Our Instructors
Sarah Gross: Dance/ Yoga
Sarah Gross holds an A.A. degree in Dance from Santa Monica College, a B.A. in World Arts and Cultures with a dance concentration, and a Minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She has been performing and teaching dance for more than 13 years and is a certified Yoga Instructor!
Through her education, she has had the opportunity to work with and teach all ages of students, from toddlers to senior citizens as well as children with special needs. All of her students have become a true inspiration in her career as a teacher and as an accomplished dancer. As a teacher, Sarah builds individuality, self-confidence and self-expression and has become the best educator for herself and her students. Sarah would be honored to share the circle of Love and Dance with all of you!
Michelle Twarowska: Dance
Michelle Twarowska is originally from Poland. She is a dancer and choreographer and has been teaching for over 10 years. Her favorite styles to teach are Hip Hop and Ballroom. She is also an actress and musician and has played many roles in different musicals and plays. Michelle’s extensive background in dancing and music made her a finalist of “So You Think You Can Dance” season 4 in Poland, and appeared as a dancer in TV shows such as: “X-Factor”, “Dancing with the Stars”, and ”The Voice”. Michelle loves teaching and always finds creative & fun ways to encourage her students.
Cece McLennan: Dance/Gymnastics
Cece McLennan is an Australian-American actress and dancer currently based in LA. She spent 10 years doing musicals, plays, and ballets until she went to study at The Boston Conservatory. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance and emphasis in Dance. She specializes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre styles, Acro, and Hip Hop. She can’t wait to work with the students of Our Dance World!
Marina Blanche Munoz: Dance/Yoga
Marina Blanche Munoz graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy(AMDA) in 2011. Marina specializes in teaching Luigi technique and enjoyed teaching classic jazz to adults and children. She also teaches Creative Movement, Ballet and Hip Hop. Some places she has taught are UCLA, The Gabriella Foundation, and Free2BeMe. She has performed in musicals such as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Cabaret, The World Goes Round, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Pippin. She has trained and performed in the New York City Rockette Summer Intensive. Marina is excited to bring her expertise to the students of Our Dance World and share her love for teaching children!
Nellie Bailon: Dance/ Gymnastics
Miss Nellie is born and raised in Los Angeles. She has an extensive background working with children of all ages. She danced at several studios throughout Los Angeles County and continued her dance education at UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Dance. There, she was also captain of the UCSB Dance Team and the first captain to ever lead the team to a National Title. Since then she has taught at studios and for the last 5 years has been a full time Performing Arts Instructor at a K-8th charter school. In the summer, Miss Nellie works at UCLA overseeing youth camps. Miss Nellie’s favorite styles to teach are hip hop, jazz and character. She can’t wait to start teaching dance to the students of Our Dance World!
Kayla Lynn: Dance/ Gymnastics
Kayla Lynn was born and raised in Minnesota, where her mom owned a dance studio. This is where she discovered her true passion for loving the art of dance. She was a competition dancer who learned the value of versatility at a young age. Since the age of 14, Kayla developed her artistry at Performing Arts Schools as a dance major. Kayla’s well-rounded performing arts training has given her experiences dancing on stage, camera, and acting in commercials, movies, and short films. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, BFA in Dance Theater at AMDA College of the Performing Arts. Kayla is excited to share her passion for movement with Our Dance World!
Sara Holmes: Dance/ Yoga
Sara has been in the field of education for the past 10 years with particular experience in early childhood/special education. She has completed advanced coursework in educational theatre and child development and has additional training in music and movement education. She completed her 200 hr yoga teacher certification as well as prenatal/postnatal training. In her teaching, Sara loves to draw inspiration from her students in order to create and foster a love of learning and exploring in each and every
Hannah Greenleaf: Dance
Hannah Greenleaf recently graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has extensive training in Ballet and truly enjoys working with children. She is thrilled to be sharing her warmth, joy and love of dance with the Our Dance World Family
Elizabeth Para: Dance
Carmyn Segura: Dance/Yoga
Carmyn is a Los Angeles Native and a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She is well trained in dance, voice, and acting for theater as well as television and film. With an extensive background in dance and fitness, and fresh off of completing her 200 hour Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher Training, Carmyn is ready and eager to share the loving wisdom to her students. In Carmyn’s classes, she loves to combine creative sequencing, a spirit of playfulness and share her inspiration to help students deepen their practice. Her intention in each class is to help others thrive by nurturing their body, mind and soul with yoga and movement.
Melani De Guzman: Dance/Yoga
Melani is a professional choreographer/dancer who is passionate about teaching movement and wellness for all levels. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Sociology and Dance. She is trained in ballet, modern, hip hop, house, jazz, and improvisation. With her love for helping others find their truest expression, she enjoys using dance, yoga, meditation, and art to inspire children. She is excited to share her art with Our Dance World!
Anissa Briggs: Dance
Anissa Briggs is a current student at Santa Monica College, where she is majoring in dance in the hopes of transferring to the University of Southern California to obtain her BFA. Anissa has attended several dance programs such as the Broadway Dance Center Training Program, Rockettes Summer Intensive, and Ballet Austin. Anissa has taught all styles of dance at Sonya’s Dance Academy, which is her family’s owned dance studio in North Carolina. She is excited to share her love of teaching and dance with the community of Our Dance World!
Livya Howard- Yashar: Dance
Livya Howard-Yashar is a dancer/choreographer, singer and percussionist who has worked in early childhood dance education both in New York and Los Angeles. She currently performs and teaches in Los Angeles and is passionate about introducing young people to different world cultures through the art of movement and music.
Amanda Papo: Dance
Amanda Papo graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A in Communications and a minor in Sociology. Her passion for Dance and teaching started at a very young age. Amanda’s extensive years of training and teaching creates a positive learning environment for her students. She is thrilled to be a part of Our Dance World and share her love for Dance!
Kiva Dawson: Dance
Originally from Santa Monica, California, Kiva began her ballet training at Westside School of Ballet and later at The School of The Pennsylvania Ballet, both schools awarding her full scholarships. While dancing professionally, Kiva earned her SAG card and began to act in National Commercials, Film and TV. Kiva has taught all levels and age groups from California to New York. She is happy to be back in her hometown of Santa Monica and excited to be a part of the Our Dance World community and share her love for teaching!
Alessandra Gonzalez: Dance
Alessandra Gonzalez graduated from Utah Valley University with a BS in Ballroom Dance. She competed in the prestigious Blackpool Competition and continues to compete professionally across the U.S. specializing in American Rhythm and Smooth. Alessandra provides professional dance instruction in an enjoyable style to students of all ages. Children learn proper dance technique with fun dance steps they can take with them the rest of their lives.
Marga Lane: Dance/ Music
Marga Lane is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Upon graduating from the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, she moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her career as a performing artist and songwriter. Over the years she has continued to perfect her craft as a musician and songwriter, while also pursuing studies in dance and acting. Marga Lane is trained in various dance styles including, hip-hop, jazz, and tap! She is looking forward to bringing Music and Movement to Our Dance World!
Alexandra Kovacs: Dance
Alexandra Kovacs is a professional dancer, instructor and entertainer. Through her education and training, she has performed all over the world. She is classically trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap and Hip Hop! Her current specialty of dance is Middle Eastern Belly Dance, Persian Dance and Brazilian Samba. She loves sharing her passion and inspiring her students to achieve the best training while having fun. She is excited to be a part of Our Dance World and teach students of all ages!
Megan Kenson: Dance/Yoga/Pilates
Megan Kenson is an avid mover, adventurer, and explorer who enjoys bringing movement and balance into her classes. Megan’s teaching style is influenced by an extensive background in Dance, Yoga, Pilates, and Fitness. She studied Dance at the University of California (UCLA) in the World Arts and Cultures Department. Megan is a Yoga Alliance Instructor, and a certified Pilates Instructor. Students leave her classes feeling a heightened sense of clarity and openness.
Jessica Jablonski: Yoga
Jessica Jablonski is a certified Yoga instructor through YogaBuddies and YogaWorks, giving her the proper training to teach students of all ages in a healthy and safe way. Jessica has always enjoyed working with children, and finds their energy and excitement to be a true gift and attribute to her teachings. She strives to bring awareness, mindfulness, and confidence to all of her students, and her classes are playful and filled with laughter!
Sherry Sirof: Yoga/Pilates/Fitness
Sherry Sirof, is an ACE (American Council Exercise) certified personal trainer. Her Yoga, Pilates and Group Fitness classes are designed for students of all ages, and she has taken on a wide array of clients ranging from toddlers to seniors throughout her career. She has taught her own brand of engaging, easy-to-follow, fun classes in top gyms and private schools all around Los Angeles.
Anita Pressman: Dance/Fitness/Tai Chi
