FACULTY

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, California. Her passion for teaching lead her to open her own business,and in 1984 "Encore" was born. In the past twenty eight 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.

Amber Dupuy began her training at the age of three at Encore Dance Centre in San Dimas, CA. There she studied all various dance forms and continued on to study at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.  Upon graduating LACSA high school, Amber was accepted into the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Performance in May of 2010. 

Along with numerous prestigious choreographers at the University of the Arts,  Amber also had the privilege to apprentice with Zane Booker and his Smoke, Lilies, and Jade Arts Initiative while attending University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Amber danced as Peggy Branch in Eddie Garcia’s Twisted Branches at Dee Caspary’s “The Invitational” and participated in the debut of Melinda Sullivan’s Gone: A Sound and Theater Project. Amber is also a dancer in Joelle Martinec’s SoleVita Dance Company, where she has also assisted choreographically on some of the company’s rep. Amber’s most recent credit was as a cast member in Steve Wynn’s “Showstoppers” at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

Brittany Freeth has been a part of the Encore family since the age of 3. Outside of Encore, she trained at Los Angeles County High School of the Arts. Brittany holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts, a minor in Business Administration as well as a Master of Arts in Management from Azusa Pacific University. Brittany has been one of the resident directors and choreographers of Foothill Theatre Workshop for the last ten years and is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with all her students.  Some of her major productions have been with Diavolo Dance Theatre and Vox Lumiere. Some Theater credits include: “West Side Story,” “The King and I” and the West Coast Regional premiere of “In The Heights.”  Brittany’s TV/film credits include: recurring on  911: Lone Star, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, General Hospital, NCIS: LA, “A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas” and Ryan Murphy’s “The Prom” on Netflix. She is represented by The Happen Agency and Cylence Media Management. Brittany has enjoyed working as a choreographer throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as working alongside her husband and their company Wolfdog Creative.

Eden is a St. Louis native who recently relocated to Los Angeles to follow her dance career. Her dance training began at a young age and she has studied with such notable teachers as Robert Reed, Ray Leeper, Tina Caspary and more. Eden has trained dancers in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary and hip hop. Her teaching has brought her across China to perform and share her love of dance. In addition, she is currently the competition director for Velocity Dance Convention. Eden believes in keeping the joy and confidence dance brings to inspire young dancers to be their very best.

Natalie is an Encore alumnus! She’s been dancing since she was two years old and has been gracing the Encore stage since age four. Natalie was song and dance captain throughout high school and graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelors in Dance (emphasis in composition) as well as Women and Gender studies. Natalie earned her Masters of Arts in Educational and Clinical Counseling and currently works as an elementary school counselor in Arcadia Unified School District. Natalie also works as an Art and Activities Coordinator for foster youth at a group home in Pasadena. Natalie’s passion lies in the children she works with and allowing them a positive space to strengthen their art and creativity. Natalie’s heart is with Encore and she looks forward to teaching every Thursday and Friday!

Tory Freeth Beckwith is a dancer and actor based in Los Angeles. She is trained in all areas of classical dance, studying at Encore Dance Centre for 15 years and graduating from the dance department at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA).  She holds her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting for the Stage and Screen from Azusa Pacific University. She is best known as the previous host of the Disney Channel Mini-Series titled Disney 365. Her previous film credits include the feature film Headcount, as well as independent short films such as Sleeping, Tragedies for Children of All Ages, and Railroad: the New 11. She can be seen in commercial spots for brands such as Apple, 23andMe, Grocery Outlet, Walmart, GrubHub, and Final Fantasy. Some of her recent stage work includes Empire: the Musical (Hazel) at La Mirada Theatre, and A Midsummer Nights™ Dream (Hermia) at Azusa Pacific University. Tory has been teaching at Encore Dance Centre for 5 years now, and is also the Assistant Choreographer for Foothill Theatre Workshop.

Coach Julian is a founder of Flight Club Gymnastics, husband, father, USAG certified gymnastics instructor, and fitness coach. Coach Julian has over 12 years of coaching experience working with students in the San Gabriel Valley, including at Charter Oak Gymnastics, Club Champion, Payke Gymnastics Academy, and L.A. County Parks and Recreation Cheer programs. Through Flight Club Gymnastics, Coach Julian is committed to empower students through gymnastics movements.

After being involved with her Mother’s studio from a distance for so many years while pursuing her career in NY, Holly is excited to be able to teach again and share her dance knowledge and passion with the students at EDC!

Holly started her career as a commercial dancer in Los Angeles. She has film and TV credits and was a member of Winifred R. Harris Between Lines Dance Company. Holly moved to New York where she danced in theatre and was a Radio City Rockette.  After 16 yrs, Holly retired from her professional dance career in 2006, and moved on to her second career as a fashion stylist.

Her dance mentors along the way were Jackie Sleight, Joe Malone, Paula Morgan, Claude Thompson and David Marquez.  Her class warm-up is that of Joe Malone’s, combined with technique from Paula Morgan and Claude Thompson.  She teaches the fundamentals of jazz thru musicality and “line”. 

Holly moved back to LA ten years ago where she continues her work as a stylist and lives with her husband and daughter.

As a dancer Nichelle was a member and soloist with the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo. She was line captain and featured dancer on the Princess Cruises Line. Since moving to LA some of her credits include Friends, Clueless, Austin Powers 2, Totally Blonde and others Nichelle has worked with the likes of Marguerite Derricks, Mia Michaels, and Vincent Paterson. She was assistant to Doug Caldwell.

Nichelle  is currently on faculty at Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, Encore Dance Centre, Liv’art, and Performing Arts Center. She is also on faculty with the educational dance convention Motiv8. Nichelle is the artistic director of the Los Angeles based Reflections Dance Company. Nichelle is the resident choreographer with Astra Dance Theater where she helped bring 2 unique dance shows to the stage. “Eleanora” an Edgar Allen Poe story, and “The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari” a 1920 German silent horror film. Both premiered at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. Recently, excerpts of “Caligari” were performed at Jazz At Lincoln Center in NYC for two consecutive years. Nichelle is the director of Encore Dance Centre’s Annual Nutcracker Production.

Eddie Garcia is an accomplished director, choreographer, dancer and multi-faceted entertainer with a solid reputation for choreography built upon decades of performing internationally alongside many of today’s most celebrated stars.

At just 16 years old, Eddie’s incredible dancing style and technique delivered him to the world stage via many projects with Janet Jackson. He danced in“Nasty”, and the classic “Control” on the American Music Awards.

By the time Eddie turned 17, “The King of Pop” himself, Michael Jackson, hand picked Eddie to join him with “Smooth Criminal”, Eddie spent the next five years dancing with Jackson on the record-breaking and internationally acclaimed “Bad” and“Dangerous” tours.

He has since lent his talent to collaborations with well known artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Paula Abdul, Queen Latifah, Jane’s Addiction and others.

Eddie Garcia’s artistic fingerprint that has made him one of the most sought after names within the world of dance and choreography. He continues to enjoy engaging in new creative adventures and collaborations with the artists of today and tomorrow.

Olivia Bollfrass-Stewart started dancing in Minnesota competing all types of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theater, and hip hop at Studio 4 until the age of 18 and continued her training in ballet and modern in high school at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. After graduating, Olivia moved to Los Angeles to sign with Go 2 Talent Agency and started monthly shows at Carnival, video submissions, shooting commercials, assisting choreographers and magicians, and working as a body double on ABC's Bunheads. She has also worked with the Astra Dance Company on The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, and most recently on TruTV's FAKE OFF season 2. Olivia is also part of Nichelle Bane's Reflections Dance Company, which travels throughout the year for competitions, conventions, and shows. Lastly, she works for Q Productions, a multi-media cirque company that has won her awards all over the world, including Best Female Dancer of the Year 2014 in Argentina.

Mikayla was born and raised in San Dimas, the home of Encore Dance Centre. She started dancing at the age of 2, initially taking tap lessons. By the time she was 10 Encore was her second home. She explored and experienced all dance styles and disciplines, while performing in the annual recital programs all through high school. Mikayla fell in love with teaching and is now part of the faculty in the studio. She is currently attending Cal State San Marcos, focusing on grade school instruction and a minor in fashion, all the while continuing to pursue her love of dance by performing. She has danced under the wings of the entire staff at Encore making her a confident, successful performer. Mikayla is looking forward to teaching young students and dancers.