L.A. Dance

Lake Orion, MI 48360 Phone No. (248) 393.1339

Main

Special Announcements

Meet The Staff

Laura Berger, Owner, Director, Instructor

Miss Laura has been dancing since the age of three. Growing up, she took classes in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz dance. Miss Laura started competing at the age of 11 and won many regional and national awards. She was a member of the halftime cast at the Florida Citrus Bowl in 1997. She has been teaching both recreational and competitive dance for the past fifteen years, twelve of those years at L. A. Dance. Her students have won numerous first place awards and Platinum medals. Some of her past and current students have won titles such as “Miss Petite Dance of Michigan,” "Mr. Petite Dance of Michigan," “Mr. Teen Dance of Michigan,” and "Miss Dance of Michigan." She has won “Best Choreography” at several different competitions. She is also a national judge for the Kids Artistic Revue Dance Competition and Hall of Fame Dance Competition. She also studies Swing and Latin Dancing. Laura and her dance partner are the “2003 World Fast Dance Champions” and the “2003 Midwest Invitational Hustle Champions.” She continues to travel around the United States to learn from master teachers.

Miss Laura is available for choreography in tap, hip-hop, & jazz. Please call the studio to set up your master workshop or for private and group choreography.

Jennifer Dysarz, Show Choir/Dance Instructor

Miss Jennifer began studying tap, jazz and ballet as a young girl and started teaching dance at the age of sixteen. During high school, she was selected to join Oakland University's elite performance group "Academy Singers" and was one of the lead dancers, performing in several televised events. Miss Jennifer was also a cheerleader at Rochester High School. When applying for college, she was offered performance scholarships at Macomb College, Oakland University and Western Michigan University. At Macomb College she obtained an Associates in Music Education and was a member of the performance group "Macombers Entertainment Co.", which toured locally and nationally, including performances for President George H.W. Bush and at various theme parks. During this time, she was a dance captain, performed in numerous musicals and was selected to join the U.S. Chorus, a group of one hundred people from across the nation selected to perform in a nationally televised music and dance review. Additionally, Miss Jennifer was the director and choreographer for a group of gifted high school students called "Magic Company". Miss Jennifer obtained a Bachelor of Science from WMU, majoring in Merchandising and Design. She also works at Lake Orion High School as choreographer for the Spring show.

Carmen Wade, Ballet Instructor

Miss Carmen comes to us with a wealth of knowledge. Some of Miss Carmen's credits include: Conducting classes and workshops to teach technique, pointe, variations, conditioning and pas de deux. She maintains state and regional reputation for ballet program and has the ability to help students earn scholarships to major dance institutions, such as Oakland University, Michigan State University and The Joffrey Ballet. She sponsors young students to compete successfully in major ballet competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix. She has founded and managed summer programs and intensives for dance students. She has directed 75 dancers and artistic staff, setting and staging for ballets and special events such as The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Cinderella, Detroit Tigers pre-game show, and the Michigan State Fair. She has directed and staged dance presentations for various forms of learning/entertainment including public school demonstrations. She has instructed and placed students with national and international dance schools, such as Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Met, School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Virginia School of the Arts, Richmond Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, The Rock and Universal Ballet Academy.

Miss Carmen's dance education includes Steps on Broadway, New York, NY 2004, 2006; Ballet Academy East, Steps on Broadway, New York, NY 2005; Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Summer Teacher Seminar), Canada 2003; David Howard (Teacher Seminar), Kalamazoo, MI 2002; Dimitri Roudnev (Teacher Intensive), Lansing, MI 2001; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 1992; Further training includes Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York, NY, 1987 to 1988; Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI, 1986 to 1992; Full Scholarship Chicago City Ballet, Chicago, IL, 1986. Summer Program Chicago City Ballet, Chicago, IL, 1985; Summer Program Lascu School of Ballet, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 1981 to 1986; Robert and Norma Tayton Ballet School, Detroit, MI, 1975 to 1981

We are very excited to have Miss Carmen at L. A. Dance!

Leanne Carberry, Instructor

Miss Leanne has been dancing since the age of three. She has been with L.A. Dance since it opened in 1998 as a student and is now entering her fourth year as an instructor for ballet, tap, jazz, and clogging classes. She teaches both recreation and competition classes. Along with teaching she is also a full time college student. As a competitor Miss Leanne won many Platinum and Gold medals including Top Overall awards. She also won scholarships to attend workshops both locally and in New York. Miss Leanne has a great passion for dance and continues to attend workshops locally, and out of state to New York, Texas and Chicago. She enjoys spending time with children and is very happy to be an instructor at L.A. Dance passing her wealth of knowledge and talent to all her students.

Nicole Shea, Ballet/Lyrical Instructor

We are very excited to have Ms. Nicole join our staff. She has trained with Carmen Wade - Dance Theatre of Harlem, Christina Kammueller - Guaira Ballet Theater, Cornelia Sampson - ABT, Joanne Danto - Pennsylvania Ballet, Iacob Lascu - Ballet Master with the Romanian Opera, and Caleb Mitchell - Houston Ballet. Her performances include Nutcracker - Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Clara, Flower Pas de Duex - Doll, Coppelia - Swanilda, Paquita solo and Pas de Duex, Variations from Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Paquita, La Fille Mal Gardee. Her training and workshops include The South Carolina Dance Conservatory, North Carolina School of the Arts, Ballet Met, School of Ballet Chicago, on scholarship to David Howard and Margrove College. She has been accepted to Joffrey on scholarship, Burklyn on scholarship, The Rock, ABT, Richmond Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Pittsburg Ballet Theater where she was also accepted into the Professional Year program. Miss Nicole graduated from Oakland University in May 2006 with a bachelor degree in Sociology and a minor in performing arts. She also received a full dance scholarship to Alma University and Oakland University. Welcome Miss Nicole!

Jessica Manigold, Hip-Hop/Tumbling/Pom Pon Instructor

Miss Jessica began dance at the age of five. She has training in acrobatics, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, pon-pom, musical theater and modern. She began competing at the age of 12 and has won many regional and national awards. She was also a member of Troy High Schools Varsity Gymnastics Team. She was a member of the dance troupe promoting the Detroit Premiere of Moulin Rouge in 2001. Miss Jessica has attended many dance conventions and taken master classes with such choreographers as Robert Schultz, Savion Glover and Tokyo. She has taught recreational and competitive classes for the past four years and choreographs for high school dance teams. She is also certified to teach acrobatics and tumbling through Dance Masters of Michigan. Miss Jessica is a graduate of Oakland University where she has received a degree in the Elementary Education program, majoring in Social Studies and minoring in Language Arts. She is very excited to be teaching at L.A. Dance!

Jamie Okopny, Instructor

Miss Jamie is a junior at Michigan State University, where she is currently studying to become a child psychologist. She has been involved in dance for twelve years, during which she learned a variety of dance styles including tap, ballet, hip-hop, clogging, modern, jazz and lyrical. She was involved in competitive dance throughout middle school and high school, during which she won multiple awards, as well as scholarships to various dance conventions. Miss Jamie's interest in music extends beyond dance. She played the oboe for seven years, and was honored the position of principle chair in the top band during her last three years of high school. Furthermore, she just recently started studying the acoustic guitar. She has a passion for working with children. This fall, she will begin her second year volunteering her services in a kidergarten classroom. Miss Jamie is very excited to begin her fifth year of instructing at L.A. Dance, and she is thrilled that she has the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for dance with her students.

Miss Ann, Office Manager

Miss Ann has been with L. A. Dance since its start in 1998 and is available to everyone to answer questions and assist with any problems or concerns. She is in charge of shoe, tight, and leotard orders. Please feel free to contact Miss Ann for anything you may need!

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS

Nick DiNicolangelo, Tap Choreographer

Beginning his teaching career at the age of 15, Nick has become one of the most in-demand tap choreographers in the country. His efforts to incorporate aspects of others forms of dance while remaining true to classic rhythm and style has set his work apart from the rest. With his unique and energetic approach to teaching, Nick hopes to inspire students across the country to embrace tap dancing and explore its rich history and culture. Nick was a charter member and captain of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble as well as an original member of Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. Entering his sixth year on the Adrenaline Dance national tour, Nick feels blessed to be able to travel, teach, and choreograph for studios across the country. Recently, syn.co.pate, Nick’s own summer tap intensive, brought together many of the most talented tap dancers in the nation.

Chris Jacobsen, Lyrical/Modern Choreographer

Chris was born and raised in San Francisco, California and graduated from San Francisco's school of the arts high school. He now resides in New York City. Chris has also toured with PUSH Entertainment, dancing and choreographing for such artists as Jackie Chan and Coco Lee. Chris is a nationally sought out choreographer and teacher. He travels the country setting pieces and teaching for many studios and workshops. Chris and his students are known for their versatility and 'raw' style of dance. His classes emphasize strong technique and exploring different movement. Chris is on faculty with Adrenaline Dance Competition. Chris likes to challenge and bring out the best in each of his students

Sean Harrington, Jazz Choreographer

Bio coming soon!

Sonya Tayeh, Choreographer

Detroit, MI is the home of Motown, Techno, and many forms of inventive dance. Growing up in such a diverse environment, sound and movement became Sonya Tayeh’s nature. Listening, feeling and analyzing music as a child, allowed Sonya to move according to the sounds she heard and felt. She experienced the freedom of freestyle movement until she reached the age of 17. At this time, Sonya realized that with this rooted style there had to be a base, a form, and a technique. Searching for a foundation, she decided to study dance at Wayne State University. She received her BFA in dance studying dance history, anatomy, and performance. Indulging herself in this art, she graduated one year early. Sonya now teaches a self-titled class called Combat Jazz, which incorporates her deeply rooted form with the essence of contemporary technique mixed with her own 'quirky' style. This stylized, free-flowing movement is aggressively formulated through one on one physical contact. In this form of movement, the importance of core strength and body awareness is a constant. Sonya Tayeh now resides in Los Angeles where she is faculty at the Edge Performing Arts School and is represented by MSA Agency for choreography. Her work has gleamed through television screens on So You Think You Can Dance. She also travels the world teaching workshops, intensive master classes, and setting works. Sonya has had the pleasure of collaborating with choreographers such as Tabitha and Napoleon, Shane Sparks and many more. She also choreographs and conceptualizes for Kerli, a new innovative singer signed with Island Def Jam. She has received much recognition and prestigious accolades at various choreography competitions and University Gala performances. “I believe having a strong sense of self as a human being allows movement to become natural like nature. Nature changes…it’s constantly evolving. Being of this earth, we must do the same. If we move with nature, our bodies will never lie, it will simply be natural.”

Nick Zborowski, Hip-Hop Choreographer

Nick began his training at the young age of eleven, studying all forms of dance and attending various workshops across the country. Specializing in hip-hop and tap dancing, Nick has been able to work with artists, choreographers, and dancers all over the world. Based out of Dallas for four years, Nick’s entertainment career took off. He began teaching for Adrenaline and Showbiz “The Class” National Convention. He also began choreographing award-winning pieces for dance studios all over the country and sharpening his skills in music/video editing. He quickly became known for his smooth style and energetic choreography. Nick has since relocated to Los Angeles and added acting to his many talents. Nick has appeared on episodes of MTV’s hit television show Punk’d, print advertisements, and commercials. He was selected as a dancer for Latin superstar Cheyanne for his World Tour and MTV’s Latin Video Music Awards. He also performed in Europe and Panama for the Ms. World Pageant and the Ms. Universe Pageant consecutively. His choreography is in demand from studios all over the United States and he also teaches hip hop at one of LA’s premier dance studios: Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio. In 2007, Nick became the director of Urban Legends Hip Hop Workshop and has enjoyed watching it grow. Nick is also traveling with some of the Urban Legends faculty offering mini workshops at studios in the Los Angeles area. He is enjoying educating serious dancers on the realities of the professional dance industry. Nick’s many talents have paved the road to success. Nick’s hard work, unique style, and professionalism make him one of the most the brightest talents in the entertainment industry.

Kyle Molter, Jazz/ Lyrical Choreographer

Kyle is a Backstage Manager for Nextstar Dance Competition as well as an employee of Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. He is a Platinum winning soloist winning an incredible 7 regional titles in 2006. He has been recognized for his amazing performance quality at Rainbow Dance Connection by becoming a "Dancer of The Year" Candidate. He has worked as a Teachers Assistant for 3 years and now works as a competitive dance instructor. Kyle has a love for dance that is seen through his teaching and his ablity to motivate dancers to believe in greatness! Kyle is a 3 time competitive scholarship winner as well as an inspiration to the students at Haja where he is an Assistant Director.

Kyle is also currently working with the Toledo School for the Arts, Burn The Floor, Flex Pointe and L.A. Dance doing master classes as well as choreography.