Our Teachers

Betsy Melber

Betsy Melber has been teaching dance for over 25 years. Dance has been in her life since early childhood. At the age of 4 she performed in her first dance recital, "Alice in Wonderland."

Her extreme passion for dance and music led Betsy to studios across the United States and extensive training in Southern California. With a passion for the rhythmic styles of tap and musical theatre, as well as an innate talent and ability for acrobatics, kept her on the move, constantly creating shows and musicals and plays at a very young age.

Her professional experience began as an original company member, scholarship student, and apprentice dance instructor with 'Danny Daniels Dance America' Tap Company, based in Santa Monica, California. Betsy worked extensively with Danny and his program receiving the finest training in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre. The group performed in dance concerts throughout Los Angeles, as well television appearances. Later, her passion grew for ballet and she studied for many years at the World Famous 'Stanley Holden Ballet Company,'€� in Los Angeles, while simultaneously studying Tap and Jazz from movie, television, and stage choreographer Paul DeRolf. Additional teachers that have made an impact on her life and style are Caroline Dyer, Harriet DeRea, Margaret Hills, Steffan Wenta, Joe Tremaine, Marge & Cower Champion, Milton Greene, Jim Taylor, Fayard Nicholas, Mark Mendoca, Linda Sohl-Donnell, Sam Weber, Steve Zee, Lynn Dally, Bernice Danylchuck and Helen Costa, to name a few.

Betsy's performance credits include Dance Concerts, Television, Films, Industrial shows throughout the United States. Betsy has worked as co-choreographer for stage review shows for lake Tahoe, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Betsy opened Agoura Hills Dance in 1998 as a natural progression from an extensive commercial dance career, teaching and choreography, and as a way to enable her to develop a program that expands her passions, and to provide a place for other like-minded teachers, choreographers, dancers and their families.

Many of her students have gone on to professional dance careers, appearing on Broadway, in movies, television, videos, touring companies, and various Dance Companies.

Betsy's love and passion for dance makes it a joy to be able to have a special place that others who share this passion can come together to sing, dance, create, laugh, grow, and to develop each person's potential.

The support and love from her family, husband Chuck, Chuck Jr., and Carly have been her greatest blessing, and she is filled with gratitude for the joy and love they have always given her.

Damian Whitewood

Damian began dancing at the age of 10 and has been Australian Champion, WA State Champion and Australasian Champion in Ballroom and Latin American styles. He has also represented Australia in the Worlds Youth Latin in Germany, the Worlds Youth Ballroom in Russia and was a semi-finalist at the Blackpool International Championships in the UK. In 2000 he retired from competing to become a cast member of the show Burn The Floor, with which he toured the world with for 9 years and ended on Broadway 2010. He has appeared on the American "Dancing With The Stars" season 11 with Pamela Anderson and the Australian version as well; he has also performed on "So You Think You Can Dance" in Australia and Holland. Damian is very passionate about performing this art form all over the world and thanks his family for all their love and support.

Emma Winkler

Agoura Hills Dance is very proud to add to their staff Emma Winkler!

Emma has subbed Hip Hop classes here at Agoura for the past couple of years and is now coming on board as a regular and we couldn't be happier. Emma is a fierce and fun dancer, teacher, and choreographer and has performed in Television, Films, Commercials and more. In addition to her extensive dance training in Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet and more, Emma is a singer and actress, and has worked with a variety of artists as a dancer and choreographer. Some of the talented dance trainers she has worked with are, Jeremy Keeton, Kim McSwain, Robert Reed, Brian Friedman, Nick Florez, Chris Dupre, Chris Jacobson, Joey Tarwater, Mike Minery, Chloe Arnold, Tabitha and Napolean, Tucker Barkley, Marty Kudelka Jason Samuels Smith, Wade Robson, Dave Scott, and many many more. Originally from Texas, she has studied in LA at Millennium, Edge Performing Arts Center, Debbie Allen Dance Academy and many others. Emma has received numerous titles and scholarships at both regional and national levels, including several National titles at Jump, Adrenaline, Monsters of Hip Hop, Hall of Fame, Odyssey, and many others. She was also a featured dancer in the September 2006 issue of Dance Spirit Magazine.

Emma is energetic and full of life, and passionate about dance, and is thrilled to be here teaching this year at Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center, and we are fortunate to have her.

Alexia Liavas

We are so pleased to welcome Alexia Liavas to Agoura Hills Dance!

Alexia will be starting a brand new Intermediate/ Advanced Contemporary class on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 starting October 5th.

Alexia is a Dancer, Choreographer and instructor who loves to dance, and it shows. She has extensive performance experience,beginning at a young age, but is a teacher at heart. Professionally she has performed for Colorado's Momentum Contemporary Dance Company and has many shows in California, as well as industrial shows and benefits. She has been teaching for 12 years and is well trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop and Dance Team styles. She is originally from Colorado, and moved to Los Angeles to continue her professional training at the Edge and Milennium Dance Complex. Alexia has choreographed for Dance teams in Colorado and Los Angeles, in every style of dance as well as all ages.

Her choreography has wonlocal and national titles, as well as outstanding choreography awards.

Some of the instructors Alexia has worked with are, Denise Wall, Eddie Garcia, Amanda Leise, Cheryl Copeland, Denise Leitner, Jason Pettigrew, and JennySchiff, to name a few. We all look forward to Alexia's Contemporary class starting in October. Highly recommended for High School Dance team dancers.

Kelly Ann Sloan

Kelly Ann has been dancing professionally for over 10 years with Cincinnati Ballet and currently with the Los Angeles Ballet. She began her training at the New Jersey Ballet School, spending summers at American Ballet Theatre and "Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell" at the Kennedy Center. She then attended Indiana University School of Music where she graduated with degrees in ballet and journalism. While a student at IU, Kelly Ann won the National Society of Arts and Letters Ballet competition. Kelly's professional career has included many soloist roles with the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Los Angeles Ballet, and the National Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, CA. Also a professional choreographer, Kelly Ann has created new works for Cincinnati Ballet, Island Moving Company in Newport, RI, and the Patrick Notaro Dance Project, and has been featured at Ballet Builders in New York City, and the Choreography Under the Stars Competition in Palm Desert, CA. Kelly Ann has taught all levels of ballet to children and adults throughout her career and loves sharing her passion!

Anthony Thomas

Discovered by Janet Jackson in his early 20's, he catapulted to worldwide fame for his groundbreaking choreography on Jacksons, Rhythm Nation 1814 album. An overnight sensation, Thomas' Rhythm Nation 1814 tele-musical won a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video, MTV's Music Award for Best Choreography and the MTV Vanguard Award. The video is ranked on MTV and VH1's lists of Greatest 100 Videos of all time. His innovative gift of versatility and physical rhythm, earned him an honored place in music history when he combined popping and locking for the first time. The marriage of these two forms of street dance changed the direction of hip hop and created a standard of excellence in the world that has yet to be matched since Rhythm Nation. Inspired one afternoon as an 8 year old boy watching the now legendary dance group The Lockers on Soul Train, Anthony's dream, to touch the lives of people around the world through dance, was born and thrives in today's entertainment industry. With a signature style yet to be matched, his choreography is alive and can be seen in Disney's A Goofy Movie, Robin Williams Toys, Luther Vandross' Never Let Me Go World Tour, and Wynonna Judd and the Judd's Power to Change Tour, to name a few. Anthony Thomas' long list of achievements is reflective of how he has played a pivotal role in paving the way for today's top contemporary dance artists and choreographers. 20 years after Rhythm Nation, Anthony Thomas remains at the top of his game teaching popping and locking at premiere dance studios in LA and abroad to some of the best dancers in the world. Each year, hundreds of students flock to his classes in hopes of gaining a piece of hip hop history and to study under the living legend himself. He continues to work as a choreographer with artists here in the US and internationally. A creative force in the dance world, Thomas is as passionate as ever about his gift and determined to continue to be an inspiration to the world. For more information about Anthony Thomas check out his official website soon to come at AThomas.com or visit him at www.myspace.com/rhythmaster1.

Megan Wabby

Megan began dancing at the age of three and hasn't stopped since then! Being a part of a competition team for over ten years, she has attended many conventions and competitions winning many awards. Megan was captain of her high school songleading team for three years choreographing numerous routines that won top awards throughout Southern California. In 2002, she was invited by the United Spirit Association to be a member of their AllStar team where whe joined them ot perform in Paris, France. Receiving her dance training here at Agoura Hills Dance, she had the priviledge of performing the roles of Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty as well as the caterpillar for two years in their original ballet "Alice in Wonderland". In 2007, Megan graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Megan is very excited to be back and teaching students of all ages here at Agoura Hills Dance!

Sharon Luchs

Sharon's teaching credits range from preschool movement to adult ballet pointe and technique, and include extended teaching engagements in New York City at the Callina Moraytis School of Classical Ballet, at the Learning Annex, and in Raleigh, N.C. at Danceurs Studio. While in Raleigh, she served as a multiple presenter in dance education for the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children. For the past several years Sharon has served as a judge for On Stage America for regional dance competitions on both coasts. After graduating from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, she performed extensively with the North Carolina State Ballet and the East Carolina Dance Theatre. She concluded her post-graduate studies as a scholarship recipient at Harkness House in New York City.

Sayhber Rawles

We are fortunate to add to our incredible team the highly respected and much sought-after dancer/teacher/choreographer, and the second half of the fabulous duo Dennon and Sayhber Rawles. Sayhber and Dennon have worked together dancing and choreographing for 6 major motion pictures, hundreds of commercials, hundreds of television shows, night clubs, and musical theatre, alongside such greats as Warren Beatty, John Travolta, Ann-Margret, Sylvester Stallone, Jeff Goldblum, and Toni Basil. Her recent musical theatre choreography credits include South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity, All That Jazz, and Gypsy. Her technique for teaching jazz is thorough and concise, incorporating the classic style of Bob Fosse, Jack Cole, Jerome Robbins, and Michael Kidd. She brings these styles to current music, for a challenging and rewarding class you won't want to miss. We are very proud to have Sayhber here at Agoura Hills Dance.

Brim

Brim got his jump in the industry by being one of Orlando's hottest and most sought-after choreographers. After working with the likes of the Backstreet Boys, Blaque, and Aaron Carter--just to name a few--he decided to move deeper into the industry by taking on acting, developing stage shows, and producing music. Soon after, he became the Creative Director for Big 3 Records/Entertainment, where he created, developed, and delivered a spectacular show in Monte Carlo, France, for the Prince of Monaco. Brim recently appeared in the smash hit movie You Got Served (Sony/ Columbia Pictures) and now calls Los Angeles home. He has teamed up with Mad Tasty for a film which he is writing and for which he is producing the soundtrack. It is currently in pre-production.

Rachel Spada

Rachel has been dancing since she was 6 in Buffalo, NY. Born and raised there, she focused her training at two dance studios and did various competitions in the Western New York area as well as New York City. She went to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and received a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance and also received an award for outstanding choreographic achievement over four years. She's work with the Rock School, River North Chicago, Alven Ailey and the Hip Hop group FloMotion before she left Philadelphia. In July of 2005, she moved to Los Angeles where she hopes to really start her career. She dances in Jessica Starr's company, "Twisted Elegance" where they have performed at many venues as well as Choreographers Carnival. She's work with Mia Michaels, Marty Kudelka, Wade Robson, and Tovaris Wilson just to name a few. She hopes to one day have a dance company of her own.

Forest Philbrick

Forest started dancing with her cousin, in Thousand Oaks, 13 years ago. They also drove to Downtown L.A. and took hip hop classes from various dance instructors. As she and her cousin became more accomplished, they started choreographing for themselves and began teaching in Thousand Oaks. She has been teaching for 7 years now. Not only has she been teaching hip hop, but she has also taught French to preschool age children at a school in Westlake Village. Forest trained under the direction of Joe Malone in 2002, and decided children were going to be her main focus. She has choreographed for various cheer/dance teams and singing groups. She also portrayed Pink in the 2001 Moulin Rouge music video on MTV's show Becoming. She is currently attending college and studying nutrition.

Jenelle Lancaster

Originally from Alberta, Canada, Jenelle Lancaster began dancing at the age of 3. She trained in all styles of dance, including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and lyrical. When she was 16, Jenelle traveled to Riesa, Germany to compete in the World Dance Championships, where she took home a gold medal for her self-choreographed tap duet, as well as team gold for jazz. Jenelle began her professional dance career at the age of 17 when she moved to NYC and acted as the assistant choreographer for the world famous Radio City Rockettes. Her love of dance has allowed her to travel the world with a variety of shows, including a 3 month tour of Asia with "Las Vegas Show Girls", and the European leg of the "CA Dance Express" world tour. Jenelle eventually found her way to Los Angeles, where she has had the privilege of dancing in a variety of live stage shows. Most recently she could be seen in Disney's production of "UP" at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Jenelle has also made several TV appearances, including Calvin Klein's "Look Good, Feel Better" ad campaign and FOX's "VIP Passport" series. Additionally, Jenelle has danced in a number of music videos for world famous recording artists, such as Kylie Minogue and The Roots, to name a few. So far, Jenelle has had an exciting dance career, and she looks forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with the students at Agoura Hills Dance this coming year!

Brittany Merrill

Brittany has danced since she was seven years old. She grew up in a ballet studio where she became part of the Civic Ballet Company. At a young age she was able to perform with a jazz company in China twice, Cuba and Russia. She played principle roles like Clara in Nutcracker and Queen of Hearts in Alice and Wonderland. She was offered scholarships to summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet, California Ballet, and Lines Ballet. She started her own Youth Contemporary Ballet Company, in which they performed with the SLO Symphony and all over California. She also taught classes of various styles from ballet to hip hop. She then auditioned and was one of the twenty dancers get on scholarship at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood. She has since gone on to work with many of those choreographers. She is currently assistant choreographer for Eddie Garcia. She has been a principle dancer in commercials such as the Nip/Tuck promo with choreographer Marguerite Derricks. She has done stage shows for America's Got Talent in Vegas, and Disney. She is in the Latin partnering show for international star Charo. She has done award shows for Spike TV and was in the Grammy's this year. She has done modeling for sportswear and dance articles as well.

Zippora Karz

She is a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins (The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker being one of her favorites) as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett. Today Miss Karz is a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, staging Balanchine ballets all over the worlds. When she is not traveling Ms. Karz teaches and coaches ballet locally."

Tara Kamath

With a 25-year professional background in bodywork and bioenergetics, Tara has taught yoga since 1998. She is certified to teach both Larry Payne's therapeutic "Prime of Life Yoga", and the Vinyasa Krama method of Srivatsa Ramaswami, thirty-year student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya.

Amanda Kofsky

She has worked with the likes of Roland Petit, Redha, Patrick Dupont and has appeared with Gloria Gaynor, YES, Sylvie Vartan, etc, in ads (Diet Coke, Yoplait, Bally). Based in Paris for 16 years, Amanda taught and choreographed for stage, television, film, and fashion in Europe, Asia, South Africa and USA and was awarded the Volnine International Choreographic Prize. Amanda's Style is vibrant and emotive and she brings her own unique touch of blues, funk, jazz and always something new. Her love of dance and enthusiasm make each class a burst of energy!