About Kids'N Dance, Alameda, Contra Costa, Lafayette, California

So many children have a romantic impression of dance (they want to be a ballerina), but this impression along with their enthusiasm for dance frequently gets lost after a single 'traditional' ballet class. They are confronted with a rigid class structure, demanding strain on their bodies, and a strict belief in uniformity and exactness.

Although many schools have tried to offer creative movement to remedy the need for age appropriateness (ie working with the younger kids), none seem to be created with the sincere intention that Kris Mueller's Kids 'N Dance program offers. More >>

Instructors
		Kris Mueller—owner of Kids ‘'N Dance and Lafayette Dance Center, completed a BA in Dance, BM in Music from SIUE, and a MFA in Dance from Mills College. She has choreographed for The School House Theater, Benicia Old Town Theater, Galatean Players and was nominated for a Shelly Award in 98 & 99. Kris has also danced professionally with The Dance Brigade and Six Thumbs Dance Theater. She has taught children's dance for seventeen years, K-6 music for Saklan Valley and was the drummer for the band "Flip Sally".

		Sara Hampton—has been working with children for twelve years. Her teaching experience includes preschool, elementary school and teaching dance, . She has studied theater and dance at North Western University and Hampshire College, The Second City Ballet, and Joel Hall in Chicago. She has several years experience as a working actress, and as a teacher of drama. Sara has an enthusiastic and patient approach to teaching, and loves dancing with kids of all ages.

		Jamie Kopmann—grew up in Missouri and began dancing at the age of 4. She has over 20 years of experience in ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap. Jamie owned her own dance studio at the age of 16, teaching and choreographing for children of all ages. She has performed and choreographed for cheerleading squads and dance teams, as well as her college sorority dance team. Jamie has a true passion for dance and for teaching children of all ages. She has a BA. degree in Jounalism from the University of Missouri and graduated Maga Cum Laude.

		Jenny Thai -

		Kiva Lefler- grew up in South Lake Tahoe where she began dancing at the age of 5 years old. She has choreographed for Junior and Varsity teams, danced in Disneyland, Harveys and Horizon in Tahoe, as well as many fairs. She has been a recreational leader for summer camps in Pleasant Hill and is currently teaching for the City of Pleasant Hill as well as Kids 'N Dance.

		Tiffany Clark - grew up in Georgia and began dancing at age 3. Throughout her life she has performed, choreographed and been the dance captain with the Atlanta Workshop Players (a professional touring musical theatre group) and trained in voice and acting. Before moving to California she taught dance to children in Georgia. Tiffany truly enjoys teaching and loves working with the children.

		Carol McMackin —received her BA in Musical Theater from The University of San Francisco. She has taught musical theater for the Young Conservatory at A.C.T., ballet to children at Katherine Delmar Burke School and acting at Adda Clevenger. She has professionally performed as an actress in a TV pilot, in commercials, and has performed in many choruses, and musicals. She has also been recorded as a vocalist with the "Patrick Cowley Singers and toured with the group for 2 years all over the United States.

		Kehinde Kujichagulia-Seitu -is a vivacious and talented vocalist, dancer, with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts. An accomplished vocalist, Kehinde sang on her first recording at the age of 9, and has recorded for and performed with the Umoja Jazz Ensemble, the African Roots of Jazz, Ma’at Jazz and Performance Ensemble, the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, and the Prairie View A&M University Concert Choral Ensemble. Beginning as a dancer for the Imhotep Dance Ensemble, Kehinde has performed for such legends as Katherine Dunham, in addition to Winnie and Nelson Mandela. Co-founding member and director of Lyric Dance Ensemble. Specializing in Hip-Hop, West African, Stepping, and Liturgical Dance, Kehinde has studied various dance styles under Linda Johnson, Lynn DeFazio, Laura Ellis, Nina Haft, and Eric Kupers. An instructor full of energy, and enthusiasm, Kehinde has taught dance for Stanford University, California State University East Bay, Berkeley City College and numerous elementary, junior high and high schools throughout the greater Bay Area. Currently teaching Dance in the Oakland Public schools, Jewels Cheer Gym, Mission Dance, Kids Take the Stage

		Liz Schneiter– has worked with children in dance and musical theater for many years as teacher, director, choreographer, and coach. Her recent work includes the Watertown (MA) Children’s Theatre, The Children’s Creative Arts Corner Lexington, MA. And Kids Take the Stage of Alameda. She has performed and choreographed for Built of Stilts Dance Festival of Martha’s Vineyard, and Dancensemble. She has a MFA in Dance performance and choreography from Mills College.