Dance Academy of Bellevue offers dance instruction for beginners through professionals

Our Faculty

	Deena Dunning - Deena was formerly associated with Natalia Clares Ballet La Jeunesse for 17 years as Dancer, Teacher, Ballet Mistress and Choreographer. She taught all levels of children's classes and yearly a large number received national scholarships and many became professional ballet dancers. Deena enjoys the technical growth of the children and is so pleased with the accomplishments of the adult students. Deena is Director and Choreographer of a liturgical dance group "Heart & Soul Dancers" who perform in churches in the Seattle area.
	Li, Hengda - In November 1993, Mr. Li HengDa founded Hengda Dance Academy. It is the first professional Chinese dance academy in the Pacific Northwest and has already earned a reputation for quality dance instruction and performance. Mr. Li is the three-time champion of the Chinese National Dance Competitions, and has broad experience not only in dance and choreography, but also in teaching. He was a soloist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet for six years since his arrival in the USA in 1991. He also earned MFA degree at University of Washington.
	Chandra Reinke - Chandra began dancing at age 7. After taking 11 years of various dance classes, Chandra added Cheer to her repertory, while cheering for Pierce Community College. Chandra has specialized in teaching children ages 2 through 8, teaching toddler classes, boys gymnastics, ballet tap combo, etc. Additionally Chandra has been a pre-school teacher since the age of 16 and hopes to one day open a school specializing in both dance and gym.
	Hannah C. Nuttall - Hannah has been studio trained since the age of 3 in Tucson, Arizona. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, hip hop, and modern. Additionally, Hannah competed for 4 years on a national title winning team; a Tucson Dance Company. She also received a scholarship from Encore Performing Arts. Hannah has been teaching since the age of 13 in numerous fields of dance. She is presently a dance major at the University of Washington and concurrently teaches Hip-Hop at the IMA on the University of Washington campus.
	Jamie Stults - Jamie Stults is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Dance, and is experienced in performance, social and folk dance technique. She is a three-time participant at the Summer Dance Institute for Teachers with Anne Green Gilbert. Besides training in dance, athletics and martial arts, she has also volunteered at local physical therapy clinics and incorporates this anatomical information in her classes. Jamie has taught dance for children and adults in the Seattle area, as well as high school lacrosse, developmental movement for toddlers and gymnastics for children.
	Zulaika - Zulaika's study of Middle Eastern dance from Raqs Sharqi to traditional folklorie styles spans over 30 years. A lifelong student of dance, she has focused on Middle Eastern dance since graduating from college with a B.S. in Elementary Education. For 20 plus years, she studied with master teacher Cassandra Shore. In addition, Zulaika has studied with master teachers form the US and the Middle East and she has made several touring/study trips to Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco.
	Samantha - Samantha is the Creative Director of Salsaymotion Dance Academy and co-founder of the Seattle Salsa Congress. Samantha is an accomplished instructor, well rounded in art of lead and follow techniques as well as footwork, styling and connection. Samantha was the first woman in the Northwest to teach Ladies’ Styling, still one of her most popular classes. Her two sons are both world-class championship dancers. She is also Director of the Bravas performance team, which has performed in the Vancouver and Seattle Salsa Congresses. And she has trained many of the best dancers in the Northwest. When watching Samantha dance, you’ll understand why many people call her the “Queen of Salsa.” Samantha has been teaching salsa in Seattle for over 11 years.
	Rico Bravo Jr. - Rico Bravo Jr. wanted to learn and dance to the music he loved after seeing his parents perform. He began training under them and performing at numerous local events. After a solid year of hard training, Rico Jr. performed at the 2000 LA Congress. Returning to Seattle, he captured a $10,000 prize at the Seattle World Salsa Competition. Next, he took 2nd Place at the 2001 Sportman’s Lodge Competition and made a strong showing at the 2001 LA Congress. Reaching the semi-finals in the 2002 Mayan World Salsa Competition cemented Rico Jr.’s place in the professional salsa dance community. Rico Jr. formed Bravos De La Rumba Dance Company, which toured across the U.S. He also made appearances on Star Search and Marc Anthony’s music video, Valió la Pena and continues to establish himself as one of the rising stars in the Salsa world.
	Tatiana - Tatiana was born and raised in Seattle. She has always had a passion for dance and performing.Trained in jazz and ballet, she specialized in hip hop, working with Seattle's top choreographers, Daniel Cruz and Ron Smith, as well as performing at Seattle's major hip hop event, Battle of Seattle. With Tatiana's Colombian background, she always had a desire to learn Salsa. She began working with her lifelong friend, Rico Jr., in 2005 and continues to teach and train with him.
	Donna Hamilton - Donna Hamilton teaches Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Lyrical. Dancing for 35 years, Donna brings a wealth of various styles and techniques to her teaching. Originally from the East Coast, Donna trained in New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania with well-known choreographers including Suzy Miller, Ronen Koresch and Joseph Taylor. She began her professional dance career at 16 years old performing in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York. After moving to Puget Sound in 1998, Donna became involved in the dance community in the Pacific Northwest. She is a previous member of the ARC repertory company and has taught at several area dance studios. Donna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and works at Microsoft as a Senior Communications Manager. She lives in North Bend with her husband, Jim and her children Abigail, Michael and Emily.
	Bruce and Stephanie Gombrelli - Bruce Gombrelli is a DJ/Teacher/Competitor and Judge for West Coast Swing and Night Club 2 Step. He is a member of WSDC, and SSDC. He is also an active participant in the GSDTA program for teaching and NDDCB program for judging. With many years of teaching and engineering training under his belt makes him a very technical teacher but he is an active social dancer as well and knows how to make a dance experience fun. Bruce and Stephanie to got married after meeting at a large dance convention in Palm Springs, California. He teaches private and group lessons.