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 fifteen 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.

		Carole' Acuna - "Acuna is a mesmerizing young woman and a senuous, generous dancer, as ifted in classical Spanish dance as in gypsy Flamenco"...Ann Murphy, Dance Critic, Oakland Tribune. She is an international Flamenco, Classical Spanish dance, and the principal dancer for Carolina Lugo's Brisas de Espana Flamenco Dance Company since 1997. She has thoroughly trained in Ballet with Laureen Fender and Oakland Ballet, Penninsula Ballet, and in Modern Dance with Cheryl Chaddick of the Company Chaddick and Robert Moses in San Francisco.

		Kristin Miller—has her B.A. from UCSB in dance and has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has participated in many dance competitions winning First Team Individual Award at GSCA, Alameda Ca and has performed at Great America. Kristin is a dramtic and exciting teacher who loves dancing with kids.

		Denice C. Simpson-has over 18 years experience as a professional dancer and over 10 years working with young people. As the Founder/Director of Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble, the youth component of Dimensions Dance Theater, of which she has been a member of for over 15 years, she exposed and educated her youth group in various dance styles including, Jazz, Ballet, Modern and West African as well as touring and performing. After receiving her Master's in World Arts and Cultures with an emphasis on Dance Education from UCLA she relocated to Hawaii for five years where she began to study traditional and contemporary hula. Upon her return to the Bay Area she re-joined Dimensions Dance Theater as a principal dancer. She continues to be a long distance member Halau Hula Namakahonuakapiliwale in Waianae, Hawaii.

		Abbie Ackerman- graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography. She has studied with AXIS Dance Company, David Dorfman, Bill T. Jones, Sean Curran, and Earl Mosley (Alvin Ailey). She has several years of experience teaching children and adults of all ages, performing and choreographing. Currently, Abbie is a member of both the Danny Nguyen Dance Company and In Step Dance Theater. Her outgoing attitude, passion for movement, love of young people, and knowledge of the body add to Abbie's informative, lively and imaginative teaching style.

		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.

		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.



		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.


		Deidre Abrons -is an AFAA certified fitness instructor and teaches exercise classes for moms at The Claremont Resort & Spa and throughout the East Bay for Stroller Strides. She is also a Birth Doula and Certified Massage Therapist specializing in Prenatal and Postpartum Massage. She has seven years of experience working with pregnant/postpartum women and also sits on the Board of Directors as the Coordinator for the Bay Area Birth Association. She has completed one year of study as an apprentice midwife at Sagefemme Midwifery. Deidre is also a former second grade teacher. Her education includes a B.A. in English Literature, a CLAD California Teaching Credential, AFAA Group Fitness and Practical Yoga Instructor Certifications, a DONA Birth Doula Certification and a Massage Therapy Certification with 775 hours of instruction in Massage Therapy at The Swedish Institute in New York City, Mother Massage with Elaine Stillerman and the McKinnon Institute in Oakland. She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and 4-year-old daughter and is expecting another baby this spring.