Dance Studio 84 currently has 24 staff members - 19 of whom are instructors.

Below, you will find photos of our staff members along with short biographies. First, the instructors are listed, in chronological order based on when they started teaching with the studio; and, next, the desk staff, also in order of seniority.

Included on this page are: Carla Hunt Smallwood, Connie Russo, Shannon McNey, Wendy Wickman, Shauna Rice, Nancy Alterman, Michele Bachar, Ashley Calendo, Carrie Schott, Kelsey Dolan, Laura Carson, Carrie Melendez, Denise Bailey, Melissa Miles, Robert Schultz, Tanya Kuhn, Gregg Russell, Shirlene Quigley and Kobi Rozenfeld; and, Daphne Dindal, Leanna Dindal, Taylor Clancey and Stephen Holm.

Carla Hunt Smallwood
Since 1978 (Director since 1986) · Combo, Tap, Jazz, Special Needs

Carla has been teaching dance for as long as she can remember… including in her Kansas basement when she was 13 years old teaching neighborhood kids for 25 cents per class! Moving to Santa Clarita Valley in 1976, living just blocks away from Reena’s Dance Studio, Carla continued her dance training there, started working the desk, which led to substitute teaching, which led to teaching her own classes, which, ultimately led to purchasing the studios in 1986.  As an adult, Carla trained at a variety of professional dance studios - Morro Landis with Joe Tremaine and Pat Rico; EDGE with Gregg Russell, Randy Allaire and many others; Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. After more than 30 years of teaching dance in Santa Clarita, many former students have brought their own children to take from “Miss Carla!” Having raised three now grown children in the Santa Clarita Valley, Carla continues to give back to the community that has provided her the opportunity to do what she so loves: teach children to dance!

Connie Russo
Since 1983 · Combo, Ballet

Connie started dancing when she was just 4 years old. Throughout her life, she has extensively studied dance, including: with the Elizabeth Farnsworth Dance Academy in Indianapolis; with Butler University, also in Indianapolis; with Dance Caravans, in both Indianapolis and Chicago; with the Irene Kosmovaska School of Ballet in Beverly Hills; and with the Buddy Ebsen School of Dance in Pacific Palisades. Connie also studied extensively with the UCLA Dance Department. The styles of dance she has studied and passes on to her own students include: Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Folk, Ballroom and Gymnastics.

Connie's many accomplishments in dance include: starting dance lessons at age 4 (and Connie was only 10 when she started teaching dance herself); placing 2nd in the Indianapolis All City Talent Competition in 1965 (for her ballet performance); being the student choreographer for all musicals at both her junior and senior high schools; serving as Dance Captain and Choreographer for the Palisades High Dance Team; also serving as Dance Captain and Choreographer for the UCLA Dance Team; being the Choreographer for the Mary and Joseph League Mardi Gras Ball (Los Angeles) for 13 years; being the Choreographer for the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Debutante Ball for 24 years; teaching with the Newhall Elementary School After-School Dance Program for 3 years; and performing with the London Royal Ballet in 1995.

Connie considers her life accomplishments to include: being married to John Russo (for over 35 years now); raising three wonderful children, Joseph, Robert and Kelly; teaching Kindergarten at Newhall Elementary School; being a member of the Santa Clarita Valley community for over 33 years; volunteering for Henry Mayo Hospital; and being a dance instructor with Dance Studio 84.

Connie has been teaching at the studio for more than 25 years (with several different directors/owners). She continues to thoroughly enjoy passing on her love of dance to new generations of students.

Shannon McNey
Since 1993 (w/ studio since 1983) · Creative Movement, Combo, Tap, Jazz

Shannon began teaching at Dance Studio 84 in 1993, but her career here started long before that! At just five years old she became a part of the Dance Studio 84 family. Shortly after she joined, she started dancing in Miss Carla’s class (the current director) and her love of dance developed.

Trained in tap, jazz and ballet, Shannon teaches ages 2-15. As a student, she competed in many dance competitions and has proudly taken her own students to some of those same competitions. She has worked for the Saugus Union School District teaching dance in their after school programs. She also enjoys running the summer dance camp at the studio.

Shannon feels that her more than 25 years at Dance Studio 84 is a testament to what a great place it is to be. She is looking forward to passing her love of dance on to her young daughters Morgan and Ashlyn.

Nancy Alterman
Since 1999 · Lyrical Jazz

Nancy’s dance career has taken her around the world. She has performed on a cruise Ship to South Africa and South America and toured in the international company of A Chorus Line. Nancy danced and choreographed Industrial Shows throughout the United States and Europe.

Her professional musical credits include: A Chorus Line (in CA), West  Side Story, Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, Mack and Mabel and Lunch Room. Some music video credits include dancing for Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Joni Mitchell and Elton John. She has performed in many award shows such as the Academy Awards. Television credits include: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Tracy Ullman Show, Desi and Lucy, and numerous commercials. Some of her film credits include Grease II, Dick Tracy, Bugsy, Dr. Detroit and Rat Race.

Nancy has choreographed and/or directed 16 musicals at several high schools. She has a B.A. in Dance from U.C. Irvine and has taught in Los Angeles and at UCLA, including their summer musical theatre workshop. She has been an instructor with Dance Studio 84 for almost 10 years and is in awe of Carla’s incredible dedication to the “art of dance”.  "Thanks Carla!"

Michele Bachar
Since 2000 · Ballet

Michele Bachar was born and raised in Los Angeles, and started dancing at age 5. She studied ballet at the Los Angeles Ballet school under the direction of John Clifford. Her primary teacher at the school was Irina Kosmovska, who was a former dancer with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. At fifteen, Michele moved to the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica, and continued her training with Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire. In addition, she also studied with many guest teachers such as Alexander Goudenov, Melissa Hayden, Violet Verdy, and attended a summer session at the Pennsylvania Ballet School.

At the end of high school, Michele couldn't decide whether she wanted to go to college or be a dancer. She was torn between the two worlds and had to make a decision. She decided to do both. While studying for her Bachelor's Degree in History at UCLA, Michele expanded her dance training to include jazz, hip-hop, modern, and acting. She attended various schools in the L.A. area including the EDGE Performing Arts Center. After her graduation from UCLA, she signed on with the Bobby Ball Talent Agency and began to book professional dance jobs.

Michele's versatility in dance styles gave her many opportunities to always work in different fields of dance. She has appeared in national commercials for Pepsi, Betty Crocker and AT&T; on television shows such as The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show and Murder She Wrote; and videos for bands such as Blink 182 and Smashmouth. She has done industrials for companies such as Herbalife and Aveda; and live shows for Disney, Glen Cambell and The Radio City Rockettes. She also has performed with several dance companies in the L.A. area, most recently, The Francisco Martinez Dance Theatre.

Since an ankle injury in 2000, Michele changed her focus to teaching and doing her own choreography. She is thankful for all of the gifts that life has given her and loves teaching at Dance Studio 84!

Ashley Calendo
Since 2002 (with the studio since 1988) · Combo

"Dance Studio 84 has been an amazing part of my life for 20 years".

Ashley started dancing at Studio 84 at the age of 3. She has performed in many national competitions and studio recitals. She has also performed in many of the Nutcraker productions; Earning highlighted roles by auditioning, she has danced the solo performances of Clara, Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Mouse King. She further studied performing arts classes in college, but the majority of her dance training has come from her fellow teachers, "the best".

Now 23, she has been substitute teaching at the studio for 7 years and has had her own Saturday morning classes for almost two years. She teaches combo classes for ages 3 to 7, and subs ballet, tap and jazz for all ages.

"I could not ask for a better job, I love every minute of it!"

Carrie Schott
Since 2004 (with the studio since 1992) · Ballet

"I was lucky enough to start dancing at Studio 84 when I was five years old. My mom took me to see the annual performance of the Nutcracker and as soon as I saw the Sugar Plum Fairy on her pointe shoes I was hooked!!!"

In her 13 years as a student at the studio, she trained in ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and competed and performed with the Company. "Each of my teachers, Carla, Christine, Connie, Jacq, Michele, Shannon, Shauna, and Wendy, all made such a wonderful impression on my life. I feel so thankful that as a teacher I can now pass down the incredible gift of dance as well as the discipline, life lessons, and support that I have always received here at Studio 84."

When she's not teaching at the studio, Carrie works as a hairstylist at Priscilla's Salon, where she specializes in color. The salon is located just a few bocks from the studio off of Newhall Ranch Rd. Carrie offers 10% off to all Studio 84 dancers and families. "Come visit me and see my other creative outlet!"

Kelsey Dolan
SInce 2005 (with the studio since 1991) · Jazz

Kelsey was born and raised in Valencia, California. She began dancing at Studio 84 when she was 3 years old, has been teaching at the studio for the past 4 years, and is currently teaching Jazz dance.

In 2006, Kelsey graduated from Valencia High School, where she had spent all 4 years on the Dance Team. She competed and performed at many dance team competitions and dance shows. Also while on the Dance Team, she perfected her skills as a Jazz, Hip-Hop and Contemporary dancer. These styles of dancing have helped her create choreography that is beautiful and unique.

She currently attends California Institute of the Arts and is majoring in Dance. She is studying many styles of modern dance, such as the Limon Technique (Jose Limon) and the Horton Technique (Alvin Ailey and Lester Horton), as well as Ballet. Many other approaches in choreography and improvisation are also included in her curriculum at Cal-Arts. She expects to graduate in May 2010 and hopes to continue a career in dance.

Laura Carson
Since 2006 · Hip-Hop

Laura Carson is an international celebrity, dancer and choreographer. She came to Los Angeles three years ago from Japan, where she had operated her own dance studio for seven years. She is famous for her annual dance shows, television performances and theater spectacles.

Laura specializes in Hip-Hop, and has trained in New York, Japan & Los Angeles. In addition to teaching at Studio 84, Laura is a private dance coach and an active choreographer. Most recently, she choreographed for the Jr. Clippers.

Laura is passionate about helping people gain confidence, health and style from dance. Her signature “Hollywood” style and immense talent are an inspiration to all of her students.

Carrie Melendez
Since 2006 · Combo, Tap, Jazz, Tumbling

Carrie was born in Buffalo, New York, and started dancing at the age of 9. She joined the company team 2 years later and competed in numerous competitions in jazz, tap, acrobatics, and hip-hop. During this time, Carrie was awarded the title of Miss NY Dance Olympics.

After college, she went on tour with Sesame Street Live followed by 42nd Street. After touring for a few years, Carrie moved to NYC where she studied at Broadway Dance Center, with Alvin Ailey and received a scholarship at Steps on Broadway. In NYC she was contracted with Everlast Apparel and appeared in events promoting the wear in a hip hop dance show as well as print ads. She also did fashion shows for United Colors of Benetton as a dancer. Then she auditioned for Royal Caribbean Cruises and worked with them as a performer for years traveling all over the world.

Following her time with Royal Caribbean, she moved to Los Angeles, where she was a teacher for Princess Cruise Lines. It was while teaching for Princess Cruise Lines that she discovered Dance Studio 84. Here at the studio she teaches jazz, tap, and tumbling, and brings a little “east coast” to her home away from home, Dance Studio 84.

Denise Bailey
Since 2006 · Company 84, Jazz, Hip-Hop

A line spoken from the musician Atmosphere states, “Inspiration stems from love and stress compounding.” With this idea and by taking the energies of everyday life to transform them into movement, Denise has found a way of having her own, true personal voice.

Having spent most of her childhood growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, Denise was exposed to an eclectic array of sounds and music.  Whether the source was a train passing in the night by her house, or the way a local band would stir in motion to their tunes at a local venue, she quickly realized that she had artistry in her blood…it was innate.  So, she naturally turned to dance… choreography, teaching came later, but the point being she had things to say, ideas to express.  All those artistic hallways like music and movies and nature, only helped to jumpstart the pursuit to work on her craft, and make her dreams an everyday reality.

Now residing in Los Angeles, Denise has been able to train with some of the top teachers and choreographers of this time.  She has been blessed with many opportunities to travel the world, as an assistant at different workshops and conventions, as well as teaching people herself of all ages who share her passion for the art.  With a solid background in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop, Denise has evolved her teaching techniques to focus on the perfect equality of stretch and strength in the body.  Believing that training the mind is just as important as training the body, with the right balance of focus, determination, and strength, dancers can conquer anything.

By continuing her dance education and broadening her experience via commercial and stage work, Denise hopes to continue to utilize the offerings only inspiration can bring to explore and expand herself as an artist, and therefore transcend that art to the next generation of dancers.  “This is only just the beginning…”

Melissa Miles
Since 2006 · Company 84, Jazz

Melissa was born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan.  She began training in gymnastics and dance at a very young age.  After high school, she attended the Jammnation dance convention and was awarded a scholarship to Broadway Dance Center in NYC. She studied in New York for a year before making the move to Los Angeles. Since her move to L.A., she has established herself  as being one of the most sought after dancers and  up and coming choreographers in the Industry.  She has performed with many artists including TATU, Lil’ Bubba, Ricky G., Jesse Morales, Kara, Sean VanDerWilt,  and Gloria Gaynor.  Other credits include The Latin Grammy’s, Adidas, Pin Up Girls USA, 30 Seconds to Fame, Miss USA Pageant,  USO European Tour, Gypsy Awards honoring Chita Rivera and Rob Marshal, iPop, and the Mtv Movie Awards.

Last summer she danced in the extreme sports show All Wheel’s Extreme. This year, she will not only dance in but also co-choreograph this same show. She choreographed the comedic play Seven Redneck Cheerleaders as well.

Melissa has had the chance to travel internationally dancing, teaching, and choreographing throughout France, Spain, Japan, Korea and Canada.  She also travels throughout the United States teaching master classes and working with top ten university dance teams including choreographing MSU’s national competition routine.

In addition to being part of the Dance Studio 84 family, Melissa is currently teaching an advanced jazz class at the EDGE and Debbie Reynolds Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Her class consists of a variety of styles including lyrical, thrash and funk.

Tanya Kuhn
Since 2006 · Jazz

Tanya was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance. Through dance, she has been able to travel the world. She has worked with artists Diana Ross and Lisette Bustamante. She has been lucky enough to work with such choreographers as Jamie King, Brian Friedman, Andre Fuentes, and Robert Schultz, who she currently assists. She has also worked with Chebar Williams, Michael Taylor and Nian Cadman-Dake.

She worked for Royal Caribbean,  performed in industrials for Southwest Airlines, and performed in numerous Carnival shows at the Key Club. She was also in a commercial called Love, Equality, Pride, directed by Robert Spaniolo and choreographed by Ryan Heffington.

" Thanks to my family and friends for all their support."

Gregg Russell
Since 2007 · Tap, Hip-Hop, Master Classes

This Emmy nominated choreographer has worked with such stars as Bette Midler, Gene Kelly, The Nicholas Brothers and Michael Jackson. He directed a commercial for Carvel Ice Cream and performed with numerous music artists including Reba McEntire, Smashmouth, Sugar Ray, Jason Mraz, the B-52's, Toni Basil and Alanis Morrisette. You might have seen him on television in Even Stevens, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tonight Show or national Gap commercials. Gregg was also featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine as an entrepreneur who directs his own tap company titled Tap Sounds Underground, travels with the conventions Company Dance and Dance Olympus and owns the corporation 3D Dance Network, Inc.

"Gregg Russell brings to tap an eclectic mix of style including hip-hop, jazz and lyrical along with a traditional base, reminiscent of Gene Kelly and the Nicholas Brothers. It is a joy to watch him dance”
- Kenny Ortega, Director of High School Musical

Shirlene Quigley
Since 2008 · Hip-Hop

At a young age Shirlene Quigley knew that dance was her path in life. She began dance at the age of 4, and was on a national winning dance team all through high school. Once she became 18, she began the pursuit of a professional dance career. She signed with one of the top dance agencies in Los Angeles, McDonald Selznick Associates. Her second audition was for superstar Beyoncé, for her “Crazy in Love” video/promo tour, and she BOOKED!

Since then Shirlene has danced around the world, on television, in film, and on stage with artists such as Beyoncé, Missy Elliot, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child, Ray J, Mary J Blige, Jamiroqui, Rhianna and many more. With the love of dance, she has been blessed to be able to spread her knowledge and inspiration to children of all ages for over 5 years and now is proud to be an instructor at Dance 84.

Daphne Dindal
Since 2004 (with the studio since 1993) · Desk Staff

Daphne has been a Dance Studio 84 employee since 2004, but has been a studio family member since 1993, when her daughter began dancing with "Miss Carla."  When her second daughter became a DS84 student, her relationship with the studio and all its staff and families was secured as an exciting friendship.  Her family is still firmly rooted in Dance Studio 84, with both daughters expressing their love of dance at the studio.

Born in a small town in Hawaii, Daphne grew up enjoying slow paced island life dancing the hula, playing the piano and ukulele, and volunteering until she moved to Massachusetts to experience a different world through college and work.  There, she received inspiration working with children and the handicapped.  She then entered CalArts, and later began working in freelance art and animation.  Being a mom ended her work as a regional office manager for a datachecker company and began many years of child rearing and volunteer activities.

Daphne is grateful to all the wonderful friends she's discovered in the staff and families of Dance Studio 84 who make her work rewarding and fun!  One of her favorite quotes that reflects the studio is by Helen Keller, who said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Leanna Dindal
Since 2005 (with the studio since 1993) · Desk Staff

Leanna started dancing at Dance Studio 84 when she was five years old.  Since then she has taken tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop, performed in fourteen recitals, and appeared ten times in the Nutcracker Ballet.  At the age of seven, she was part of a group dance under Miss Carla's direction that attended national competition and placed first overall in almost every category.

Leanna still continues to dance.  Dancing will always have a place in her heart, and this love for dance started at Dance Studio 84.

Taylor Clancey
Since 2008 · Desk Staff

Taylor was born here in Valencia in 1990.  He attended Hart High and graduated in 2008.  Although dance is not a part of his life (besides working at the studio) he surrounds himself with art.  He plays saxophone, guitar, bass, and piano.  Taylor also plays in two local bands, Laundromat Robbery and Get to the Point.  Occasionally Taylor DJs with his brother at various events.

Taylor currently attends COC and is interested in audio production.