Faculty
Corie Tyson earned her formal dance training in ballet, jazz, modern and tap at local studios, beginning at the age of 5. She started teaching at 18 and has trained dancers at many bay area studios over the last 20 years, including as a guest teacher at San Jose State University and at Dance Connection for 10+ years. Corie is excited to direct the studio she feels so passionately represents the delicate balance between a warm, family-oriented environment and an elite competitive training education.
Cindy grew up dancing from a young age, studying all styles of dance, and has never stopped. She has been teaching dance for over 48 years to all ages and abilities, and is now seeing the second generation of her dance students. She has a fondness for working with young dancers, and an educational background in Early Childhood Development. Cindy founded Dance Connection in 1987, and it has grown to become one of the most popular dance schools on the Peninsula. One of the rewards of teaching dance is the relationships that develop over the years with the DC dancers and families. Cindy credits the outstanding faculty here at Dance Connection for the quality training every dancer receives, and is proud to train the second generation of Dance Connection dancers. She and her husband, Mark have three grown children and five grandchildren. Cindy is happy to support Corie Tyson in her new role directing the studio that she started over 37 years ago!
Nikki has been a part of the dance world for over 20 years as a Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor and Director. Nikki is technically trained in jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, tumbling and acrobatics. She has been teaching and directing competitive dance for over 10 years and has been the competition program director for various studios helping to build a strong technical and passionate group of competitive dancers. After directing for various studios worldwide Nikki made her ultimate dream come true by opening Notion Dance Concepts in 2017. Sharing her passion and creative drive with her own studio members is her biggest and most profound accomplishment. Nikki is excited to work with the DC Performing Company as their Director!
Peter Hershey received his early training at the Seiskaya Ballet Academy in St. James, New York. He went on to attend both the School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School, also studying under New York-based teachers Francis Patrelle and Johan Renvall. Peter danced professionally with Ballet San Jose and has guested with several ballet companies nationwide. Peter is proud to represent the Dance Connection Ballet Company and run the ballet program at Dance Connection!
As the former SF Bay Area Director and Choreographer of dance companies Academy of Villains and Young Skull Club, Francis was integral in pioneering their shows at Universal Studios Orlando and California’s Great America. His television experience includes Showtime at the Apollo (FOX, contestant), America’s Got Talent (NBC, contestant), and Fake-Off (TruTv, Season 2 champion). He was also an Assistant Choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) and has choreographed and performed in television specials featured on NBC Bay Area and CBS Bay Area. Francis is a director and choreographer for Hip Hop Nutcracker (Fox Theater) and is deeply involved in the SF Bay Area community, donating his time and talent to support various causes from breast cancer to food insecurity to orphan and vulnerable children in Mozambique.
Jennifer received her ballet training in San Francisco with the Academy of Ballet, Dancers' Stage, Lanova Academy, City Ballet School and Boston Ballet School. She has performed with various Bay Area companies including the Peninsula Ballet Theater, San Francisco Dance Theater, and the Santa Clara Ballet. She performed in the San Francisco production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" for 4 1/2 years. Jennifer has two beautiful daughters, and has enjoyed teaching and watching students grow at Dance Connection since 2001.
A Southern California native, Frankie Mendoza was born in the small town of Brawley; where he quickly found a passion for the art of movement at a young age through freestyle. Though from a very small dance community, Mendoza set out to carve his path as an artist and individual in order to build an understanding as movement enthusiast on his own. He enjoys using concepts and techniques from all aspects of art to influence his eclectic style of movement in choreography. Aside from the new journey to musical theater, he continues as an artist and educator with his philosophy that dance reflects the art of expression through movement while emphasizing the journey of individual progression. He uses this philosophy to provide students with a new creative look and understanding of dance beyond their technical application as a way to open their minds to new waves of expression.
Originally from Minnesota, Brooke Wertwijn graduated from the University of Utah School of Dance in 2021 with a B.F.A. in Ballet, Ballet Studio Teaching Certificate, and Business Minor. She was principal Company Artist with San Jose Dance Theatre. During the 2021-2022 season, she danced as a Trainee at Ballet Idaho and performed in Peter Anastos’ The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Bruce Wells’ Beauty and the Beast, Anne Mueller’s Peter and the Wolf, and new works by FLOCK, Nicole Haskins, and Quinn Wharton. Brooke was a member of SALT Contemporary Dance’s Pre-Professional Training Company directed by Courtney Mazeika in 2020-2021.
Leo Morimune began his extensive training receiving full scholarship to San Francisco Ballet for 8 years. Graduated from the School of the Arts San Francisco, where he trained in Modern, Afro Haitian and Choreography. His professional dance career started at age 10 and transitioned to becoming a industry dancer/choreographer after moving to LA.
Spending the majority of her life immersed in the dance world, Sierra Marines was
trained to be a very technical, enthusiastic dance instructor. She began dancing from the age of
three and later found a passion for teaching others. She began with assisting in
dance classes at her home studio and worked her way to teaching at a studio located near her
collage. As a recent graduate of Southern Utah University with a degree in biology, Sierra is
staying in touch with one of her many passions. Sierra loves to be able to open student's minds
to every style of dance as she performed in various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz,
contemporary, lyrical and acrobatics. Working with students at every stage of life, Sierra
encourages students to express themselves through movement and creativity.
trained to be a very technical, enthusiastic dance instructor. She began dancing from the age of
three and later found a passion for teaching others. She began with assisting in
dance classes at her home studio and worked her way to teaching at a studio located near her
collage. As a recent graduate of Southern Utah University with a degree in biology, Sierra is
staying in touch with one of her many passions. Sierra loves to be able to open student's minds
to every style of dance as she performed in various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz,
contemporary, lyrical and acrobatics. Working with students at every stage of life, Sierra
encourages students to express themselves through movement and creativity.
Isabella Marines is a California native who performed in the dance industry with studio and theatre companies. Since they were 2 years old, they have trained in various styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, and acrobatics. When they were 12, they began closely studying acrobatic safety and techniques and were mentored by Acrobatic Arts professionals. Since they were 16, Isabella has choreographed in California and in the Maryland-Virginia area for theatre productions, recreational dance, and competition dance routines. In their time choreographing for competition, multiple pieces have placed in the Top 10, Top 5, and Top 3 at regional and national competitions. For their education, they have an A.A. in Social and Behavioral and a B.A. in Organizational Communication which they use to adapt friendly lesson plans for all ages and backgrounds. At this time, they are also pursuing an A.S. in Paralegal Studies in hopes of entering family law to help people in their times of need.
Joan's high-energy teaching style and ability to communicate concepts to all levels of learners have become well known at universities and dance studios across the country. She has deep knowledge of Vintage, Historical and Social Dance, Tap Dance, Musical Theatre Choreography and Theatredance Styles. She has been teaching at Vintage and Historical dance workshops nationally and internationally since 1991. Her work encompasses choreographing for musicals and operas at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, six of them winning 1st place at the National Opera Awards.
Alexa is a passionate dancer, performer, and choreographer. Her 12 years as a competitive dancer drove her interest in joining a professional dance team. She auditioned for the 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders in 2012, and hit the ground running. That year she attended the Super Bowl, countless media events, and received the Rookie of The Year Award. While attending the 2013 Super Bowl, Alexa appeared on the Craig Ferguson Show, Enews, and Good Morning America. She was a captain on the 49ers Gold Rush, and has had the opportunity to help choreograph and set routines for the team. Alexa was selected to represent the San Francisco 49ers as the 2017 Pro Bowl Cheerleader in Orlando Florida. At the 49ers museum in Levis Stadium, Alexa is the host of a virtual reality dance video game. Throughout her five years on the team, she stayed active in the dance community by taking and teaching dance classes. She has set routines for local high school dance and cheer teams. Alexa choreographed for the 2017 Pro Action Dance Prep convention. She has performed with Train, Nico and Vinz, Snoop Dog, E40, and Jordin Sparks. Alexa can be seen in Trains “Mermaid” music video, as well as Clinton Sparks “Gold Rush Girl” video. She made an appearance on the television pilot “Friday Night Impossible” with Jerry Rice on Great American Country Network. She also made an appearance on CSN Bay Area for Sports Net Central. After her time on the 49ers Gold Rush, she signed with the Movement Talent Agency in Los Angeles. During her time in Los Angeles, she trained in many dance styles with some of the industry’s top choreographers and pursued her commercial dance dreams. She landed the lead role in a commercial for JustFab shoes, and also stared in a commercial for a local gym and spa. Alexa directed the 49er GoldRush Cheerleaders until 2022. Alexa was the Artistic Director of our popular DC Performing Company. Under her guidance, our students have earned numerous awards and scholarships. Alexa and her husband are proud to welcome their second child this August!
