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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,
Administrative Assist., / 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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Coach Alana Thompson,
Cheer/Dance Instructor
Coach Alana loves to dance and cheer! She started doing cheer in 8th grade and has now been on her high school Varsity team since her freshman year. She loves to dance and have fun. She also has experience in Latin, Jazz, and contemporary dance.
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"Cheer is a great way to move your body, have fun, and learn new skills!" - Coach Alana
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!
Ms. Leticia "Lety" Palazzo
Dance Instructor
Ms. Lety's journey has been a combination of athletic endeavors, academic pursuits, and an enduring passion for understanding the human body and mastering the art and science of kinesiology. She has competed for years in Lyrical, Jazz, and acrobatic dance while embracing a variety of sports such as boxing, track and field, and gymnastics that played a crucial part in her eyes for technical training and enriching her understanding of athleticism, and the human body's capabilities. She has also committed herself into academics, attending Laney College as a student athlete, leading her to finish her education at CSEUB with a degree in Kinesiology. Ms. Lety specializes and carries a passion in teaching technical training, lyrical/contemporary, Jazz, and Hip Hop at the studio for various ages!
Ms. Joanna Weiland
Ballet Instructor
Bay Area Native, Joanna began acting at age 13 and ballet at 15. Joanna also having a love and passion for musical theater, has thoroughly enjoyed performing in many musicals with Ray of Light throughout the years. She has played leading roles in various plays!
Joanna is known for her bubbly, kind personality and her gift with children. Her love for teaching children developed by assisting in a youth Bible study in 2016. Over the years, Joanna has grown from student, to TA, to Teacher. She grew to teach 5 days a week, and even co-directed Mary Poppins! Ms. Joanna loves dancing and teaching in the community and, most recently, has enjoyed her time teaching memory care patients at senior centers in Alameda, and Oakland.
Joanna is a working actress performing as princesses and Disney characters at birthday parties and other local events. Children are always engaged and enchanted by our lovely Joanna. Birthday parties are just a bit more magical when the princesses arrive!
Currently, Joanna is an apprentice company dancer and a company dancer with various dance companies. Joanna is over the moon to join forces with Dance Live Dream Center, and share her love of ballet to all ages.
Ms. Serena Johnson - Jenkins
Dance Instructor
Serena is a passionate and dedicated dancer who began her journey in the world of dance at the age of 8. Throughout her dance career, she has explored a wide range of dance genres, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the art form. Serena's dedication to dance has been evident in various aspects of her life. Her dance repertoire is diverse, encompassing ballet, pointe, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, jazz and praise dance, and has expanded her horizons by attending workshops in African dance, learning and embracing different cultural dance forms.
Serena has also dedicated her time to volunteering for the HUSD YEP where she taught students in TK - 2 Hip Hop and creative movement. Serena's passion for dance and her eagerness to continue learning and teaching is evident in her biography. Her dedication to various dance styles, her experience in both performance and competition, and her involvement in teaching and community service, all contribute to her well-rounded dance career. She is undoubtedly a talented and passionate dancer who not only strives for personal growth, but also seeks to inspire and guide others on their dance journeys.