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Deirdre Hawkins, founder and Artistic Director of the Folsom Lake Civic Ballet, holds a Master of Arts in Education, with a specialization in Dance, from Stanford University.
Her early training began with William and Harold Christensen and the San Francisco Ballet. Deirdre studied modern dance under Frank Shawl and Victor Anderson and was a company member of the Shawl Anderson Modern Dance Center in Berkeley.
As a graduate student at Stanford University, Ms. Hawkins was a teaching assistant in ballet and modern dance. She also co-founded "Children's Dance at Stanford," a program for children of students and alumni, and established the "Friends of the Dance at Stanford,' a fundraising organization. Both programs continue to enrich the Stanford community today.
Owner and director of the Hawkins' School of Performing Arts for the past 23 years, Ms. Hawkins has won numerous regional and national awards for her choreography and for the high level of technical proficiency and artistry of her dancers. She was recognized in 2003 by the City of Folsom for her "outstanding contribution to the performing arts in Folsom," her third such commendation by the City Council in the past eight years. Ms. Hawkins was also the recipient of the 2005 Elly Award for choreography in the "young people's Theater" category for "Alice in Wonderland". In 2006, she had the honor of collaborating with Maestro Michael Neumann and the Folsom Lake Symphony in FLCB's production of "Peter and the Wolf." Also, in 2006, Ms. Hawkins choreographed the Camilla Symphony's production of Stavinsky's "The Firebird," under the direction of Allen Pollack, Music Director and Conductor. In December 2008 and 2009, she again collaborated with Maestro Neumann and the Folsom Lake Symphony in presenting excerpts from the "Nutcracker."
Ms. Hawkins is the proud mother of Luke, a dancer/singer/actor currently performing in Cirque du Soleil's "Banana Shpeel" at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
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Anjuli Born has been dancing for fifteen years training with Marguerite Phares. She joined the Phares Theatre Ballet Company at ten years of age. Since then, She has performed most of the roles in the Nutcracker, from a tiny mouse to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Other full Ballets in which she has danced a major role are Copellia, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Anjuli traveled to Iowa for a summer workshop with Ballet Iowa. She has been teaching for three years. Marguerite Phares trained her for four years to become a teacher. Currently, Anjuli is attending American River College, majoring in sign language. Her goal is to become a Ballet teacher for the deaf and hearing. |
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Scarlette Bustos holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts with a minor in Communications from Sacramento State University, as well as Associates Degrees in Theatre and Psychology from American River College. Scarlette's most prestigious honors include being named KCACTF Irene Ryan Semi-Finalist out of more than 275 actor nominees from the Western United States, an Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Award, and three Acting Scholarships. She has enjoyed such roles as Elizabeth in The Crucible, the lead in Teatro Espejo's My Visits with my Grandmother Marta, Annie in All My Sons , Rosalind in The Curate Shakespeare - As You Like It , Maggie in The Man Who Came to Dinner, various roles in Lovers and Liars and The Laramie Project, and in musicals such as Oliver!, Oklahoma!, and The Pajama Game, just to name a few. Outside the theatre, Scarlette has enjoyed working with children for years as an Acting Instructor and a child care worker. Scarlette feels honored and privileged to be able to share her love of acting with the talented students of the Hawkins School of Performing Arts.
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Tessa Buys grew up in Utah where she trained extensively in jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, acting, tap and ballroom with teachers including Derryl Yeager, Rick Robinson, and Garth Peay. As a student she toured the US performing and competing, and spent time during her summers training at prestigious Los Angeles studios. After locating to the Sacramento Area, Tessa began teaching jazz, hip hop, contemporary and children's classes and was a member of the Ruth Rosenberg Dance Ensemble. When not dancing or teaching, Tessa is a mother to three little boys and an artist in the scrapbooking industry. Tessa feels blessed to have been teaching and directing competition troupes at the Hawkins School of Performing Arts since 2001.
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Monique Chilcutt graduated from CSUS with a BS in Health Science and a minor in dance. She has an extensive dance experience background including: Danced with a professional modern jazz company in Sacramento, "Jazzworks", a student company at Sac. State, "Jazzie", danced and choreographed for Sacramento Kings NBA Dance Team, "Fastbreak", danced and assistant directed for Sacramento jazz company, "Pulse", danced and choreographed for modern dance company, "Full Circle", taught for USA Jazz Dance Camps, directed and choreographed for Sac. State Dance Team, "Xtreme Dance Team", taught jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, and hip-hop to all ages 4 to adult in various cities in US and Canada. |
Rebecca Henning is a native of Sacramento, California who has received dance training as well as performance and teaching experience from local studios. Since the age of three, she has undertaken a disciplinary training in the art of ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical which has enabled her to perform at national and international venues such as Disneyland, Las Vegas, and even Rome, Italy. She has also had the opportunity to perform with the Russian Ballet Company in their production of The Nutcracker, guest perform with the Folsom Lake Civic Ballet in the productions of Coppelia and Cinderella as well as lead master workshops for California Dance and Movement Workshop for Educators. She is a graduate of Sacramento State University with Master's degrees in Theatre and English and currently teaches at American River College as a Dance Professor |
| Elaine Hunter began her dance training at the age of four. She studied ballet under Marguerite Phares, Stuart Carrol, and Sharon Newton and danced with both the Theater Ballet Company and Capitol Ballet Company. as well as the Sacramento Academy of Dance. Elaine has studied several other dance styles including tap with Joanna Summerhays and Krei Mathews, hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. Elaine has competed at the national level with her high school dance team; and has taught several dance clinics and tap classes. Elaine is a supportive and devoted teacher whose love of dance is shared with all of her students. |
Michael (Mikee) Joaquin was first inspired to dance in the 8th grade when a breakdance battle broke out during a school dance. Wanting to learn the moves he saw, Mikee began working out in garage sessions with dance friends and attending local dance events. After graduating from Oakmont High School in 2006, Mikee spent the summer taking as many professional hip hop classes as he could, building his knowledge and dance vocabulary. Mikee's natural dance ability quickly lead to invitation to join the Asian Image dance crew. The small group of seven, let by Dennis Saicocee, former member of Kaba Modern and current director of That One Company, performed throughout Sacramento and competed in the Gift 2 Gig dance competition in Vallejo. Mikee then went on to perform with such groups as Press P.L.A.Y. and the Boogie Monstarz dance crew. Mikee is still dancing with Boogie Monstarz and is also a member of 2nd Nature crew.
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Kelli Leighton started her dancing career at a young age in Utah. She won top honors at numerous competitions, including a feature on the Today Show, and was awarded numerous dance training scholarships for schools all over the US including the prestigious Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. At Utah State University, Kelli was a member of the Sunburst Performing Company and had the opportunity to choreograph in addition to performing. She later moved to Los Angeles and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA working in Film, Television and Industrials. Kelli dedicates her summers to continue training and has studied under such greats as Doug Varone, Abby Fiat (University of Utah), Jan Erkert (University of Illinois), Mia Michaels, Dwana Smallwood (Alvin Ailey), Ana Marie Forsythe, Ronald K. Brown, Carla Maxwell (Jose Limon) and many more.
In addition to being the founder and full-time artistic director of CORE Dance Collective, Sacramento's professional contemporary dance company, Kelli choreographs for soloists, drill and dance teams, as well as dance companies throughout Utah, California, and Idaho. Her choreography has garnered awards at multiple competitions and national conventions. She teaches master classes for various high schools, private studios and universities including CSUS and USU. She is currently on faculty at Step I Dance and Fitness in Sacramento, where she heads the jazz competition teams.
Kelli finds inspiration in the human experience and in the bonds that people form through movement. Her vision is to promote a healthy professional environment where dancers of all experiences come together to inspire each other and enrich their surrounding community. Her unique athletic contemporary style along with a contagious passion and energy for dance has made her one of the most sought after master teachers and choreographers. |
Geno Lobato began dancing at the age of six. His teaching career was established in 1990 with Show Biz Kid Productions in Sacramento and continued with Get Fit Dance and Fitness Productions. Geno's performing experience is extensive, having had a professional position with the Christian Industry as being the back-up dancer for rapper T-Bone on nationwide tours through 1997. He was the opening act for such hip-hop groups as The Roots, NAS and DED Prez and toured with Soul Sonic Force and Afrika Bambaataa. With the assistance of Sacramento School Districts, Geno developed after school programs for elementary and high schools in dance, health and fitness, and volunteered his time mentoring troubled teens while performing with dance groups to encourage area youth to become involved in community endeavors. Geno offers informational and motivational speeches in diet, health and fitness while sharing his passion for dance.
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Alyson Meador started dancing when she was seven years old. Born with dance in her blood - her mother was a former Rockette and her father was a part-time Arthur Murray ballroom dance instructor - Alyson has long been driven by a passion to teach dance. She started as an assistant teacher in her family's studio and served two years as area representative and instructor at the H&H Dance Troupe convention before owning her own Bay-area dance studio, A Step Ahead. She is currently a tap instructor at the Hawkins School of Performing Arts. Her students have gone on to become dance majors in college, Rockettes, Broadway performers, Forty-Niner Gold Rush Girls, and dance instructors. Her choreography has appeared on local San Francisco television programs, has been performed at the University of San Francisco, and received numerous competitive awards. In 2001, she received the Dance Teacher Award at the Shows topper competition. Among her non-teaching credits, Alyson has worked for Warner Brothers television and performed on tour in Mexico. Consistent with her passion for teaching, Alyson sees her most important role as being a mother to her four children and a mentor to her students. She is excited to see her classes grow and become a place for her students to learn teamwork, commitment, and dedication and develop a love for the art of tap dancing. |
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Sherry Melchers studied dance for 17 years at The Viola La Verne Aronson's Imperial School of the Dance in Folsom, CA. In her pre-teen and teen years she represented the studio as part of the advanced performing group (ballet, pointe, jazz and tap). She was a featured soloists in various dance forms most notably toe tap (pointe shoes with taps). Sherry started as a dance assistant to Mrs. Aronson and began teaching in the mid 1970's. In 1976 she spent a year at Tiata College New Zealand and continued dancing at the Upper Wellington Dance Studio. In 1977 she moved to LA to further her dance education. She trained extensively with renowned choreographer Jackie Sleight (owner/operator LA Dance Magic competitions and conventions), Carol Conners (LA Dance Force Tour Director) and living legend Joe Tremaine (Tremaine Conventions and Competition), until a serious back injury prevented her from dancing for many years. Healed, and stronger than ever, Sherry began teaching at the Hawkins School of Performing Arts in 1997. At Hawkins, Sherry has found her niche working with the younger dancers; she loves their energy and they love her fun spirit and positive attitude. |
Joana Naftaly studied ballroom dance before her high school years began, then she studied the many styles of dance that brought her interest into performing arts. She is a dance team coach and teacher for "FLIP TO IT" studio. Joana happily revolves her life around dancing and performing, she is currently dancing for ARC Dance Company. She also dedicates much of her time to choreographing and helping Robyn Soliman at Antelope High School. Joana plans to tryout for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE in the future!
| Tony Nguyen started his dancing career when he finished high school. His training started at a local Sacramento ballroom training in all forms and styles, but he came to love Salsa, Swing, Tango, and Waltz. Wanting to expand on his vocabulary he decided to start taking ballet, jazz, and tap at American River College under Carrie Perriera and Sunny Smith. He transferred to CSU Sacramento in the fall of 2006 and is currently training under under Nolan, T'Sani, Lisa Ross, Lorelei Bayne, and Randee Paufve. He has also trained with CORE Dance Collective for one season, and interned for Joe Goode Performance Group in summer of 2009. He is happy to be working at Hawkins, and looks forward to more years of teaching and creating work on the kids. |
 | Erin Nobbe is a native of Sacramento. Erin studied Ballet with Marguerite Phares as a child and joined the Phares Theatre Ballet at age 10. Erin danced with the Company throughout her high school years and had many opportunities to dance with professionals. Upon graduating, Erin danced professionally as principal dancer with Ballet Iowa, a Company directed by former Bolshoi Ballet dancers. Since returning to California with her husband in 1999 she has performed as a guest artist for Phares Theatre Ballet. Erin has been teaching for the Hawkins' School of Performing Arts since 1999. |
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Patty O'Neil has been a resident of Folsom since 1993 and teaching at the Hawkins School of Performing Arts since 1994. She began dance instruction at age five and focused on ballet while dancing with the Tucson Community Ballet Company. While attending the University of Arizona, Patty studied ballet under the instruction of Nina Janik and George Zorich. She teaches an eclectic style of ballet incorporating both Cecchetti and Russian techniques. Patty really enjoys sharing ballet with her students.
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Maureen Roman has lived in California most of her life and has been performing since the age of 12 in theater, and churches, both pre-professional and professional. She has traveled across the East Coast performing in several states and even in Central America and has studied her craft in Canada, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento. She has been in productions such as Oklahoma, starred in The"Perils of Pawleen" and "The Gift' directed by Sha' Givens. She currently lives in Loomis, CA and loves teaching as well as being a proud wife and mother of three.
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Marlene Richards, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and has taught dance in college and professional studio arenas for the past twenty years. She also headed her own professional company in the Bay Area as artistic director and choreographer. Marlene has studied Ballet and modern dance under such dance dignitaries as Mia Slavenska, Richard Gibson, Lar Lubovitch, Donald McKayle, Gus Solomones Jr. and dance educator Dr. Alma Hawkins. She has participated in dance '87 Sacred Dance Guild National Conference in New York, as well as the "First International Liturgical Dance Conference" in Avignon France. Ms. Richards was the recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship/Graduate Dance center for Choreography at the University of California, Los Angeles. |
| Tracy Shearer has been teaching Acting classes at Hawkins for nearly 15 years. She is also on the Theatre Arts faculty at American River College where she teaches Acting, Theatre, Film and Diversity classes. In addition, she directs and vocal directs productions for both American River College and the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Music degree from University of the Pacific and a Master's in Theatre from CSUS. When she's not teaching, she's thoroughly enjoying her two school-age daughters, both of whom have been taking Dance and Acting classes at Hawkins since they were old enough to show an interest! |
| Robyn Soliman has been teaching at Hawkins for 11 years, training with "CORE Collective Dance Company" in Sacramento, choreographed for local dance teams and theater companies, danced Polynesian dance with "Halau Lokailia" of Diamond Springs and "Rapa Ta Tira" of Stockton. Currently, Robyn teaches dance at Antelope High School as well as Hawkins School of Performing Arts. |
Beverly Stewart started dancing at the age of three. She has had training in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, ballroom dance, gymnastics, and singing. She studied at the Orange County Ballet Company, the National Ballet School of Canada, and Broadway Dance Center in New York. At the age of seventeen, she started working for Royal Cruise Line as a lead dancer, company manager, and vocal soloist in the Broadway revue shows. She has worked in Los Angeles, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, as well as on a national tour performing in shows such as "42nd Street", "George M!", "Hello Dolly", "Cinderella", and "No, No, Nanette", as well as Best of Broadway here in Sacramento She also worked for Disney Special Events Company for three years. Beverly has been teaching dance for over 15 years. She enjoys being a wife and mother most of all! |
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James Wakeley was born in Massachusetts and as far back as he can remember; people would constantly drop quarters in the jukebox to watch him move. The more they wanted to see the more he wanted to do! He never passed up an opportunity to dance, no matter what the occasion! Getting tired of the cold weather, he decided it was time to move to California. He attended Mira Loma High School and spent most of his lunches working on new moves with many of his friends. He took this time to prepare for rallies and off-campus demonstrations.
He's had the pleasure of working with Pepper Von to help our community on many occasions, such as "Dream Collectives"," The House", and "Holy Cry". Has had the opportunity dancing as a Kali Kat Dancer at Cache Creek Casino, and has been in shows such as "Let's StayTogether", and "Clara's Nutty Adventures". James has taught the arts of hip-hop and breakin for the past four years, and to him, it never seems to get old! "There's always something new to learn! -Music drives me; it helps me think, makes me breath, and proves I listen. Music is my life." |
Monica Watts received her early Ballet training with the Bolf Dance Academy in Ottowa, Canada. After moving to California, she earned a degree in Physical Education with a Dance emphasis from California State University, San Jose. She then furthered her dance training with the Los Gatos Academy of Dance under the direction of Gloria Mohrs, formerly with George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet. Monica brings management skills to the school with a background in business as a troubleshooter for Crocker National Bank and office manager and real estate agent for LADEVO (Land Development Corporation). Monica manages business affairs for Hawkins' School of Performing Arts. |
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