DAVID KELLY – Owner / Artistic Director
David Kelly’s academic career in the fine arts includes graduate degrees from Kent State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Cleveland Institute of Art. His fine-art skills have translated into a 25 year career as a television and film art director that includes a long list of distinguished credits for prime time television sitcoms and variety specials for all the major networks. He is best known for his production design of the MTV Movie Awards short film comedy vignettes from1994 to 2004.

He has also been the art director for many musical tours and concerts, including Diana Ross’s world tour and Barbra Streisand’s farewell tour and most recently Cher’s new show at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas. He is also working on a new show for the San Diego Zoo’s outdoor amphitheatre set to open this summer. Also, additional works in progress include 4 live show attractions being developed for a major casino resort currently under construction in Singapore. In addition to being an art director David has produced many live dance/variety shows around the world.

In honor of Miss Judy and as the owner of San Clemente Dance and Performing Arts Center David is dedicated to making the school continue to grow and flourish as a world class center for the performing arts.

MICHELLE HANSON – Dance Director / Instructor
Michelle Hanson was raised in a dance studio...literally. At the age of 5, Miss Michelle started dancing and at the age of 10, her big sister opened her own studio here in Southern California (Thanks Lori!). It was there she spent every waking hour training in all dance forms from Tap to Jazz, Ballet to Hawaiian, Hip Hop to Lyrical. Michelle had most of her studio training under the direction of Lori Gangola (Zone Dance- RSM), as well as top instructors in Los Angeles such as Doug Caldwell, Keith Clifton, Roland Dupree, Joe Tremaine, Jackie Slieght & Al Gilbert. She started teaching dance at the age of 16 and quickly found her calling. She has danced & choreographed for many nationally ranked dance teams.

Miss Michelle was a member of the Phoenix Suns Dance Team while getting her BA in Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State. In 1993, Michelle opened her own studio in Gilbert, Arizona. After closing shop and moving to Tennessee, she also started a small dance company, Project Dance of East Tennessee. Michelle also choreographed for a professional football teams as well in Tennessee. In 2002 she left the dance world for Hollywood, working as a TV & Film Producer for the last six years.

While doing a little soul searching and life balancing, Miss Michelle came to realize that teaching dance was where her heart belonged and SCDPAC was the place she wanted to be. Michelle Hanson joined SCDPAC in August of 2008 and comes to us with over 30 years of dance and entertainment experience. She will be teaching Tap, Jazz, Lyrical & Combination classes. With Michelle Hanson as SCDPAC's new Dance Director, we are looking forward to her bringing the same professionalism and technical excellence, in our positive, nurturing atmosphere.

MISS MICHELLE will be teaching Tap, Jazz & Lyrical as well as the Children’s Combo classes.

CHRISTINE NUNEZ – Ballet Instructor
Born in Southern California, Christine Nunez began her formal classical ballet training in Auburn, California under the direction of Sheila Humphreys (Ballet Mistress for the Royal Ballet & Joffrey Ballet). She danced with the Sacramento Ballet from 1994 -1996 in three seasons of the Nutcracker. In 1995 & 1996 she attended the summer intensive programs of Ballet Magnificant! in Jackson, Mississippi, under the direction of Kathy Thibideaux (silver medallist at the 2nd USA International Ballet Competition). In 2002 she continued her dance training at Orange Coast College under the mentorship of Amelie Hunter, Associate Professor of Dance & free-lance choreographer. She has been invited to perform in several Faculty and Student contemporary ballets, including Gloria in 2007 & Espiral in 2006. In the spring of 2007 she completed an internship as a teaching assistant for Ms. Hunter and received her Associates degree. In the spring of 2008 Miss Nunez was invited to join Marie de la Palme’s (award winning choreographer & director of Motion Tribe) Irvine Valley College Performing Dance Ensemble. She began working at San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts in October of 2008.

MISS CHRISTINE will be teaching Ballet & Pointe.

AMANDA OLSEN – Ballet Instructor / Office Assistant
Amanda Olsen was born in Dallas, Texas where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Lyrical. She began her pre-professional training at the Ballet Academy of Texas under the direction of Tom and Lisa Slagle Nicholson. During her time with The Ballet Ensemble of Texas she performed many original works, along with soloist rolls in The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Paquita, Peter and the Wolf, and Tarantella. Miss Amanda has attended several summer programs such as, Ballet Austin, American Ballet Theater in New York, and received a scholarship to attend the State Street Ballet summer intensive in Santa Barbara, CA. She has most recently traveled to Italy for two summers to study with Philip Beamish and Evelyn Heart. Miss Amanda has a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona. In her time at the University of Arizona she studied with James Clouser and performed in several of his pieces, Suite Dimitre, Sleep Out and Con Spirto. She currently teaches ballet for SCDPAC.

MISS AMANDA will be teaching Ballet and Children’s Combo Classes.

TIM STEVENSON – Hip Hop Instructor
Tim Stevenson is one of today’s most innovative and sought after choreographers in Southern California. As the Hip Hop choreographer for San Clemente High School Dance Team, Tim has lead them to four national championships. In choreography he has worked with some of the industry’s greatest performers like Jennifer Lopez, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Rock, Ty Herndon, Destiny’s Child, Stacie Oricco and more. He also has set dance routines on the LA Clipper Girls, Portland Trailblazer Girls, Sacramento Kings Girls and Memphis Grizzlies. Tim comes from an extensive background in all styles of dance and has performed on stages, concerts, television award shows, and music videos with Jennifer Lopez, Boys II Men, Usher, Brandy, TLC, Jennifer Love Hewitt and many more. He currently is the owner/director of On Cue LA Dance Convention (www.oncuela.com). Tim has taught all over the nation and is currently an instructor at Cal State University Long Beach, Orange County High School of the Arts, Defore Dance Center and more. Outside of all his projects, Tim finds the time to produce an album under the artists name MO’AT.

MR TIM will be teaching Hip Hop.

KAREN SONG – Hip Hop Instructor
Karen Song has been dancing since the age of 7 starting with her intense training in ballet. It was not until the age of 14 when she started merging into different dance styles: jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. After taking her first hip hop class, Karen immediately fell in love. She began her training in Hip Hop with Kaba Modern's junior team, Kaba Kids from 2005-2008. Her teachers include Kaba Modern alumni such as Cindy Minowa, Cio Malanzo, Mike Song, Tony Tran, Jia Huang, Andrew Simbol, Andrew Tran, and many more. In 2008, Karen joined Kaba Modern and is currently dancing with the team as a returner. As a member of Kaba Modern, Karen has received training in all fields of hip hop including locking, wacking, punking, popping, tutting, breaking, and commercial. She has competed in numerous competitions and shows all throughout California. Karen has also trained in cheer & song while competing locally and nationally. Karen is currently represented by Bloc Talent Agency with credits of: Skechers Commercial, Paris by Night, Disney's "Jump In" music video, and much more. She is also interning at world-renown's Boogiezone as a staff member. Along with Karen's dance training, she has also been involved in musical theatre and acting and has starred in High School Musical, Paris by Night, etc. Karen is most known for her unique and distinct style. Karen strives to bring excellence to her students while giving an approach of understanding and appreciation of the art.

MISS KAREN will be teaching Hip Hop and Contemporary.

DAYSE TARAKDIAN – Ballet Instructor
Born and raised in Brasil where she studied Ballet at Vera Bublitz Dance Company and School for 10 years, performing different roles like Paquita (principal) , Swan Lake (Odette) , Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy), Don Quixote (Kitri), La Bayadere (corps), Le corsaire (Pas de trois and Medora)where she won a first place in a dance competition advance level, and partnered Peter Boal (NYCB) at the age of 17 performing Dialogue Impossible (contemporary ). She moved to USA in 1999 and has being performing with different Dance companies: La Danserie(LA), San Pedro City Ballet, Media City Ballet (LA), Les Ballets Persian, Motion Tribe (OC), Glory of Christmas (OC), Disneyland (OC), City Ballet of Los Angeles, Namah Ensemble (Persian ,modern) , Flamenco (USA, Canada and Europe tour), Brasil Brazil show (Special solo Samba Ballerina), Costa Victoria cruise ship (Mediterranean sea), Samba Dancer for many different groups and Restaurants all over USA, ballet teacher over 10 years (Brasil and USA). She moved to NY in 2006 when she was an apprentice at NYTB where she did Spanish at Nutcracker 06 and performed different roles at Margot Fontain Academy of Ballet for young audiences and Leggz Nutcracker 07 and 08. She joins us this summer fresh from New York City. Welcome to California!!!

MISS DAYSE will be teaching Ballet & Pointe.

JONATHAN TALMADGE – Musical Theater Instructor
Jonathan Talmadge has worked professionally in musical theatre in over 80 productions in New York, California, Chicago & Michigan. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts, Acting Emphasis from California State University, Fullerton and studied voice with Eric Fütterer. In New York he worked with the American Theatre of Actors, Curan Rep and deep ellum ensemble. In California he has performed with Shakespeare Orange County, San Bernardino C.L.O., Candlelight Pavilion, Redlands Theatre Festival and the Crystal Cathedral. He has directed critically acclaimed musical theatre and Shakespeare productions. He has taught acting and musical theatre at Focus Dance Studio, Insurgo Studios, Camelot Academy and Dance Connections Center. As a singer, he regularly performs his Sinatra-inspired “Vintage Vegas” act at clubs, weddings and private parties all over Southern California. He is also a playwright and composer whose works have been performed in several Orange county theatres.

MR JONATHAN will be teaching Acting and directing the Musical Theater Conservatory.

JOLENE RILEY – Voice & Piano Instructor
Songwriting and singing are two of Jolene Riley’s most favorite things to do, and being a mom of two teenage boys actually tops her list. Jolene has a Masters of Music degree from the University of Southern California. She has been a vocal music teacher in south Orange County and has directed over 50 musicals. She has led worship for women’s ministries at Saddleback Church. One of her most memorable experiences as a vocalist was singing in the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics. As a singer, she has been nominated for Indieheaven’s “Inspirational Artist of the Year” and also for the 2008 Newsome Awards as “Female Vocalist of the Year”. Her song, “Journeyin’ On”, was on the Christian Radio Weekly Top 30 chart on radio stations across the county for over 20 weeks in 2007. Her new project, “The Open Door”, is to be released July 10.

MISS JOLENE will be teaching Voice & Piano.