Instructors (updated instructor page coming soon):
Jennifer Barker, Pre-Ballet (3-4)
Years of Dance Experience: 25
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Pointe
Where Dance Was Studied: The Ballet Studio, The Conservatory of Dance, Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian(formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Experience:
• Performed with her church ministry in high school
• Performed with Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland with Placer City Ballet.
Fun Fact:Jennifer talks to herself when she needs to focus.
Maryann Bateman, Sub
Years of Dance Experience: 20
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, Partnering
Where Dance Was Studied: Footloose Dance Studio (Quincy, CA), Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian(formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Fun Fact: Maryann is a serious undercover hippie!
McKenna Culpepper, Contemporary (Level II), Contemporary (Level III/IV), Jazz III/IV
Years of Dance Experience: 9
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary
Where Dance Was Studied: Natomas Charter Performing and Fine Arts Academy, Step 1 Dance and Fitness, Leighton Dance Project
Experience:
• Member of Blackrock Dance Company (2010-2013)
• Instructor, Kids Dance and Fitness (2011-2016)
• Choreographed a Breast Cancer Competition music video (2013)
• Guest dancer for the Kings Dancers half time tribute (2010)
• Recipient of choreography award at Nexstar Dance Competition (2013)
• Taught at multiple dance workshops (2013-2015)
Fun Fact: McKenna loves food more than everything. If she could have a dream job it would be traveling around the world and eating.
Renee Drake, Jazz I
Years of Dance Experience: 9+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz
Where Dance Was Studied: Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church
Fun Fact: Ms. Carolyn was Renee’s first ballet teacher and still teaches her to this day
Jeanine Drysdale, Sub
Years of Dance Experience: 20+
Type of Dance Studied: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Pointe
Where Dance Was Studied: ShowBiz Kids, Natomas Charter Performing and Fine Arts Academy, Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Experience:
• Sacramento Kings Hip Hop Crew (1999-2000),
• NCSPFAA Dance Company (2003-2005),
• Competed at I Love Dance competitions with The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church.
Fun Fact: Jeanine got married at Fairytale Town.
Devin LePage, Jazz II/III, Ballet III/IV, Ballet IV/V, Jazz IV/V, Partnering
Years of Dance Experience: 30+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap,Pointe
Where Dance Was Studied: Old Towne Dance Center, Deane Dance Center, Step One, Krei Matthews, World Jazz Dance Congress, Tremaine Summer Intensives, Pulse Dance workshops, Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Program.
Experience:
• Founder of Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church).
• Teacher and Choreographer, Natomas Charter School Performing and Fine Arts Academy (1999 to present)
• Teacher, Old Towne Dance Center (1993 – 2001)
• Choreographer, King’s Glee Halftime shows
• Lead Choreographer, An Evening in December, 16 years
• Choreography was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
• Masters in Education
• Teaching Credential in Physical Education
• Received overall high score for choreography at “I Love Dance” in 3 age divisions. 1st place production number and teacher feature
• Elly nominated choreographer
Fun Fact: Devin is a huge Star Wars fan!!!!
Rachel Lee, Ballet/Jazz (5-7)AB, Ballet IA, Teen/Adult Intro, Jazz II
Years of Dance Experience: 15+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap
Where Dance Was Studied: Encore! Studio of Performing Arts, River City Dance Academy, Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Experience:
• Choreographed several shows at her previous church.
Fun Fact: Rachel loves all things pink!
Carolyn Melville, Artistic Director, Administrator, Ballet IIB, Ballet III, Pointe I, Ballet IV/Pointe III
Years of Dance Experience: 20+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Partnering
Where Dance Was Studied: Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church), Pamela Trokanski Dance Workshop, Broadway Academy, Marguerite Phares Dance Studio, The Ballet Studio, Sue Geller Dance
Experience:
• Choreographed Lisa Daggs’ music video, “Dancing” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxMIy5mu4SQ)
• Choreographed for One Way Productions (2012 and 2013),
• Instructor for Royal Stage Christian Performing Arts (2013-present)
• Instructor, Pamela Trokanski Dance Workshop (2003-2008)
• Recipient of overall high score for choreography at “I Love Dance” competition
• Choreographed for “An Evening in December” (First Covenant Church, now River City Christian)
• Former member of Pas de Danse Ballet Company (Broadway Academy)
Fun Fact:Carolyn could eat frozen yogurt for every meal.
Rhea Molina, Zumba
Years of Dance Experience: 10
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Hula, Zumba
Where Dance Was Studied: Makati Dance Studio (Philippines), 24 hour Fitness, Zumba Fitness
Experience:
1 Certified Zumba Instructor, Level One Basic
2 Member, Zumba Instructor Network
3 Conducted Zumba workshops during First Covenant Women’s Retreat (2014 and 2015)
4 Showcased Zumba at the Rancho Cordova Ifest 2015
Fun Fact: Rhea memorized all the dialogue and song lyrics in the Sound of Music.
Jackie Pascoe, Pre-Ballet (5-7)B, Ballet II/III
Years of Dance Experience: 20+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Pointe, Polynesian (hula), Drill Team, Musical Theater, Partnering
Where Dance was Studied: Metropolitan Academy of Dance (Colorado), Center Stage Dance Academy (El Dorado Hills), Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Experience:
•Premiere member of XtravadanzersCompani (Center Stage Dance Academy)
•Competed at I Love Dance competitions with The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church.
Fun Fact: Jackie works at Miosa Couture Bridal Boutique downtown when she is not dancing her toes off.
Leah Walukones, Sub
Years of Dance Experience: 21
Type of Dance Studied: Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical
Where Dance Was Studied: Broadway Academy, Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church)
Experience:
10+ years of dance training, including choreography for multiple shows.
Fun Fact: Leah also loves photography and took all of the teacher photos for Ignite Dance Academy.
Jubilee Ward, Pre-Ballet (3-4)
Years of Dance Experience: 10+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Partnering
Where Dance Was Studied:Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church
Fun Fact: Jubilee made a prom dress out of duct tape.
Samantha Ward, Tap I, Tap II, Tap III
Years of Dance Experience: 11+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Partnering
Where Dance Was Studied:Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church
Fun Fact: Samantha saved her money to buy her dog when she was 12 years old.
Amelia Watson, Ballet IB, Ballet IIA
Years of Dance Experience: 20+
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz
Where Dance was Studied:Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church, Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet, Old Towne Dance Center, Rocklin Dance Center
Experience:
Studied ballet at American River College
Fun Fact: Amelia is currently working toward a PhD in Chemistry.
Rose Watson, Sub
Years of Dance Experience: 18
Type of Dance Studied: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz
Where Dance was Studied:Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian(formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church,Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet, Old Towne Dance Center, Rocklin Dance Center
Fun Fact: Rose studies Music Education.
Jazmyn Winczner, Pre-Ballet (5-7)A
Years of Dance Experience: 8
Types of Dance Studied: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Pointe
Where Dance Was Studied:Ignite Dance Academy at River City Christian (formerly The Dance Studio at First Covenant Church, Blackrock Dance Studio (Natomas Charter)
Fun Fact: Jazmyn is studying Dance and Environmental Studies at Sacramento State University along with getting her teaching degree. Her favorite color is blue and she loves puppies.