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	Our Teachers

Our highly trained and caring teachers make every student's experience at Gotta Dance Studio Academy of Performing Arts a positive experience of personal and artistic growth.

	Cindy Gebelein, Director Cindy started dancing at the age of six, and has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She performed at military bases and with marching bands all over the county. Cindy has performed in Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and Japan. She studied dance with Gus Giordano of Chicago and Joe Tremaine of Los Angeles, to name a few. Cindy spent over four years as a dancer and choreographer for the variety show La Cage Aux Folles in Hollywood. With all that performing, her greatest love was always, and is still, teaching dance.
	Brandi Cirlin, Dance Instructor Brandi Cirlin began dancing at the age of three and assistant teaching dance classes through a scholarship program at fifteen. At the age of eighteen, she started teaching tap, ballet, jazz and hip hop in her own classes at various studios in Southern California. Brandi attended California State University, Northridge where she was a soloist and choreographer for the dance department. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Dance in May of 2000. She returned to C.S.U.N. soon after as part time faculty teaching modern dance and aerobics. In January 2003 she added theater to her resume as she became the musicals choreographer for a performing arts high school in Simi Valley. To date, she has choreographed pieces for “The Music Man”, “Cinderella”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Funny Girl”, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, “Into the Woods”, and “The Boyfriend”. Brandi started teaching at Gotta Dance Studio in 1995 as owner Cindy Gebelein’s assistant and substitute teacher, and received her own classes shortly after. She was the coach and choreographer for the Dance Spirit Sprites and Juniors from 2001 to 2006, earning several “Top First Place” and choreography awards. She continues to enjoy sharing her love of dance with students of all ages.
	Jen Lamberty, Dance Instructor Jen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts. Since graduating she has been a Radio City Rockette, an original cast member in Snow White: An Enchanted Musical, and performed the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympic Opening Ceremonies. Jen has danced in commercials for Bally Total Fitness and Compaq Computers, and in music videos for Marilyn Manson and Marshall Dillon. She had a recurring role on General Hospital, and has appeared on the Today Show, Power Rangers, and the film Blow. Jen loves teaching at Gotta Dance Studio Academy of Performing Arts, and is looking forward to another fun year.
	Tammy Laframboise, Dance Instructor Canadian born Tammy Laframboise grew up training and performing all over North America. She was in demand as a teacher and choreographer for Nancy Pattison’s Dance World, Essex County Dancers Inc. and the Encore Ballet Company in Canada. When dance was implemented into the school system, Tammy was called in as a special guest teacher for many Elementary and Secondary schools in the area to teach all genres of dance to the students. She was even involved in implementing a pre-school dance program for Child Care Centers. All the while, Tammy was dancing professionally at CASINO WINDSOR as well as touring Australia to dance in the 25th Anniversary Tour of “ELVIS TO THE MAX”. Since arriving in Los Angeles she has appeared on M.T.V., ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, and ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT as well as numerous stage shows and television commercials. Tammy danced in the AMERICA’S CUP OPENING CEREMONIES in Valencia Spain and for the LAUNCH OF THE AUDI R8 in Hong Kong. She also choreographed and danced in an original show that opened for HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS in Las Vegas. Tammy is invited all over the world to share her unique choreography style. Tammy loves to dance and is so excited to pass this gift on to your children.
	Michelle Fayard, Dance Instructor Michelle Fayard started dancing at the age of three. She danced with Entertainment Explosion of Chicago, performing throughout the US, Denmark, Russia, and Japan. Michelle performed in the musicals Guys and Dolls, Westside Story, Gypsy, Cabaret, Chicago, and Singing in the Rain and the list goes on. She has worked throughout the country as a judge for the national dance competition Dance Xplosion and owned her own performing arts school Fayard Studios in Los Angeles. Her training includes Lou Conte, Steps on Broadway, and Tremaine Dance Center to name a few as well as studying acting at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Hollywood and is currently pursuing her acting career. Michelle wants to inspire everyone to love dance the way she has throughout her entire life and share the amazing gift of dance!
	Lauren Hovet, Dance Instructor Lauren began dancing at Gotta Dance Studio in 1998; finding her passion for Tap dance. She began assistant teaching with owner, Cindy Gebelein in 2002 and became a teacher in 2006. While Tap remains her passion, she teaches Ballet, Stretch, and Jazz and Gotta Dance Studio’s Junior and Senior Tap competitive teams. While in her senior year at California State University Northridge, she majors in Deaf Studies to become and American Sign Language teacher. Planning to teach dance and ASL, she finds her true passion at Gotta Dance Studio, surrounded by mirrors, suited up in her tap shoes, pounding on the floor. Having grown up dancing and teaching at Gotta Dance Studio, there lies an irreplaceable spot in her heart for Gotta Dance; finding it a home away from home, a second family, and a hobby she gets to indulge in to inspire and motivate each dancer in her class.
	Alli Bivins, Dance Instructor Alli Bivins is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Alli has been seen in such productions as Music Man, Hey Mister Producer, Midsummer Nights Dream, Sea Legs Cirque, The Laramie Project, Look Ma, I'm Dancin and the National Tour of Will Rogers Follies among many others. She has choreographed for Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Actors Theatre of Louisville as well as made her directing debut at ATL. Alli holds a BA in Theatre from the University of New Mexico and was published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science for writing a review article on Body Compositions of Female Ballet Dancers. She is excited to be part of the Gotta Dance team!
	Brittany Piech, Dance Instructor Brittany grew up in the mid west suburbs of Chicago and started dancing when she was 3. By the time she was 12 and was accepted into an elite Jazz dance company called Perseverence Dance Company Which is still going strong today.. When she Graduated form High School she received a Scholarship from Gus Giordanos dance company in Chicago and started out in there apprentice company. Not long after she moved to California to be on scholarship at the Edge and join her "Dance with the force" Group who were a bunch of young talents that were chosen by LA Dance Force convention to perform in The Edge scholarship show. Since she has lived in LA she has Apierd on the show "The Suit Life of Zack and Cody" Series on Disney channel). Then has had the experiance of doing 3 shows at The El Capitan Theater in Hollywood and still continues. She is on her second year of being a teacher at Gotta Dance and is happy to be apart of the studio.
	Lauri Kamiel, Vocal/Singing Instructor A native of Northridge and Granada Hills, Lauri Kamiel has been singing since she was 11 years old. Lauri trained at Vocal Power Academy and at UC Santa Barbara, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Drama and English and was a featured soloist with the Chamber Choir. She has performed as Kim Macafee in Bye Bye Birdie, Glinda in The Wiz, and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret. This is Lauri's second year at Gotta Dance Studio Academy of Performing Arts, where she can share her love of song and music with students of all ages.
	Kelly Wilkinson, Dance Instructor
	Udee McGeoy, Dance Instructor Originally from the bay area, but having been a professional dancer & choreographer in the entertainment industry for over 10 years, Udee McGeoy now calls Los Angeles home. Udee trained in jazz, ballet and modern while living in San Diego but ultimately found her love in hip hop. Udee's love for dance and music runs deep and she believes that both music and dance are therapeutic for your mind, body and soul.. "No matter what problems you have goin' on, when you're immersed in dancing or making music it all disappears for those focused and passionate moments." In her years in Los Angeles Udee has built up her resume working in all facets of the industry. You can see her as sexy bar tending dance double and assistant choreographer in Walt Disney's "Coyote Ugly" and a cheerleader w/ lil' Bow Wow in " Like Mike". She has had numerous television appearances on several episodes of the "The Tonight Show", the "ESPY", " Video Game" and "American Music Awards", and the "Jimmy Kimmel Show" amongst others. Udee is not only a veteran in film and television but has also danced on stage with artists like Snoop Dogg, Monica, Limp Bizkit, Bon Jovi & Mya to name a few & has been in music videos with the legendary artist Stevie Wonder, the much missed Notorious B.I.G., Marcus Houston, Christina Aguilera & J.C. Chasez. AU Choreography is the name of her choreography company along with her partner of many talents, Amy Allen from St. Louis. They have choreographed commercials for Mejii Coffee & Gap kids, videos for Paulina Rubio & Dear Jane and are contributing choreographers for Neyo, Ciara, Amerie & Usher. They are also developing hot new artist Miss Issa in and contributed freestyle segments in the animated film "Chicken Little".... the list goes on and on. Udee says that different styles of dance all have a very different feeling behind them, and a different culture, lifestyle, circumstance, or emotion that inspired them. She has been all over the world teaching and performing and loves to teach those who want to learn and give forth maximum effort, she doesn't require you get it right but just that you try.
	Gwendolyn Gebelein, Dance Instructor Gwendolyn Gebelein has been part of Gotta Dance Studio since the age of four. Performing in a number of our Ballets as the fairy godmother in Cinderella and as the main character, Swanilda in Coppelia, she actively involves herself within the studio. Along with these performances, and the past thirteen recitals, she has been competing on the Dance Spirit team since the age of ten. She not only participates at the studio, but at Granada Hills Charter High School as well. Last year, she placed 3rd at nationals while on the GHCHS cheer team, and helped choreograph on the GHCHS song team. The past year was definitely a busy one, for she also landed her first professional dancing job with the comedic movie, Dance Flick. But it all comes down to the fact that she feels most at home at Gotta Dance. You can always find her at the front desk, C & M Dancewear, or the Ballet Barre. This is her first year on the staff as a teacher and she is proud to be coaching the sprites jazz and tap Dance Spirit competition team. Working hard, she hopes to make this a tremendously successful year.
	Cara-Lee, Dance Instructor Cara-Lee is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. She has been dancing for over 18 years training in ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. She trained in Canada at professional ballet schools such as National Ballet of Toronto and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She moved to Los Angeles in 2002 to pursue her professional dance career. Her credits include music videos and live performances with artists such as OUTKAST, Brooke Hogan and My Chemical Romance. You can catch her in several national commercials for Crystal Light, Pepsi, Ford, Mervyn's, Target and AT&T. Her television and movie credits include "The Longest Yard", "How I met your Mother", "Show me the Money", "MTV Movie Awards", "ESPY Awards" and several others. You can watch for Cara-Lee in the new PUMA print campaign and the new hit show Glee. Not only does Cara-Lee love to pursue her own professional career, another passion of hers is to teach. She believes that passing on her knowledge of dance to children is the most rewarding gift.
	Laura Grissom, Musical Theatre Director Laura has been involved in community theatre in the San Fernando Valley for several years. As the Children's Musical Theatre Director at Gotta Dance, she has directed Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka Jr., Beauty and the Beast, and Schoolhouse Rock Live! Laura studied Musical Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Theatre Production and Dance at the University of Nevada, Reno where she performed in many college and regional theatrical productions including Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Gypsy, Cabaret, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, Oliver!, Hansel and Gretel, and Stop the World, in addition to receiving hands-on training in production support. Her greatest accomplishment remains her three wonderful children.
	Carlo Villescaz, Yoga/Pilates Instructor Carlo Villescaz began his professional teaching career as a Figure Skating coach in 1999. His practice of Yoga soon turned into a second career teaching for 24 Hour Fitness. His love of teaching developed into new formats including Pilates. Carlo holds certifications from The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in Group Exercise, Yoga, and Pilates. Carlo has been instructing group exercise for the past six years and is very excited to bring his teaching passion to Gotta Dance Academy of Performing Arts.