Meet Our Teachers
We feel every student matters!
Lotella A. Hale, "Lola"
Head Cheer & Dance Teacher
Started dancing at Tulare Dance Works at the age of 12 under the ownership of Michelle Lapp. After graduating from Tulare Western HS she went on to COS. At COS she majored in Dance and obtained her Associates degree. She danced under the direction of Director Linda Amaral. Lotella has taken classes under the direction of Jeremy & Missy Yavasile & Martha Graham. Trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, & contemporary/modern dance, with some hip hop.
Fun Fact: Will one day be a published author, currently editing a book she plans on publishing,
Aleena
Teacher Assistant
Aleena started dancing at the age of 6 years old. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop. She did gymnastics for one year and took acrobatics classes to advance in her flexibility and tricks. She has taken a class with Gianna Martello from the TV Show Dance Moms. She has also had multiple classes with Master Teacher Guy Groove at The Playground LA. Aleena currently is a cheerleader at Tulare Western High School and is on the schools new dance team called Dance Dynamix.
Fun Fact: Her first language was Spanish. She plans to work in the medical field in the future. She loves traveling and shopping.
Fabian Perez
Hip-Hop, Jazzy Pop & Lyrical Teacher
Fabian is excited for his second with our studio. He graduated from Fresno State with a BA in Dance. He also has an A.A. Degree in Dance from College of Sequoias along with an A.A. Degree in Elementary Teaching Preparation. Fabian really enjoys working with kids. He like choreographing routines to upbeat music.
Fun Fact: His goal is involved in the dance community all around the world. He would like to one day travel to New York to get additional dance training.
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Candess
Cheer Coach/Stunt Coordinator
Candess cheered all 4 years at Redwood High School and has competed All Stars for 2 years. She helped coach Orosi High School Cheer Team in 2018 with stunts. In Fall of 2019 at El Diamante High School and is still currently the Varsity Assistant Coach there.
Fun Fact: She just got married in October of 2022
Sandi Soto
Recital Teacher
Studied dance at Dance Arts, COS, Fresno State and Long Beach State. She taught ballroom and Latin dancing and cotillions. She has performed in a couple of semi-professional jazz dance companies, a ballroom formation team and competed in ballroom dancing specializing in Argentine Tango. She has studied with some of the top Argentine tango dancers from Argentina. She has performed for Beverly Hills balls, various events in Southern CA, San Diego, opening of hotel in Scottsdale AZ, for the king and queen of Sweden, for the dance counsel of France in Paris, London dance studio and others. She has danced in the Addams Family, Mambo Kings movies and been in an episode of Dynasty TV show.
