Teachers — AGOURA HILLS DANCE

Hi! My name is Forest.

Forest has been teaching Hip-Hop dancing since 1998. She graduated High school in 2000 and began to work with High school and college cheerleading teams. She then appeared on the MTV Show "Becoming" where she portrayed singer Pink in a music video. After having trained with Joe Malone as an apprentice in 2002, Forest came to teach at Agoura Hills Dance. While finishing College for a degree in Child Development, Forest continued teaching dance classes because that was what she loved. Since then, Forest has choreographed and several music videos including 2012's "Minimum Day" by the Cold War Kids. She has also choreographed for many episodes of various Disney digital series including "Electric Spoofaloo" by Take 180, "Rule the Mix" by Disney Online Originals, and the animated show "Talking Friends" for Disney Interactive. Forest started teaching at Agoura Hills Dance as a substitute when she was 19 years old. She then became an official instructor and has been with AHD since 2003. While teaching at AHD Forest married her husband, Gino, and they now have 3 dancing daughters. Forest loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and inspiring them to enjoy this wonderful outlet throughout their lives. Forest’s next chapter is transitioning into the position of owner of Agoura Hills Dance.

Betsy Melber

In 1998, after 14 years of teaching hundreds of children and adults in the Conejo Valley, life long professional dancer, teacher and choreographer, Betsy Melber, followed her dream, and opened Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center with her husband and building contractor Chuck Melber ( Garden's of the World in Thousand Oaks ). Betsy and Agoura Hills Dance had a roaring run for 20 years. On the morning of our 20 Year Anniversary Concert, Betsy's husband and partner of 44 years, suffered a massive heart attack and tragically passed away. Devastated and in shock, Betsy continued to run AHD for the next 6 months, but in December of 2018 Betsy made the difficult and painful decision to pass the torch to long time AHD instructor Forest Roy. This change made it possible for AHD to continue and follow traditions, while Betsy transferred from Dance Studio Owner to Dance Instructor and Mentor. Betsy is very grateful that this was possible to do. She is proud of what Forest had accomplished under very difficult conditions.
Betsy's love of teaching and passing on her love of dance, in particular Tap, to all her students, young and young at heart. Her vision for the studio has always been to have the best instructors for all venues of dance, i.e.. Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Bollywood, and of course Tap. She is very proud of the staff she had assembled and who continue to share their talents at AHD. In 20 years of overseeing the program, Betsy has provided the curriculum to develop highly skilled dancers, as well as having opportunities for students who love to dance for fun and recreation. Her many adult tap classes for all levels, have been a source of fun, friendships, exercise and challenge. Many of her students who studied as kids have now returned as adults for the love and passion they always felt and continue to find the joy they had missed.
Betsy was the Owner, Artistic Director, Company Coordinator as well as Tap Instructor for all ages and levels for 20 years. Their Company Team won the highest awards throughout the many years in Regional and National Competitions across the US. Betsy received numerous Top Choreography awards for her innovative, creative, and technically challenging dance pieces. Many of her students have gone on to professional dance careers. Many have returned to teach our young students in workshops, and to sub and to have their own classes. For 18 years, in addition to the Annual Dance Concerts at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center, she produced and directed the Annual Original Full length Ballet "Alice In Wonderland " a cherished tradition.
For over 12 years, Betsy worked with Malibu High School Theatre Arts Director, Jodi Plaia on all of their musicals, teaching all the students for many months and choreographing all their show stopping musical numbers. 42nd Street, Aida, Crazy for You, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Young Frankenstein to name a few.
In addition to AHD, Betsy's professional dance career spans Movies, Television, Dance Concerts, Stage Shows and numerous Dance Companies. She began teaching in the Conejo Valley in 1984, choosing to settle in this area and starting a family with her husband Chuck. Her goal was to bring top quality Tap Dance to the community and help to keep this one time dying art form alive and well. Tap has thrived in this community since she began this personal goal.
Her extensive professional dance training in Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre, gymnastics, as well as Swing and Jitterbug, have all been incorporated into her Tap style. Her love of music and dance keep her inspired and inspiring dancers all these years. Always continuing her studies she has worked with the greatest of Tap Masters, past and present. Danny Daniels, Paul De Rolf, Linda Sohl-Ellison, Jim Taylor, Mark Mendonca, Fayard Nicholas, Sam Weber, Steve Zee and many others.
One of her great highlights was on the night of the 20th Anniversary Show, Joe Tremaine attended and presented her with a lifetime achievement award "20 Years of Excellence in Dance Training" It was quite a surprise and honor and Betsy, her son Chuck Jr. and daughter Carly, watched from the rafters.
Betsy teaches the basics with a step by step approach and rapidly moves dancers to progress faster than they ever though possible.
Betsy is truly grateful to continue teaching, choreographing, and inspiring all ages. AHD was her baby, and home away fro home for all these years and it is so rewarding to see so many to continue to find this their second home as well.
Her greatest love in life has been her husband Chuck, and their two amazing children Chuck Jr. and Carly.
Thank you Forest for carrying on the love and passion and traditions that have made AHD what it is.

Cierra Crowley

Cierra began dancing at the age of five in Woodland Hills, CA; training in contemporary, modern, jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, and various styles of aerial arts including tissue and hoop. She continued on to receive a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.F.A. in Dance Choreography from the University of California, Irvine in 2018. There she performed in numerous department dance shows and was a company member of modern dance legend, Donald McKayle’s Étude Ensemble. She also trained and performed with Sheron Wray’s Jazz Dance company, JazzXchange, working with philosophies of improvisation and live music. In her senior year of college she presented an evening length thesis of her original work. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles and has been in music videos for various artists including Johnny Hallyday, 80Fitz, Elton Castee, Shane Dawson, and Trisha Paytas. She has also worked for numerous choreographers including Nina McNeeley (for MAC Cosmetics and LA Fashion Week), Andrew Winghart, Marissa Osato, and MashUp Contemporary Dance Company.

Brim

A seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry Brim has developed into a multi-faceted individual.
Brim is a choreographer, performer, and vfx producer.
His talents span throughout the entertainment industry for over two decades. Mr Brim has choreographed for several multi-platinum Grammy/Billboard award winning recording artists - he travelled and toured the world performing in over 80 countries - Mr. Brim has appeared in commercials, television shows. He was guest star on The Jeff Dunham Show on Comedy Central, performed for the Emmy’s, and a feature dancer in a major motion pictures called “You Got Served“ (Sony/Columbia Pictures), Through a Child’s Eye (live-stage show) and America’s Got Talent (NBC). Mr Junior has co-directed several music videos along side with industry veteran director Lionel Martin, whose credits include Jill Scott, Michael Bolton, N Sync, and Boyz II Men, just to name a few. Mr Brim also produced live shows at both Rio and MGM grand hotels in Las Vegas and was the creative director and the driving force behind a celebrity gala for the Prince of Monaco in Monte Carlo France. He was also seen on abc’s Disney’s 90th celebration.

Mr. Brim has a passion for film and TV. He has produced several projects, from short films to web series. Currently he’s developing a kid’s television series incorporating dance, singing, and lots of fun action. As an editor and visual effects artist, Mr. Junior’s list of clients include: HTC Mobile, Farmers Insurance, Epson, Blackberry, Big Sexy Hair, SLS Hotel Miami South Beach-Ditlo, Courteney Cox Foundation & Playstation-Ditlo

Mr. Keith Junior still performs and travels domestically performing in varies types of shows for fortune 500 companies.

Always learning - always inspiring - always sharing.

Sarah Chavez

Sarah is an amazing teacher, dancer and choreographer and we ❤️ her. Sarah Chavez grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA. She has been dancing for 26 years and moved to LA 10 years ago after being picked out of hundreds of dancers to be a part of the 10 in the EDGE Performing Arts Center Scholarship Program. She has worked with award winning choreographer Anthony Thomas as well as Chucky Klapow and Bonnie Story, who won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in High School Musical.
Sarah has been featured as a dancer with Glee star Charice in her “One Day” music video. She was also featured as a Bollywood dancer with pop artist Bebe Rexha in “The Way I Are (Dance with Somebody).” She has traveled and performed all over the United States as part of a Bollywood company which includes different arenas, weddings, music videos, etc. Currently, she is teaching Jazz and Bollywood all around the Los Angeles area and is also collaborating with latin artist Litzy who is touring around the world on the 90’s Pop Tour.

Miss Jo head shot 2021.jpeg — Jo Bliss

Jo Bliss has been teaching dance since 1983. She has a Bachelors Degree in Dance Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, studied Dance on a Dance Scholarship at Oklahoma City University and took class with Ballet Oklahoma for over 10 years. She was the owner of Jo's School of Dance from 1989 to 2005 when she moved to California. She performed in over 20 musicals including Crazy for You, Annie, was Oona White in Guys and Dolls, Andie in Steppin' Out and Dance Captain for Dames at Sea.

Michaella Ashkenazi

Michaella was born and raised in Los Angeles California and has been competing as a competitive dancer for 10+ years. Michaella has been training in all styles including Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap etc. for several years. Michaella is featured as a dancer in the film “Keep Moving The Movie” and was also an on set choreographer for that same film. Michaella has also had numerous opportunities of being an assistant choreographer on films such as “Gold Mine The Movie” and more. Michaella continues to train in all styles weekly and is constantly working and training with new choreographers. Michaella has always had a passion for teaching dance from a young age and is beyond grateful and excited to be part of AHD faculty.

Haley Gilchrist 2021 head shot.JPG — Haley Gilchrist

Haley began dancing at age 4 at Agoura Hills Dance. She has numerous acting and dancing credits including music videos for Walk the Moon, Justin Bieber and Sigala.
In 2013, Haley danced back-up for Justin Bieber at the Staples Center for his "Purpose " tour. Haley's acting credits include "Mad Men", "Beyond the Lights", "Jessie" just to name a few. Haley is currently with Hollywood Connection where she assists many top choreographers and travels all over the country. Haley is thrilled to be back at AHD and to be part of the faculty.

Caitlin Mead

Caitlin Mead began her dance training at the age of two at Agoura Hills Dance and Performing Arts Center and has trained and competed over the years at an advanced level in various styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip-Hop. Caitlin competed for several years at industry dance conventions and competitions and received numerous awards and scholarships for her solos, duets, and group performances. Caitlin has attended summer dance programs with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Peridance Capezio Center, and was invited by ABT to join their Junior Associate program. Caitlin was a Captain of her high school dance team and enjoyed performing at games as well as competing at USA and WCE dance competitions and industry dance conventions.
In 2021, Caitlin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Entrepreneurship, receiving departmental honors. While at Chapman, Caitlin had the opportunity to work closely with faculty members including Alicia Guy, Jackie Sleight, Will Johnston, Wilson Mendieta, Steven Sofia, Jenny Backhaus, Larry Rosenberg, Liz Curtis, and Sean Greene. During her time at Chapman, she choreographed pieces for and performed in Works in Progress, Concert Intime, Mainstage Concert, and produced several dance in film projects. Caitlin was a four-year member of the Chapman Dance Alliance and performed in their annual shows from 2017 to 2021. Caitlin was also featured in the Broadway-style production Chapman Celebrates in 2018 and 2019. Caitlin has worked with outside artists such as Melinda Sullivan, Natalie Reid, Nicole Harlan, and Julie Magneville.
Caitlin is happy to be teaching at the studio where her love for dance began. Caitlin’s teaching focuses on providing students with a strong technical foundation while also striving to share her love of creativity, expression, and passion for dance with others. Caitlin plans to continue her love for dance by pursuing a commercial dance career in Los Angeles and New York City.