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< Back Megan Buell Front Office Megan has been part of the South Coast Performing Arts family since enrolling her daughter in dance at the age of three. Now 16, her daughter has grown up in the studio, and Megan has become deeply involved in supporting the dance community. She currently serves as the president of the South Coast Stars non-profit booster club, where she works alongside other dedicated parents to enhance opportunities for the studio’s competitive dancers. In addition to her role at South Coast, she brings a wealth of experience as a former business owner and currently works part-time as a Catering Server at the Honda Center. This variety of roles reflects her passion for helping others and making a positive impact in her communities. Working at the studio’s front desk once a week allows Megan to stay connected with families, sharing her love for the studio and welcoming everyone who walks through the doors. Megan's current passion project is working to expand the non-profit to help spread awareness about mental health in the dance community, and bringing the benefits of dance to the underserved and vulnerable communities. megan@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Ashley Parker Faculty: Duckies, Combo, Jazz Ashley was born and raised in Orange County, CA and began dancing at The Irvine School of Dance. She continued to pursue ballet training with Ballet Pacifica in Irvine, CA. Over her dancing career, Ashley attended prestigious Summer Intensive Programs such as School of American Ballet , Pacific Northwest Balle t, Miami City Ballet and Joffrey Ballet School . Ashley joined the Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program in New York City from 2007-2009. Throughout her career she had extensive training in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary & Jazz dance. Ashley officially joined the SCPA faculty in 2015 - teaching a range of styles and ages! Her passion is sharing the love of dance with her students. ashley@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Anessa Davies Faculty: Tap Anessa Davies is a current Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate in Dance at California State University, Long Beach, while also working towards a minor in Sociology. Davies is trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, musical theater, and pom styles. She dedicated two years of her college career to the Long Beach State Spirit Team, under the direction of Rey Lozano. She has been in numerous productions at CSULB, showcasing her talent in two student works, one MFA thesis, and one faculty work, alongside esteemed tap guest artist Steve Zee. Along with Steve Zee, Anessa has trained under Andrew Vaca, Danzel Thompson-Stout, Rebecca Lemme, Steven Sofia, and many more. She made her dance film debut this past March, under choreographer Sierra Tanji, with the title of C'est La Vie. Anessa had the opportunity to choreograph a jazz piece titled Coffee For Two, for the 2024 Contemporary Concert at CSULB.

< Back Shawna Skipps Operations Director Shawna Skipps is the Operations Director at South Coast Performing Arts, where she keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With a keen eye for detail and organization, Shawna ensures that both faculty and families have the support they need for a seamless studio experience. A lifelong performer, Shawna is passionate about singing, dancing, and acting. She has extensive experience in all three, having performed in musical theater, choirs, and plays throughout her life. Shawna has also taught dance, singing, and acting, and she loves helping students develop their talents and build confidence. Although she started her college journey as a Musical Theater major, Shawna found her true calling in studio operations, combining her artistic background with her organizational skills. Outside of work, Shanwa enjoys spending time with her family, especially her siblings, and cherishes moments with her friends. shawna@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Colin Harabedian Faculty: Hip Hop Colin Harabedian is a dancer and choreographer from Carlsbad, CA. His specialty is in hip hop and contemporary dance, with focuses on hip hop, breaking, popping, and house dance. His history and experience in both the street dance, dance studios, concert, and the commercial dance world has led him to build a very well rounded and seasoned career that he brings into his classes and students. As a teacher, he feels that it’s important to share the proper foundation to students, regardless of style, and provide an open and safe space to learn and grow. He believes that when teaching hip hop, teaching multiple styles creates a stronger foundation for students to pull from in their choreography, freestyle, and general practice of the dance and culture. His teaching style focuses on building the tools to be able to freestyle, knowledge of dance, growth as a dancer, literacy and fluency of movement, strength and control, and mental and physical stamina. He loves getting to work with kids of all skill levels and watching them improve in their movement and their love of dance grow. Having a positive role in students’ lives is something he holds very dearly. Being able to play a small part in their journey as a dancer and person is a joy for him, and he loves watching the next generation of dancers that are coming up. colin@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Megan Anderson Faculty: Jazz Megan Anderson has been dancing for 8 years and loves dance with all of her heart. Her favorite style is jazz funk, but she has trained and continues to train in a variety of styles. She is passionate about teaching the fundamentals of jazz and educating young dancers on the history of Jazz, to help them better understand the origins of certain movements. She believes understanding the history of the movement is extremely important for growth and development of technique. As an SCPA alumni, she is excited to join the faculty and help to train the next generation of SCPA dancers!

< Back Rachel Scott Faculty: Jazz Rachel Scott received her initial dance training at Southland Ballet Company where she studied the Vagonova method under the artistic direction of Salwa Rizkalla. During her adolescent years, she performed in full length ballets and later became a soloist with Festival Ballet Theater where she danced alongside renowned professionals such as ABT's Julie Kent. Rachel continued her dance training on a full scholarship at DeFore Dance Center, and shortly after completing her scholarship, was asked to join their Faculty as a ballet instructor. Rachel accepted, and since then, has been teaching ballet, pointe, and jazz alike for over ten years. Rachel was also one of the original members of Mike Esperanza's BARE Dance Company, and she has performed professionally in musical theatre for several years. She now teaches dance full time, and considers herself beyond blessed to share her passions with the students of South Coast Performing Arts. rachel@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Jessica Parr Competitive Director With over 12 years experience as an independent dance instructor and choreographer, Jessica's choreography in jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe and tap have won numerous local, regional and national awards. Dancers who were trained by Jessica have worked in music videos, theatre, television, motion pictures, been accepted into impressive dance companies and have become dance instructors and choreographers themselves. Her experience includes teaching at studios throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties in California from 2000-2006 then in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties in North and South Carolina from January 2008-April 2012. After which, she returned to California and started working with South Coast in Spring of 2012. Additional experience includes High School dance choreographer in Pacifica Dance Program from 1997-2000. Jessica is a well-rounded and gifted dance instructor who desires to share her talents by influencing others thru teaching. Jessica believes in motivating and educating students of all levels and from all walks of life. She helps them to feel confident about their bodies, skills and talent, while building self-esteem, confidence, and discipline to reach dreams. jessica@southcoastperformingarts.com

SCPA Faculty Victoria Serra Owner Vicki is SCPA's original Dance Mom! She is passionate about continuing the legacy of her daughter, Talia Serra Bradley. Lee mas Shawna Skipps Operations Director Shawna Skipps is the Operations Director at SCPA, where she keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Lee mas Carolyn Lovett Ballet Director Carolyn serves as SCPA's Ballet Director. She also runs Lovett Dance Center, a renowned ballet training program. Lee mas Megan Buell Front Office Megan is a dance mom, turned faculty member. She also serves as Booster Club president for the Competition Teams at SCPA. Lee mas Jordyn Jones Faculty: Jazz Jordyn is an SCPA alumni and currently teaches Jazz Lee mas Ashley Parker Faculty: Duckies, Combo, Jazz Ashley teaches a variety of styles for our youngest dancers. She is passionate about creating a safe & fun space for all her students. Lee mas Lauren Roberson Faculty: Hip Hop Lauren currently teaches Hip Hop Lee mas Stacey Serra Hammond Owner Stacey is the Owner of SCPA. She has a passion for travel and enjoys spending time with family. Lee mas Jessica Parr Competitive Director Jessica serves as the Competitive Director at SCPA. She believes in motivating and educating students of all levels and from all walks of life. Lee mas Tasha Skipps Tasha is a life-long dancer with a passion for positivity & creativity. Lee mas Anessa Davies Faculty: Tap Anessa Davies joined SCPA as a Tap instructor in 2024. She currently attends CSULB and continues her training in many different styles. Lee mas Lindsey Lee Faculty: Jazz, Contemporary Lindsey is an award winning teacher and choreographer. When she's not teaching, she's probably taking her daughters to their dance class! Lee mas Gina Quintana Faculty: Creative Movement Gina has over 25 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about bringing dance & the arts to hospitals and schools. Lee mas Rachel Scott Faculty: Jazz Rachel is a beloved ballet teacher at SCPA. When not teaching, you can find her behind a camera, perfecting her dance photography skills. Fun Fact: She is the photographer for many of our faculty headshots Lee mas Julie Rhoton Artistic Director Julie is the Artistic Director at SCPA and passionately works to provide an inclusive space for all dancers Lee mas MJ Wolff Creative Director As Creative Director for SCPA, MJ Wolff consistently creates award winning choreography, while helping to inspire & nurture our dancers Lee mas Megan Anderson Faculty: Jazz Megan is one of SCPA's alumni and has returned to teach Jazz to young dancers. Lee mas Colin Harabedian Faculty: Hip Hop Colin brings a unique blend of experience to SCPA. He is passionate about spreading positivity. Lee mas Devyn Lovett Faculty: Ballet Devyn is a seasoned performer and award winning ballet dancer. He brings fun and creativity to his classes and enjoys watching dancers embrace ballet. Lee mas Chantal Ricci Faculty: Ballet, Combo Chantal is an accomplished dancer & choreographer. She currently teaches ballet to some of our youngest dancers and enjoys sharing the love for dance with the community. Lee mas