AGGIE EIDSON, DIRECTOR
Aggie graduated from California State University at Hayward and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/ Dance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She is a credentialed teacher in the state of California. Aggie has performed as featured dancer in numerous dance revues, and was lead dancer and choreographer for the Tom Lois Singers. As a member of the Olympic Dance Corps, she performed in the Opening Ceremonies for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Aggie has choreographed several local theatrical productions, including They're Playing Our Song, Mame, The Sound of Music and Bye Bye Birdie, and Kabaret for Kids . She has been awarded top honors for her competition choreography, including the American Dance Achievement Award, and is an adjudicator for regional and national dance competitions. Additionally, Aggie choreographs posing routines for bodybuilders and fitness competitors. Her posing choreography has won international recognition and was featured at the 2000 &2001 Ms. Olympia in Las Vegas. She has been featured in FLEX and MUSCLE AND FITNESS Magazines for her work with professional bodybuilders, and has been noted for her expertise in the art of stretching and flexibility in BIOMECHANICS Magazine. Aggie has been recognized and quoted for her teaching philosophy in GOLDRUSH, a magazine for dance professionals. She is currently a part-time dance instructor at Carondelet High School. In 1996, Aggie founded Studio A with the philosophy of providing recreational and competitive dance opportunities in an environment which nurtures creativity and promotes the self-esteem of the dancer. Many of her students have continued their love for dance and have gone on to study dance at prestigious colleges such as Boston Conservatory, as well as dance professionally on Broadway, professional cheerleading squads, cruise ships, and have become dance instructors themselves.

RICHELLE BUCHHOLZ (JAZZ, CHILDREN'S COMBO)
Richelle received her training from Pat Jackson's American Dance in San Luis Obispo, Caiforinia. After studying with the prestigious Ms. Jackson for six years, she attended Cal Poly where she continued her dance training. Upon moving to the Bay Area, Richelle choreographed and performed in a variety of theatrical productions. In 1999, she began teaching at the Pleasant Hill YMCA and has been instrumental in developing the dance program for the facility.

KATHERINE GALINDO (JAZZ, TAP, HIP-HOP)
Katherine received her training under the direction of Aggie Eidson and Lani MacKenzie. She has performed in several local dance productions, performing as featured dancer in a variety of pieces including "The Legend of Johnny Cool", "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore?, "Unchain My Heart", "Missionary Man", "I'm the Only One" and "The Money Kept Rollin' In". She has received numerous awards for her dancing, including special recognition as an outstanding performer. Katherine's tap choreography has won numerous top awards, including several high score placements. Students travel from all corners of the Bay Area to take her challenging and innovative Tap and Hip Hop classes.

APRIL KLASSEN (CHILDREN'S COMBO, JAZZ, TAP)
April received her dance training under the direction of Aggie Eidson. She has been a member of the Studio A competitive team, which has won numerous 1st place awards as well as special recognition for outstanding performance. In 2005, April joined Coterie Dance in Oakland and performs regularly with the modern-jazz company. April has been teaching dance and gymnastics to children since 1999.

JOSLYNN MATHIS (HIP HOP, ALL BOYS' COMBO)
Joslynn began her dance training at Southfield Lathrup in Detroit Michigan, studying modern, ballet, hip hop, jazz, African and contemporary dance. She was the recipient of several awards, including the City of Southfield Mayor Award for Youth Performance, National State Award (2001), and the All American Dancer for National Dance Alliance (2002). In 2003, she was hired to tour with Aretha Franklin as a dancer and assistant choreographer. Joslynn studied towards her degree in dance at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She previously taught in Detroit , Seattle, and Santa Cruz. She has received national recognition for her choreography that was showcased in Las Vegas. Joslynn is currently working towards her masters in dance.

HOLLY MORROW (BALLET)
Holly began her dance training at the age of 5 in Los Angeles at the Westside School of Ballet, and later attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She also completed summer study at the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the San Francisco Ballet School on full scholarship. In 1990, Holly was accepted into the School of Cleveland Ballet where she was quickly promoted to an apprentice with the company. After becoming a full company member in 1993, she began an impressive career performing soloist and principal roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Serenade, Theme and Variations. When not performing with the San Jose Cleveland Ballet, Holly worked with the Chatauqua Dance Company and for the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels. Holly has also performed in independent films, modeled for various photographers and danced for choreographer Keith Young in the opening sequence of The Drew Carey Show. She has been teaching ballet to all age levels for the past 8 years.

MERCEDES SHEETS (BALLET)
Mercedes David Sheets began her ballet training with French master teacher, Vala Bovie. From there she studied for seven years at the San Francisco Ballet School on full scholarship. During her years at the school, Mercedes performed extensively with the San Francisco Ballet before graduating into the company under the direction of Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin. While an artist of the company Mercedes was featured in a variety of roles, including several from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Vilzak Variations, Stravinsky Piano Pieces, Song for a Dead Warrior, Beauty and the Beast, and several Balanchine ballets. She was hand-picked by Jerome Robbins to dance in his ballet Circus Polka. Mercedes toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad with SFB, including tours in Tel Aviv, Athens, Venezuela and the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Her exquisite dancing skills were honed under the tutelage of such notable teachers as David Howard, Finis Jhung, Erik Bruhn, Anatole Vilzak, as well as a variety of teachers from the Royal Ballet in London. Television appearances include Smuin's The Tempest and Robert Gladstein's Symphony in Three Movements, both broadcast nationally on PBS. From 2004 to 2007 Miss Mercedes coordinated the Fine Arts Appreciation Program (FAME) at Strandwood Elementary. Mercedes also choreographs and participates in Strandwood's annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, in which she loves to bring out the dancer in each child. Miss Mercedes loves being a mom and her greatest achievements are her two wonderful sons, Dylan and Derek.

MARY VINES (CHILDREN'S COMBO, JAZZ)
Mary began her dance training at the age of 10 under the direction of Aggie Eidson, Stacy Sheffield, and Karen Kovac. She began her performance career as a jazz competitor, and won recognition for her outstanding technique and performance ability. Mary has performed in productions of The Nutcracker and several jazz dance revues. In addition, she was a featured dancer in several performances with the Tom Lois Singers. Mary loves working with children and has found her niche in teaching dance.

ARIANNA KEEVER (JAZZ)
Former company dancer, Arianna Keever will be teaching Jazz I on Thursdays. Ari is known for her stunning technique and students love her energetic personality.

BRANLEE QUERUBIN (POPPING & LOCKING)
Branlee Querubin will be teaching a Popping & Locking class as well as an all-boys hip hop. Branlee is an outstanding performer whose athleticism amazes everyone who has had the pleasure of seeing him dance.