Konocti Dance Academy Teaching Staff

Annette Lee is the Owner / Director of Konocti Dance Academy.  A former Miss Lake County, Miss Nevada, and an award-winning competition choreographer, Annette specializes in teaching pre and elementary age children in the disciplines of tap, jazz, and ballet.  She has studied dance for most of her life and has performed professionally both live and on television.  She is a credentialed California teacher and has taught dance and business classes in both public and private school systems.  Annette currently teaches dance classes at KDA as well as business classes at Yuba College.

Michelle Berger has been dancing most of her life.  She studied with Louise Coats in Ballet, Tap and Jazz in 1992; then went on to various conventions and festivals to watch and learn. Michelle has tried her hand at almost every style, but her true love lies in the dance of her ancestors.  Her family hails form Romania and their heritage is rooted in the Romani (Gypsy), Balkan and Middle Eastern cultures. Michelle has studied and practiced Egyptian Baladi, Persian and Turkish dances, and Bhangra (an Indian folk dance). She has also taken a stab at "Shikat" (a Moroccan Tea dance), Veils and traditional Darbuka drums.  In addition to teaching for KDA and Mendocino College,  Michelle  currently studies and performs with Middle Eastern dancer Janice Re and choreographs original routines for festivals and conventions.

Cheryl “Kelela” Blake is the Alaka’I for Halau Ha’a Kea o Kinohi. “Ala” or path and “ka’i” to enter into the dance of the Hawaiian people. “Chosen by the Kumu Hula Paul K. Neves, http://www.halauhaakea.org/index.html my responsibility is to lead the “haumana” or students in the learning of Hawaiian Hula.” Kelela is a life long resident of Lake County and began dancing Hula at age twelve. She works at living out the spirit of Aloha with her Kumu and Hula sisters. In addition to teaching Hula, Kelela continues her career in Early Education as an instructor at Mendocino College. Keeping with the tradition of ‘ohana , family, Kelela hopes to bring the culture and dance to the people Lake County.

Coming  Soon...Hip Hop Instructor Brittany Martin!!!