won the National Championship in their Pom and Jazz routines. Delanee’s favorite style of dance is Jazz because she loves feeling confident and sassy! She is now attending CSU San Marcos, where she will receive her Bachelor Degree in Psychology, as well as continue her passion for dancing and teaching at Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy!

Lauren Jackson is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, Certified Personal Trainer, and energetic teacher who has been training since the age of two. She received the majority of her training at various competitive and ballet-focused studios throughout Southern California. Her love for dance has led her to perform at many venues including World of Dance, The Claire Trevor Theatre, San Diego White Box Dance Theatre, and numerous college campuses. In addition to her 28 years of dancing, she has 16 years of teaching experience. Lauren’s distinctive choreography has received numerous high point and top choreography awards at regional and national competitions. Her students have been recipients for many scholarship awards, cash prizes and have gone on to be represented by top agencies. Lauren recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and is proud and extremely excited to share her knowledge and love for dance, the arts, and life with her students!

Born and raised in southern California, Christine began dancing and doing gymnastics at the age of 4. She trained at SCATS Olympic gym (with Cathy Rigby) for 10 years and has had a wide range of ballet training in varied styles including, Balanchine, Joffrey, Kirov and Royal Ballet. She has also had extensive training in many styles of Jazz, with her first love being lyrical. She became serious about dance out of High School when she earned a full scholarship to Jimmie DeFore Dance Center and began dancing professionally. For nine years she assisted the famed teacher/ chorographer Hama throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. Her professional work includes dancing on live TV in Disney's, "Beverly Hills 75 Birthday" - KABC, performed at the Marriott Marquis New York City, Caesars Palace Tahoe, OC Performing Arts Academy for "Arts on the Green" L.A.'s Magic Castle, and opened the show for country singers Kenny Rogers and Rick Skaggs. She has also performed in industrials for Fuji Film, Hewlett Packard, Chevron Oil, Shell Oil, as well as many other various shows, and starred in a commercial for The Boot Ranch. She has taught for 14 years in the Orange County area from beginner to professional level. She was also dance coach to the SCATS competitive gymnastics team under California Olympic coach Don Peters. Many of her students have progressed to become professional dancers as well as earn dance scholarships in college.

Brittany grew up dancing in Encinitas under the Direction of Leslie Craig. Brittany has attended summer intensives at State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara, and taken summer classes from Larry Rosenburg. Brittany received her BA in dance from California State University, Fullerton. Under the department direction of Gladys Kares, Brittany began her modern training. She trained in Limon, Horton, and Graham from instructors Debra Noble, Alvin Rangel, and Lisa D Long; as well as keeping up her Ballet training with Muriel Joyce. Brittany May has performed in CSUF’s Fall and Spring Dance Concerts where she danced in contemporary ballet pieces by Muriel Joyce followed by classical repertoire from “Giselle.” Brittany Graduated Magma Cum Laude from the University Honors Program. Her senior thesis involved a research investigation on the style of Horton and how it related to Ballet dancers. She created and completed case studies that led her to acknowledge the benefits of the style on Ballerinas. Throughout her Honors project, she found her passion for teaching. Brittany May is a North County based teacher and enjoys being apart of the CPAA studio!

Clarence Matthew Peters has been dancing for 12+ years. He has received variety of his training from Culture Shock San Diego, Studio FX, and MiraCosta College. He specializes in Hip Hop foundations and Urban choreography but also has trained within other genres of dance like Modern and Jazz. Clarence has taught at a different variety of studios all over the Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos areas. Currently, he is attending MiraCosta College, furthering his training and knowledge within the world of dance. Being a part of MiraCosta College’s Touring Dance Ensemble, Clarence travels to perform and spread his passion of dance at different high schools all over San Diego county. Being active in Oceanside and San Diego’s dance communities, he further continues his love for dance by teaching and performing.

Peggy Seipp-Roy, danced professionally as a Principle dancer with Companies throughout the US and Europe. Companies such as Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, TU Dance, Moving Spaces (Germany), as well as guest appearances with dancers from LINES Ballet and Complexions throughout the US and Europe.Peggy began her training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre, before joining the School of the American Ballet, and Royal Winnipeg. Peggy holds a BA in Speech Communication/Theater Arts, and Secondary Education from the University of St. Thomas, and received her certification in Stott Pilates from Stott Pilates in Montreal. She has taught extensively throughout the US. Most recently on the facility of NW Dance Project, TU Dance, Minnesota Dance Theater and the Dance Institute, James Sewell Ballet, St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts, and University of Minnesota Dance Department. Peggy worked as the assistant school and company director at TU Dance Company and Center. Peggy teaches master classes and open professional ballet and contemporary ballet classes for many professional companies and broadway touring shows throughout the country.

Khamla has performed and taught professionally throughout the country. She began her training at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and continued at the University of the Arts before moving to NYC to pursue her career. As an established instructor, Khamla has taught at Mills College, ODC Dance Commons and Shawl-Anderson Modern Dance Center. She has danced with ODC/ San Francisco Dance Company, Wylliams/Henry Danse Ensemble, Na-Ni Chen Dance Company, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, East/West Repertory Ensemble, New World Dance Company, Soundance Dance Company, as guest artist for Malashock Dance and on Broadway in the “King and I”, choreographed by Lar Lubovitz to name a few. Khamla received her Horton Pedagogy Certification at the Alvin Ailey School in NYC. Khamla Somphanh teaches a Horton-based modern technique class that emphasizes physicality, strength, clarity and body alignment. Her classes support and encourage movement expression, self-discovery by way of exploring one’s abilities. The class will be fast-paced tapping into facets of technique, movement quality, athleticism, phraseology and articulation.

Freddie started dancing at the young age of 5. His love for dance flourished fast and he soon became a member of the Dance Unlimited competition team when he was 6. Freddie did train in ballet and tap but his love and focus is hip-hop. He continued to dance competitively under the direction of Erin Riley-Carrasco, Eddie Barcello and Cheyenne Kibblewhite for the next twelve years. Freddie won several top honors as a competitive dancer including scholarships to the Pulse convention, Scholarships to dance with Dave Scott and Debbie Allen. He has also danced in LA as a guest in Carnival “A Choreographers Showcase in 2008 and 2013. Freddie’s training outside of the studio has included countless well-known choreographers in the business. Freddie has also been a part of the Culture Shock Dance Organization since 2005 when he became apart of the very first Mighty Shock San Diego dance troupe and continued on to Future Shock and Culture Shock San Diego. He has also been a part of Culture Shock’s “A Hip Hop Nutcracker” production as a choreographer and dancer. Freddie has choreographed for the award winning troupes of Mighty and Future Shock San Diego, Torrey Pines High School National Champion Hip Hop Team, and many dance studios throughout San Diego County.