Meet Our Staff

Jena Minnick-Bull

CEO / Director

Jena Minnick-Bull, the Owner/Director of South Coast Conservatory since 2002. She has over 30 years of teaching and award-winning choreography, an MBA from Quantic International Business School, a BS in Marketing, and has been recognized by the OC Business Journal, Chase Bank, and the CA State Assembly. Her studio has been awarded "Best Dance School in Laguna Niguel" for the past 18 years. She has worked with hundreds of teachers and choreographers throughout Orange County and is a community outreach activist, ensuring dance and drama are accessible to all of our community's youth.

Amelia Martin

Pre-Academy Director

Amelia Martin has been teaching at South Coast Conservatory since 2019, where she has served as Ballet Conservatory Assistant Director, Pre-Academy Director, and now Academies Director. Her teaching experience spans from toddlers to teens in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and more. She is also a member of the contemporary dance company CalliOpus.

Carla Guajardo

Competitive/Commercial Director

Carla Guajardo is a dance educator, choreographer, performer, and screen dance artist from Southern California. She has a BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts, and an MFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research focuses on feminist perspectives, jazz dance history, practice as research methodology, and dance as a tool for navigating personal identity. She is interested in arts activism and uses choreography as a tool for such. She has spent more than 15 years teaching and choreographing for K-12 dance programs, competitive dance studios, and college level dance programs. She has demonstratable success in choreography, performance and mixed media works and technology-based art, and has extensive knowledge of diverse dance history, injury prevention and kinesiology. She has won many choreographic awards at the competitive level including best performance and choreography, and a people's choice nomination for the industry dance awards. She strongly values the promotion of diversity and inclusivity in dance, and she aspires to promote more equitable access to dance education. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes equity, communication, social justice, safety, and focuses on student-centered teaching. She is currently the Teen Program Director at South Coast Conservatory and oversees the Teacher Apprenticeship Program as well as the host oversight for the National Honor Society of Dance Arts Chapter. Additionally, she stands as the CEO of Golden State Dance Foundation Non-Profit organization where she focuses on community outreach, scholarship funding, and dance educator workforce development.

Jessa Mendoza

Aerial Director

Jessa has over 26 years of teaching experience. She has a BS from CSU Long Beach in Dance, certified in Pilates, and is a Master Instructor in Aerial Arts. She has danced with San Francisco Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet, Will Smith, Ricky Martin, The Backstreet Boys, Mark Ericson from ABT and Phantom of the Opera; and Mia Michaels from “So You Think You Can Dance”. She has been an instructor of Just Plain Dancing, Studio Fusion, Febody Fitness, and Fairmont Preparatory Academy. She was the owner and Master Instructor at Rok Your Assetz Aerial Arts and Fitness training Center. She is the Aerial Arts Conservatory Director at SCC.

Lulu Pulido

Front Desk Assistant Manager

Lulu enjoys working and providing great customer service for SCC. She loves spending time after work with her dog and family.

Maria Tikhomirova

Ballet Director

Maria born in Moscow trained and received a PhD from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy as Choreographer/Master Ballet Teacher. She has toured internationally with ballet companies and has been a judge for ballet competitions. She is the Co-Director of our Ballet Conservatory Program. She has been with SCC since 2013.

Michele Gerlach

Acro Director

Michele is a Senior Elite National Champion for the USA with extensive experience coaching and participating in Acrobatic Arts and Gymnastics from preschool through World Championship levels. She is a National Coach and Safety Certified through USA Gymnastics. Michele serves as the Director of our Acrobatic Arts Training Program and preschool tumbling, and she also holds a leadership role as Studio Manager. She has been a dedicated member of the SCC team since 2015.

Miguel Limon

Academy Director

Miguel Angel Limon-Franco has operated and owned his own Studio "Artistry In Motion Dance and Fit" for over 10 years and is a ZIN Certified Zumba Instructor. In his tenure of CEO he received Top Teacher awards for 2018-2022, was recognized as Top Studio of the year, recieved multiple Choreography Awards and has led 7 consecutive wins as Raining Nationals Champions. He was recognized and awarded the "30 under 30" award for his passion and dedication to the Arts and Community in Dance in the City of Fontana, Sanbernadino County, and California State Senate. He now runs a Competitive Training program in Rancho Cucamonga and is Assitant Co-Director of the CC Program at SCC and assits in developing the Pre-Pro Program for CC. He now aspires to finishing his BFA, Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

Sandy Palenske

Front Desk Manager

Sandy graduated from Long Beach State University and has many years of experience in education, administration and sales. She has provided superior customer service to the SCC family for the past 16 years.

Serenity Harry

Marketing Director

Serenity is a 4th-year teacher, TA graduate, and National Honor Society of Dance Arts Graduate. She has 14 years of training in all dance styles, including gymnastics, cheer, and aerial arts. She is currently attending school for business/marketing, and is currently working for SCC as the Marketing Manager.

Tim Stevenson

Teen/Adult Director

30 years teaching in studios, college and workshops around the word. Toured with Jennifer Lopez and Usher, 20 national titles in competitions, staged worked tours and produced variety Shows.

Belle Martin

Instructor

Belle is the Assistant Director of the Aerial Arts program. She started off professionally singing for 7 years. Then Belle discovered Aerial Arts in 2016 and has been teaching aerial for almost 6 years. She has a degree in Communications from UCSD and certifications in both aerial arts and floor/reformer Pilates.

Brandon Butler

Instructor

Caitlyn Golden

Instructor

Caitlyn has trained and competed in all styles of dance for over eight years at South Coast Conservatory. She was also a four-year varsity song leader at her high school and placed in the Top 10 at USA (United Spirit Association). She is a graduate of the SCC Teacher Apprentice (TA) Program and has served as Director of Company VI, a student-led dance company, for two years. She currently serves as the Commercial and Competitive Assistant Director and is certified in Acrobatic Arts.Caitlyn looks forward to continuing her studies in Child Development at California State University, Fullerton, and is thrilled to be part of the SCC team!

Camille Bueno

Instructor

Camille Bueno holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She has been performing professionally for over 20 years on both coasts and teaching for over 8 years. These days you can catch her as Lemon Zinger with Tea and Strumpets cascading through the Victorian and Renaissance circuits.

Chari Cassidy

Instructor

Chari has worked the front desk for over 2 years and she strongly believes that SCC has the best training around and loves to help new and existing families to feel confident in their choice to be a part of this great studio.

Chelsea Blair

Instructor

Chelsea has trained, performed, and competed in various styles of dance, including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, and several cultural dance styles. She has received an AA in Dance, BA in Anthropology, and an MLIS from UCLA. She loves to work with your dancer on their technique and help guide them to success, and is thrilled to be a part of the SCC family!

Delila Kooiman

Instructor

Ellsie Bury

Instructor

Ellsie has been training in the aerial arts program for almost 8 years and is excited to continue to bring her expertise and training to the program as an aerial arts instructor. Ellsie has been dancing since she was 3 and this will be her 15th season at SCC. Ellsie is a part of the AC competitive program and has competed for the aerial arts program for the past 7 years. She is so excited to be able to help every student achieve their goals and make them stronger performers within our programs. I look forward to making this an incredible season for all of our students.

Emi Takahata

Instructor

Emi has trained in many dance styles throughout her life, from traditional Hula dancing to Hip Hop. She was a part of a well known Hip Hop crew, Kaba Kids, and has competed and won many competitions against others around the world.

Enton Hoxha

Instructor

Born in Albania, Enton studied at the National Ballet Academy in Albania and earned a Master's degree from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. He has performed in many ballet companies as a principal and first soloist. He is the Co-Director of our award winning Ballet Conservatory Program. He has been with SCC since 2012.

Erika Schrader

Instructor

Erika is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with a passion for helping dancers discover their individuality and confidence. She holds two B.A. degrees from California State University, Fullerton one in Dance and one in Psychology, both earned with honors. Her training includes ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, jazz funk, acrobatics, and aerial arts, with a specialization in Lyra. She has performed and competed throughout her career, earning multiple placements, and is currently a member of Gfam. She continues to work professionally in the dance industry through various performances, shows, contracts, and other opportunities. With approximately 10 years of experience teaching dance and aerial arts to students of all ages, Erika strives to create a safe, supportive environment where students can grow both as artists and as individuals. She believes every dancer has their own unique path and works to help students develop confidence, creativity, problem-solving, communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and an awareness of themselves and the world around them.

Ethan Harry

Instructor

Ethan has trained in all styles since 2008. He is an SCC Alumni and graduate of the Teacher Certification Program. He has danced professionally with LA Clippers, Brooklyn Jai, Teen Grammy Awards, Jordan Matter photography, and in music videos. He is currently a member of V-Mo Hip Hop Crew, teaching dance in CUSD elementary schools, and studying Business Leadership. He grew up at SCC and enjoys giving back to the next generation of dance students.

Fernanda Chavez

Instructor

Fernanda has been a part of the aerial arts program at SCC since 2019. Since joining the aerial arts program at SCC, Fernanda has worked her way up into the advanced training program where she competes with our competitive team and travels to compete, both domestically and internationally. Fernanda joined our TA program to train as an assistant instructor and graduated the program, allowing her to join the aerial arts program as an instructor. Fernanda looks forward to bringing her expertise, training and talent to the aerial arts program this season. She is excited to help the next generation of aerial students within our program.

Heather Hyjek

Instructor

With a lifelong passion for movement and human potential, Heather brings a holistic approach to aerial coaching. Her background in elite movement began as a competitive gymnast, leading to over 15 years of gymnastics coaching. Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Public Health and Psychology, a massage therapist license, and multiple coaching certifications. In addition to movement coaching, she has spent years guiding adults toward optimal health and vitality within her husband’s chiropractic and functional medicine practice. Heather has trained at SCC for over three years, competing nationally and internationally at VivaFest and WDM in Italy. She lovingly blends technical precision, functional wellness, and supportive coaching to help aerialists move safely, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

Hillary Pearson

Musical Theatre Faculty

Hillary has served on the Cabrillo Playhouse board since 2021 and currently is the President. She holds a BA from the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and spent 15 years as the Executive Artistic Director of Tri-School Theatre in Anaheim. Currently, she teaches for The Laguna Playhouse Conservatory, serves as the administrator for Orange County Women’s Chorus, and both performs and directs for various community theatres in Orange County. She lives with her husband Ryan and their three kids in San Clemente. She is excited to develop the students of South Coast Conservatory in their Acting and Singing Talents.

Jaime England

Musical Theatre Faculty

Jaime is so excited to join the SCC team as a “Theatre, Song & Dance” teacher. Jaime has had a natural flare for acting since she was a little girl, constantly acting out scenes from movies, and playing games such as “Jaime wolf” with her grandma at the age of 3 (her own version of the big bad wolf). She began taking acting classes at the age of 8 and was very often cast in the lead, and at the age of 12 landed a role playing the leads younger self in an Indy film entitled “crush”. She continued acting through high school and college, and has run her own amateur theatre troupe in every city she has lived since 2014 for which she is the artistic director, and choreographer. She is very passionate about the arts and finds so much joy in seeing her students thrive and come into their own passion. She adores working during spooky season as a Scare Actor at Knotts Scary Farm. Jaime has training in Highland Dance, jazz, Polynesian, and is currently taking aerial and circus at SCC. Jaime has been having a blast sharing her knowledge and experience of acting, character development, musical theatre and choreography to her students and is excited to see where this journey brings her.

Jeffrey Bull

Instructor

Jeffrey has been a part of SCC's competitive program for over 9 years. He has trained in all styles and completed the Teacher Apprentice program provided by SCC. He is thrilled to join the SCC Team and help to Change Lives Through Dance.

Jordyn Forsdick

Instructor

Jordyn is a proud alumni of South Coast Conservatory, where she trained competitively for over nine years in various styles and completed the Teacher Apprentice Program. She has spent the past two years teaching in Hawaii, growing as both an artist and educator. She is excited to be back home at the studio that shaped her-creating, inspiring, and sharing her passion for dance.

Juli Nazzario

Instructor

Juli is a South Coast Conservatory alumni. She trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary during her time here. She recently graduated from CSUF with her bachelors in computer science.

Julia McCullock

Instructor

Lori Devey

Instructor

Madi Wildermuth

Instructor

Malia Schonfeld

Instructor

Born and raised in Colorado, Malia grew up dancing and developed a deep love for the art from a young age. I’m currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at UC Irvine, where I continue to train and perform. I’ve been teaching tap for the past six years, sharing my passion and technique with dancers of all levels. My goal is to inspire confidence, rhythm, and joy through every class I teach!

Maryna Sliusar

Instructor

Maryna Sliusar - a choreographer and performer from Ukrain, multistyle dancer and teacher. She teaches jazz, hip-hop, jazz-funk,modern and classical dances. She is the founder of the exemplary choreographic team that participated and won the Ukrainian and international competitions in various nominations. The team competed in Italy, Bulgaria, and Poland. Maryna is the stage and art director of four modern performances for children in Ukraine. Maryna has got two diplomas of higher education - the diploma of a specialist in choreography, choreographer of modern choreography, teacher of professional disciplines and the diploma of the specialist "Organization Manager". Twenty years teaching is not the reason to stop professional development, therefore she continues to improve her skills by participating in ProTeacher, learning from the leading teachers of modern and classical choreography in Ukraine and Europe. Maryna believes that the goals of teaching are to encourage the students to understand and feel their body through choreographic movement, plasticity, emotions and dance experiments, to teach them to use their skills and abilities practically.

Meghan Andrews

Musical Theatre Faculty

Andrews began her career as a child actor, appearing in the television series The Baby-Sitters Club, which aired on HBO. She also appeared in other television programming during the early 1990s.She later established a stage career, appearing in Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and touring productions. Her theater credits include productions such as The Trip to Bountiful, King Charles III, King Lear, and The Spitfire Grill, which were reviewed in regional and national publications. Andrews appeared in a production of Doubt: A Parable, which was reviewed by The New York Times. The review described her performance as Sister James as being “played with heartbreaking intensity.” Andrews was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in The Trip to Bountiful. In 2022, she received a BroadwayWorld Award for her performance as Lady Macbeth at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Andrews appeared in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking as Jennie. In addition to acting, Andrews is a singer-songwriter who has released studio recordings and performed live.

Nathania Schwob

Instructor

Nathania loves sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages. She holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine with a minor in Digital Arts, and a 200-hour Yoga Instructor Certification (RYT 200) from Orange Coast College. She has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, and tap, and loves helping dancers build confidence while having fun!

Nicole Douglas

Instructor

Nicole trained at Walnut Hill School for the Arts from ages 8 to 18, where she also began teaching, before dancing professionally with companies including Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company and Ballet Magnificat!, performing in full-length ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Ruth. After relocating to California, she continued teaching while training at studios like Millennium Dance Complex, T-Milly, and Offstage, and performed in original works at The Stomping Ground and in professional video projects through I Am Force (IAF), working with choreographers such as Brian Friedman and Tyce Diorio, and training with Marguerite Derricks and Tessandra Chavez. Nicole also studied acting at Identity School of Acting in Los Angeles, deepening her understanding of storytelling, movement, and emotional expression—skills she now integrates into her teaching.

Sabrina Harper

Instructor

Sabrina is a Broadway and International Actress with over 30 years of Performing Credits. A proud SAG-AFTRA and AEA member. After studying with the John Cranko Ballet Academy, I received a Degree in Classical Ballet from the State of Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany, and I am also a Certified BASI Pilates Instructor. Over the last few years I have been working as a Choreographer, Director, and Teaching Artist at numerous schools and conservatories in Orange and LA County.

Sadie Orduna

Instructor

Sadie Orduna is a dedicated dancer with over 12 years of experience at SCC. Her training encompasses a wide range of styles, including ballet, leaps & turns, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and acrobatics. A graduate of the SCC Teacher Apprentice (TA) Program and a member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts, Sadie is currently pursuing a pre-professional path. She is passionate about dance education and is actively developing a special needs custom dance curriculum.

Sage Stratton

Instructor

I am a proud graduate of Capistrano Valley High School, where I earned both academic and dance honors. My passion for working with young children has led me to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education, and I am currently studying at Saddleback College with plans to graduate in Spring 2026. My background in both academics and dance has given me a well-rounded foundation, and I’m excited to continue growing as an educator and artist. I look forward to combining my love for teaching and dance in meaningful and inspiring ways.

Sandra Muro

Instructor

SophiaGrace Williams

Instructor

Sophia Grace Williams is a performer and dance educator based in Southern California. A dancer with background training in regional competitions, she has performed across notable local stage productions, including regional theater productions such as 42nd Street and A Christmas Carol. In addition to her performance career, Sophia has pursued her academic and artistic development at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She brings her passion for technique, musical theater, and performance to the faculty at South Coast Conservatory, where she works with the next generation of dancers and performers as a specialty instructor.

Sydney Himes

Instructor

Sydney Himes holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree, she integrates her education into her dance instruction. She loves to work on technique, choreograph, and strengthen dancers. She looks forward to having your dancer in her class!

Tatiana Kasatsky

Instructor

Thais Murdoch

Instructor

Aerialist and dance captain for Ringling Brithers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Dance captain for Island Escape cruise lines in Brazil. Dancer and entertainment department trainer at the Disneyland Resort. Various tv commercials and live performances for well known artists.

Tori Palenske

Instructor

Tori Palenske is currently the assistant coach of the Tesoro Song team. I started teaching around the age if 17, after being a TA. I am a AFPA certified youth trainer and am getting my Mat and Reformer Pilates certification from balance body.

Victor Kasatsky

Instructor

Yerson Ochoa

Instructor

Yerson Ochoa Candia is a highly accomplished and multi-talented dancer and choreographer specializing in Hip Hop and K-pop. After leaving Peru to pursue his passion, Ochoa quickly became a sought-after dance instructor and performer in the competitive Southern California scene. He's renowned for his captivating choreography and ability to teach various dance styles to students of all levels. His impressive achievements include winning the "Fantastic Kpop Show competition" and being a finalist on "Peru Got Talent," solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and influential figure in the dance community.