Monica Dominguez,
Executive Director
Ms. Dominguez has been teaching dance for 20+ years. Since 2006, she has been with Center for the Dance in Castro Valley and in 2014 she became the Director and changed the name to Dance Live Dream Center. During this 20-year period she has showcased numerous original dance arrangements from tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and more, as well as a part of the full production of the Wizard of Oz in 2009. Favorite dance experience was dancing in San Francisco at Bimbo’s Club showcasing 1920’s tap and jazz routines. Second favorite dance experience was dancing in Oakland Paramount Theatre with a show casing gospel tap routine. Monica has a special interest teaching students of special needs. She has a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology. She was born and raised in Oakland and has lived in Castro Valley since 2000. She has been married since 1994 and has two children. Monica is encouraging, positive, patient, and loves having fun with her community.
Favorite hobbies: reading inspirational books, playing with her three dogs, roller coasters, dancing salsa with her husband and going to the beach with her family!
Adriana Perez - Borrero,
Event & Financial Coordinator/ Dance Instructor
Ms. Adriana was born and raised in the San Francisco/ East Bay area. She began dancing at the age of 5 years old, until the age of 15 years old where she became a San Lorenzo High Varsity Cheerleader during her senior year in high school, and later returned to teach dance two years later at Center for the Dance with dance instructor Monica Dominguez. She assisted Monica Dominguez in the past 9+ years in teaching dance. She has taught classes of tap, pre-ballet, jazz as well as students with special needs, and coached Varsity cheerleading for 6 seasons at Arroyo High School.
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Ms. Adriana is a fun, energetic, positive outgoing person, where her passion stays with Jazz and Lyrical dance. During her free time, Ms. Adriana loves to read books, rest at home and watch classic Disney Movies with her puppy, Bella!
Favorite quote: "Where you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way" - Wayne Dyer
Mr. Sonny Lee Baker
Dance Instructor
Mr. Sonny began dancing at the early age of three. He constantly danced around the house and wasn't interested in anything else other than dance, where he ended up dancing at a local dance studio where he took variety of classes: jazz, ballet, lyrical, Hip-Hop and acrobats. Growing up dancing, he was always involved in many competitions, shows and special events such as being part of the entertainment crew in the famous cruise line: Caribbean and Carnival.
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As a natural gift, teaching dance as an art form to others is one of Mr. Sonny's passion; to help kids bring forth their self-esteem, confidence and courage as they reveal their own unique style of dancing and that is what truly makes his heart happy!
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Mr. Sonny has two daughters: Kailyanna & Caliah. They both love dancing all for the same reason - to have fun! They love being part of the DLDC family!
"This is the fun place to dance - join us!"
~ Mr. Sonny
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Ms. Shannon Gotelli
Teacher Assistant
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Ms. Shannon started dancing when she was a little girl at the age of seven years old and she hasn’t stopped since! She grew up in San Leandro and started dancing at local dance studios. At the age of 16 she started assisting Monica’s dance classes and was her right hand person for many years. She also assisted many other various dance instructors as well. With many fabulous teachers, she assisted and trained in many different styles of dance: Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Hawaiian. Shannon has performed in many competitions, workshops, and cruise lines such as Carnival and Caribbean. Shannon has a passion for dance and loves teaching. She is great with our tiny tot dance classes and strives to make it a fun, positive, and caring environment for her students where they can build their self esteem and boost their confidence and not to be afraid to show their own unique side. Dancing and teaching makes Shannon’s heart happy! She believes dancing at DLDC is fun and is a family friendly place to dance. It will make you feel like you're at home - warm and inviting.
Ms. Chloe Diaz,
Cheer/Dance Instructor
Ms. Chloe started to cheer at the age of 11, but before cheering, she did 7 years of gymnastics. Her favorite part of gymnastics was the floor which also involved dancing, which inspired her to move into the more dance aspect of sports. She took hip-hop class before deciding she wanted to b a Cheerleader! She has been cheering since the 7th grade and is now currently the Varsity Cheer Captain for CVHS.
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Her favorite part of teaching is being able to watch the kids grow and learn from their mistakes, as they change for the better because of them. She loves getting to watch kids do what they love, while also having fun, helping kids reach their fullest potential and be a role model for them to look up to one day!
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Outside of cheer, Chloe loves to bake, hang out with friends and play soccer. She has two cats, a little sister, and 3 older step-brothers. Chloe is also V.P., of the broadcast club at CVHS.
Ms. Sofia Perez,
Cheer/Dance Instructor
Ms. Sofia is happy to be back at DLDC, but this time as a teacher! She volunteered and danced as a student from 2010-2012. After 2012, she went off to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UC Davis. She has over 10 years of experience working with children from infants to high schoolers. Currently, she is coaching for KIPP King Collegiate High School Varsity Cheer for her 6th season. Ms. Sofia is certified in NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching, as well as Cheer and Dance Safety.
Ms. Sofia Skaf
Dance Instructor
Ms. Sofia S., has been dancing since 9 yrs old starting with ballet for a while. She now does every style of dancing, having Jazz and Lyrical in her top favorites. Ms. Sofia has assisted for man years and continues to assist at the studio she currently dances at. Ms. Sofia is on the dance team at her high school as well! She loves working with kids; she's the oldest of all her cousins and and she has two youngers sisters. Outside of school and dance, she loves hanging out with her friends and family, and shopping is one of her favorite hobbies!