Faculty

	Elaine McCarthy
	Elaine is a native born and raised Santa Cruzan. She has been dancing since age seven and danced professionally for a number of years. Elaine has toured and performed in Montreal, Las Vegas, Japan, Spain, and Paris. She also danced aboard the Princess Cruise Lines 'Love Boat." Elaine has performed with such notables as Sammy Davis, Jr., Liberace, and Donald O'Connor. She opened Elaine's Dance Studio in 1985.
	Myra Rittenhouse
	Leah Weber
	Leah was born and raised in Santa Cruz where she began dancing with Elaine at the age of 3. In high school she became the president of Escapade Dance Company. Upon leaving Harbor with high honors in academics, dance and musical theater, she moved to Orange, CA to attend Chapman University in pursuit of a dance degree. At Chapman Leah studied dance history, anatomy, kinesiology, choreography, dance teaching methods, and acting. In May 2007, she graduated with academic honors and a departmental award in musical theater performance. Leah is filled with new inspiration to teach and choreograph for the 2008/2009 year at Elaine's Dance Studio.
	Annie Colbeck
	Annie is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. She is trained in ballet, tap and jazz and was awarded a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet. She spent time in England choreographing for London theater productions, teaching at Oxford University, and, upon returning to California, continues to teach and choreograph in the Bay Area.
	Tara Firenzi
	Tara has been dancing for over twenty years, and has been teaching dance in the Santa Cruz community for the last nine years.  During the day Tara teaches AP World History at Pacific Collegiate School and serves as the history department chair.  She earned her BA in history from UCLA and her MA in history from Stanford this past year.  In addition to teaching dance at Elaine’s for the past five years, she has created choreography for more than ten high school and children’s musical productions locally.  She also played an integral role in establishing two high school dance companies in Santa Cruz:  Escapade at Harbor High School, and the Pacific Collegiate Dance Company.  Her favorite style of dance is tap—especially improvisational—but she also enjoys teaching jazz and other styles as well.  Tara considers it a real honor to teach at Elaine’s Dance Studio, and feels fortunate to work with such wonderful students, parents, and fellow teachers.
	Lauren Shanahan
	Lauren was a student at Elaine's Dance Studio for 13 years. At the age of 16 she began assisting which led to her own classes. Upon completion of high school in 2004, Lauren moved to Kauai, Hi and attended Kauai Community College. She kept up her teaching skills at a community center there. This is her second year teaching at Elaine's Dance Sutdio.
	Madelon Curtis-Harper
	Madelon is a professional dancer, actress, choreographer and teacher. She has taught all forms of dance for the past 30 years. Madelon will be teaching an advanced ballet class this season. Her ballet training is predominantly Balanchine-based. In addition, she trained extensively at the Joffrey Ballet School, American Ballet Theater School, David Howard and the Boston Ballet.
	Julia McCarthy
	Julia has been dancing at Elaine's Dance Studio for 13 years. This year marks her debut as a faculty member at the studio. Not only is she a talented dancer, but she has a gift with the younger students. Good luck, Julia -- your mom is proud!
	Kaitlyn Cahalen
	Maddy Ligon