Instructors

Lissa Beck

Lissa assumed ownership of American Dance of SLO in 2000. Formally Pat Jackson’s American Dance, Lissa wanted to continue Pat’s philosophy on dance and family. In the last 6 years she has done just as Pat would have wanted, she has continued to nurture the studio where families can come together in dance and friendship. Lissa has upheld the teachings of self -esteem and confidence. SHINE!

Leslie Baumberger

Artistic Director Leslie Baumberger has been on staff since 1976 and was an original member of the American Dancers. As Director of the competition dance teams, she has received many awards, including Outstanding Choreographer, Outstanding Teacher, and Best of Show. Many nationally known dance teachers such as Joe Tremaine, Roland Dupree, Rhonda Miller, Joe Lanteri, Mia Michaels and more hold Ms. Baumberger in high regard. Ms. Baumberger is committed to the highest degree of dance training and continued dance education.

Theresa Slobodnik

Theresa Slobodnik is from the San Francisco Bay Area, where she received her early training from Marjorie Stevens, Lee Salsbury, Patrice Nissen, (R.A.D.), modern, with Virginia Toy, and jazz with Rec Russell. On staff since 1989, Theresa studied with Gilbert and Sydna Reed, developing the elementary ballet levels and syllabi. She was principle dancer for The Gilbert Reed Ballet Chamber Dancers (1989-92) and most recently the Gilbert Reed Ballet (1993-2003) where she also served as Assistant Director. Some of her most noted performances include the title roles in The Firebird, Carmen, and Camille. She also created the role of Belle in the Gilbert Reed Ballet’s world premiere of Beauty and The Beast and has been critically acclaimed for her performances as Young Scrooge’s Betrothed in, A Christmas Carol, and the institutionalized woman in Asylum.

Currently Theresa teaches the Accelerated Ballet program.

Suzy Miller

Suzy Miller-Fuentes has worked in the industry for over two decades. She has choreographed for Theater, television, MTV, film, nightclubs, rock and roll stage shows, fashion shows, corporate industrials, and artistic showcases all over the United States and abroad. She has worked with many celebrities, including Diana Ross, Drew Barrymore, Debbie Reynolds, Jenny McCarthy, and Sandra Bullock. Suzy has many industry awards, including five regional Emmys, an Iris award, and television’s coveted Peabody award. Her choreography has received Outstanding, Critic Choice, Best of Show, and Most Entertaining awards at all of the nations premier dance competitions.

Daniella Eckert

Daniella started dancing at American Dance of SLO at the age of 9. She started performing under the direction of Leslie Baumberger. At 18 she moved to LA and was accepted as a scholarship student at the Edge Performing Arts Studio under the direction of Bill Prudich, Carol Connors and Jackie Sleight. She also trained with,Tyce Diorio, Bill Bohl, Margarete Derriks and Joe Tremaine. While adding acting/theatre training she discovered a passion for fitness and health. She became a certified trainer and started her own business with circuit training, spin and step and developing her Cardio Sculpt classes. She returned to American Dance of SLO after 12 years in LA and began teaching dance and Cardio Sculpt classes full time.

Some of her professional credits include Coca Cola, Keebler, Sunny Delight, Jergens Soap, and Miller Light. Movies: Clueless and Television shows: Sweet Valley High, USA High and Cafe American. Stage work includes Rampage and Starter, various dance shows and plays in the LA area.

Rose Patti

Rose started her dance training with Pat Jackson “s American Dance at the age of 11. She was a member of both the Young Americans and American Dancers. Rose currently teaches both jazz and Tap and is the director of the studios older performing groups, the Junior Americans and the Teen Americans. Rose is committed to promoting self esteem and the love of dance.

Melissa Baumberger

Melissa started her dance training at American Dance of SLO in 1985. She studied ballet under Sydna and Gilbert Reed, Jazz with Pat Jackson, Suzy Miller and Leslie Baumberger. She danced with various dance companies, including Gilbert Reed Ballet and the American Dancers. She has performed both regionally and internationally and was named studio Dancer of the Year in 2001. She is currently the director of the studios young performing groups ages 5-10yrs old.

Evelyn Kroeker

Evelyn received her early training in the Cecchetti Method of ballet and soon expand her training to Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theater and Hip Hop styles. She trained under Georgina Coleman, Ronnie Mahler and Master Choreographers Charles McGowan and Dennis Nahat. Evelyn joined the School of San Jose Cleveland Ballet (now San Jose Ballet) where she enjoyed four years as an understudy for the company.

Evelyn danced with award-winning groups including the Swingtones, Castillero Showchoir and the Covertibles Competition Team. Stage credits include leading roles in Aladdin, The Wizard of Oz, The Evolution of Rock and Starmites. While attending the University of Redlands, Evelyn was the Artistic Director for The University’s Dance Company.

With over ten years teaching experience, Evelyn proudly joined the staff of American Dance of SLO in 2004 and looks forward to developing her professional career in teaching, choreography and performance.

Karen Shanley

Karen Shanley has danced since she was a little girl. Her passion is dance, movement and sharing her knowledge with others. As a young dancer she performed with Morelli Ballet in Los Angeles, at the Greek Theatre in Alicia Alonso’s production of “Coppelia.”

As an adult dancer she was featured in ballet and modern repertoire with Hawaii Dance Theatre, continued her training with Margaret Craske in NYC where she also performed in the modern dance companies of Jean Erdman and Charles Weidman. She also danced in performances with Ballet Hysell (New Orleans Ballet), Anaheim Ballet and as a modern dancer in Southern California.

Before moving to the Central Coast six years ago, she was a professor of dance at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA. where she taught ballet for over 24 years. Karen is certified as a Pilates and Gyrotonic ® instructor and has her own studio Central Coast Pilates and teaches Pilates mat classes at Sycamore Mineral Springs in Avila.

Teana Fredeen

Teana Fredeen dreamed of social dancing since she was a little girl. She began her ballroom dance training in 1988 and has enjoyed teaching for nearly two decades. She has taught students from 8 to 100 years old and finds it a privilege to impart the love of social dancing to people of all ages. Her specialty is in American style Smooth and Rhythm ballroom dances.

Sarah Marshall

Bio coming soon…