Instructors

Check back frequently for additional instructor bios and pictures!

	Mikelle Bunker Mikelle Bunker is a four-time National Champion of the B.Y.U Cougarettes drill team. More recently she danced with Creative Force Productions Professional Dance Company. Before college Mikelle had fourteen years of training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and gymnastics. She has danced with Dance Impressions (11 years), Clytie Adams School of Ballet (9 years), Bonnie Pierce Modern Dance (3 years), and USA Gymnastics World for (3 years). Mikelle has run and maintained, Inspire, a yearly dancer's workshop based out of Utah. Other career highlights include dancing in an off Broadway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and in numerous NBA and NFL half-time shows. She has also studied with Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, the Broadway Dance Center (NY), Backstage Dance Studio, Steps on Broadway, and The Edge Performing Arts Center. Conventions attended: NYC Dance Alliance, Jump, LA Dance Magic, West Coast Dance Explosion, and Urban Jam.
	Danielle Laven Danielle Laven as been dancing since she was little and was trained at a small studio in Livermore California. In her many years of training she has learned form some of the most respected and well educated dance instructors and choreographers such as, Bruce Campbell, Dennis Caspary, Shawnel Herbst, Sonya Hardy, Chris Jacobson, Sean Herrington and many more. In those years she had been awarded many titles such as Miss Broadway Magic, Miss teen KAR and numerous overall group, duet, solo awards. Danielle has been student teaching since the age of 15 and began her own classes by the age of 17. Since then she has taught many award winning solos, duets, trios and groups. Danielle took a break from teaching in the fall of 2002 when she was cast for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line as a Dancer and Performer. She continued on to Disneyland where she performed as a Disney Princess for 3 years (2003-2006). In her time spent at Disney she was privileged enough to travel and perform at many events and live television broadcasts such as Extreme Make over Home Edition, and the 2005 Macy Day Parade in New York City. She also was able to perform in many of the daily parades at Disneyland and California Adventure. Since then Danielle has returned to her true passion, which is teaching young children to dance and she hopes they too will share in her passion for the art. She has been teaching the art of dance in Orange County since 2005 and has been awarded many overall awards for her groups, solos, duets and trios.
	Aimee Molloy Aimee Molloy is a co-founder of the Ladera Ranch Dance Academy and is currently director of public relations for our studio. Her responsibilities vary among the areas of media relations, strategic planning, community relations, and special events. Aimee has a Bachelors of Science degree from Weber State University. Before working with Ladera Ranch Dance Academy she worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist for several years. Aimee is passionate about her faith, family, dancing, and her work. When not involved in these pursuits she enjoys serving in the community and her church.
	Michelle Mercier Michelle Mercier has been dancing for over 20 years, studying all styles and disciplines of dance. She has a strong ballet background, training with Nancy Julian using the Royal Academy of Dance’s curriculum and testing, and Lila Zali’s expertise with the Laguna Beach Ballet. While living in Chicago, she studied under Lisa Boehm, performing in many productions. Her most recent roles include: “Sugarpum Fairy”, “Snow Queen”, and “Arabian”, in various productions of the “Nutcracker”. As well as some original works. Michelle is a full-time dance teacher in Orange County and also coaches competitive teams. Her teaching background includes a wide variety of disciplines and choreography.
	Jennille Sonnedberg Jennille Isakson (dance instructor) has danced for 25 years and has been teaching for 17 years. Jennille grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and musical theater. For 12 years Jennille toured with singing and dancing groups throughout the United States including; Disneyland, Nashville, Disneyworld, Epcot Center & the SLC 2002 Winter Olympics. Since graduating with a BS degree and minor in dance Jennille has lived, trained, taught and choreographed dance in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Portland and Orange County, CA. Jennille continues to perform in various dance productions as well as professionally choreograph musicals such as Annie, Grease, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many others.
	Noelle Messa Bio Coming Soon...
	Jonica Glenn Jonica Glenn has been dancing, performing and competing for over 17 years. She attended Orange County High School of the Arts, in their Commercial Dance Department, before transferring to Northwood High School to become a member of their Dance Team and Varsity Song Team. At Northwood High School Jonica was captain of the Dance Team and the competition Song teams leading her team in 2007 to earn the Ultimate National Champions in Orlando as well as earning Ultimate National Champion for her solo. Along with competing for her high school team she competed with national award winning West Coast School of the Arts. After graduating in 2007 Jonica became a song coach at Northwood High School as well as Fountain Valley High School, coaching game squad and competition team. In 2009 and 2011 Jonica’s Northwood Song Jazz team earned NDA’s National Champion title in Orlando, FL. Jonica is the head song coach at Northwood High School and now coaches song at Aliso Niguel High School.
	Robert Rich - Guest Instructor Growing up in the city of Brotherly Love, Robert Rich was introduced to the performing arts early on in life and developed a strong appreciation for dance. Since he discovered dance, Rich has been perfecting his craft and hasn't stopped. Before graduating with Honors from Hampton University in May of 2006, Rich formed The Oracle dance crew. He became one of the most recognized and sought after choreographers in the Hampton Roads area, heavily involving himself in the growing fashion world amongst college campuses. He became the creative director for the top selling Hampton University fashion shows. Post graduation, Rich relocated to New York City and signed with Clear Talent Group. Since then his career has taken off. Some of his credits include: TV Movies Live: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Rich&Tone/Flii/Chuck Maldonado), So You Think You Can Dance with Lady Gaga (Laurieann Gibson/Richard Jackson),and choreography for: Chauncey Black, Sammie, Nike Battlegrounds Tour, BET Spring Bling, and Miami Heat Halftime Shows. Since moving to California, he's been teaching Hip Hop classes at Ladera Ranch Dance Academy in Orange County Ca., The Basement Dance Center in N. Hollywood, Ca. and West Coast Dance Academy in Winnetka, Ca. Rich is also a member of LXD, The League of Extraordinary Dancers.
	Sharon Sandor Ms. Sharon Sandor began dance training in 1969. This included ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, gymnastics and other forms of dance. She was part of the competition team for her studio The Dance Factory. Her professional background consisted of being a member of Pacific Ballet Theater, The Young Americans, Star Quality Dance Company and Dance In Action. She was also artistic director and choreographer of Left Coast Dance Company. Ms. Sandor performed in "42nd Street" at the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and had the honor of meeting Ruby Keeler. She also performed in "Welcome to the Cotton Club" at the Roxy in Hollywood and then at the Park West Theater in Chicago. This experience presented opportunities to share a stage with legends such as The Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Gregory Hines, Maxine Weldon, Linda Hopkins, and Renaldo Ray. Ms. Sandor Choreographed and performed in "Letting Go" at the Community Arts Theater in Big Bear. She has appeared in several videos and commercials and has done work in modeling and singing. Ms. Sandor has choreographed many shows and taught in Southern California since 1982. She also taught for Marina H.S. and Oceanview H.S. both in Huntington Beach, CA. She currently teaches at Pacific Ballet Conservatory and Ladera Ranch Dance Academy. Besides dance, one of many passions in her life is music and Ms. Sandor has written, recorded and co-produced an album. When she is not dancing she is out surfing or spending time with her three beautiful daughters.