MEET THE STAFF
Alison Hooper OWNER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
After traveling the world performing on some of the best stages for the better part of two decades, Alison established Centre Stage Dance Academy in March 2002. As a professional dancer, choreographer and talented instructor, her work can be found all over the globe. She has worked and choreographed on stage, film, television and onboard cruise ships. She recently choreographed and starred in the MTV pilot “Making of a Real High School Musical”, choreographed The Great American Patriot Award-A Tribute to Bob Hope onboard the USS Midway, had her innovative choreography help new recording artist, Berko, with his first music video, and co-directed/choreographed the Grand opening Gala Performance of the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga. She was also the choreographer of the critically acclaimed “An Evening with the Egos” at the Victory Theatre (Burbank, CA) and Breadline Theatre (Chicago, Ill.) A former production show coordinator with Princess Cruises, Alison now makes her home as the resident choreographer for Citrus College Women’s Ensemble and Centre Stage, Inc.
After years of extensive training and performing, Alison’s career took a dramatic change. She wanted to share her training and help to create the next generation of stars. Her goal was to open a dance studio where children could be taught in a positive manner and be encouraged to explore their creativity and enthusiasm for dance. Alison’s love for children and her passion for dance has built the academy up to a staff of ten with a constantly growing enrollment. She lives by the motto “when in doubt…DANCE!” Come and experience the excitement at Centre Stage Dance Academy for yourself!
Juliette Miller CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Juliette began her performing career more than 20 years ago on both the stage and screen. Singing, dancing, and acting, her talents as a ’triple threat’ have taken her all across the U.S. as well as Mexico, London, and other international locations. In Las Vegas, Juliette performed in Legends in Concert as well as several revue shows, including at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Her dancing has been appreciated by Power 106, as a member of their Hip-Hop Army, Nike’s Culture Shock, and the VSDA convention in Las Vegas. She has done a number of commercials and is also the voice of several children’s songs for an educational language development program called Language Through Music.
Juliette has trained with some of the best teachers in the business and has shared her talents as a teacher herself for the past 15 years. She has taught for Cal State University at Los Angeles., Cal State University at Northridge, Los Angeles Unified School District, Pasadena Unified School District, Monrovia Unified School District and several dance academies, most notably Centre Stage Dance Academy where she currently serves as co-artistic director.
Centre Stage Dance Academy is fortunate to have this incredibly versatile and inspiring teacher on staff.
Daniel Smith Choreography/Instruction
Credits include collaborations with: Inland Pacific Ballet, Chaffey College, The Musical Theatre Ensemble, Claremont High School, McCoy/Rigby Dance Academy, The Music Room of Orange County, Centre Stage Academy and Notre Dame High School. Credits as a performer include: The Producers, All Shook Up (US Regional Premiere) and Never Gonna Dance (West Coast Premiere) with Musical Theatre West, CATS with both Cabrillo Music Theatre and Moonlight Stage Productions and various performance and promotional events with Disney Entertainment, San Diego Musical Theatre, the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium, the Long Beach Symphony, The Candlelight Pavilion, The Huntington Beach Playhouse and Performance Riverside.
Centre Stage Dance Academy is fortunate to have this incredibly versatile and inspiring teacher on staff.
Layne Baker
Layne Baker joined the Centre Stage team in July 2007 as an instructor for Tap and Dance for Stage. She was raised in Temecula, California, where she began her dance training at the age of eight. Tap was, and still remains, her favorite form of dance, although she is also trained in ballet, jazz and musical theatre styles. She discovered her passion for musical theatre at a very young age, and has been pursuing a triple-threat career ever since.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Pepperdine University in 2004, where she was privileged to study under some of the most noted names of the stage and screen, including Kristin Chenoweth, Donna McKechnie, and Gary Sinise. While in school, she began working in theater professionally, and has since appeared on multiple stages across Southern California. One of her proudest achievements was singing alongside Grammy Award-winner Bonnie Raitt, in a tribute to Broadway legend John Raitt. Recently Layne has also begun working in Television and Film. Regional credits: White Christmas (Judy Haynes), Singin' in the Rain (Kathy Selden u/s), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie/Phyllis Dale), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), The Diviners (Darlene), Jekyll and Hyde (Flossie), Man of La Mancha, and Carousel.
Layne is thrilled to bring her love and excitement for music and dance to the phenomenal talent at CSDA, and looks forward to nurturing the development of each student’s own passion for the theatre arts.
Natalie French
Natalie French have been singing and dancing since the age of 3. She has danced and trained at studios such as dancemaker, the Edge, Millennium, and STEPS on Broadway. She has been teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pee wee hip hop for the past six years. She has performed in numerous productions throughout Southern California. She has appeared in the original musical Pazzazz produced by Milt Larsen and Richard Sherman, Cinderella, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, King and I, Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, and Grease as Sandy. She has also performed in numerous charity benefits, such as C.H.O.C. with Carlton Burnett Productions, LA. Against Aids, City of Hope, and others. She has choreographed for The Wiz that appeared at Centre Stage in Fontana and was the assistant chorographer for Beauty and the Beast at Performance Riverside.
Natalie holds a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of La Verne. She is currently enrolled at the University of La Verne, where she is scheduled to graduate with a Masters Degree in Education and Teaching Credential in June of 2012.
She loves teaching children and watching them grow and seeing the movement of dance come alive in them. Dance is her passion.
Clinton Huff
Clinton Huff was born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. He started training in dance at the age 11 focusing on Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. He loved old school popping but as there where no classes available at the time, he taught himself the fundamentals of popping and waving. Clinton was able to spend 2 summers abroad training in France with some amazing teachers, including the boys technique teacher from the world famous, Paris Opera. He grew up dancing though high school and worked on many musicals though out Southern California. Some of his favorites include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story and 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.
After Graduating from High School, a few weeks after his 17th birthday, and knowing exactly what he wanted to do with his life he jumped into the business straight away. Signing with his first dance agent he quickly started working his first job was a industrial show for Nike in beautiful Hawaii! Clinton has worked in film, television, stage and commercials. Most recently you may have seen him in a national Cheetos commercial that is currently running! Other commercial credits include Coke, Progressive Insurance, and Target. Film and television credits include Disaster Movie, Malcolm in the Middle and Glee!
Clinton loves teaching at CSDA!! The kids are great and the family atmosphere that we strive to create at the studio is a tribute to Alison. Her huge heart and love of what she does shines through as she pushes the envelope in creating bigger and better shows and experiences for the students!
Misty Miller
Misty Miller born and raised in New Orleans, began her professional career at the age of 10. She moved to Los Angeles after receiving her Bachelors Degree from the University of Nebraska, where she studied Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations. For the past 7 years she has maintained a tedious schedule keeping busy as a dancer, model, actress, choreographer, teacher, and voice over artist.
Misty's film credit include The Comebacks and The Oogieloves In The Big Balloon Adventure, a children's musical that will be hitting the big screen this fall. On top of her national commercial for Nair, select TV appearances include The Game, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, the Pro Bowl with the band Life House, The Master's of Illusion, Grease: You're The One That I Want promo campaign and Passions. She has also worked behind the scenes on a Bratz commercial and the Singing Bee. And let's not forget to mention Misty working directly with Britney Spears as an Associate Choreographer for her Carnival Tour.
Misty has worked with such notable choreographers as Fatima Robinson, Mandy Moore, Laurie Ann Gibson, Barry YoungBlood and Michael Chambers. She has worked with Directors such as David LaChapelle and Matthew Diamond from Camp Rock. She has also worked with Jaime Pressly, Toni Braxton, Christopher Lloyd, Chazz Palminteri, Cary Elwes, Cloris Leachman, Rick Fox, Jillian Michaels and David Kechner to name a few. She has performed for Marc Anthony, Gene Simmons, Rapheal Saddiq, Panic! At the Disco, Blink 182, Nike, Panasonic, MGM, Toyota and Manheim Steamroller. She was also flown to NYC to be interviewed by Maxim, BET, and Cosmopolitan.
Misty has loved to entertain since childhood. She loves sharing her knowledge of technique, style, secrets of the industry and most importantly her passion for dance to the next generation of entertainers.