Worldanz Instructors
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Gina Garcia- Artistic Director and Instructor
Born and raised in Guatemala, Gina Garcia traveled to the United States at the age of sixteen to pursue her interest in art and dance. She studied at Boston University, ultimately transferring to and receiving her degree in Fine Arts at the University of California—Santa Cruz. In addition to painting and dancing, Gina spent her time studying psychology, cultural anthropology, and traveling. Gina developed Worldanz in 2008 as a way in which to combine her love of dance, her unyielding interest in global cultures, and her restless desire to exercise both aggressively and unapologetically. Having spent twenty-five years studying every dance form that came her way, Gina wanted to find a way to share the unique and intricate gifts that each form provides. Similarly, as a fitness enthusiast, Gina has remained extremely interested in helping people tap into the joy of high-intensity training. Aside from the obvious physical benefits of feeling strong, healthy, and embodied, Gina wants people to experience the mental and spiritual rewards that come with maximum athletic exertion within the ecstatic study of dance. |
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Johanna Taylor-Instructor Johanna Taylor graduated from UCSC in 2011 with a joint degree in Politics and Theater Arts. After being the first teacher trained by Gina Garcia, she traveled to the south of Spain to teach and spread the word about Worldanz. While in Spain, she also studied and performed with Pranadanza, an African and Middle Eastern dance troupe. Now back in Santa Cruz and continuing to teach Worldanz, Johanna spends her extracurricular time studying Afro-Haitian, Congolese, dancehall, and aerial dance, in addition to yoga. More than anything, however, Johanna invites you to join her in shaking it on the dance floor. |
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Amanda Meyers – Instructor
Amanda is a lifelong lover of dance. She began teaching as a certified fitness instructor for Jazzercise in 2005. After years of studying Latin Dance at Cabrillo College, she was inspired to try something new and became Zumba-trained in 2014. Feeling like there was something more out there, she followed the advice of a friend and gave Worldanz a try and the rest is history. Amanda truly found her, “dance family” in Worldanz in 2015 and graduated as a full-fledged instructor in 2016. Worldanz is a unique tribe of its own that she feels truly blessed to be a part of! She’s loves taking workshops and classes in all genres of dance to strengthen her dance skills. You may find her at any given local dance workshop claiming her “dance nerd” status and having too much fun. As a student, she’s completed several semesters of Latin, Hip Hop and Baile Folklorico at Cabrillo College. She’s performed in the Cabrillo Dance Concerts series, and with the Bachata Movimiento club. She also had the honor to compete with the Watsonville Latin Dance Company at the International Grand Ball competition in 2013. Dance continues to connect Amanda with the most incredible, crazy, wild, fun and creative people. It’s a way of life, good for the mind, body and soul. Come and dance with her soon. |
Photo by Miguel Garcia
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Kia Blaustein- Instructor
Having grown up in Lemoore, California, Kia graduated from Cal-Poly with a B.S. in Animal Science. While in Santa Cruz, Kia has spent seventeen years studying Iyengar Yoga, in addition to being a certified massage therapist, and a mother of four. Through her yoga practice, Kia’s study of the expression of movement within the body led to a newly discovered fascination with dance. After having studied intensively with Gina Garcia, Kia enrolled in the Worldanz teacher-training program. In August of 2014 Kia became a certified Worldanz instructor. Currently, she teaches four Worldanz classes at two different gyms within the area. She remains both grateful, and excited, to be a part of Worldanz, sharing her passion for dance across the community. |
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Rena Dubin and Aliya Mayana Glatt-Instructors
Rena spent her Texan childhood at the ballet studio, which culminated in her starring role of Hansel in the ballet "Hansel and Gretel." As school and social demands increased, she stopped dancing (pointe shoes are not comfortable!) This left a void that remained unfulfilled until she discovered Iyengar Yoga as a freshman at UCSC. Rena studied intensively for years with Senior Instructor Kofi Busia, traveled to meet Mr. Iyengar in person, and taught many classes a week, in addition to her dedicated personal practice. After her children were born, Rena had less time -- and quiet -- for practicing yoga. Luckily, she stumbled upon Gina Garcia's Worldanz classes! The joyful exuberance of Gina's classes was just what Rena needed. Her early love of dance was reawakened as she relished in the playfulness and passion for movement. Rena completed the Worldanz teacher training class with her daughter, Aliya, in 2014. Aliya currently spends much of her time dancing en pointe with Agape Dance Academy. Both Rena and Aliya love teaching Worldanz as well as ballet to kids of all ages, from two-year-olds and upwards! Rena loves being a part of such a fun and inspiring Worldanz community, and is so grateful to Gina Garcia! |
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Shane Sanchez- Instructor
Shane Sanchez attended the University of Montana, where he received his undergraduate degree in Literature. It was at the University of Montana where Shane first began his study of dance, training in Modern and Jazz Dance while teaching Freshman Seminar. Shane continued his dance training in Jazz and Ballet while a graduate student at UC-Santa Cruz, where he received his master’s degree in Literature. Shane has been training in Worldanz since February of 2008, and remains actively grateful to Worldanz for the community of elegant dancers it reliably crafts here in Santa Cruz. |
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Yesenia Raya – Instructor
If you are looking for a positive instructor, Yesenia is your gal. She graduated as a Worldanz instructor in Feb 2016 and has immediately brought her passion of dance to her classes. Her passtimes include eating watermelon, twerking, and creating choreography. She is a choreographer, Worldanz and Twerk instructor. She is committed to creating safe places for her students to express themselves. Yesenia has been dancing with Worldanz for the past 3 years, and recently began teaching. She has choreographed numerous dances for Worldanz and continues to create more. Yesenia moved from Los Angeles to attend University California Santa Cruz. There she got her degree in Anthropology with a focus on performance studies. She spent most of her time learning and reading about various dances from the around the world. She is familiar with Bharatanatyam which was taught to her by Mythili Kumar the founder and Director of Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose, and Robin Buck a dance instructor at UCSC who trained her in Modern Dance. After graduating from college she found Worldanz and fell in love. She completely immersed herself into that dance scene and was taught a variety of dance styles ranging from vogue, hip-hop, salsa, african dance, bellydance and the list goes on. She now teaches Worldanz at local gyms in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville area. |
Photo by Amanda Meyers
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Audrey Stanley – Instructor
Audrey moved to Santa Cruz about 4 years ago and discovered Worldanz. She fell in love with Worldanz which led to her passion and love for dance and fitness When she first started out she never imagined she could become an instructor. Audrey looked up to Gina who is the creator of Worldanz and wanted to be as much like her as possible. It was about two years ago that Audrey started her journey towards becoming an instructor. She would never have started that journey if it weren't for Gina believing in her and urging her to do so. She is so happy and proud to be a Worldanz instructor! Her goal is to spread the excitement and joy to everyone who takes her class. |
Photo by Miguel Garcia
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Carrie Flowers - Instructor
Carrie discovered her passion for dance during her high school years as a cheerleader. Learning choreography and then teaching the routines to the other members of the squad to perform at halftime is what set the tone for Carrie’s future of teaching dance and fitness. She went on to study the various styles of dance and the discipline of choreographic analysis while at the Santa Rosa Junior College. It was during those same years at SRJC, that Carrie began yoga and pilates classes, cultivating a deeper awareness of body mechanics and alignment. Although her initial love of dance was focused in hip-hop, having actually taught a few hip-hop classes at a private junior high school in Santa Rosa, her repertoire of dance styles broadened during her studies in cultural anthropology. Carrie believes that one way to learn about another culture is through the music and forms of movement, and acknowledging the historical significance that dance provides. Studying traditional dance while abroad in Ghana, West Africa, Carrie learned that dance is an expression of one’s ancestry and a means of social connection. Carrie first met Gina Garcia at UC Santa Cruz. From day one, Carrie was enamored with the electricity Gina brought into class and found herself seeking more of what Gina offered. Carrie participated in the first Worldanz teacher training, graduating just before her departure to Ghana. As she settles back into life in Santa Cruz, Carrie is eager to bring her enthusiasm for dance into her community. Despite Carrie’s high energy and silly nature, she strives to provide a safe space for others to both,express their own interpretation of movement, as well as offer direction of proper alignment. |
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Melissa Wedlock – Instructor
Melissa Wedlock grew up in Santa Cruz, California. She studied to become a Registered Nurse and has her dream job working with mothers and babies in Labor and Delivery. She loves small town living and now lives in the small coastal town Davenport with her husband and son. Melissa is an avid athlete. She has been competing in running races for 20 years and also enjoys surfing, mountain biking and snowboarding. Melissa discovered Worldanz in 2008 and it is the only sport that will keep her indoors. She loves the physical, mental and social aspects of Worldanz. It has inspired her to learn more about dance. In 2015, she danced and performed with the Bollywood team Gurus of Dance. |
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Virgínia Beatriz de Melo Zanini – Instructor
From Southwest Brazil, where she grew up and lives currently, Virgínia was always really into sports, dance, art and culture. She has dedicated most of her life to Ballet, Tap Dance, dancing and teaching. She also has great experience with Belly Dancing, Performing, Yoga and Martial Arts. She became the Kung fu Brazilian Champion in 2008 and was classified for the World Championship. Being always curious about body movement, Virgínia looks for new things, wherever she goes, and absorbs as much as she can about dance and culture. When she went for an experience abroad to California, she found Worldanz and fell in love with the philosophy. She found a way to express herself not just into dance, but into the world. She is a person who wants to explore the infinity of motion, feelings and joy. Virgínia felt she needed to bring home that new way of expression in which it is possible to travel around the world through dance in one hour. After spending two years in California and learning intensively the techniques to become a Worldanz instructor, Virgínia is now back in Uberlândia, her hometown, where the new style will be first introduced in Brazil. |
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Kelli Maeda-Instructor
Kelli Maeda grew up with over 10 years of dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She was also a competitive collegiate cheerleader, and did so with extreme enthusiasm. After graduating from Pharmacy School in Louisiana, Kelli moved to Santa Cruz, California with her husband and growing family. Her love of dance and fitness was renewed when she found Worldanz, and began participating in new and exciting dance classes from various cultures. With 8 years of training with Gina Garcia and a wide range of dance and fitness experts from around the globe, Kelli is teaching Worldanz to adults and children around Santa Cruz County. As the mother of now three talented dancers, she is even more inspired to share dance with her community as a way to connect with people on a spiritual level. She hopes that through Worldanz you will find physical fitness, as well as new styles of dance that you can get passionate about. "Let's enjoy the challenge together!" |
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