Academy of Performing Arts Faculty. The talented people who bring joy, fulfulment, and compassion to those who wish to expand their horizon through dance. If you would like to see what instructors teach what classes, please review the following page: Classes

Deborah Skinner
Following her career as a professional dancer and choreographer, Deborah Skinner earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in dance from UC Irvine, a Master of Arts Degree from Mills College, and has completed extensive post graduate work in educational psychology. Ms. Skinner has taught at Ohlone College, Mills College, California State University Hayward, and UC Berkeley. She is a well known teacher and has taught at regional conventions as well as on the national dance convention circuit and has recently completed a California Teachers Certificated program. Ms. Skinner is an accomplished choreographer and a skilled coach. Many of her students have gone on to be talented and working professionals in the dance arena. Ms. Skinner has just written a Dance Masters of America preschool dance syllabus for use by professional teachers all over the world. Ms. Skinner is founder and director of Children’s Dance Theatre as well as Heartwork’s Early Education Program, a highly successful preschool that teaches kindergarten readiness skills through traditional, didactic methods as well as music, movement, performing arts, and creative problem solving activities. A believer in life long education, Ms. Skinner is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction. Most recently, Ms. Skinner was recognized by the Soroptomists Club, the City of Tracy, the CA State Legistrators and US Congress for being a woman who makes a difference. She was also voted Tracy's Entrepreneur of The Year.

Holly Quesada
Holly Quesada is a multi-talented dancer, teacher and choreographer. She has been dancing for over twenty-five years, nine of which were under the direction of APA’s own, Ms. Deborah Skinner. While she was a featured dancer in numerous regional and national competitions, pageants, parades, festivals, musicals and productions, she was gravitated to her true love of choreography and teaching. Mrs. Quesada has been sharing her passion of dance with her students for nearly fifteen years, specializing in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, and acrobatics. Her award winning choreography for numerous competitions, productions, dance teams, and musicals have been seen throughout California. After becoming a member of Dance Masters of California, Inc. Chapter #13 in 1995, she went on to serve on the board of directors of this non-profit organization for the last 9 years. She currently serves as Past President and Pageant Director of this 124 year old National Organization. Holly has also been in partnership with many local public Elementary schools in her area bringing the art and passion of all forms of dance to local children for the past five years. As well as being the mother of three children, Joey, Jillian, and Jenna, she has been married for eleven years. She strives to continually teach by the philosophy of the legendary Martha Graham, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion” making her classes positive, inspiring and invigorating.

Ashlyn McPhillips
Ashlyn McPhillips has been dancing under the instruction of Deborah Skinner at the Academy of Performing Arts ever since she was a very young girl. She enjoys many dance styles including ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, tap and several others. Ashlyn loves to work with children and watch how they learn and improve over time. This is her second year teaching dance classes of her own at the studio. Currently, she is a student at Las Positas College in Livermore where she studies fine arts. Ashlyn hopes to continue dancing and to one day become an art teacher.

Charlotte Kallerman
Charlotte Kallerman is a student at Las Positas Junior College as a dance major. She began her dance career at the age of three. She has danced at several studios in the bay area and in Dallas, Texas. She held the position as varsity cheer captain for Tracy High School. Her senior year was spent on the Tracy High dance team. She has attended national competitions in Los Angeles on both teams for four years. Charlotte has competed in Tracy's junior miss pageant. For her talent she performed a lyrical dance solo. Charlotte is currently dancing on a ballet scholarship. She has been involved in many dance productions over the years, primarily in the Nutcracker. Last December she performed as the snow queen as well as in many other roles. Charlotte is excited to finally have classes of her own to teach. She especially enjoys working with young children. She also has a passion for working with teens and young adults. Charlotte is delighted to join the staff at The Academy of Performing Arts.

Kitiera
Kitiera is originally from Lexington, KY and has been belly dancing since the age of twelve. Before moving to California, Kitiera was a working performer, instructor, choreographer and troupe director in Seattle, WA. Kitiera currently holds a level 3 in the Suhaila Salimpour Certification program. She has also created her own distinctive and unique belly dance style, "ModRom," which is a fusion of Romani, Egyptian, and Jazz dance. Kitiera teaches and performs locally (in CA) and internationally, touring and promoting ModRom. For more information please visit www.kitiera.us.

If you have any questions regarding our instructors, please feel free to contact us.