Staff at Castro Valley Performing Arts

STAFF

Castro Valley Performing Arts Staff Castro Valley Performing Arts is proud to offer a comprehensive and unique dance program with exceptionally talented instructors. We provide classes designed to build self-confidence, self-expression and motivation while working hard and having fun! Our Staff: Janet Nordgren-Taddie \| McGarry Caven \| Laura Dougherty \| Amber Emerick \| Melissa Kessler \| Vanessa McGautha \| Rob Perry
	Janet Nordgren-Taddie Studio Director With over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Janet has toured with such names as the Temptations, JoAnn Castle, Bob Hope and Dorothy LaMour. She also spent several years performing aboard Princess Cruise Lines (The Love Boat) singing and dancing in their nightly musical productions. Her television credits include "Dick Clark's Special of the Year Show" and various commercials for Princess Cruises and American Express. Her choreography credits include a dance fitness television pilot featuring Joanie Greggins, Billy Hufsy from FAME and MC Hammer; The Teen Miss California Pageant; Miss CA Pageant; Outstanding Teen of California Pageant; Ohlone College Summerfest theater productions of Grease and A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum; and numerous industrials throughout the state of CA. She also served as dance director of the syndicated television program "Morning Stretch". Prior to opening Castro Valley Performing Arts, Janet was the director of The Academy for the Performing Arts in Fremont and Newark and a member of the faculty in the drama department at Ohlone College in Fremont. » Back to Top
	McGarry Caven Specializing in Ballet, Jazz and Modern McGarry comes to us with extensive training in ballet, modern and jazz. He has studied with the San Francisco Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet, Banff School of Fine Arts and the First Chamber Dance Lab. He has toured with Chita Riviera in the national touring company of Chicago; with the Joffrey Ballet Company; and danced the lead in Bare Touch of Vegas, Casino Des Paris, Viv Les Girls, Dance Fever, Bravo Vegas, Branded in Las Vegas. Along with his performing career, he was the artist in residence in the dance department at UNLV for five years. While in Las Vegas, he taught at the Backstage Dance Studio and choreographed for the Actors Repertory Theater. He has choreographed shows for Harveys, Lake Tahoe; The Crystal Room, Tokyo, Japan; and the Aruba Concorde Hotel in Aruba. He currently teaches at CVPA and travels extensively as a free lance choreographer and teacher throughout the US and Canada. » Back to Top
	Laura Dougherty Specializing in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, Stretch n' strengthen and Musical Theatre Laura has been dancing since the age of 13 with most of her training under Janet Nordgren-Taddie and Rob Perry. She has also trained at Berkeley Ballet Theatre, San Jose State University and is a graduate of the Theatre Arts Intensive at San Jose’s American Musical Theatre. She is also a 4-year veteran of San Jose State’s Musical Theatre Company One directed by Janie Scott. Along with her training, she has performed in professional and community theatre musicals throughout the Bay Area. Some of her favorites include Singin’ In The Rain at AMT; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at AMT, where she was received the Ginny Award for Best Dancer; West Side Story at Cabrillo Stage; and Chorus Line at Ohlone College playing the role as Cassie. Laura believes that ballet technique is one of the most important things in dance as it not only teaches discipline and strength, but a sense of grace and body awareness. Her classes are challenging, yet fun and exciting. » Back to Top
	Amber Emerick Specializing in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Pom, Cheerleading, Pre-ballet and Children's classes Amber has been dancing since the age of 3. Her first national title was at the age of 4 and her list of accomplishements includes Miss Jr. Dance, Miss Teen Dance as well as numerous scholarships and awards. Amber has had the privilege of training with Nick Lazzarini (winner of So You Think You Can Dance / 1st season), Debra Emerson-Boyd, Keith Banks and Rob Perry. She danced in Walt Disney World with M. C. Hammer. She also performed for two years with Team Rave, San Francisco, under the direction of Elkizabeth Ferri. She was captain of the national champion Castro Valley High School Dance Team for two years. Amber now has the passion to share her love of dance with others. Her classes are extremely energetic, action-packed and always full of smiles. » Back to Top
	Melissa Kessler Specializing in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Cheerleading, and toddler/children's classes Melissa has been dancing since the age of five, spending the majority of her training under the direction of Janet Nordgren-Taddie. She is a four year veteran of the Golden State Warrior Girls professional cheerleading team. In September of 2003, she was chosen to represent the NBA in Beijing and Shanghai, China. In addition to her performing and teaching, she also coaches and choreographs for many Bay Area cheerleading squads - most recently working with the Bishop O'Dowd High School and Cal State Hayward cheerleaders. Melissa's classes are both fun and challenging for her students. » Back to Top
	Vanessa McGautha Specializing in Jazz and Hip Hop Vanessa joined the CVPA staff in 1998. She is a former head instructor and choreographer for Universal Dance Association, where she taught across the country, as well as judged the National Dance Team Championships, televised on ESPN. Vanessa is also a former dancer and choreographer for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. Her innovative fusion of jazz and hip hop provide a style that is challenging, yet exciting for her students. » Back to Top
	Rob Perry Specializing in Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Stretch/Strengthen Rob Perry has been teaching since 1985. He joined CVPA's wonderful staff in 1995 and has been teaching for them ever since. He has studied Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet and Hip-Hop. He has studied with some amazing instructors throughout the years such as Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Jackie Slieght and Barry Lather just to name a few. His choreography has won many regional, state and national awards. He was a professional dancer for Royal Caribbean cruise lines. As a United Spirit Association instructor he has been able to teach throughout the United States. He designs costumes for competitions and has been choreographing and coaching the State and National Champions, The Castro Valley High Dance Team since 1999. » Back to Top