top of page

Our Faculty of Instructors

AMANDA COULSON

Director of Dancin! Performing Arts Center, Choreographer and Instructor of:

Classical Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Pre-School & Litl' Kid Kombos, Musical Theater & Voice, Irish Dance & Ceili, Social Ballroom, Injury Prevention Workshops and the new "Ladies Who Tap" dance and total health program for Glorious Women.

Artistic Director of Shamrock Productions/The Reno Irish Dance Co.

Amanda brings a lifetime of performance experience to these companies. She began dancing at the age of 4, studying Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Irish and Theater dance in Sydney, Australia. As a child and teen, she performed in musical theater productions, stage and television, became a tap champion at 12 years and placed 5th in the Australian National Irish Dancing Championships. She completed her R.A.D Ballet Exams and B.B.O Tap exams to advanced levels, and continued studying to achieve extended teaching status. At 17 years of age, when called ‘too tall for dance’, she was offered a soloist position with the Sydney Festival Ballet Company (William Gill) in Sydney Australia, toured with Apcar’s International tour of ‘Casino de Paris’ in Sydney & Melbourne, played the singing/dancing role of ‘Virtue’ in Anything Goes, and became the youngest dancer with the ‘Bluebell Girls’ at the ‘Lido’ in Paris, France.

 At 19, she accepted the principal lead dancer role at ‘La Scala Theater’ in Barcelona.

She studied voice with Maya Mayska from the Liceo Opera in Barcelona, The Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Clyde Wright from Mahalia Jackson, Max Aronsten and Max Speed from the Australian Opera Co. and also the Theater College of Hobart whilst performing her Solo Singing Act in Tasmania with Regmat Productions.

She toured Europe and Australia with her singing act under the Management of Bernard Hilda from London Management, working with such major artists as June Allyson, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Elizabeth Schwarzkoff, and Lovelace Watkins.

She came to America as principal dancer for Ron Lewis/Frederick Apcar productions, The Stardust Hotel, MGMs ‘Hello Hollywood Hello’, and has had the great pleasure to work with such master Director/Choreographers as Matt Mattox, Gino Landi, Winston Hemsley, Rich Rizzo, Michael Peters,

Scott Salmon, Henry LeTang, Ann Garvin, Bob Fitch and Ron Lewis.

She collaborated with Berry Gordy from Motown, on the original writings of ‘The Life of a Dancer’, Captained the Suzanne Sommer’s Act and her National Television Special, and also choreographed Industrials and Conventions for the M.G.M , Bally’s and Hilton Hotel Casinos. She directed many Special Events, Video and Television Programs including the hugely successful fundraiser for Reno Mayor Pete Sferrazza…‘The Roast’ at the Reno Hilton in ’93, the Miss Nevada Scholarship Pageant for Television, and the R.S.C.V.A’s Television Commercial, ‘The Sky’s the Limit’, which received the 1987 West Coast Directorial Award.

Amanda wrote and originated the highly successful CityKids TV show in 1989 (on air with NBC and Local Cable TV through 1993). She performed with and understudied Juliet Prowse for 3 seasons in her starring role in the Broadway Musical “Sugar Babies” with Mickey Rooney, Rip Taylor, Carol Lawrence and Bob Fitch.

Amanda opened Reno’s Dancin! Performing Arts Center in 1996, and soon created the Reno Irish Dance Company. (now Shamrock Productions) During this time she coached Toni Tennille in performance dance for her starring role in the smash hit Broadway Musical ‘Victor Victoria’, and became the local director and coordinator for the Moscow Ballet Company.

Amanda continues to travel whenever possible, performing, writing, directing, choreographing, teaching workshops, coaching and judging competitions. She recently wrote and opened the “LADIES WHO TAP” Program, a unique and fascinating series of tap dance classes that are designed to delay Dementia and the onset of Alzheimer’s.

This Program includes the latest ‘cutting edge’ studies of the ‘Brain on Dance’ and the health benefits for ‘Women on Dance’.

Amanda's Outstanding Injury Prevention Techniques for Dancers have been developed over her Performing and Teaching career with Sports Physical Therapists and Orthopedists.

Her Artistic Directorship of the Reno Irish Dance Company (Now "Shamrock Productions") has continued throughout the years developing a broader presentation of the Irish/Celtic Company into Musical Theater Performing Arts as seen in their annual  productions:

"SIAMSA" - A Celtic Christmas, (December),

St Patrick's Day Performances  (March), and Summer Productions of "A Celtic Summer's Eve" (July)

 Shamrock Productions is a  501-C3 Performing Arts Non- Profit Organization.

Her Dance School/Studio, Dancin! Performing Arts Center offers a wide variety of dance and performance classes, presentations including  Dancin! Christmas Holiday performances, Annual Recital in June and  Competition performances, Goal reaching Tap Exams and Ballet Assessments,

all representing Amanda's love and appreciation for diversification in the Performing Arts.

“Dancing and Performance isn’t glamorous…It’s hard, disciplined work. But, if you love it…It can be the most exhilarating, rewarding experience that any young person can have!”

ROBIN PARKER

Administrator, Dancin! Performing Arts Center

Teacher: Ladies Who Tap Program

Miss Robin began dancing at three years of age in Arcadia, California at the Melvin Kaiser Dance Academy. She She took Ballet and Tap and performed over the span of 10 years in multiple dance shows, recitals, community functions and talent competitions. She then moved on to the Al Gilbert Dance Studio in Hollywood, CA where her love for tap flourished. She danced professionally in Greece and was in the Las Vegas Flamingo Hilton production "City Lites" for five years. She has two grown children that live in Reno and enjoys tapping with the "Ladies Who Tap" and performing in the annual recitals.

DIANE GUEST-HOFF

Classical Ballet Director

Instructor of Classical ballet, Pointe & Pre-Pointe Conditioning and Musical Theater

Performing Program Choreographer

Born in England and raised in South Africa where she trained in the Cecchetti style of

classical ballet from age five. At age 20 she passed the advanced teachers exam with Honors. She danced as a principal with three La Follie productions and a member of the Razzle Jazzle Dance Group.

Diane was dance captain for the South African Broadcast Television dancers. She was

fortunate to be part of many television productions. Also for television she choreographed a twelve part mini-series and Christmas special. While in South Africa Diane operated two dance studios. She was one of the first of her generation to include African students in her studio. She found the experience rewarding beyond her expectations.

Her dancing also took her to remote areas of Angola and Namibia where she performed for troops.

Diane was recruited as a principal dancer for Donn Arden’s Hello Hollywood, Hello! production show on the world’s largest stage at the Reno MGM Hotel. It was a chance to dance with people from all backgrounds and disciplines. Diane was chosen to represent the MGM Corp. at many events. These events took her from Alaska to New York. She stayed with the show for six years until it closed. She maintains and enjoys many of the friends made during her time with that show. She met her husband Greg on her first night at the theater.

In 1990 she took over the Nevada Dance Academy and started a family. Her daughter Haleigh and son Dylan enjoyed dance as well.

Through the years the Nevada Dance Academy has garnered many awards and trophies. Diane has received the best choreography and costuming awards at numerous

competitions.

Her favorite and most personal choreography is the Dancing in the Light piece that she created to honor Kristen Norris. Kristen was one of Diane’s students who’s life was cut short at the age of thirteen. Through organ donation she helped improve the lives of numerous people.

This piece has been performed at numerous locations most notably at the Organ Donor Recognition Ceremony held at Chabot College in Hayward, CA, and Orlando, FL where she and twenty of her dancers were invited by the Kidney Foundation to perform the piece for the Transplant Network Games.

After thirty two years she closed the studio and joined the dynamic staff at Dancin! Performing ArtsCenter. She is excited to be reuniting with Hello Hollywood friends Amanda Coulson, Molly Burnsky, and Julie Simpson.

2143F2D9-5CAC-4A85-89F7-BAB8EFBDB15F_edited.jpg

AVA NOBERT

Vocal Instructor for Musical Theater & Private lessons

Ava Nobert was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She grew up in a very artistic

 and creative family and was always involved in the arts through her community. She has been singing and dancing since she was three years old - in love with performing ever since.

Ava is now a senior in the Musical Theater Program at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has taught young children at Tutu School and  also camp counselor at the Reno Little Theater. Some of her most recent performance credits include: Seussical: The Musical at Reno Little Theater, Cabaret, and Working: The Musical at UNR.

She is very excited to help young singers find their confidence and voice, to become the young performers they aspire to be at Dancin!

JULIE SMITH-SIMPSON

Classical Ballet Instructor - Group and Private Lessons.

Julie Smith- Simpson, a Southern California native, began her dance training at the age of five at the famous Art-Linkletter-Totten. By the age of twelve she auditioned for Concert Dance Theater and began what was to become a never-ending career in dance.

During her training and performing years, Julie has traveled extensively through the United States and Europe. Julie also completed her Russian Ballet Vogonava teaching Methodology of Pedogogy and trained with renown instructors such as Finis Jhung, John White, John Magnus, David Howard and more recently with Valeri Tchekachev of the Vagonova Academy of Russian Ballet.

Julie began teaching ballet at Dancin! in 1996 and throughout 1997. We are thrilled to have her back teaching in studio again after her travels in the Performing Arts.

Along with Ballet, Julie is an ACE certified personal trainer and Yoga teacher, who also enjoys hiking and skiing.

SABRINA FERGUSON

Instructor for Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary Lyrical

Performing Program Choreographer

Sabrina grew up in Ninilchik Alaska and began dancing at the age of three for Vergine’s Dance Studio in Soldotna Alaska, (currently known as Forever Dance).

Sabrina traveled 70 miles four days a week to attend dance classes. She was committed to being a part of the team and improving her skills as a dancer.Sabrina progressed as a dancer in studio classes, quickly earning a spot on Vergine’s pre-professional company team.

At the age of seven Sabrina entered the Pre-Professional company where she trained, competed, and performed in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop.

Sabrina had the opportunity to travel and take part in many workshops, master classes, conventions and competitions such as Dance Excellence, Nuvo, Spotlight, and 5678 Showtime. While dancing for the studio Sabrina performed in Christmas productions, company shows, recitals, college basketball halftime shows, community events and parades. At 15 Sabrina began assisting classes and became a substitute

teacher for many of the teachers.

Upon graduating high school, Sabrina moved to Reno, Nevada to attend UNRfor a Bachelors in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. While at UNR Sabrina was a part of the Executive Board for the Urban Dance Club where she managed a dance team from 2019-2021, taught hip hop workshops to college age students, and in 2019 Sabrina Co-Founded a Contemporary Unit within the dance club that taught workshop classes to its members of all levels. Sabrina has taught and choreographed a multitude

of dance styles, to all ages.

Sabrina began teaching at Dancin! Performing Arts Center in August of 2020 and is currently teaching

jazz, lyrical, hip hop, beginner tumbling and technique classes. Sabrina’s goal in teaching is to inspire young dancers to love dance, to recognize the importance of hard work, dedication and being part of a team, while holding true to her life passion...DANCE.

She is delighted to be back teaching again for the 2023-24 year with the staff, teams and exciting dancers at Dancin! and looks forward to an absolutely fantastic year ahead!

JENNIE ORAPEZA

Instructor of HIP HOP (Levels 1 & 2) and the "Ladies Only Cardio Line Dance" and the "Line Dance Workshop" offerred through Brio Dance LLC .

Creative Director for Brio Dance LLC.

With a fulfilling performance career that has graced stages across the United States and Internationally on cruise ships, Jennie has established herself as a versatile and accomplished entertainer and dance instructor. Her journey began at Dancing Plus, a local competition dance studio in South Florida, and evolved into a decade's long performance career from the vibrant stages of Las Vegas productions to the enchanting  Walt Disney World, nightlife, stage production and event work. Jennie appreciates having had the opportunity of working with some of the most talented and dedicated members of the entertainment community. Now, Jennie takes pleasure in nurturing the next generation of dancers. Continued commitment to the evolution and adaptation of new styles shines through as she enjoys educating and sharing her love for dance to students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Though her full-time career is now in real estate, Jennie will be teaching these few classes this season for the vibrant creative outlet, only the arts can provide.

NATALY ROZNITOVSKY - Piano Instructor

Nataly received her MM in piano performance and pedagogy at Nikolayev's Pedogogical University in the Soviet Union. She worked as an accompanist at the Nikolayev Ballet School for five years and then for five more years in Haifa School of Dance, Israel. Nataly has been teaching piano privately for all levels since 1980 and speaks English, Russian, Hebrew and Arabic.

Nataly taught music therapy in a special eductation school for over twenty years in Israel. She also enjoyed performing in a hotel lobby for 20 years, in the only hotel in Haifa that had live music. During that time, she produced three solo albums.  Since moving to Reno in 2017, she continues teaching and performing regularly in our region.

CLARA BUCK

Irish Dance for Kids and Summer Camps.

Clara started dancing at Dancin! in 2001 at the age of two. Over the years she has performed in numerous productions, been a member of the Reno Irish Dance Company, and has enjoyed Irish, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theatre. In recent years, she has also assisted backstage during productions and with summer dance camps. She graduated with honors from McQueen High School in 2017 where she participated in tennis, choir, musical productions, and a service organization. Clara is back for the summer from her freshman year at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA where she is double majoring in Communications and Psychology and minoring in Dance as well as enjoying the college experience. She is grateful for her experiences at Dancin! and hopes to continue to contribute to the studio whenever she’s in town.

MOLLY BURNSKY

Mat Pilates with Props Instructor

A twist on traditional Pilates utilizing foam rollers, balls and bands. This class focuses on stabilization of the spine, strength of the core and the flexibility of the entire body. Helps create a long, strong, lean and limber body!

Molly Burnsky has been teaching Pilates for 20 years. She has worked with Physical Therapist and rehabilitation movement and exercise for 10 years. Post professional dancer continuing in the craft with teaching Pilates, reformer, apparatus, yoga, aerial yoga and cardio dance. Knowing that “motion is the lotion” to keep our joints and body moving with grace and ease.❤️ www.mollyburnsky.com

*******************************************

Testimonial:.."Molly's extensive background and knowledge of anatomy make her an excellent theacher who never gives the same class twice, but manages to offer a complete and balanced workout."....Pam.

GEORGIA WRIGHT

Director of the'Wright2Dance' program. Instructor of Ballroom and Social Dance.

Georgia Joy Wright grew up dancing in Carson City before moving to Pittsburgh, PA where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Point Park University in Dance. With extensive training in: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, and Choreography, Georgia has been performing professionally as an actor/singer/dancer in theatre and dance companies in both the United States and Europe for the past 15 years.

After College Georgia followed her dreams to Paris, France, where sh toured Europe and danced with La Danse Harmonique. While touring Europe, Georgia fell in love with ballroom dancing and quickly returned to the


bottom of page