MEREDITH LEE
(BALLET, TAP, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, HIP HOP, STARS)
Meredith has been coaching all levels of dance since 1995. In 2002, a few months after earning a BA in psychology from UCLA, she went on to open Got Rhythm Dance in Thousand Oaks, Ca. Heavily involved in the competitive circuit, Meredith trained nationally-ranked teams and soloists, collecting her share of Choreography Awards along the way.
In 2013, Meredith relocated Got Rhythm to Ventura, and became immersed in the city's numerous community events. Despite an almost three-year interruption to performing, Got Rhythm has appeared at over 100 Ventura fairs, festivals, sporting events, fundraisers and private events.
Meredith believes that gaining experience on stage offers a unique and highly effective way to enhance personal development and growth. Her greatest joy is helping others step beyond their comfort zones. Outside of the studio, Meredith can be found reading, writing, community building, or with her bulldog, Lalo.
(BALLET, TAP, CONTEMPORARY, JAZZ, HIP HOP, STARS)
Meredith has been coaching all levels of dance since 1995. In 2002, a few months after earning a BA in psychology from UCLA, she went on to open Got Rhythm Dance in Thousand Oaks, Ca. Heavily involved in the competitive circuit, Meredith trained nationally-ranked teams and soloists, collecting her share of Choreography Awards along the way.
In 2013, Meredith relocated Got Rhythm to Ventura, and became immersed in the city's numerous community events. Despite an almost three-year interruption to performing, Got Rhythm has appeared at over 100 Ventura fairs, festivals, sporting events, fundraisers and private events.
Meredith believes that gaining experience on stage offers a unique and highly effective way to enhance personal development and growth. Her greatest joy is helping others step beyond their comfort zones. Outside of the studio, Meredith can be found reading, writing, community building, or with her bulldog, Lalo.
JAYSON REYES
(ADULT HIP HOP)
Jayson grew up in Atsugi Japan where he began training in martial arts and dabbled in dance through the local youth center. In high school he was the Captain of the color guard. After high school he went on to complete a BS in Material Science and Chemical Engineering at San Jose State University. While at SJSU Jayson was part of the Spartones A Capella Musical Group and he was also a member of the University’s Kendo Team. Jayson started seriously training after college, and still today, Jayson regularly takes classes in hip hop, tap, ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and aerial silks; the bulk of which were taken at Got Rhythm.
Jayson’s philosophy in teaching - and learning - dance is that if you don’t feel a little bit uncomfortable, you’re not allowing yourself to be open enough to truly enjoy dance. It’s is not about looking good or being perfect, its about being able to hear music and then translating it to a visual representation of your emotions.
Outside of dance, Jayson works in an engineering firm. His hobbies include, rock climbing, circus acrobatics, skateboarding, snowboarding, OneWheeling, and international traveling.
(ADULT HIP HOP)
Jayson grew up in Atsugi Japan where he began training in martial arts and dabbled in dance through the local youth center. In high school he was the Captain of the color guard. After high school he went on to complete a BS in Material Science and Chemical Engineering at San Jose State University. While at SJSU Jayson was part of the Spartones A Capella Musical Group and he was also a member of the University’s Kendo Team. Jayson started seriously training after college, and still today, Jayson regularly takes classes in hip hop, tap, ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and aerial silks; the bulk of which were taken at Got Rhythm.
Jayson’s philosophy in teaching - and learning - dance is that if you don’t feel a little bit uncomfortable, you’re not allowing yourself to be open enough to truly enjoy dance. It’s is not about looking good or being perfect, its about being able to hear music and then translating it to a visual representation of your emotions.
Outside of dance, Jayson works in an engineering firm. His hobbies include, rock climbing, circus acrobatics, skateboarding, snowboarding, OneWheeling, and international traveling.
MARLENE PELAYO
(RHYTHM IN MOTION, ARTISTIC GRACE)
Marlene grew up in Oxnard where she spent her early years studying Tap and Ballet. As a teen, she served her high school’s Advance Dance performance class as a co-officer. Marlene went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from CSU Channel Islands. Marlene believes in the importance of dance as an inclusive activity for all and is very excited to return to the classroom as part of the Got Rhythm team.
(RHYTHM IN MOTION, ARTISTIC GRACE)
Marlene grew up in Oxnard where she spent her early years studying Tap and Ballet. As a teen, she served her high school’s Advance Dance performance class as a co-officer. Marlene went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from CSU Channel Islands. Marlene believes in the importance of dance as an inclusive activity for all and is very excited to return to the classroom as part of the Got Rhythm team.
KAREN NARULA
(ARTISTIC GRACE, ADULT BALLET)
“If you could do something that brings you endless amounts of joy, would you do it? That’s why I dance.”
Karen is a UCLA Dance graduate and former member of Los Angeles Modern Dance & Ballet, Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers and Brockus Project Dance Company. She has been involved in the Ventura County Artists Program for over 20 years. Karen teaches because she believes anyone and everyone can dance. She spreads the joy, the focus, and the fun of movement—be it ballet, jazz, modern, tap or any form of dance that a person wants to explore.
Karen hope everyone will give themselves the chance to dance!
(ARTISTIC GRACE, ADULT BALLET)
“If you could do something that brings you endless amounts of joy, would you do it? That’s why I dance.”
Karen is a UCLA Dance graduate and former member of Los Angeles Modern Dance & Ballet, Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers and Brockus Project Dance Company. She has been involved in the Ventura County Artists Program for over 20 years. Karen teaches because she believes anyone and everyone can dance. She spreads the joy, the focus, and the fun of movement—be it ballet, jazz, modern, tap or any form of dance that a person wants to explore.
Karen hope everyone will give themselves the chance to dance!
RACHEL TISBY
(ROOTS IN RHYTHM)
Rachel was born in Los Angeles California, where she started dancing at the age of 7 taking after her grandmother who was also a dancer. She studied with the Debbie Allen dance academy for 10 years, and after graduating from the academy program spent time performing professionally.
Rachel began teaching because she loves to share her love of dance with children, and is now excited to join the Got Rhythm family!
(ROOTS IN RHYTHM)
Rachel was born in Los Angeles California, where she started dancing at the age of 7 taking after her grandmother who was also a dancer. She studied with the Debbie Allen dance academy for 10 years, and after graduating from the academy program spent time performing professionally.
Rachel began teaching because she loves to share her love of dance with children, and is now excited to join the Got Rhythm family!
CHASEN GREENWOOD - Guest Faculty
(BALLET)
Chasen has been featured in Dancer Magazine as "one to watch," completing a nationwide tour as soloist with State Street Ballet. His choreography won "Best Young Choreographer" at Regional America Southwest. Chasen began his career performing with Leann Rimes, and in the musical Casper (national tour), training on full scholarship with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Ballet Austin.
(BALLET)
Chasen has been featured in Dancer Magazine as "one to watch," completing a nationwide tour as soloist with State Street Ballet. His choreography won "Best Young Choreographer" at Regional America Southwest. Chasen began his career performing with Leann Rimes, and in the musical Casper (national tour), training on full scholarship with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Ballet Austin.
AHNA LIPCHIK - Guest Faculty
(BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, ACRO)
Ahna grew up dancing at the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, and age 16, left home to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Later, she earned high marks and choreography awards at both the Youth America Grand Prix and World Ballet Competition.
Ahna is passionate about sharing the unique art form of dance, and honored to play a role in the development of her students' self-awareness, discipline and responsibility, while they learn to express emotions and stories through movement.
When she's not teaching, Ahna is in the studio rehearsing or on tour performing with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara.
(BALLET, CONTEMPORARY, ACRO)
Ahna grew up dancing at the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, and age 16, left home to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Later, she earned high marks and choreography awards at both the Youth America Grand Prix and World Ballet Competition.
Ahna is passionate about sharing the unique art form of dance, and honored to play a role in the development of her students' self-awareness, discipline and responsibility, while they learn to express emotions and stories through movement.
When she's not teaching, Ahna is in the studio rehearsing or on tour performing with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara.
ELIDA DE FAZIO - Guest Faculty
(BALLET, CONTEMPORARY)
Elida has been training for seventeen years at various studios including Santa Clarita Ballet, Westside School of Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet Intensive Summer Program, American Ballet Theatre Collegiate Summer Intensive, and IALS and Teatro Golden in Rome, Italy. In 2018, Elida placed in the Top 12 Classical Division in the Youth American Grand Prix Los Angeles Semifinals. She holds her RAD Advanced 2 Certificate with Distinction, and loves teaching dance to children. Elida has recently joined the Professional Track with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara. Her belief is that dance is an expressive art form that all people deserve to enjoy.
(BALLET, CONTEMPORARY)
Elida has been training for seventeen years at various studios including Santa Clarita Ballet, Westside School of Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet Intensive Summer Program, American Ballet Theatre Collegiate Summer Intensive, and IALS and Teatro Golden in Rome, Italy. In 2018, Elida placed in the Top 12 Classical Division in the Youth American Grand Prix Los Angeles Semifinals. She holds her RAD Advanced 2 Certificate with Distinction, and loves teaching dance to children. Elida has recently joined the Professional Track with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara. Her belief is that dance is an expressive art form that all people deserve to enjoy.
ALISSA HARTT - Guest Faculty
(TAP)
Alissa has trained her whole life in various styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet and tap, her favorite. She danced competitively for eight years during which she performed multiple award-winning group dances and solos, and was the Varsity Captain of her high school dance team. Alissa received most of her formative training from Meredith Lee, and continues to take her weekly Tap and Contemporary classes.
Alissa graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology, and works as a Behavioral Therapist. Alissa’s passion dance and teaching, make her a strong, caring, and enthusiastic instructor.
(TAP)
Alissa has trained her whole life in various styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet and tap, her favorite. She danced competitively for eight years during which she performed multiple award-winning group dances and solos, and was the Varsity Captain of her high school dance team. Alissa received most of her formative training from Meredith Lee, and continues to take her weekly Tap and Contemporary classes.
Alissa graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology, and works as a Behavioral Therapist. Alissa’s passion dance and teaching, make her a strong, caring, and enthusiastic instructor.
NATALIE KRAMER - Guest Faculty
(BALLET)
Natalie has danced Principal and Soloist roles, appeared in FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” Promo,” Fashion and Awards Show, films, music videos and TV series, and modeled for L.A. Fashion Week and “Project Runway.” She was co-director of East Wind Productions, and later founded Commedia Ballet Theatre in Dallas.
Natalie’s vision is “to honor the heritage and history of classical ballet while utilizing modern stories, music, and theatrical elements to produce new, creative performances that will entertain, entice, and excite a new generation of audiences as never before seen.”
(BALLET)
Natalie has danced Principal and Soloist roles, appeared in FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” Promo,” Fashion and Awards Show, films, music videos and TV series, and modeled for L.A. Fashion Week and “Project Runway.” She was co-director of East Wind Productions, and later founded Commedia Ballet Theatre in Dallas.
Natalie’s vision is “to honor the heritage and history of classical ballet while utilizing modern stories, music, and theatrical elements to produce new, creative performances that will entertain, entice, and excite a new generation of audiences as never before seen.”