Bonnie Copeland - Owner
Bonnie began dancing at the age of 3 in her mother's dance studio in Montreal, Canada. She began teaching at the age of 15 and
went to work for Alan Currier Dance Center in Covina, Califorina. Her passion for teaching lead her to open her own business,and in
1984 "Encore" was born. In the past twenty five years, she has developed the reputation of the studio to being "LA’s Dance Studio"
in the San Gabriel Valley offering the finest in the Performing Arts. She has accumulated a highly credentialed staff from all
over the country and has become infamously known for her annual shows. Bonnie’s mission has been to inspire the passion of movement,
dance and performing in children of all ages in a nurturing positive environment.
Joelle Martinec
Joelle’s unique style, challenging classes, and ability to inspire have her in demand as a master teacher and choreographer
throughout the world. She has been a favorite instructor of dancers and teachers on the dance convention circuit for many years.
Joelle is the founder and choreographer of the new Los Angeles based company Unbound Dance Ensemble, which is in the process of
creating their premier show.
She has worked with the likes of: The Cohen Brothers (Fargo) in "The Big Lebowski", Marguerite Derricks (Austin Powers) in "A
Time For Dancing", Jerry Evans (The Mask) in "Romy and Michelle: In The Beginning", and Michael Rooney (Kylie Minogue) in the MTV
music award winning video "It’s Ohh So Quiet". Joelle has performed in countless stage shows for Buena Vista Special Events and
The Platinum Guild. She has a guest artist for The Wes Veldink Movement and a soloist for Liz Imperio’s Instincts Live Media Dance
Company, where Lewis Segal of the Los Angeles Times called her performance "feisty".
Recently, Joelle played "The Prosecuting Attorney" in J.T. Horenstein's production "The Question". Joelle was the assistant
choreographer to Denise Leitner on the LA production of "The Who's Tommy" featuring Tony Award Nominee Alice Ripley, Nona Hendryx
and "Wicked's" Jenna Leigh Green. As well as a faculty member at the Edge Performing Arts Center, Joelle is a master teacher for
the cast of Cirque du Soleil "Le Reve" in Las Vegas. Joelle has been a faculty member at Encore for the past 10 years and is
thrilled to be the artistic director of Company E.
Joelle also choreographs for numerous organizations, dance companies, and commercial projects. Her award winning choreography
can be seen on many studios and companies throughout the country. She has recently returned from Sarajevo, Bosnia where she
worked in part with the non-profit organization Genesis Sarajevo, helping to create outlets and opportunities for dancers there.
Joelle’s passion and enthusiasm is contagious to not only the dancers, but to everyone around her.
Nichelle J. Bane
Nichelle Bane was born and raised on the central coast of California, where she studied at The Academy of Dance throughout her
youth. She was a featured member of the San Luis Jazz Dancers for over 12 years, as well as a corps member and soloist with the
Civic Ballet for 11 years.
Nichelle was a line captain and featured dancer on the Princess Cruise Line. Upon departure from cruise life, she decided to
move to LA to further her career. Some of her credits include Friends, Clueless, Austin Powers 11, Totally Blonde, Divine Design
and Her Last Chance. Commercially, she has worked with Mervyns, Mcdonalds, Bacardi, and NBC.
As a teacher and choreographer, she is on faculty for the EDGE Performing Arts Center, and the Los Angeles Ballet Academy.
She has traveled with L.A. Danceforce, Hollywood Vibe, and to various studios across the country. Nichelle has had the opportunity
to work extensively with Doug Caldwell on projects including a Trading Spaces commercial.
Most recently, Nichelle debuted Reflections Dance Company, which is a various collection of her choreographic works and vision.
Leslie Geldbach
Leslie Geldbach has been in dance shoes since she was 4 years old. Luckily getting to experience a little bit of everything,
Musicals, Concert Tours, Movies, Television, Corporate/Industrials, Internet and Travel the world doing it. Leslie has worked with
some great Choreographers and "Stars" like Reba McEntire, L.L. Cool J, Jack Black. Michael Cera, Alex Borestein (Family Guy), Kirsten
Dunst, Jim Carrey to name drop.
She was Assistant Choreographer on Reba McEntire’s tours, Latin Sensation Chayanne’s tours in 1997-1998 & Leanne Rhymes live
performances. Assisted on Commercials, Movies and Television. Leslie was recently nominated for Co-Choreographing "The Producers" in
Stockholm Sweden and won best show. She was a Featured Dancer in the Promo Spots on MTV for "Artist of the Week" Sara Bareiles. Leslie
is also a guest performer for The Wes Veldink Movement Dance Company in New York. She currently is choreographing for her Choreography
reel and teaching at a Charter School and a couple local dance studios. She is proud & happy to be a part of an Independent Dance
Movie called "Move". www.MOVEthefilm.com
Courtney Miller
What do Michael Jackson, Usher, Miley Cyrus, and Britney Spears all have in common?
They’ve all worked under the watchful eye of one of L.A. hottest choreographers, COURTNEY MILLER. Courtney’s talent for
developing choreography has been seen on the MTV Music Awards, The Soul Train Awards, The Grammy’s, The American Music Awards,
and the Billboard Awards.
Courtney started his career in show business at the age of 18 when he landed a role as one of the lead dancers in Michael
Jackson’s video: "Remember The Time". During the taping of that music video, Courtney met Travis Payne (Coyote Ugly, Pop Stars),
and the two, along with Lavelle Smith (Rhythm Nation) created LTC, a choreographic powerhouse with clients such as: Diana Ross,
Michael Jackson, and Paula Abdul. It was during this time that Courtney choreographed several commercials for such clients as
Guess Jeans, L’Oreal, and Levi’s. But Courtney’s first love was music videos, and from 1992-1996, he choreographed over 50 of
them. Some of his best known works include; My Way (Usher), Destiny’s Child (No, No, No), and Genuwine’s (So Anxious).
Courtney was asked by close friend and star of Showtime television’s hit show "Soul food" Darrin Henson to hold an audition
for him in Los Angeles, little did he know that that audition would lead him to hire dancers for superstar Britney Spears’ video
"Crazy". Ironically MTV was there taping a new t.v. show, as a result, Courtney was featured on MTV’s first ever "Making the Video" series.
Courtney also choreographed the hot commercial for Disney’s "That’s so Raven" television show and the hot new movie "Cheetah
Girls". He was also one of the Choreographers for the award winning "Ghosts" music video, starring Michael Jackson, and he was
featured on MTV’s "Becoming" series where he choreographed two people who "Became" Usher and P.Diddy.
Courtney’s relationship with Disney has spurred additional projects such as: the 1st music video for Disney’s prequel "The
Lion King 1 1/2" and episode of "That’s so Raven" featuring Paula Abdul and Directed by non other than Mega Star Debbie Allen.
Recently, he completed the Directing and Staging of talent for Disney’s "Friends For Change" Music Video which features:
Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato’s SEND IT ON music video now featured on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney!
Eddie Garcia
Highly acclaimed dancer, choreographer, teacher, Eddie Garcia's career began at the age of 14 when he was hired for "Captain EO"
for Disney Pictures. Unable to complete the project because of the grueling schedule and strict child-acting performing laws he
returned back to his studies. It wasn't long before he was spotted by Paula Abdul who encouraged him to audition for Janet Jackson.
Eddie was featured in Janet's "Nasty" video in a segment that had him performing nine pirouettes on a raked highway. That is when
Eddie was spotted by Micheal Jackson. The rest is history! Along with performing and working with Micheal for years, Eddie was also
immortalized in a comic book alongside his idol, Micheal Jackson. Eddie is currently teaching in the top studios in LA as well as
across the United States. He just completed choreography for his current projects, the 2010 Latin Grammy Awards and the upcoming 2011
"Smurfs" movie. We are honored to add Eddie to Encore's staff.
Jackie Evans
Jackie moved from Vancouver, Canada to further her training and pursue her professional dance career. She trained for two years in the
Apprentice Program under the direction of Joe Malone at the Performing Arts Center. Jackie can be seen on the TV show "Bones", as well as
multiple E Channel specials for Charles Klapow, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bryan Anthony. She also had the great pleasure to travel to the
Philippines to work as Assistant Director for "Melanj-Ice Spectacular." She has assisted Jerry Evans at the Hollywood Bowl Goes Vegas with
Gladys Knight and Wayne Brady as well as Scott Grossman on the Miss Teen USA Pageant Live on NBC. She has performed in numerous Mandalone
Projects, Choreographer’s Ball and other live stage shows in and around LA.
Jackie has also completed her Intermediate Level International Cecchetti exam with honors. She loves to teach young dance students and
is excited to be teaching at Encore!
Karly Hansen
Originally from Chicago, Karly studied at The Academy of Dance Arts and the Lou Conte Studio before moving to Los Angeles in
2007 to pursue a professional dance career. Since arriving, she has had the opportunity to train closely under choreographers
such as Chris Jones, Leslie Scott, Nick Wilson, and Leo Morimune. Trained in everything from Ballet to Hip Hop, she has performed
in numerous live stage shows, and been a part of the highly regarded Choreographer’s Carnival. Karly has been teaching for the
last 4 years and thanks all of her students for allowing her to grow with them.
Natalie Faris
Natalie Faris has been dancing since she was two years old and began her training at Encore when she was four. In high school
Natalie was a Varsity Songleader for 3 years and captain her senior year. She was also an active participant in the drama program
and danced in 4 musicals.
Natalie graduated from South Hills High School in 2007 and now attends Cal State Fullerton where she is a dance major. Natalie
is so excited to be teaching at Encore and looks forward to sharing her passion and enthusiasm for dance with others.
Kelly Rice
Kelly Rice orginally from Texas, now resides in Los Angeles. He is currently starring in the Off Broadway Smash Hit "Altar Boys"
at the Celebration Theatre in LA. Some of his credits include TV Land Awards, Kaptain Kool, as well as working with such artists as
Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole and Conan O'Brien. He has performed in many theatre productions along with Disney, many industrials,
Film and Vegas. Kelly is referred by many of the talent agencies in LA for voice training with their clients. He is excited for
the opportunity to work with our talented students in voice training,coaching for auditions and audition material.
Griffin Miller
Griffin danced at Encore from 1989 until 2002. In 2003, she studied musical theater at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in both the
Experimental Theater Wing and CAP-21 studios. While in New York, she trained extensively at Broadway Dance Center. She is trained at Body
Arts and Sciences International and is a nationally certified PMA Pilates Trainer. She is also an ACE certified Personal Trainer, yoga
intructor, and prenatal and postpartum exercise specialist. She continues to perform in and around the southland in such theaters as
the Sierra Madre Playhouse, Whittier Center Theater, and Covina Center for the Performing Arts.
Laura Micklich
Laura Micklich has been dancing since she was four years old. She started with Folklorico and then went on to
learn salsa. Laura began teaching dance in college and went on to become an AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association
of America) instructor in 1996 and then began teaching group fitness. Laura is also one of the first ten to become a
licensed Zumba instructor. She has been teaching Zumba for 7 years and has participated in various Zumba Master
classes. She loves to dance and enjoys teaching!
Sari Anna Thomas
Sari Anna Thomas, A native of Seattle, moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to explore new artistic avenues. By 2003 she had
already worked for the likes of Robin Anton, Mandy Moore, RJ Durrell, Troy Christian & Mark Swanhart to name a few. In
2004 Sari Anna was the assistant director, choreographer and dance captain of "Wonderland" a show under the direction
and choreography of JT Horenstein. In 2005 Sari began to focus her career on teaching, choreographing, and directing;
most notably succeeding Mandy Moore as the Artistic Director of Expression's Dance Company at Bobbies School of Performing
Arts from 2008-2010. Currently, Sari is the Assistant Director of Project Sky Dance Company based out of Long Beach, CA.
As a dance educator, Sari Anna’s mission is to cultivate independent artists in a manner that pushes them to approach their
art with an open mind, free of judgment. For her, this must coexist with learning the importance of technique. Sari Anna notes
that blending these two ideas will create an inspiring environment for young artists to grow.
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