Stephanie Otis is a passionate dancer, dance instructor, and stilt performance artist. As a Certified Coach for MTJGD Stephanie had been able to mentor and train dance instructors from multiple dance studios. She utilizes the knowledge she has gained through multiple training programs and certifications including, Acrobatic Arts, Lisa Howells Flexibility and Injury Prevention, Progressing Ballet Technique, YPAD, and MTJGD to coach dancers and teachers.

Katya Artiushkina Viola was born in Moscow, Russia where both of her parents (Alla Khaniashvili and Vitaly Artiushkin) were principal dancers and stars with the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet. Katya was trained by them in the Vaganova method and danced professionally with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Crystal Cruises and as a guest artist with various other companies around the nation. However her true passion has been teaching ballet to the next generation and she has been doing so for the last 20 years. Katya has taught ballet at studios all across Los Angeles including: The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, MNR Dance Factory, Los Angeles School of Gymnastics, Archer School for Girls, JAG gym, Your Neighborhood Studio and private one on one instruction. Katya’s ballet students have gone on to train and perform with world renowned schools and companies including: Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She is excited to join the OTE family this season and share her love of ballet with the talented next generation. 

Shannon is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer, originally from Nashville, Tennessee. She began training in ballet, jazz, and tap at age 3, and contemporary and modern at age 11. Shannon spent her summers at a variety of locations, including Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, David Dorfman Dance, Atlanta Ballet, Inaside Chicago Dance, and more. She took her love for dance with her to pursue a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography at Florida Southern College, where she graduated from in 2019. After teaching and dancing for 3 years in Nashville, she decided to make the move to Los Angeles. Shannon believes in encouraging students to grow both artistically and technically, and she hopes for them to find joy and passion in dance, just as she does.

Jay’s dance journey began in high school where he danced in a hip hop crew, Panduhmonium, for local competitions and exhibition shows. His training was simultaneously coupled in Pensacola, FL where he performed with LaBelle Performing Arts Dance Company, a competitive dance team for which he had the privilege to teach and choreograph for. While studying biomedical engineering at Tulane University, Jay continued teaching hip hop in New Orleans at a non-profit studio, Dancing Grounds, and made the move to Los Angeles after receiving his Bachelor’s. Jay now dances professionally in LA, represented by Bloc LA Talent Agency, and works as a product designer for Medtronic. He’s worked closely with choreographers Charm La’Donna, Eddie Morales, Alexandra Hulme, Jeannie Beasley, Christina Grady, and Maya Taylor. Credits include The Weeknd (SB LVII Halftime Show), Lil Wayne, Denisia, JBL Audio, Vanderpump Rules, CLAWS on TNT and more.

Gilyon “Guillotine” Brace-Wessel is a professional dancer and graffiti artist. He was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, with a multicultural background reflected in his artistic work and exceptional ability to connect with his students. He has recently served as a mentor at a local non-profit organization, Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy (J.U.i.C.E.), working with underserved communities in Los Angeles. His graffiti work has been recognized throughout the Los Angeles-based hip-hop scene and as a dancer on America’s Best Dance Crew. He was also a featured performer at Marvel Universal Live and held a principal dancer role in the movie “Battle of the Year” as one of the best dancers in the United States. Gil is also a cultural ambassador for One Hip-Hop World, where he traveled to Ecuador on a mural and dance project. 

Travis Lim a recent graduate of UCLA. 

A recent recipient of a BFA in dance from California State University Long Beach, Ceylon Harris began her dance journey training and performing in circus arts and then later dance. In circus arts Ceylon specializes in partner acrobatics, acrobatics, and handbalancing. She has performed with Kinetic Theory Circus Arts, San Francisco Circus Center’s festivals, and at private events throughout the Los Angeles and Culver City area. She now runs the acrobatics for dancer’s training program for all ages at OTE Dance Studio in Culver City, and for Artists Collective nonprofit organization at public schools in the Los Angeles area and surrounding counties. As a concert dancer, Ceylon has studied Horton technique, Cunningham technique, jazz, and contemporary ballet under the mentorship of Robert Gilliam and Kim Borgaro. As a scholarship student, she has attended training programs at the Ailey School, Diavolo, Northwest Dance Project, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Dawson Dance SF. Ceylon has performed choreography by William Grinton (“PG”) and Anthony Jackson, in addition to performing with Eliezer Rabelo’s company, 11th Hour Dance Project Inc., and with Michael Tomlin III’s company ReVrBT3. At CSULB she has studied with distinguished dance educators Keith Johnson, Andrew Vaca, and Rebecca Lemme. During her years at CSULB, Ceylon completed the BASI Pilates certification with an additional specialization in dance, under Karen Clippinger. She is currently teaching Pilates mat and reformer private/semi private lessons. In the future, Ceylon intends to perform with dance or circus companies where she can incorporate both her circus arts and codified modern training.

Jacqueline Valmont is a Los Angeles native and a graduate of Scripps College in Claremont, CA.  She completed her dance degree and dance teaching certification from Santa Monica College.  She feels fortunate to have received her dance training from master teachers such as Karen McDonald (modern) and Mario Nugara (City of Angels Ballet).  She has danced for modern dance choreographers Ruben Valencia (Brazeros), Diana Cummins (ManGo), Roberta Wolin-Tupas and has been a member of Grete Gryzwana’s, Epiphany Dance Company since 2014.  She has performed as a soloist at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Biola University, Fuller Seminary and Miles Playhouse.

Jackie teaches ballet, modern and dance movement in Los Angeles and directs her own dance program at two private Pasadena middle schools.  She is extremely passionate about dance education and exposing children and young adults to the world of dance in order to enrich all aspects of their lives with creativity, imagination and beauty.  Jackie is also a regularly booked classical vocalist for special occasions.  

Cynthia was born in Virginia, where she began to study ballet at age six. Upon moving to Los Angeles her training continued with David Lichine and Tatiana Riabouchinska, as well as with Stanley Holden at the Los Angeles Music Center. Cynthia received her advanced training on a full scholarship to both the San Francisco Ballet School in San Francisco and the Stuttgart Ballet Co. in Stuttgart, Germany. 
 

Cynthia Molnar continued her ballet career as a professional with David Lichine's “Ballet Society of Los Angeles"; starring in his acclaimed ballet “Graduation Ball”. Ms Molnar performed with the San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of Kent Stowell, performing as soloist in such ballets as George Balanchine's “Concerto Barocco” and "The Four Temperaments”.Ms. Molnar is enjoying a successful career as teacher, choreographer and coach. Teaching ballet beginning through advanced levels at Santa Monica College, Carla Luna's Dance Arts Academy, The Edge and Y.N.S. Has taught at Westside Ballet, Agoura Hills Dance and choreographed for the Agoura Hills Youth Ballet Theater, master classes and choreographer at the Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena and The Downtown Dance Loft at The New Los Angeles Theater Center.

Her teaching style encompasses her training in ballet with the Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance techniques. Cynthia's approach to ballet training creates an atmosphere of attention and caring that allows each student to grow and strengthen, to develop awareness, confidence, and grace.Ms. Molnar is a sought after choreographer and coach for local and visiting artists, music videos and performing groups. Cynthia's original works have been performed by SMC “Global Motion Company, “Kybele Dance Theater”, Sarah Burges's “Lions Pounce Dance Theater”, “Katnap Dance Presents” and in “BIR” and in community outreach programs for the city of Los Angeles. She directed and choreographed and danced in the music video “Tracks of My Tears”. 

Azuki