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spirit of energy

best of santa clarita valley

Faculty

Courtney Schwartz

Courtney Schwartz started dancing at the age of 2 in Pittsburgh,PA and has been teaching for 5 years. She moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to pursue her professional dancing career. Since then she has worked with many people such as Talia Favia, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary, Andrew Winghart, Chaz Buzan, Dough Johnson, Danny Teeson, and many more. Courtney is currently Talia Favia's assistant, a demonstrator on Radix Dance Convention, and the female lead in Talia Favia's show "The Difference Between Actions and Words". She played Samantha on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, has assisted Talia Favia on SYTYCD season 12 & SYTYCD Vietnam season 3, assisted Dee Caspary on SYTYCD season 10 & 12, been a part of Odyssey Dance Theatre in Utah, and danced at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

Anna Hronchak

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.

Russell Corpis

Originally from Los Angeles, Russell began his dance training during high school when he moved to the San Diego area. He began his training at a local studio, where he was introduced to some amazing people who brought Unity Dance Ensemble, director Tessandra Chavez, into his life. Dancing on the apprentice company, Unity 2, during high school, Russell was able to triple his training, with the company, school, and studios. After high school, Russell began dancing with Unity Dance Ensemble's main company in San Diego and began his teaching career. Russell was a company member of Unity Dance Ensemble for nine consecutive years.
Russell attended Hawaii Pacific University where he was on a full dance scholarship. In 2008, Russell was part of the dance team at HPU where they received their third national championship at the the NDA collegiate national championship. Russell trained with the California Ballet Company and taught at San Diego Dance Centre and studios in North County. Russell has performed with Odyssey Dance Theatre for their 2011-2012 season of shows. His most notable rolls are of Parris in "Romeo and Juliet" and the peasant pas de deux in Giselle. Other shows performed with ODT include Thriller and repertoire including new choreography by Mandy Moore. Russell has performed at the El Capitan Theatre for their Disney summer shows in 2014. Russell has appeared in several music videos with artists such as; Paula Abdul, Rosanna Pansino, Golden Hippie, Caught a Ghost, Maikel Blays, and December Rose where he was casted as the lead love interest to the artist. He has filmed "Step Up Revolution II" , a dance fitness DVD. He has also worked for MAC for their Alluring Aquatic line. Russell has performed in New York City for The Times of Israel Gala at the Waldorf Astoria. He has performed at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas for their NYE event. Russell has recently relocated to Las Vegas where he is performing in Cirque Du Soleil’s Beatles Love show at The Mirage. He is signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. His natural competitive nature helps him to grow and strive to be a better dancer and teacher everyday.

Mandy Dray

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!

Samira Anbar

Samira Anbar received her degree from Eastern Michigan University. She brings 20 years of dance experience in the dance industry to our studio. Samira has trained since she was three years old and began teaching at age fifteen. She has traveled the country to train with outstanding professionals. Growing up as a competition dancer, Samira received many prestigious awards including Hollywood Connection Icon Award, Hollywood Agency Award, Before You go Pro scholarship to name just a few. her choreography has received great recognition including (most recently in 2018) Intensity Awards, Technique Awards, Conviction Awards and various highest scoring awards. She also received many Best Choreography Awards along with many national titles. Samira exudes passion and loves creating a safe and loving environment for dancers to develop. She is versatile in many genres of dance and is sharing her knowledge of technique and performance with our dancers.

Emily Andrews

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!

Chris Babcock

Originally from San Jose, CA, Chris now resides in New York City and has trained to elite levels in many styles of dance, including: Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Modern, Tap and Classical Ballet. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A in Dance Performance from Chapman University. Post-graduation, Chris was fortunate to travel and perform across Europe working theatres in Prague, Czech Republic in the historic National Theatre. He is currently being represented by one of the most prestigious talent agencies in New York City - McDonald - Selznick and Associates (MSA). Chris was a featured performer for the opening number for Intel's Keynote Speaker at the 2015 & 2016 International CES Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has also performed in the extravagant opening number at the 2016 CISCO LIVE EVENT at the Mandalay Bay Arena! He made his television debut on SEASON 6 of the Hit TV show GLEE!, as a member of Vocal Adrenaline. He had a blast filming episodes on season 2 of THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL. He is a featured dancer in a new commercial for OPPO electronics.

Chris had the thrill of creating his version of a Dancing Avatar in the video game: JUST DANCE DISNEY, PART 2, and was also featured in Cirque du Soleil's production of THE BEATLE’S LOVE, at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. Additionally, Chris has appeared in STEVE WYNN'S SHOWSTOPPERS at the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is often booked to perform in Mumbai, India for high profile private dance events. Chris’s recent New York bookings had him dancing in a SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE opening number, with the incredible Jimmy Fallon. He has also had the pleasure of dancing alongside the infamous rockettes in the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACTULAR, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Chris has just completed a contract at sea as an inaugural cast member of STEP ONE DANCE COMPANY,which is a state of the art guest entertainer dance company aboard Holland America Line.

Chris is an award - winning and current choreographer, master class teacher and experienced adjudicator, who works passionately and consistently to educate dancers in an impressive number of elite competitive studios and high school dance teams across the United States, and beyond.

Katina Childs Muller

Katina Childs-Muller Has been teaching dance for 24 years. Ms. Kat has performed in many musicals and some on her favorite roles include Consul in West Side Story, Cathy in Funny Girl w/ Stephanie Block & Matthew Ashford, and Zelda Zanders in Singing in the Rain w/ Kathleen Rose Perkins. This past summer she played Medda in the Musical Newsies. Kat has had a career as a choreographer for the last 19 years. She has choreographed 8 theme parks throughout the US and in Germany. She has choreographed shows for Carnival Cruise Lines and for the amazing Joss Whedon in the TV series Angel. Her choreography has been seen in numerous musicals. She was nominated for choreography awards in New York w/ NYCDA and lost to Sonya Tayeh & Travis Wall, but what an honor to be along side two of her favorites. In 2002 she was employed by Los Angeles School District to write the Jazz Dance Curriculum for their HS dance programs. Her favorite role to date is Mom to her four diverse and energetic kids. Ms. Kat won the TV show Your Chance to Dance (CMT) with her oldest dancer son Nick in 2010. To see her latest endeavor, check out the sizzle reel of her new kids TV show called the KidamaJIGs on YouTube; https://youtu.be/LupxE-kuBk4. Subscribe there for updates on this upcoming Kids TV series.

Juliet Frishette

Juliet Frishette began dancing at age 2 1/2 at Studio 1 Dance Academy. She trained to an advanced level in a variety of styles and competed with Studio 1 from a very young age. Over the years, she has received countless titles, first overall awards and technical excellence awards. She is currently working toward her BFA in Dance Performance at Chapman University. Juliet is signed with The Movement Talent Agency, since age 9, and has worked in television commercials, tv shows, music videos, print work and film. Most recently, she worked on an episode of NBC’s This is Us as a ballet dancer. She also appeared on Modern Family, Calls From the Heart and The Big Family Dance Off pilot. Juliet was in a Toyota commercial, Capri Sun Commercial, Sharkies Fruit Snacks Commercial, and a Palm Springs Film Festival film. She has also done Motion City soundtrack, M. Ward “Me and My Shadow” and The Chip Chocolate Cookie Dance music videos. Juliet brings her technical expertise, positive energy and support, and beautiful choreography to her students. Her students continue to earn top honors and technique awards at regional and national competitions.

Jenna Frechette

Originally from South Carolina, Jenna was always an athlete growing up. She found her love for dancing on the playground in the second grade where she watched her friends performing a clogging routine that they had prepared for their upcoming recital. That fall, she enrolled only in clogging and tap classes. Eventually with time this grew to gymnastics, ballet, jazz and modern. She moved to Connecticut at age 14 and was on her high school's dance team and her competition team in high school. After high school she went into college at the University of Connecticut competing in the D1 division for jazz, pom and hip-hop for UDA and NDA. In addition to this she performed at all the football and basketball games, halftime for the Celtics, football bowl games and received several awards during prelim season. She graduated college and continued teaching at her home studio in Connecticut, all while working in the medical field. After a few years she decided that she wanted to leave medicine and pursue dancing full time at the age of 24. Now 26, she is a LA resident signed with MSA agency and has appeared in music videos, commercials and live performances for artists such as Paula Abdul, Jhene Aiko, LIZ, Ari B, etc. She has studied under mentors Kenya Clay, Galen Hooks, Dana Foglia, Chucky Klapow, Robert Schultz and GiGi Torres, just to name a few. She has been assistant choreographer for artists such as Icona Pop, Carmen Electra, and Nicole Scherzinger and has also choreographed for LA Sparks. In her short time here she is happy with her accomplishments but truly hopes to expand her resume and continue her true passion of teaching, choreographing and mentoring younger dancers.

Jan Frishette

Jan Frishette, the Director of Studio 1 Dance Academy, began her career in dance working for Disney at the age of 14. She also danced commercially through high school and college. She received her degree from the University of California, Irvine, where she acquired a multitude of valuable teaching methods.

Jan was the ballet director at a prominent studio in Orange County for ten years before opening Studio 1 in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1990. In the summer of 2016, Jan moved her studio to a beautiful new state-of-the-art facility in Valencia, CA.

She is proud of her student’s remarkable accomplishments and awards from the most prestigious dance competitions. Many of her students have been honored with notable achievements including, college dance scholarships, appearances in music videos, commercials, and careers in dance in the US and internationally.

Jan has many years of experience directing and producing shows, coordinating with costume companies, developing classroom curriculum, and organizing dance teams. She understands the intricacies of each competition’s rules and how to place students in the correct level for competition. She hires exceptionally talented dance instructors, who work in the professional dance industry. Her vast knowledge and experience has enabled her to provide the best possible dance training program for the students of Studio 1 Dance Academy.

Drew Gliwa

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.


MONDAY


3:45 PM


9:00 PM


TUESDAY


3:30 PM


9:00 PM


WEDNESDAY


3:30 PM


8:30 PM


WEDNESDAY


9:15 AM


10:45 AM


THURSDAY


3:30 PM


9:00 PM


FRIDAY


3:30 PM


7:30 PM


SATURDAY


9:30 AM


2:00 PM


SUNDAY


Privates


Times Vary

Contact

STUDIO 1 DANCE ACADEMY

23460 Cinema Dr Ste F,

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Phone. 661-296-1268

Email. studio1jan@gmail.com