Our Faculty
Ashley began her dance journey at just two years old, building a lifelong foundation in movement and performance. She holds a B.A. in Dance from San Diego State University and an M.A. in Corporate Communications from the University of San Francisco. With over 15 years of experience teaching youth, collegiate, and adult dancers, Ashley brings both technical expertise and a strong sense of mentorship to her work. She currently serves as the Artistic Director of Bella Lux Entertainment and performs professionally with LITVAKdance. Ashley’s classes emphasize proper technique, thoughtful modifications to support individual needs, and consistent encouragement to help each dancer reach their full potential. She believes that every dancer’s journey is unique, evolving at its own pace. Through a supportive, high-energy studio environment, Ashley aims to help dancers build confidence, deepen body awareness, and grow both as artists and individuals.
Miss Jaque is a dedicated ballet instructor from Brazil with a degree in Physical Education and a certification in Psychomotor Development and Specializing in dance classes for young children, emphasizes motor development and creative movement. With extensive experience in recreation and a deep understanding of physical education, Jaque is committed to nurturing a love for ballet and supporting young dancers in their growth.
Miss Rachel Dauod started dancing ballet at the age of 5 in New York at the Rockville Studio of Dance. After a family move to California she continued her ballet training under the tutelage of Lawrence Rosenberg and Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg. Rachel was accepted to and attended summer intensives at The Joffrey School of Ballet. Under the direction of Lawrence Rosenberg and Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg Rachel performed corps de ballet roles as well as soloist roles in the following works The Nutcracker: A Journey to Candyland, Hans Christian Andersen’s Storybook Wedding, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Graduation Ball, Beauty and the Beast, Cowboy Cakewalk, Greensleeves, Waltz In Ragtime (Joplin), and The Swallows. Corps de ballet roles for The Eglevsky Ballet in The Nutcracker. Soloist role of Prunella in Cinderella under the direction of Axel Hering. As well as performed repertoire pieces by Donna Boise and illusions as a magician assistant for Andy Amyx in Japan as part of the Hollywood Dance and Magic Show. Rachel taught ballet and began choreographing at The Ballet Conservatory for a few years before going back to school to become a Clinical Social Worker. Rachel currently choreographs works and teaches for PAW and its’ associated Studio Company.
Victoria Jenkins is a native of San Diego, California, and a Professional Ballerina. Her journey in the world of ballet began at the age of 5, marking the commencement of a lifelong passion. At age 14 she attended the international ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and received a scholarship to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. There she was honored with the Prince Edward Award and graduated Cum Laude.
After graduating she accepted a contract with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company and toured the US and Canada until 2018. Victoria returned to her hometown, San Diego, where she joined California Ballet as a corps member. Later she joined Golden State Ballet. She was promoted to the role of Soloist April 2024. Along with Company life Victoria is also a freelance artist and enjoys working on multiple productions at one time. Victoria’s passion for movement and well-being extends beyond ballet. She has been teaching ballet since 2018 to the ages 3-adult. She is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) and holds a 200-hour Hatha Yoga instructor certification.
ASHLEY AKHAVAN - Heels
JAQUE BESVOGLIO - Ballet Fundamentals
RACHEL DAUOD - Ballet, PAW Studio Company
VICTORIA JENKINS - Ballet, PBT
Ms. Matsuura was born in Irvine, California, and began her dance training with Ms. Hanna Karacic at the age of six. She spent her formative years training in the Vaganova method at Southland Ballet Academy, and furthered her training at summer intensives with American Ballet Theater, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kirov Academy of Washington, DC, the Rock School for Dance Education, and Oklahoma City Ballet. She completed her BFA in dance performance and choreography with a minor in Spanish at the University of California, Irvine, graduating with honors that included Excellence in Dance Performance (2015); Latin and Campuswide Honors; Phi Beta Kappa; the William J. Gillespie Scholarship in Ballet Studies (2013-15); and the Medici Circle Award (2014). She danced with Orange County’s Festival Ballet Theatre for six seasons, performing principal and soloist roles that included Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote; Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker; Diamond and White Fairy in Sleeping Beauty; and Monya in Giselle. Her choreography has been performed at UC Irvine, Azusa Pacific University, and Youth America Grand Prix. Ms. Matsuura served as the Director of Corps de Ballet and Youth Division at Azusa Pacific University from 2015-2016 and was on faculty at Southland Ballet Academy for six years before joining Oklahoma City Ballet’s Studio Company in 2017. Ms. Matsuura was promoted to apprentice in 2018 and corps de ballet in 2019. Her teaching certifications include Progressing Ballet Technique and the distinction of ABT® Affiliate Teacher, having completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and successfully presented students for examination.
Chloe McClure has been dancing for 21 years growing up at a competitive studio in Oceanside. She graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a B.F.A in Dance and participated in the LBSU dance team. Chloe continues to perform in Los Angeles and San Diego whenever she has the opportunity. Currently she is an Assistant Instructor for U.S Spiritleaders dance team camp. She has worked with choreographers such as Rebecca Lemme, Andrew Vaca, Keith Jonson, Keilan Stafford, Derrick Paris, and Aisha Reddick. Chloe specializes in teaching various styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, ballet, and hip hop.
Natasha grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon, where she trained under her mother, Christine Rader along with Angela Steidl. She continued on to train at Marin Dance Theatre with Lynn Cox and Margaret Swarthout for two years before training at Orlando Ballet School and then moving on to Alberta Ballet School in their Post Graduate Program. Most recently, she was in the Studio Training Company at Texas Ballet Theater. There she was able to perform in many of Ben Stevenson's ballets including as a Snowflake in The Nutcracker, a soloist in Glazunov Variations, various roles in Alice in Wonderland, as well as working with Mr. Stevenson directly to originate a role in his new ballet: Requiem. Natasha also holds a comprehensive certification from Stott Pilates in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels. Inspired by the benefits of Pilates for her own dance career, Natasha loves to teach dancers and non-dancers alike so they can improve their physical well-being. Natasha joined Golden State Ballet as an apprentice for the 23/24 season, and is excited to be dancing professionally as well as teaching Pilates around San Diego.
NATALIE MATSUURA - Ballet, Pointe, Comp, Coaching
CHLOE MCCLURE - Jazz, Comp Coaching
HOLLY MEACHAM - Ballet
NATASHA RADER - Ballet
It was in Yvonne Lakier(S.W.R.B), Robyns mother’s studio, that she began training at the age of 3. She attended the National School of The Arts training in both the R.A.D. (Solo Seal) and Cecchetti methods. Robyn continued her training at The Royal Ballet School in London, before being asked to join Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet Company after just 3 months. Robyn also danced with P.A.C.T. and N.A.P.A.C. companies in South Africa.
Robyn has worked with renowned teachers and choreographers and performed numerous leading roles, including Giselle, Coppelia, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and Swan Lake. Robyn was the lead dancer in several Balanchine ballets, including: Four Temperaments, Apollo, Sonantine and Tchaikowsky Pas De Deux . Ballets written for her include Killar’s ‘Miraculous Mandarine’ and ‘Baccus and Ariandne’, and Nierewicz’s ‘Shostakovich Pas De Deux’. A ballet ‘Segel-Suite’ was written and performed in Germany as a dedication to her work.
Robyn’s professional performing career ended abruptly following severe injuries sustained in a car accident. Robyn guest teaches ballet at schools throughout U.S.A.
Perfect technique and training are an integral part of any dancer’s success. An ability to tap into the ‘soul’ and bring out each person’s unique gifts, are skills that I am impassioned to share.
ROBYN SEGEL SHIFREN - Ballet, Pointe
Emily Miller - Director
Currently teaching Ballet, Contemporary, and Pointe
Emily has been turning in circles ever since she learned to walk. After falling in love with classical ballet as a young child, she turned those circles into pirouettes at Performing Arts Workshop in Encinitas. Emily was lucky enough to attend Columbia College Chicago where she earned her BFA in Dancemaking and was supported, shaped, and radically challenged in her training and ideas about what dance was and could be. She has had the immense pleasure and honor of studying under Darrell Jones, Laura Wade, Bonnie Brooks, Carrie Hansen, Peter Carpenter, Dardi McGinley Gallivan, David Dorfman, Larry Rosenberg, Lisa Gonzales, Richard Woodbury, and Kate Corby among others. Emily has since come back to takeover and run Performing Arts Workshop armed with a love for community, a fascination with form/function, and a fervent desire to make as much room for and access to the work as possible. Emily is also the Director of Ballet Collective San Diego and joyfully dances salsa and bachata with the incredible community at Melómano Entertainment and Dance.