SHAY - Key Persons
A native of San Diego, Corina began her training in jazz and tap with Helen Milhone and Bobbi Adams-Giltner. At the age of twelve she began her training in ballet at the Chula Vista School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and San Diego School of Ballet. While training under Robin Sheretz Morgan (San Diego Ballet), Jillana (NYCB), Steven Wistrich (City Ballet of San Diego), Javier Velasco (San Diego Ballet), and Jaquelyn Hepner (NYCB), she was accepted into the Boston Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet Summer Programs. She later was awarded a scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy's Dance Department for her senior year of high school, and a full scholarship to Dance Aspen Summer School the following summer. After accepting trainee positions with Milwaukee and Mid-Illinois Ballet Companies, Corina was offered a Company Dancer contract for San Diego Ballet's very first season. Her career as a founding member spanned eleven years. She was a soloist in many of San Diego Ballet's signature ballets, including The "Chula Linda" Variation from Mambomania, "Where the Boys Are" in Backseats, and "Pretend" from When We Have the Stars. She also performed as the Dewdrop Fairy and Spanish Chocolate in San Diego Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. While performing, Corina was asked to teach and choreograph at many local schools around San Diego. She has also choreographed and assisted for Steve Anthony for San Diego Junior Theatre, Christian Community Theatre, and MADCAPS in Point Loma. Her interest in learning more about body movement, injury prevention, and management of Scoliosis lead her to obtain a Pilates Certification from Kore Pilates, and is a a PMA™ Certified Pilates Instructor. She has been teaching this method for eight years and integrates Pilates principles in her classes to help her students have a better understanding of alignment and movement.
Jason brings a unique combination of performing arts and business experience to 4S Dance Academy. As a child actor, he was actively involved in school plays, landed roles in community theatre and booked various local print ads and TV commercials. Hollywood beckoned, but Jason delayed the move in order to complete his academic education, eventually graduating from the Leads School of Business at The University of Colorado. The move to LA quickly followed and Jason soon used his education to start his own IT company, which supported his acting career. To date he has been a working actor for over 30 years, appearing in numerous stage plays, national TV commercials and most recently on the TV shows Bones and The Muppets. His IT career has spanned over 17 years where he catered to industry clients that included notable local theatres, production companies, directors, musicians and producers. Jason is excited to continue combining both his performing arts and business experience as the Executive Director of 4S Dance Academy and looks forward to meeting you!
Shay began her ballet training at Laguna Dance Theatre with Shery Gilbert, right around the same age as many of your little dancers. She grew, advanced and trained with several other prestigious schools including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Alonso King's LINES Ballet. As a freshman in High School, Shay was accepted into the University of Arizona's dance program and later attended, where she danced notable roles like Russian Principle in George Balanchine's Serenade and was part of a small group of selected students who traveled to and performed in Italy. After graduating with a BFA in dance, Shay joined Nevada Ballet Theatre in Las Vegas where she performed many soloist roles in ballets such as The Nutracker, Napoli, Val Caniparoli's Lambarena, and George Balanchine's Who Cares? to name a few. In the summer of 2006, Shay was one of five chosen from the company to perform at the Vail International Dance Festival with Peter Anastos' Yes Virginia. Shay later joined Nova Ballet in Tempe AZ.Shay has been teaching ballet for over 18 years at many reputable schools including Laguna Dance Theatre and San Elijo Dance and Music Academy. Most recently, Shay was a teacher and the registrar of the Los Angeles Ballet School, official school of the Los Angeles Ballet. Shay is meticulous and precise in her training, and she believes in creating a nurturing and safe environment for all her students. She is thrilled to be the Artistic Director of 4S Dance Academy, and can't wait to share her love of ballet and dance!