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OUR STAFF

Arielle Cole
Christina Butera
Claire Suttle
Danielle Tarp
Heather Schweitzer
Janette Najera
Jasmine Anaya
Jena Brigantino
Jenn Georgandas
Jessica Dimpel
Jessie Cosentino
Kendra Anderson
Melinda Malher
Niki Braman
Rana Cummings
Sarah Benjamin
Sharon de Souza
Sharon Her

 

OUR STAFF

	Arielle Cole Arielle Cole has a BFA in Dance, magna cum laude, from University at Buffalo in New York. She has studied, performed, taught and choreographed a wide range of dance styles: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Hip-Hop. Her performance experience includes many concerts and occasional film work. Arielle is a member of Dance Masters of America, certified in Ballet. - top
	Christina Butera Christina Butera has her BA in Theatre and Dance from Santa Clara University. She studied dance instruction in Los Angeles, and dance, acting, singing at American Musical Theatre. Christina loves performing and has done so for many years on stage and in film. As an instructor she has devoted years of volunteer work teaching performing arts to children. She has also become a certified Zumba Instructor. It is her belief that art is not just a privilege, it is a need for our children. - top
	Claire Suttle Claire Suttle, co-owner and director at CLAP Arts, began her studies with RAD ballet in England and expanded her training in the U.S. to include a variety of dance disciplines: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, pilates, yoga. She is a member of Dance Masters of America (DMA) and a graduate of the DMA teacher training, a four-year program for dance educators that specializes in children's dance instruction. She teaches at local schools and dance studios. Claire also holds a B.S. in Computer Science from UC San Diego. - top
	Danielle Tarp Danielle Tarp has studied dance, film and theatre for over 20 years. She has a BA in Film and Media Studies and a BA in Communications from UC Santa Barbara. Her dance background focuses on ballet, tap and jazz. She has taught dance at various schools and community centers, has been an after-school supervisor and a special needs educator. - top
	Heather Schweitzer Heather Schweitzer has always been an artist. Attending Abraham Lincoln High School, a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, developed her skills and fueled her passion for performing. She studied theatre, dance and music at UC Santa Cruz and eventually received her BA in music from Albion College in Michigan. She is a performer, director, choreographer, and instructor. Heather works with all ages, from toddlers to adults, teaching dance, drama, musical theatre, choral singing, and visual arts. - top
	Janette Najera Janette Najera has a BS in Journalism, Radio and Television, and a BA in Speech Communication with a Minor in Spanish. She is trained in many styles of dance including hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, Mexican folkloric and Latin dance. She is a member of Eight Count and has traveled as far as Kenya teaching dance and performing, working with children and sharing her love of dance. - top
	Jasmine Anaya Jasmine Anaya grew up dancing and has been teaching for several years. She teaches various styles of dance, gymnastics, and movement to children of all ages. In her infant classes she works with parents to show them how they can interact with their children through the world of music, dance and gymnastics. Jasmine loves working with children and being able to share her love of dance! - top
	Jena Brigantino Jena Brigantino has a BA in Creative Arts and a minor in Education from SJSU. She has studied various art disciplines including dance, theatre, and visual arts. She is passionate about arts education for children, and believes every child has an innate desire to play, create, and dream. Providing children of all ages and backgrounds a creative outlet is what she strives for professionally and personally. - top
	Jenn Georgandas Jenn Georgandas has a B.A. from San Jose State University in child development. She has been a dance instructor for over ten years, teaching students two years old and up in a variety of dance styles including tap, ballet and jazz. In addition to teaching dance, she managed a private studio for several years, developing curriculum, managing staff, overseeing performing company, and working with parents and children to bring about the best experience possible for all. - top
	Jessica Dimpel Jessica Dimpel grew up on stage and in a dance studio, leading to a lifelong love of the arts. Her background in performing arts is extensive, studying acting, voice, and many dance styles including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, modern, and African dance. She has taught, choreographed and directed children and adults of all levels in California and Pennsylvania. Jessica holds a BA in Latin American Studies with a double minor in Anthropology and Spanish, and is pursuing an MA in education. - top
	Jessie Cosentino Jessie Cosentino has a BFA in dance from Western Michigan University and has taught performing arts and choreographed for several years. She has performed from New York to San Francisco and has produced a number of shows along the way. Jessie has been involved with various projects and companies such as Broadway Meets Jazz, Maria Colaco Dance Company, Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company, TrioDance Collective, Cardinalidae. She was also featured in a music video for Athena Reich, which was nominated for best video or the year at the 2010 OutMusic Awards. Jessie enjoys teaching classes throughout the Bay Area. - top
	Kendra Anderson Kendra Anderson has her MA in Museum Communications from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and her BA in Communications in Media Studies from Fordham University in New York. She has been a dancer and performer for 27 years and has studied many styles of dance, including training at Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre. Kendra worked in the education department at the San Jose Museum of Art, engaging K-12 student in Visual Thinking Strategies. She currently teaches and choreographs at a private middle school and local studios. - top
	Melinda Malher Melinda Malher-Moran has studied dance for over 20 years, including jazz, modern, ballet, tap, improvisation, lyrical and cheer. She received her B.A. in dance from San Jose State University and is continuing her education in pursuit of a Master's degree in children's dance and movement therapy. - top
	Niki Braman Niki Braman graduated Cum Laude with her B.S. in dance and business from the University of Idaho. She has studied many dance styles, pedagogy, and dance composition. Niki has taught and choreographed at the studio and collegiate level for several years, including concert pieces, preschool-adult classes, and competitive routines. Her classes range from ballet to hip-hop, gymnastics to ballroom. Dancing since the age of three, Niki is passionate about dance and aims to teach her students skills such as discipline, self-confidence and how to succeed through practice and correction. She treats each dancer with a gentle firmness that encourages him or her to grow with confidence. - top
	Rana Cummings Rana Cummings has been dancing for over 15 years. Her passion for dance began at the age of five when she took her first ballet class. Over the years she has broadened her interests in dance; learning jazz, lyrical and tap. Rana has a BA in Communication Studies from San Francisco State and has worked with all age groups teaching dance and gymnastics. She enjoys working with children and hopes to inspire them to become passionate dancers. - top
	Sarah Benjamin Sarah Benjamin has a BA in Drama and a minor in Art History from UC Irvine. She has taught theatre, voice, choreography, piano, music theory, and public speaking. Sarah also has experience in musical theatre, clowning, mask acting, and playwriting. Sarah has been in many performances including Dramatic Adventure Theatre in Ecuador. She is passionate about creative arts and working with children. - top
	Sharon de Souza Sharon de Souza, co-owner of CLAP Arts, brings a wealth of knowledge from years of experience in various industries from biotech to performing arts. She studied business at San Jose State University and has a diversified background with emphasis in marketing. She has spent the last 15 years working in performing arts education, specializing in children's programs, and has been recognized for exemplary customer and community service. Sharon led the way to bringing arts to underserved schools and communities, helping to provide classes to thousands of children. - top
	Sharon Her Sharon Her is a visual artist, dancer, and musician. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Pennsylvania. Her dance background includes jazz, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, Lindy Hop, Charleston, and West Coast Swing. She has studied piano for 13 years. Sharon has worked with children 2 years old and up in visual and performing arts instruction. She has helped develop curriculum and taught visual arts, song, and movement classes. She has worked at the de Young Museum, assisting with the Artist-in-Residence program, special events, docent tours, and art-making for students in grades 1-12. Sharon also worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, developing and teaching Museum Looks & Picture Books, a literacy based program for children ages 2-5 years, using themed art activities and related works in the museum galleries. - top

 

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ABOUT CLAP ARTS

Creative Learning And Performing Arts! (CLAP Arts!) is an organization specializing in educational and entertaining performing arts... ->