Faculty

Will Johnston holds an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California: Irvine as well as a B.F.A in Dance Performance, a B.F.A in Dance Choreography, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Credits include Clear Talent Group in Los Angeles, Sonya Tayeh’s “Tayeh Dance,”Justin Gile’s “SoulEscape,” Erica Sobol’s “CollidEdance,” Stacey Tookey’s “Still Motion,” Donald McKayle’s “Etude Ensemble,” Boogiezone’s “Breed,” Fox’s Gulee, Sigur Ros, and Son Lux. In addition, Will is the Co-Director of Boogiezone’s contemporary company, ENTITY.

Kelly Devine attended Chapman University where she received her BFA in Theater & Dance. Post graduation, she danced, modeled and acted, as well as Instructed at Conventions and judged Competitions across the country. Some notable credits include: Nike, New Balance, Hard Tail, Adidas, Trina Turk, KMS International, Co Dance, On Cue LA. Kelly spent 7 years as a teacher at San Clemente High School, where she was honored in receiving the Orange County Arts Educator of the year award. Kelly implemented the International Baccalaureate Dance Program at SCHS, taught P.E. Dance, R.O.P. Dance, I.B. Dance and led the San Clemente High School Dance Team to numerous USA National Titles. In 2009, She and Tim Stevenson created Dance aTaK, a dance to advance dance education in a positive, dynamic environment, inspiring dancers through intensives with the industry's top professionals. Dance aTaK is currently in its 9th season and thriving. Kelly presently enjoys freelance choreography, teaching master classes, serving as Dance aTAK's co-director, working with #teamdanceatak and being a dedicated wife and Mom to her 3 young children. She will always be committed to the art of dance and is very excited to embark on the future of Dance aTaK

Melissa Sandvig is most well known for her performance on Season 5 of "So You Think You Can Dance" as the "Naughty Ballerina". Melissa was the first classically trained ballerina and the oldest contestant at age 29. She broke stereotypes about age and ballet and made it all the way to the top 6. She has performed on the hit shows “GLEE” “DANCING WITH THE STARS”, “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”, “GREYS ANATOMY”,“HART OF DIXIE”, “BUNHEADS," "MOBBED"and “THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.” She has also performed in motion capture work for many of the “Shrek” movie dance scenes “Puss in Boots” and “Madagascar 3”, and is currently working with Cirque Du Soleil creating a new show.

She enjoys teaching younger dancers how not only to be healthy but to work their bodies correctly to prevent injuries. Melissa continues to perform with companies such as Helios Dance Theater, Sacramento Ballet, Los Angeles Contemporary Ballet, Luminario Ballet, Motion Tribe, Body Traffic, Strange and Elegant Dancers, String Theory, The Los Angeles Opera, and many more. Now she continues to perform, teach master classes, and is pursuing a career in acting.

Chalatorn Ujamras graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in dance. She attended Orange County School of the Arts. Chalatorn has traveled throughout the United States as an assistant to Tina D’Amato Sidoni, assisting with dance instruction and choreography. In 2004, she also traveled as an assistant on LA Dance Magic Conventions.
Chalatorn choreographs and teaches master classes throughout the United States at various dance studios and high schools. She is an instructor and choreographer at Orange County School of the Arts, West Coast School of the Arts and South County Dance Company. She has also been a part of Unity LA, under the direction of Tessandra Chavez. She has performed in a Camp Rock 2 promo, and appeared on various episodes of America’s Got Talent, and The Big Bang Theory.

Rochelle Mapes just earned an MA in Dance from Cal State University, Long Beach, graduating with honors and receiving an award for Distinguished Achievement in Creative Activity. Additionally, she has a BFA in Dance from CSULB. Some of her professional commercial credits include dancing on the FX television show “Nip/Tuck” and performing with such artists as Gladys Knight and Wayne Brady. She has danced with several contemporary and jazz companies, notably, BARE Dance Company under the direction of Mike Esperanza. Currently, she is a dancer, choreographer, and rehearsal director for RhetOracle Dance Company with Nate Hodges. Her diverse work has been presented on the professional concert stage, in college dance departments, studios, and extensively with competitive high school dance teams. She is a much sought after master class teacher and has taught for conventions/workshops like Dance aTAK, United Spirit Association Dance Camps, American Ballet Intensives, KAR convention, and Segerstrom Center for the Arts in affiliation with ABT William Gillespie School. In addition, she judges dance competitions on a regional and national level for USA and internationally for the USASF Dance Worlds. During the school year she teaches at the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts where she is a Facilitator and jazz/contemporary teacher for the Commercial Dance Conservatory.

Tim Stevenson is a Director, Choreographer, Author, and Artist Manager. He strives to bring professional, cutting edge and positive experiences to all his projects and inspire all who strive for excellence.

Tim has choreographed for Jennifer Lopez, Destiny’s Child, Trinity Jo Dee Messina, Colette Carr, Usher, Boys to Men, Johnny Knoxville, Stacie Oricco and More. He comes from an extensive background in all styles of dance and has performed on stages, concerts, television award shows, and music videos with Jennifer Lopez, Boys II Men, Usher, Destiny’s Child , Brandy, TLC, Jennifer Love Hewitt and had a scene in the Movie” Bringin Down the House” with Steve Martin.

Kendra Andrews was raised in Florida and graduated Cum Laude with a B.F.A in Dance from Florida State University. Some of her film/television credits include: starring as "Anala" in Disney's STEP UP 3, FOOTLOOSE, G.I. JOE RETALIATION, HOUSE M.D., LOST GIRLS, BACHELORS, MASTERS OF SEX, and BLINDSPOTTING. She has performed at the Academy Awards, on So You think You Can Dance, the Teen Choice Awards, The Voice, and at the MTV VMA's with Rihanna. She was the Assistant Choreographer for NBC's "THE VOICE" season 1, and toured nationally with the finalists as their choreographer.

Eddie Garcia is an accomplished director, choreographer, dancer and all around entertainer. He has performed around the world with many of today’s most celebrated stars.
At just 16 years old, Eddie Garcia’s incredible dancing style and technique had delivered him to the world stage via Janet Jackson. Less than one year later, Janet’s older brother Michael Jackson, hired Eddie to join him on (what would become the first of several) world tours with “The King of Pop.”
Drawing from his performance background in some of the most classic and influential videos of all time (with both Michael and Janet Jackson), Eddie Garcia has also had the pleasure of lending his talent to projects with Adam Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Jane’s Addiction, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Brandy, to name just a few.

Working extremely well with collaborators, Eddie has also joined forces with superstar Jennifer Lopez, appearing in and co-choreographing several of her award-winning videos. Eddie also worked alongside “J-lo’” with various television appearances including “The Today Show” and “The MTV Video Awards.” Additionally, Eddie co-directed the live NBC Television Concert special – “Let’s Get Loud.”
Other notable credits include both choreography and performances for the film “Bringin’ Down the House” (starring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah.) Eddie also appears in the feature film version of the musical “RENT.” Along with choreographing Disney’s “The Suite Life with Zach and Cody,” Eddie worked with Perry Ferrell and Satellite Party for “Lollapollaza” as well as Jane’s Addiction for the Coachella Festival.

Jeffrey Caluag is the head Director for the hip hop dance team, Team Millennia. He has performed with dance companies such as Mischief Makers and Maker Empire. He teaches at Millennium Dance Complex OC and Snowglobe Perspective. Jeffrey teaches all around the world and is excited to join the Dance aTaK Family.