Faculty & Staff

A celebrated ballet dancer and educator, Claudia brings fiery elegance to every class. From The Nutcracker to Swan Lake, she’s danced as soloist and corps de ballet, working with top choreographers.

Marcelino Najera here, better known as “Marz” or “Coach M.” I have worked in movies as a dancer “Say a little prayer” been in the competitive world for for about 10 year involving dance cheer and a little of gymnastics. My styles are hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, pom, jazz. I love Jeeps and motorcycles. And I currently work in the medical field and are in school to be a future RN

Sofía Palafox is a folklórico instructor in San Antonio, known for blending rigorous technique with cultural pride. She has led programs like Walzem Ballet Folklórico and is currently affiliated with the Centro Mexicano de la Danza (CMD), expanding opportunities for her students to participate in national and international dance competitions and festivals.

Hello! My name is Sophia Wiley, and I am dancer, teacher, and pink fanatic! One of my biggest goals in life is to share the beautiful gift of dancing, singing, and acting with others! I love Barbie and am currently working on obtaining a degree in business! I hope I get to share this love of mine with your dancers!

Quetzalcóatl Becerra, a renowned Mexican dancer and choreographer, has captivated audiences with his refined classical and contemporary dance techniques. Now based in San Antonio, Texas, he leads Art & Dance Studio, where he inspires students of all ages through ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop. His dedication to the art form and his engaging teaching style make him a beloved figure in the dance community.

Description

Arianna holds a B.A. in Theatre from ASU and is a certified dance instructor and choreographer. She has directed and choreographed Legally Blonde Jr., Elf Jr. (Fredericksburg Theatre Company), Anything Goes (Alamo Heights High School), and various showcases in San Antonio. Passionate about inspiring students of all ages, she lives by the belief: “We don’t always get to choose the music life plays, but we do choose how we dance to it.”

With over 13 years of experience as a dance teacher and an Associate of Arts in Dance, I am dedicated to helping every student find their rhythm. I've loved Asian culture ever since I was a kid, from Pokemon to Kpop, so I strive to bring that unique spark to every class. Looking forward to helping you on your journey.

Acro, Cheer, Kpop

Brielle Tripke trained at A&A Ballet in Chicago under Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, performing in classical and neoclassical works like Swan Lake and Rhapsody in Blue. She also taught and choreographed for the school’s children's division, serving as assistant director. Brielle continued her professional development as a Trainee with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, where she studied company repertoire such as Rasa and choreographed original works on fellow Trainees.

I am a lover of all dance styles. Classically trained in multiple including Ballet, Jazz, Tap and more. Performing with the American Classical Ballet Academy for 5 years and has been training for 12 years. With hopes to one day become a clinical psychologist. I thrive to share joy with others.