Anna had just turned five when she began her career as a dancer. From age 10 to 18 she studied Classical Ballet at a very famous dance academy in Moscow. After completing her degree, Anna became a dancer at the Kremlin Ballet Theatre. During her first season there, Yuri Grigorovich, the Artistic Director/Choreographer of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, noticed Anna and invited her to become a soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre. Once there, she worked on her solo repertoire and quickly became a Prima Ballerina. Featured as the lead role, Anna performed in such ballets as “Romeo and Juliet”, “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, “Spartacus”, “Coppelia”, “Legends of Love” and “The Nutcracker”, as well as many others. For fourteen seasons, she performed in about 90 shows per year all while touring with the Bolshoi Theatre and was invited to perform in many countries all over the world. Over the course of her career she has received several awards such as winner of the All-Russian contest for “Young Ballet of the World” in 2004 and the “Best Female Ballet Actress of the Krasnodar Region” in 2013. Anna moved to the United States in 2014 and began teaching at several schools. She has a mastery of many ballet styles including French, Vaganova, Balanchine and the Royal Opera House style of Cecchetti. Her technical expertise mixed with her exceedingly graceful style really separates her from other dancers.

Mandy Dray grew up dancing in Kansas City, MO as a student of competitive dance in all styles which also included tumbling and gymnastics. In 2014 she graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Psychology from Chapman University. She has had the opportunity to work with Debbie Allen in the L.A. Tap Festival and has performed in the hit show "Zombie Burlesque" choreographed by Tiger Martina in Las Vegas, NV at the Planet Hollywood Hotel. While in "Zombie Burlesque" she was featured on an episode of "Ride With Norman Reedus" on AMC. Currently she is traveling the world, performing with the prestigious guest entertaining StepOne Dance Company by RWS Entertainment Group for Holland America Line.

Mandy has taught and coached many competitive dance students in the California and Las Vegas areas and has been awarded with several choreography awards for her artistic and innovative choreography which ranges from all styles. Her work has also received countless 1st overall top scoring awards as well as special judges awards and top competition awards. She loves pushing and inspiring kids to be successful dancers, well rounded artists and humble and respectful students. Mandy focuses on providing students with a strong technical foundation as well as a clear understanding of how the body can move with different artistic qualities. She is excited and grateful to be a part of our staff!

Emily is originally from Portland, Oregon where she trained and competed within the dance circuit for many years. From an early age she knew dance was her passion. After graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles and signed with Go 2 Talent Agency to pursue dance. Prior to her professional career, Emily was privileged to receive numerous scholarships from institutions such as Edge Performing Arts Center and The Pulse on Tour. These scholarships opened the door for working relationships with highly acclaimed choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Tessandra Chavez, and Mandy Moore, among others. Emily has worked as a dancer with Royal Flux, LA Follies, and is currently starting her fifth season with Mash Up Contemporary Dance Company. In addition to working continuously with multiple L.A. based dance companies, Emily has also danced in numerous music videos, stage performances, TV shows, and commercials for companies such as BCBG Maxazria; as well as traveling and assisting choreographers like Sabrina Phillip. In addition to her professional dance career, she also teaches at various studios in the L.A. area, including Edge Performing Arts Center. Emily strives for continual improvement of her art and is excited to share her knowledge with the young dance community!

Drew Gliwa started dancing at Stacy’s Dance Factory at the age of 3 in Bloomington, Illinois. He took classes recreationally until he was 11 and moved to Art in Motion Dance Studio in Champaign, Illinois and began to train seriously in Jazz dance. His love for the art grew the more he experienced it thanks to the direction of Tricia and Chad Trimble. He was exposed to more styles and choreographers like Jared Baker, Chris Jacobsen, and Brooke Pierotti that influenced his style. When he was 15, he had the opportunity to travel to Corona, California to train with Mandy Rogers and Terry Schulke at Just Plain Dancin’. Drew graduated high school a year early to attend Chapman University at the age of 17. He worked with choreographers like Will Johnston, Alicia Guy, and Jennifer Backhaus. He joined the Chapman University Dance Team and was a member all four years of his career. He served as the team’s Co-Captain and led them to their 11th consecutive national title. Throughout his time, Drew served as a 3 year board member of the Chapman Dance Alliance. He was a rehearsal director for Complexions Contemporary Ballet Rep set by Desmond Richardson. He was awarded freshmen of the year, a choreography award for his collegiate choreographic debut of his piece titled, “Sunder,” and the Donna Cucunato award for his outstanding contribution to the department over four years. He is thankful for all of the inspiration and positive encouragement he received from his peers throughout his time at Chapman and he looks forward continuing his growth through his love for learning.

Most recently, Drew also was a guest for the Entity Contemporary Dance premiere “TRANSPARENT/SEE” choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston. He is now a company member of Justin Giles’ SoulEscape after performing with them at the Red Rocks Dance Festival and being a part of the Giving Tree in Dallas, Texas.