Our Incredible Teachers & Staff
With their expertise in nurturing young children and backgrounds in performing professionally, we couldn't ask for a more qualified team! Meet our amazing teachers, below...
Ms caroline
Studio Manager / Front Desk
Caroline has taught Drama, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap, and You & Me classes at Blue Starz over the last few years, and is excited to put her administrative prowess to work as Studio Manager for a fifth season! Caroline began dancing at the early age of three in her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. After many years of classical and contemporary ballet training (including programs at North Carolina School of the Arts and American Ballet Theatre), her professional career began in 2007 when she joined the company of Carolina Ballet Theatre (CBT). After several seasons with CBT, Caroline went on to earn a B.A. in Non-Profit Arts Management from the College of Charleston while she continued to dance as a principal company member of The Charleston Dance Project. Hungry to pursue the performing arts on a larger scale, Caroline moved to New York, and later to Los Angeles to broaden her career opportunities. She has since had the pleasure of working with musical artists Lele Pons, Ayo Jay, Chris Porter, Raymix and Mark B and appeared on television segments including NBC's Red Nose Day Danceathon, Good Morning America, and The Dr. Oz Show. Caroline has also enjoyed exploring various other avenues including fitness (Tracy Anderson, modelFit, JetSweat Fitness), commercial acting, and of course - working with young performers and their families through Blue Starz!
Ms shelly
Drama & Musical Theatre
Michelle (Shelly) trained as a dancer at the Royal Ballet School but her first professional job (playing Demeter in CATS) introduced her to the world of Musical Theatre. The next decade was spent in London's West End performing in the musicals Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Saturday Night Fever, The Lion King, La Cava, Fosse, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. During that time Michelle was fortunate enough to work with some Musical Theatre legends including Ann Reinking, Rob Ashford and Stephen Sondheim. Alongside her theatre work, Michelle has danced for numerous recording artists including Pink, The Spice Girls, Robbie Williams and Boyzone. Michelle eventually decided to change direction and was offered a place at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she retrained as an actress. Since graduating, she's appeared on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse before transitioning to film, voice over and television. Michelle's most memorable screen work to date is the recurring role of Lisa Torres in Doctors (BBC) and series regular Julia Richmond in Strike Back (HBO/Cinemax) for which she won an award. With a large voice over portfolio, Michelle's most notable performances have been Kelly-087 for the Halo franchise, and Professor Brindel for the Harry Potter franchise. Over the years Michelle has taught ballet, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, singing and drama and is happy to be back in the studio at Blue Starz sharing her experience with the next generation of performers.
Ms porcia
Front Desk, Sherman Oaks / Ballet & HipHop
Porcia Javonna Hendrix was born in the United Kingdom but raised in Las Vegas, NV. Porcia has been training since she was a young age in all styles of dance. She graduated from AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts in the Dance Theatre Conservatory Program in Hollywood. Porcia is currently signed with MSA Talent Agency continuing her career path training as a professional dancer. She has worked in a variety of music videos from dancing with Pharrell to singing in a choir with Carrie Underwood. She also has been in Beach Body Dance Fitness Series, "The Middle" tv show, and working with Disney's "Descendents 2" on Dancing with the Stars. Porcia recently danced for the WNBA LA SPARKS for 2 seasons performing in the Staples Center during the summertimes. Currently, for the past 3 years she has been dancing all around the world for YouTube American Indian artist named Vidya Vox. Porcia continues to expand her career in all directions and hopes to inspire others in everything that she does here in Los Angeles!
MS destiny
You & Me, Ballet & Hip-Hop, Ballet & Jazz, Ballet & Tap
Destiny Gin is a professional dancer and instructor born in Detroit, Michigan. She started dancing at the age of 3 and was competing regionally and nationally by the age of 6. Destiny specializes in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, contemporary and pom. Some of Destiny’s additional accomplishments include dancing and teaching for the Detroit Pistons NBA team, music videos featured on The Disney Channel, live performances, and commercials. In addition to dancing, Destiny has been recognized in several theatrical plays as well as commercials, and feature films on the Lifetime network. Destiny loves to encourage young artists through dance, and empower kids by sharing her knowledge in a positive, uplifting environment!
Ms tori
Ballet & Hip-Hop, Ballet & Lyrical Jazz
Tori was born and raised in Orange County, California. She has loved dance ever since her first ballet class at age 2! She spent countless years as a competitive dancer which fostered her love for performing and appreciation of storytelling. Tori attended The Orange County School of the Arts where she trained in a wide variety of styles through the Commercial Dance Conservatory. Over summers she trained with The American Ballet Theatre in New York or The School of American Ballet in Los Angeles to which she was awarded a full scholarship. She has been honored to support different causes like the Muscular Dystrophy Association by dancing in their telethon and the Rett Syndrome Awareness campaign by acting in their PSA which played in Times Square. Growing up, Tori appeared in numerous commercials and short films. Over the last few years she’s expanded her acting work into television with guest spots in shows like “NCIS New Orleans'', “Dwight in Shining Armor”, and Disney Channel’s “Raven’s Home”. This year her lead role in the feature film “Captive” earned her a “Best Performance” award at a popular horror genre film festival. Tori is excited to begin her second season of teaching at Blue Starz and looks forward to seeing her students thrive!
Ms naomi
Front Desk, Sherman Oaks
Naomi is thrilled to be a part of the Blue Starz family! Born and raised in Chicago, IL Naomi showed an affinity for dance and performance at a very early age. She studied ballet under the watchful eye of Homer Bryant (original principal dancer, Dance Theatre of Harlem) and went on to study ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, West African, tap, and Latin styles for upwards of 15 years. Naomi soon discovered the joy of musical theatre and decided to continue her study of the artform at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. From there she began performing professionally on stages and screens around the world. Broadway: CHICAGO (Velma Kelly) Tours: The Bodyguard the Musical - U.S. national tour (alt. Rachel Marron), West Side Story – international tour (Anita). Naomi also had the privilege of developing a handful of new theatrical works including the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story (directed by Ivo Van Hove) and perhaps most notably the Broadway hit musical MJ The Musical (4-time Tony Winner including Best Choreography). Along with her theatre career Naomi has danced behind numerous artists like Selena Gomez and Daddy Yankee. Currently, she is continuing her acting and performance career on the big and small screen (In The Heights film, Winning Time HBO). Ms. Naomi is grateful to share her experience and love for performing with the next generation of little stars! Keep dreaming and keep on shining!!
Ms Paige
Front Desk, Toluca Lake
This Barbie is THRILLED to be joining the Blue Starz team! Hailing from the sun-soaked landscapes of Arizona, Paige recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Acting and Creative Writing. Paige has a passion for sharing the arts with young creatives and has taught creative writing to middle schoolers and high schoolers through community outreach programs over the course of the last year. During that time, she has watched young minds translate their emotions into brushstrokes, stories, and movements which is a testament to the incredible power of the arts to heal, inspire, and transform lives - an experience that fuels her fervent dedication to mentorship and teaching. Now, as she joins the luminous constellation that is the Blue Starz team, Paige's heart resonates with gratitude! It’s sure to be an amazing season!