Jami Artiga and Kaydee Francis

8 years ago we decided to open a dance studio to share our love of dance with the community. We saw a need for a place where all dancers could come and feel great about themselves! We wanted to provide a dance home for all different types of dancers – from the person who dances because it makes them feel like a star, to the dancer who hopes to actually become a star!

One of our goals as a studio is to teach our students, through dance, more than just how to dance. We want to shape the minds of tomorrow. We want to mentor kids in all aspects of their lives. But even with these lofty goals, never did we realize that we could actually change the way people look at the art of dance due to our love, passion and knowledge of dance. We are so blessed to be able to live our dream and share that love. years ago we decided to open a dance studio to share our love of dance with the community. We saw a need for a place where all dancers could come and feel great about themselves! We wanted to provide a dance home for all different types of dancers – from the person who dances because it makes them feel like a star, to the dancer who hopes to actually become a star!

Larissa Solovieva

Janette Puckett

Ms. Janette first began dancing in Texas at the age of 9. Her dance training eventually led her to performing opportunities at the Arena Bowl XX and The Golden West College Invitation Concert in Huntington Beach, CA, several Texas area dance festivals, and more. Ms. Janette graduated with honors from the University of Nevada with a BFA in Dance, where she was selected for and International Dance Performance in Seoul, Korea.
Prior to becoming an instructor at the Dance Zone, Ms. Janette taught dance at the “Talent and More” dance studio in Dallas Texas. She was also a professional dancer and model with the Las Vegas area “Gladiators Goddesses Dance Team”, where she appeared in charity functions and participated in dance workshops for children. Ms. Janette is uniquely qualified as a dance teacher because of her personality, passion and patience. She wants all of her students to have fun, learn and leave the classroom feeling positive about themselves.
Ms. Janette currently teaches Hip-Hop, Cheer, Jazz and the SuperStars team at the Dance Zone. She loves the energy of The Dance Zone and feels that there is a place for all dancers, of all levels of ability and interests. “We are the best in the West Coast!” says Ms. Janette.

Tiffany Nagel

Ms. Tiffany has traveled the world performing and choreographing in all dance forms, with her specialty being tap dancing. Performing with some of the industry’s biggest stars, Ms. Tiffany has worked with B2K, Kathy Najimy, Raquel Welch, Dick Van Dyke, Fayard Nicholas, Disney’s Lalaine, Clint Holmes and many more. She performed with Gregory Hines in the 2002 American Choreography Awards, and with Savion Glover in A Night of Tap with Savion Glover. She has also performed as a tap soloist on the Las Vegas strip in the Spotlight Variety Show, and in Los Angeles numerous times with Gregg Russell’s TapSounds
Ms. Tiffany has performed throughout Italy with the American Dance Company, and has her own professional tap company, “Tap Girls™,” which most recently performed in the Clint Holmes Show at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino. Currently, Tiffany is setting choreography for the Las Vegas hit show “The Rat Pack is Back,” is touring as the lead regional director and master teacher for Thunderstruck Dance Productions, and is sharing her love and knowledge of dance with students around the country. Ms. Tiffany is uniquely qualified for teaching because she has a special talent for making the classroom a very fun enjoyable atmosphere, while still giving the students quality training.
At the Dance Zone, Ms. Tiffany teaches a variety of styles and ages, such as advanced tap, Showteam choreography, Teen Elite and Senior Elite Showteam choreography, jazz and adult tap. She has taught at the Dance Zone for 7 seasons, and feels that dancers should train at The Dance Zone because of the calibre of teachers, and the atmosphere. Ms. Tiffany has had the opportunity to teach at many dance schools around the country, and feels that The Dance Zone has, by far, the best atmosphere for kids and teachers. “I have loved every second of it!” says Ms. Tiffany.

Stephanie Minarchan

Ms. Stephanie began dance at the age of 3 under her mother’s tutelage. After many years of study, she taught dance for 15 years at the Dance Emporium. Ms. Stephanie received her BA in Dance, with a choreography emphasis, from UNLV. She had the honor of training with tap master Henry LeTang for 4 years. She is uniquely qualified as a dance teacher because she is well-rounded and can teach just about any type of dance.
Ms. Stephanie currently teaches tap at the Dance Zone, where she feels there is a warm environment. “I love Jami and Kaydee and their philosophies on keeping the children first!” says Ms. Stephanie.

Asrid Bean

Ms. Astrid Graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education, with an Emphasis in Modern Dance. While at BYU, she was a member of the Modern Dance Touring Company. Astrid enjoys teaching all age groups, both beginning and advanced levels. She also can gives private, group instruction and teaches master classes.
Her workshops and teaching usually will specialize instruction in body placement, proper alignment, corrective movement, injury prevention, and nutritional counseling. She has experience in Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga. Also, extensive work with the Pilates, Alexander, Feldenkrais, Nicholai, and Graham technique, as well as Kinesiology for dancers.

Nina Queen

Ms. Nina is from Las Vegas and began dance and gymnastics at the age of 8. At 11, she made a commitment to become a competitive gymnast and spent much of her childhood and adolescence training long and hard with the Green Valley Athletic Club Gymnastics Team. She became a high level gymnast, competing in all 4 events at state, regional and national competitions. In addition to showcasing her tumbling skills at football and basketball games, Ms. Nina worked diligently at her academics graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health—in 3 years. She continued her education and attended graduated school at UNLV, where she was also was part of the UNLV RebelGirl Dance Team from 2001 – 2003. In 2005, Nina graduated with a Master of Education in Health Promotion.
While Ms. Nina has been a tumbling instructor at The Dance Zone for 3 years, she began teaching gymnastics at age of 17, giving her 12 years experience helping many young people conquer the “back handspring”. In regards to personal accomplishments, Ms. Nina trains year round for marathons—she has finished 8 of them, including the Boston Marathon which she ran in 2009 and 2010.
Ms. Nina teaches tumbling at The Dance Zone because it is an atmosphere which fosters confidence, discipline and opportunity. “While my focus is to help aspiring dancers add gymnastics skills to their repertoire, it is the exposure to all styles and genres offered at The Dance Zone that creates the ultimate dancer experience, “says Nina.

Shawn Hughes

Shawn has a professional background which includes both classical roles as well as contemporary work. He is a former soloist with the American Ballet Ensemble and the West Coast Ballet Theatre among others.
Originally from San Diego, California, he has performed world wide with credits in video, film, and television, as well as company work, nightclub and concert shows. Shawn is well known for his inspirational classes, and as a teacher he travels internationally. Shawn works as a dance judge, show director, and lectures on the university circuit.
Shawn's choreography encompasses a wide range of styles. His work combines contemporary movements of today with a classical sense of line, placement, and technique. Dancers have performed his work around the world and his award winning competition routines gain top honors. Shawn teaches jazz to our Senior Elite Team and Troupe.

Hannah Hindi

Ms. Hannah was born on April 1, 1986. Hannah, has been dancing for nineteen years and teaching/instructing dance for fifteen years. She has studied various styles of dance…IE: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop. During her nineteen years of dancing, she has received honors, certificates, and medals from “The Royal Academy of Dance” and also from “The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing” in London, England. Hannah has performed in numerous church functions, conventions, and concerts.

Following the path of becoming a professional dance instructor, Hannah was examined by top examiners/instructors around the world and has received two degrees: A Tap degree & a Jazz Degree from “The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing”.

Hannah, along with her sister, Hillary, is also the ‘Director’/'Creator' of “The Hillywood Show”. She is the ‘Make-Up Artist’, ‘Writer’, 'Casting Director', 'Location Scout', 'Set Designer', 'Costume Designer', 'Choreographer', and 'Co-Star'.
www.TheHillywoodShow.com

Brittany Turner

Janette Kaloustan

Ms. Janette is originally from Los Angeles, California. She has been in the entertainment business for 22 years as a veteran dancer, singer, and performer. She has been teaching voice, piano/music for 16 years in the Las Vegas and Henderson community. She is pleased to be on board with The Dance Zone as the Show Choir instructor.

Taunya Lanier