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< Back Caitlin Mead Faculty: Ballet & Tap Caitlin Mead began her dance training at the age of two in the Conejo Valley and has trained and competed over the years in various styles of dance, including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip-Hop. She competed for several years at industry dance conventions and competitions as well as attended summer dance programs with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Peridance Capezio Center, and was invited by ABT to join their Junior Associate program. In 2021, Caitlin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Entrepreneurship, receiving departmental honors. While at Chapman, Caitlin received professional training from acclaimed faculty and guest artists and performed in high-caliber productions as well as choreographed numerous pieces. Following graduation, Caitlin continued her training at Millennium Dance Complex, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and Exactitude in Los Angeles and New York City, training with industry professionals. Caitlin is excited to join SCPA and provide her students with a strong technical foundation while also striving to share her love of creativity, expression, and passion for dance with others.

< Back Victoria Serra Owner Vicki has been involved with dance for nearly thirty years. South Coast Performing Arts has been in business for over twenty years. Vicki is the Co-Owner and Director of South Coast Performing Arts along with daughter, Stacey. Creating an environment where young people can practice positive values, develop community together AND in the process have the opportunity to become extraordinary dancers, singers and actors, is Vicki’s purpose for South Coast Performing Arts. vicki@southcoastperformingarts.com

< 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 Chantal Ricci Faculty: Ballet, Jazz, Acro Chantal Ricci earned her B.A in Dance and B.S. in Business Administration from Chapman University where she studied, trained and performed with a diverse and accomplished faculty. In addition to training extensively at studios throughout Orange County, Chantal has studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Ballet Pacifica Conservatory and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive programs. While growing up, Chantal was awarded many titles at various regional and national competitions. One of her most memorable early performances was dancing in the children’s cast of the Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker at the OCPAC. Chantal has also enjoyed dance roles in the Crystal Cathedral’s 'The Glory of Christmas' and Disneyland parades. For over a decade she has been choreographing and teaching ballet, pointe, tap, lyrical and jazz for local studios and high school dance programs. Chantal feels very blessed to have the privilege to share her knowledge and love of dance with her community. chantal@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Sierra Tanji Faculty: Tap Sierra Tanji grew up dancing at SCPA and then moved on to graduate from Cal State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Science. She has always been interested in injury prevention for young dancers, and one day intends to further this career in kinesiology. However, she also has a strong drive towards movie musicals, and bridging the gap between narrative film and dance film. Sierra recently choreographed, starred in, and co-directed a dance short film called "C'est LA Vie" which premiered at the Long Beach Art Theater and will be featured in more film festivals coming up in 2024. In 2023, Eliza Loran and Tanji created a theatrical concert dance work titled "1:23 AM 4th & Cherry Ave." which fuses vaudeville acting, tap dance, and contemporary dance to form a silly and joyous performance piece. This work won them "Best Performance” at the 2023 Socal Dance and Choreography Dance Festival. Sierra is trained in a variety of dance forms including, tap, contemporary-modern, jazz, hiphop, and ballet. Tanji tries to blend the variety of skills she has in order to create unique and new work to further the art industry in LA film and concert dance. South Coast performing Arts was her second home growing up and she is thrilled to be coming back to create new experiences for the current dancers and students to learn from! Love you SCPA FAM!

< 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

< 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 Lauren Roberson Faculty: Hip Hop Lauren started dancing when she was three years old, and hasn't stopped dancing since! Lauren's primary training was at South Coast Conservatory in Orange County. At six years old, she became part of SCC's competition team and over the years have traveled to numerous competitions and conventions such as Countdown, Spotlight, Nuvo, Dance Atak, and 24/7. Highlights to competition/conventions include being awarded 'stand-out' awards at Nuvo and 24/7; being invited to to be on “Team Dance Atak”; and numerous overall awards. Also at Spotlight Dance Competition, Lauren was individually recognized to receive their newly created Judges Choice award called “Reaching Beyond”. In Lauren's final year of competing, her jazz funk solo received first overall at Countdown Nationals. After stepping down from competing in 2019, Lauren continued dancing at Dana Hills High School on Pep Squad (Under the direction of our very own Lindsey Lee!), and Southern Orange County School of the Arts Dance Production team while continuing her training at Urge Dance Complex, and Pave School of the Arts. In her final two years of high school, Lauren took on a leadership role as dance team captain and moved into the creative realm with choreography. Currently Lauren is a second year student at Chapman University pursuing a MA in Elementary Education with a Minor in Entrepreneurship. This year, Lauren is starting her student teaching hours in both general ed and special ed classrooms. In addition, at Chapman, Lauren continues her dance studies in jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary and hip hop styles taking full advantage of college dance. We are not surprised to learn that Lauren is also involved in the dance club on Chapman campus. She has been on the dance club's executive board as social chair and has choreographed numerous routines for their seasonal shows and performances. After completing her degree, Lauren plans to teach elementary school as well as continuing to teach dance. (Lucky SCPA!) Here is a short message from Lauren: "Dancing is a part of who I am, it has made me confident, created some of my best memories, and made it possible to meet the most amazing people. Dance has brought me so much joy for as long as I can remember. My passion for expressing myself, creating art through dance, and just having fun while moving has only gotten stronger. My passion has especially grown from just loving dance to also a passion for sharing what I love and guiding young dancers to fall in love with dance in the way that I have!"

< Back Lindsey Lee Faculty: Jazz, Dance Team Lindsey first began dancing when she was six years old and hasn't stopped since. She trained at Irvine Dance Academy in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical. She devoted her life to dance and competed with both her studio as well as with her high school dance team when she was younger. In high school, she was awarded several solo titles including Miss USA National, Miss Dance Drill Team California and 4th Runner up to Miss Dance Drill Team United States. After high school, Lindsey attended UCLA where she earned her BFA in Art History and her Masters in Education. While in college, Lindsey danced professionally in Los Angeles as a member of the UCLA Dance Team. While on the UCLA Dance Team, Lindsey had many opportunities, including choreographing competition routines. She appeared on Fox Sports Television shows, and was a featured dancer in the Choreographers' Ball in Los Angeles. While living in LA, Lindsey continued to train at both the Edge PAC and was also on scholarship at the Dance Center, formerly known as Tremaines Studio of Dance. After college Lindsey worked for the United Spirit Association teaching summer dance camps all over California, Utah, Texas and Washington. Lindsey has choreographed for a variety of schools in the Southern CA area and continues to do so. Lindsey began coaching within the High School Dance Team arena and her team was awarded 1st place for their "Small Lyrical" dance in the USA Nationals Championship Division. In addition to teaching dance, Lindsey also judges for CADTD dance competitions. Lindsey is a dance teacher at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point and is working to develop the dance program within the school. During her first year of teaching she was awarded the "Rookie Dance Team Director of the Year" by the CADTD organization. Teaching dance is a dream come true for Lindsey and she hopes to instill within her students the same love and passion that she has for the art form of dance. Lindsey is married to her wonderful husband, Aaron and has two beautiful little girls, Camryn and Dani, who I am sure you will see dancing at the studio. lindsey@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Marisa Prolo

< Back Tasha Skipps Faculty: Hip Hop Tasha discovered her love for dance at a young age, growing up immersed in the arts with a passion for dancing, singing, and acting. While all three brought her joy, it was dance that truly captured her heart. Over the years, Tasha has trained in a variety of dance styles, and her dedication has been recognized with several awards and honors. She had the privilege of attending a summer program at the Joffrey Ballet, where she focused on jazz and contemporary dance, and was invited to continue her training with their trainee program. In addition to performing, Tasha has had the opportunity to model for dance catalogs, further expanding her experience in the industry. Now, with over a decade of teaching experience, Tasha is grateful to be part of the SCPA team, where she shares her love for dance with students and contributes to the day-to-day operations. Whether she’s teaching, helping with office tasks, or supporting her fellow faculty and students, she strives to bring calm and positivity to everything she does. Tasha is proud to be part of a community that fosters growth and creativity. tasha@southcoastperformingarts.com

< Back Stacey Serra Hammond Owner Stacey started dancing at the age of 10; it has been a significant part of her life ever since. Her background in dance includes being captain of the UC Davis dance team as well as their Administrative Assistant. Through those roles, Stacey earned experience in Marketing & Promotions, Creating Databases, Development and Organization of events. Stacey has a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Davis. Over the past several years, Stacey has continued to learn about business and life through one of her passions, travel. While volunteering for a program in New Zealand, she had the opportunity to help recruit new volunteers and began learning website design and internet marketing. Even though she is always looking for new challenges and adventures,Stacey finds comfort in knowing that her SCPA Family is always waiting for her return. stacey@southcoastperformingarts.com