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Faculty
Our
teachers have both professional dancing experience and a Masters
of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. We are committed
to teaching proper technique to ensure a lifetime of dance.
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| • Linden McPherson
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| Linden McPherson is owner and director of Pacific
Dance Center and Pacific
Pilates. Linden has danced all her life
and was awarded scholarships to the Joffrey
Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet. Linden
attended the University of California, Irvine,
where she received her B.A. in Dance and her
Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. She danced
professionally with Capistrano Ballet and Los
Angeles Classical Ballet in productions of the
Nutcracker, Copellia, Firebird and Graduation
Ball. She has enjoyed teaching all ages for
over 30 years. Linden received her Pilates Teacher
Training from Marie-Jose Blom at the acclaimed
Long Beach Dance Conditioning Center. Pacific
Dance Center is excited to incorporate Pilates
in our dance curriculum. |
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| • Shannon
Zimmerman - |
| Shannon Zimmerman graduated with a double major
in Dance Education and Adolescent Psychology
from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
While there she studied multiple forms of modern
dance including Martha Graham, Jose Limon and
Paul Taylor. She also studied and collaborated
with current contemporary choreographers such
as Tonya Lockyear, Adrian Clancy, and Dawn Stoppiello,
whose company was recently featured in Dance
Magazine. Shannon attended and performed at
the American College Dance Festival 1998-2001
and also had her choreography featured at their
Gala Performance. She has been teaching for
over 10 years to children age 2-18, and has
set choreography on college level dancers and
high school dance teams. Shannon has studied
all forms of dance technique including ballet,
pointe, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern and contemporary.
She is excited to bring those elements to Pacific
Dance Center. |
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| • Jack Virga - |
Jack Virga became active in the arts at a very young age. Trained as a martial artist, it was an early introduction to musical theater that allowed him to hone his skills for dancing, singing, and acting. Working for an entertainment company throughout high school, Jack decided to continue his education with the California Institute of the Arts, founded by Roy & Walt Disney. His studies focused on dance and music, introducing him to the director of Ken Dance Company, the first professional company he toured with. After working with several companies and performing across the country, Jack has started a non-profit of his own, Our Dancing Stars Productions (ODSP). ODSP aims to bring the joy of dance to affected youth, giving them a chance to express themselves through the arts. Jack's favorite dance styles are contemporary, ballet, hip-hop and jazz. He also currently works teaching with Star Education, a long established non-profit organization where he can share his love of dance, music, and martial arts with young impressionable minds. At the present time he's getting ready for the tour with his new professional company, Lula Washington Dance Theatre. |
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| • Colette Brandenburg - |
| Colette Brandenburg began her dance training at the Michigan Ballet Theater and Midwest Dance Theatre. She continued her studies in Alvin Ailey School’s Independent Study program, recently receiving her MFA in Choreography with Merit in London. Recent credits include a commission from the Glastonbury Festival; a tour of her dance theater piece in the Southern United Kingdom; and choreography for 2011 Grammy nominee Becky Jones. Colette has studied Graham, Horton, Cunningham, Limon and release-based techniques which inform her teaching methods. Most recently she was teaching musical theater in the West End in London alongside contemporary Jazz at universities in the UK. |
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| • Jessica Perez - |
Jessica Perez is from Mount Airy, Maryland and started dancing at the Frederick School of Classical Ballet, the official school of Maryland Regional Ballet, under the direction of Joyce Morrison. At the young age of 15 she began student teaching ages 2 to 18, as well as the challenge of teaching her peers, a challenge for a young dancer. She received additional training at Miami City Ballet School as a scholarship student. Jessica was awarded with he opportunity to dance with the Miami City Ballet company and did many productions and a World Premier of "Lounge 2200" with the company. She left the company to spread her love of dance to others. She worked for performing arts schools and inter city public schools teaching a range of dance styles. She is excited to work with the talent and the enthusiasm the Pacific Dance Center students showcase. |
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| • Korah Rubio - |
Korah Rubio is currently an English Major at El Camino College, where she has also participated in the Dance program, Cheer team, and Yoga classes. She has been an active member of the dance community since the age of four. In conclusion to her thirteen years as a competitive dancer she was awarded Top Senior Soloist at a regional talent competition, and her team placed top five in several national dance competitions. Korah has danced in top studios across the South Bay, and has taken classes from top choreographers such as Mandy Moore, and Doug Caldwell. She began teaching Combo Classes at the age of twelve, and has since taught Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, Tap, and Lyrical to children aged 2-14. Korah has also expanded into teaching private dance lessons, and party routines. She’s excited to share her love and knowledge of dance with younger dancers at Pacific Dance Center. |
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Pacific Dance Center has two fully equipped dance studios and one pilates studio, changing room, parent lobby and ample parking. |
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