Expert dance instructors dedicated to nurturing talent and passion
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, a BS in Marketing, currently earning her MBA, and recognized by the OC Business Journal, Chase Bank, and the CA Assembly. Her studio has been awarded "Best Dance School in Laguna Niguel" for the past 17 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.
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.
Competitive/Commercial Director
Carla Guajardo is a dance educator, performer, choreographer, and researcher with an M.F.A in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Hawaii Manoa. She brings over 15 years of experience teaching various dance genres, emphasizing kinesiology, injury prevention, and inclusivity. Carla is passionate about how dance cultivates identity, serves social justice, and mentors young dancers. As the Teen Director at South Coast Conservatory, she is currently focused on the professional development of young dancers who are delving into professional and college careers, as well as developing a non-profit dance company and expanding SCC's Teacher Apprentice program.
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.
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.
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.
Musical Theatre Conservatory Co-Director
Marji holds a BFA AND MFA from UCI. She has worked for various large entertainment industries such as Disney and Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus. She is an adjunct faculty member at Saddleback College. Marji actively works throughout OC as a guest instructor and choreographer. She is the Director of the Musical Theatre Conservatory at South Coast Conservatory where she trains the studio’s triple threat performers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Instructor
Belle is a talented Pilates and aerial instructor with a passion for performance. She has dedicated over two decades to singing and a decade to musical theatre, releasing a solo album "Breaking Free" in 2012. Her journey into aerial arts began in 2017 at UC San Diego, leading her to specialize in hammock and lyra upon returning to Orange County. With four years of teaching experience, Belle loves sharing her expertise in aerial fitness.
Instructor
Caitlyn currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Commercial Conservatory and the Competitive Program. She has competed in all styles of dance for over 8 years at South Coast Conservatory and is a graduate of the SCC Teacher Apprentice (TA) program. She was a four-year varsity song leader at her high school and placed in the top 10 for the USA (United Spirit Association).
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Instructor
I am proud to be a TA graduate from SCC, where I was also a member of several competitive teams. During my training, I studied a variety of styles including ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, acrobatic, and aerial. I have had the privilege of teaching in both the Pre-Academy and Academy programs at SCC. My teaching experience includes working with dancers as young as two years old, helping them build a strong foundation and love for dance.
Instructor
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!
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.
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.