Our Teachers
Who Teaches What?
Maura Owens Townsend –
Maura Owens Townsend, M.F.A. Artistic Director of Project 21 Performing Arts Consortium, studied dance at Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles under the late ballet dancer Gerald McCall. She received her BFA in Dance from United States International University in San Diego, and her MFA in Dance from the University of California Irvine under the mentorship of the legendary dancer/choreographer Donald McKayle. Maura has an interest in dance and technology and has created a multimedia piece entitled “Journey by Trane,” which is based on the life of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane. She has performed with such dance companies as JAZZANTIQUA Dance and Music Ensemble, New Age Dance Workshop, Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines and Lula Washington Dance Theater. She has also performed in such productions as “A Cotton Club Revue” starring Linda Hopkins and Maxine Welden and the Norwegian Caribbean Cruise Lines. In August 2001, Project 21 was the guest artist for the National Ballet du Rwandan at the California Theatre in San Bernardino. Maura was also selected for “Black Choreographers Showcase 2002” celebrating Black History Month at the Los Angeles Theater Center, and the prestigious Dance Kaleidoscope 2000. Other credits include, The Brokus Project at the historic Ivar Theater in Hollywood, WCBPA Convention in Las Vegas and Maura was also a guest soloist for the Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival. In addition, she was commissioned by Santa Monica College to choreograph a “Tribute to Miles Davis,” and by the Claremont Colleges to create choreography for the Dr. Martin Luther King celebration. Her teaching background includes University of California, Irvine, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College, Dance Arts Academy in Los Angeles, Conjunctive Point Dance Studios in Culver City, the Webb School of California in Claremont, and Los Angeles Unified School District Conservatory of Fine Arts at Cal State L.A. Maura has produced several dance concerts, festivals and intensive dance workshops and she was also invited to teach a spring dance workshop in Nevis, West Indies by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. She also serves on the San Bernardino Fine Arts Commission.
What they say about Maura and Project21: According to Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times Dance Critic in “Grandmothers”, Thomas, Townsend and Baity pulled the emotions of Angelou’s poem into their bodies, anchoring the trio through intense poses…” “…Fleurette Africaine (soloist with Jazzantiqua) imaginatively mixed African and modern dance influences, allowing Maura Owens Townsend full scope for an exquisitely modulated performance.” At the Voices In Motion Showcase he said, “Maura Owens (Townsend) looked exemplary both alone and in her duet…”
Clare McGlade
Clare McGlade, 20, has been dancing since the age of 5. She spent 12 years taking classes in tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and swing at A Dancer’s Pointe Performing Arts Center in Apple Valley, CA. She spent 5 of those years as both a student and a staff member, teaching tap and ballet. She also has 3 years of competition experience, having been a member of the studio’s competition and performance team. In her time there, she held leading roles in such productions as Peter Pan, The Wizard of OZ, Cinderella, and Mary Poppins. She also had a leading role in “Standing Room Only” Theater Company’s 2006 production of 42nd Street, and continues to participate in performances and teach at performing arts camps and workshops in both the High Desert and the Riverside communities.
In 2006, Clare was accepted to the International Tap Dance Institute’s Teacher Training and Certification Program, and after a year of study and teaching, she received her diploma in June 2007. (See her bio at www.usatap.org/TTPgraduates.htm.) Since then, she has been invited to teach workshops in Rapid City, SD, and in Mexico City. She has had the privilege to work with some legendary tap dancers, including such greats as Chris Baker of the National Tap Ensemble and Fred Strickler of the Jazz Tap Ensemble.
Currently, Clare is a junior at UCR, pursuing a double major: a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.F.A. in Dance. She is heavily involved in the Swing Club of UCR, and has taken up swing dancing more seriously since she moved to Riverside in 2005. She and her partner, Nolan Ung, have won several competitions, including the USC Inter-collegiate Swing Challenge in 2007, and they occasionally perform with the up-and-coming swing band Phat Cat Swinger. They teach lessons together twice a week for the swing club, and continue to teach and perform throughout the community.
Clare has a strong passion for dance, and hopes to pass that passion on to her students through her teaching. Her understanding and love of rhythm and movement motivate her in all she does, and her teaching reflects that.
Claudia Ortiz
As a graduate of the Los Angeles High School for the Arts and continuing on in Musical Theatre/ Dancing career, Claudia is no stranger to the industry and studies of the Performing Arts. With years of experience working with choreographers like Garth Fagan, director and choreographer of Disney's The Lion King, Ron Brown, Martha Graham Dance Co. and a Company Dancer for the Jose Costas Dance Co. in Los Angeles. She also has performed in numerous Musicals, for several civic light operas including performances at the Long Beach Carpenter Center as Consuelo in West Side Story, Buena Park C.L.O. in Sweet Charity, Cerritos Performing Arts in Once on this Island, Three Penny Opera as Lucy Brown, Cabaret, Anything Goes as Bonnie, and Shakespeare's Macbeth as one of the witches, where she, as the assistant choreographer, gained the experience and respect from her mentors and pears as a Professional Choreographer.
Her love for dance was truly her first love! Working with Backstreet Performing Arts she finds fulfillment in molding and sharing with her students the world of the Performing Arts by going back to the original pioneers of Musical Theatre and Dance such as Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire,Judy Garland, and Ginger Rogers, when the Hollywood Studios still existed as well as the pioneers in Modern Dance, Alvin Alley, Cunningham, and Martha Graham, artists who paved the way for the choreographers of today!
She truly finds the pure essence and soul of a dancer or musical theatre performer, bringing out true and honest characters to the stage!
Troy Wolsleger
Troy Wolsleger has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the California State University of San Bernardino in Liberal Studies with a concentration in dance. He is one of the Directors and Choreographers at Backstreet Performing Arts School of Dance and Musical Theatre, of Riverside, California.
Over the last 20 years he has studied and trained with numerous teachers including John Magnus of the Joffrey Ballet of New York and Flint Michigan, Sandra Allen of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, with additional training in modern, ballet and jazz with Alvin Ailey, in New York. He has also trained and taken master classes in tap, hip hop, modern, and jazz with Eddie Brown, Fred Stickler, Abron Glover, Courtney Miller, Paul Kennedy, Sean Feidler, Jimmy Tate of New York, Winifred Harris, Henry Letang, Waverly Lucas, Art Palmer, Frank Bove of New Port News, Virginia, Steps on Broadway, Dance Theater of Harlem, the Broadway Dance Center, The Edge and the Millennium. Troy performed in the ballet cast Mid-Summer Night of the Joffrey Ballet, Flint Michigan, and performed a Tapimonial for the Riverside’s National Exchange Club receiving a first place in Fresno, California. He was a choreographer/dancer for the 2000 Summer Olympics, Sydney, Australia, and was also a choreographer/dancer for the intended 2004 Athens, Greece, Olympics dance team. He also has performed in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.
Troy has danced with the hip hop troop Infinite Dynamics of San Diego and Culture Shock of Los Angeles and teaches master summer intensive classes in hip hop at Riverside Ballet Arts, Riverside.
Troy has competed in regional and national competitions winning top awards in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and modern. He has and is currently dancing and choreographing pieces for Project 21, The Inland Empire Dance Concert Series at California State University, San Bernardino, under the Artistic Direction of Maura Townsend.
Troy has also received the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America, that of Eagle Scout.
He spends his spare time playing with his two year old daughter, Jordyn, who is already showing her artistic talents. Troy’s family is growing with the addition of two more dancers coming into his life…
Angela J Quiroz
Angie has been dancing for 24 years and teaching and choreographing for 12 years. She was trained by some of the best teacher’s. She started at Debra Kaye Dance Studio under the direction of Debra Kaye. She went on training with Johnnie Smith, Joe Tramaine, Kalvin Latimere, Terry Russel, Jackie Sleight, Eddie Garcia, and Christopher Jones from the hit movie, “You got served”, just to name a few. She has won numerous awards as well as her competitive teams. She was a Cheerleader all four years of High school and was a Cheer coach for Poly High School and Loma Vista Middle School in Riverside, CA. She also was a back up dancer for the singing group called “foxi Nova”. She started dancing salsa in 2001. She was trained by Jo Quinones, Jose Santoyo, and Gloria Otero. She took 3rd place in the professional category of the 2003 mayan world salsa competition and took 1st place at numerous local competitions including jack and jill competitions as well. She has performed at numerous places such as L.A Salsa Congress, Las Vegas Salsa Congress, San Francisco Salsa Congress, Salsa Extravaganza in palm springs, CA, International hustle salsa Competition in Miami, FL, and has done a theatre show, dancing salsa in Sea Brook Island, SC. She became known for her creative choreography and musicality. She is currently the Director of Danzanna Productions, specializing in Salsa, Cha-Cha, Merengue, and Bachata.
Norma Jean “Kaleikaumaka” Santos
Norma Jean has been dancing since 1978. She was born on the island of Saipan located in the Marianas Islands (Pacific Islands). Her career has given her many chances to be seen at local festivals, on television, at private and public events, and charities. Her training and experience consists of The E Hula Competition in Long Beach, California and numerous other productions throughout California. The Kumu Hula Ho’ike (production) with Southern California Kuku Hula Association, which tributes to the late King and Queen of Hawaii. She has over six years of experience in competition, including the prestigious “Merrie Monarch” held annually on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Norma Jean has danced for various groups, with each absorbing their unique style. With years of training in Hula, she was honored and uniki’d (graduated) to an Alaka’i (leader) by her Kumu Hula. Under the direction of different Kumus (Master Hula Teachers) her knowledge of the Hawaii culture continues to expand.
Norma Jean has dedicated her time to perpetuate the Polynesian & Hawaiian culture by passing her knowledge throughout the communities of Ontario, Riverside & other Inland Empire cities. It is her goal to spread the culture and knowledge of dance in what she teaches. Currently Norma Jean is the director of “Ke Aloha ‘O Ka Hula” or “The Love of Hula”, a Hawaiian Performing Arts group. She has been teaching choreography, and competing since 1998. She also holds a degree in Associate of Science in Education with a Bachelor program in progress.
Christine Buma Mayuga
Musical Theatre Teacher
Christine absolutely love’s to dance. She has been dancing for over 25 years. She received her B.A. in Dance and Choreography from U.C. Irvine. She also has studied at Cypress Community College for several years where she performed and choreographed many original pieces and received an A.A. Her focus has been in Jazz, Modern and Ballet. She has also taught and choreographed children’s dance and has a Certificate in Early Childhood Development.
Her love for Musical Theatre has lead her to performed in many productions throughout Orange County. In 2007 she choreographed the stage production of “My Turn on Earth” which was performed in the Fontana Mummers Theatre. To quote her; “I believe that having a dance background prepares you for many challenges in life. Dance develops discipline, patients and a desire to do your best.”
Christine is married to a wonderful husband and has a beautiful seven year old daughter. They both love to dance as well.
Cristina DaValle
Cristina DaValle has been dancing for more than 15 years. She has taught jazz, tap, ballet and lyrical for seven years and has choreographed for countless studios. She has competed both regionally and nationally with various studios throughout Southern California. Cristina also competed on the Don Antonio Lugo High School Dance Team for four years, and the Fullerton College Pep Squad & Dance Team for two years.
Cristina thoroughly enjoys teaching and is proud to be a teacher at Backstreet Performing Arts. Dancing is her passion and she is so grateful to have the opportunity to share the art of dance with her students. Cristina graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications and aside from teaching dance at Backstreet, she works as an account coordinator at a respected public relations firm.
Megan Jenkins
Megan Jenkins is a dancer/student/educator currently residing in Riverside, California. She began her dance training with Stefannie Valencia Kierlin at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and earned her B.F.A in dance performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, training extensively in ballet, pointe, and modern techniques with further experience in jazz and hip hop forms. She hails from the Midwest where she lived, worked, and studied in Minneapolis for the five years prior to moving to Riverside, working with a variety of local, national, and international choreographers, performing at the American College Dance Festival, and apprenticing with Shapiro and Smith Dance.
Her performance credits include multiple performances in various full-length ballet productions with MCA’s Pre-Professional Company, including the Nutcracker, Spells and Rhymes, Sleeping Beauty, and Paquita (all of which she was a solo performer). She has performed in Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story, founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Lin Huai-min’s, Crossing the Black Water, and Paul Taylor’s Lost Found Lost. Moreover, her education/career has led to work with both nationally and internationally renowned choreographers, including—but not limited to—Doug Elkins, Shouze Ma, Paula Mann, Scott Rink, Bill Young, Danny Buraczeski,, Linda Talcott Lee, and Peter Kalivas.
Megan is currently pursuing a PhD in Dance History/Theory at UC-Riverside where her dissertation project focuses specifically on the staging, performance, and consumption of hip hop dance vernaculars on the concert stage. In addition to her doctoral work, she continues to dance with local choreographers, including Rosie Trump, Liz Casebolt, Melissa Hudson, and Peter Kalivas. She is currently a company member in the P.G.K Project, a contemporary dance company based in San Diego, CA.
Courtney Brower
Courtney Brower, 23, has been dancing for the past 12 years. She has had training in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern and Tap.
At Martin Luther King High School Courtney was the captain of her award winning dance team from 1998 – 2002. As the captain she led her team to numerous victories as they competed throughout the years. Having this responsibility taught her great leadership and social skills. It also set the foundation for her love of choreography. She also had the opportunity to represent her school as a soloist at the Miss Dance California Pageant in 2001 where she competed against other soloist from all over California and placed 9th overall for the state.
In 2003 Courtney enrolled at the Riverside Community College where she joined their traveling performance dance team. This small team of only 7 dancers got to perform all over southern California at many different schools and organizations to show the privileges and rewards of dancing in college.
After college Courtney volunteered as the Head Choreographer for a local dance and cheer team in 2004. This team consisted of about 50 girls ranging in age from 3 to 16. She loved working with such a large number of students and learned how to combine so many different dance abilities and levels. She worked with them for one year and choreographed all of their half time shows and sideline routines.
By teaching at Backstreet Performing Arts, Courtney hopes to pass on her love of dance to her students. She thinks it’s important to combine proper technique with fun choreography in all of her classes.
Aaron White
Aaron White has been with Backstreet Performing Arts for over four years. He has taught private vocal lessons in the past, and now is currently one of two Musical Theatre instructors teaching singing, and acting.
Aaron was raised in Riverside and is twenty-four years old, and is a graduate from Arlington High School. During his high school time, he was highly active in the performing arts participating in choir, band and theatre. He was involved in the ACDA National honor choir, California honor choir, California State honor band, and various other local honor choirs, and honor bands. He majored in Conducting, and Vocal Performance at Chapman University. He was a member of the “University Singers” and often conducted the choirs and orchestras at Chapman.
Aaron was the Director of music at the Temple City Christian Church. He has assisted with various band and choir programs in Riverside: Martin Luther King High School, Arlington High School, Ramona High School, Sierra Middle School, and North High School. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunities to perform with such organizations as: The Riverside Philharmonic, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The American Choral Directors Association, Disney, Universal, American Music Abroad, Music In the Parks, the Raincross Choral, and the Don Morris Singers.
Some of the theatre productions Aaron has been in are: Once Upon A Mattress, Camelot, Carousel, Fiddler On The Roof, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peril on The High Sea, and many others to name a few.
He loves the opportunity to pass on his many talents to his Musical Theatre students and Backstreet Performing Arts.
Tia Welch
Tia Welch took her first dance class at the age of thee and hasn’t stopped since. It was not until she was accepted into the advance dance team at West High School in Torrance, California, that she began serious training. She was a featured choreographer for Synapse Dance Theatre of Santa Monica College.
Tia was a scholarship recipient at Zeal Studios in Culver City, California and regularly trained at prestigious Los Angeles studios such as The Edge, Millennium, and Westside Academy of Ballet.
Ms. Welch has taught ballet and jazz at the Dance Factory of Lomita, and Dance With Me in Redondo Beach. She has also choreographed for the inaugural performance of the Joseph Allen Decker Dance Collaboration
Tia is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Art History at UC Riverside, and is absolutely thrilled to have the rewarding experience of teaching and choreographing for the talented dancers at Backstreet Performing Arts.
Who Teaches What?
BALLET
Megan Jenkins, Tia Welch, Troy Wolsleger, Patty Wolsleger & Angie Quiroz
JAZZ
Courtney Brower, Troy Wolsleger, Angie Quiroz, Patty Wolsleger & Claudia Aicardi-Ortiz
TAP
Troy Wolsleger, Clare McGlade, Patty Wolsleger & Angie Quiroz
HIP-HOP
Troy Wolsleger
MOMMY & ME
Patty Wolsleger
MUSICAL THEATRE
Aaron White, Claudia Aicardi-Ortiz & Patty Wolsleger
SWING
Clare McGlade
SALSA
Angie Quiroz
TUMBLING
Troy Wolsleger & Patty Wolsleger
POINTE & PRE-POINTE
Megan Jenkins & Tia Welch
LYRICAL
Megan Jenkins & Tia Welch
HULA & POLYNESIAN
Norma Jean Santos
MODERN
Maura Townsend, Megan Jenkins, Ron Brown, Claudia Ortiz
TURNS
Troy Wolsleger
Call Now (951) 786-9096
