Instructors

Vicki Zarley is the Founder / Owner / Director of Dance Magic Studios, Valley Ballet Academy & DM LIVE. She received her dance training at The Cole Academy, Ball State and Indiana University. After moving from Indiana to California Vicki studied with a variety of teachers at the Tremaine Dance Center and Stanley Holden Dance Center in Los Angeles and then performed as a member of the Antelope Valley Ballet Co. She has also attended many teacher seminars including the Ballet Magnificat training in Jackson, MI and the American Ballet Theatre trainings in San Jose and Orange County, CA and New York City, NY. Vicki has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 and is certified to teach the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She founded Valley Ballet Academy and implemented this curriculum at Dance Magic Studios in 2013. She also developed DM LIVE, a virtual dance studio, in 2020.

Kathleen Burnett is the founding artistic director of the Antelope Valley Ballet Company. Ms. Burnett earned her M.F.A. at the University of Oklahoma where she was also an Assistant Professor. While in Oklahoma she choreographed 9 ballets for the Oklahoma Festival Ballet, served as their Ballet Mistress and as a principal dancer for the company. She was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Award in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma and received the Ballet Choreography Award (twice). Ms. Burnett moved to Lancaster and in 1998 co-founded the Antelope Ballet Company. Her students and former company members have gone on to dance with a variety of professional companies including Houston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Dayton Ballet. She currently produces The Nutcracker, a contemporary production and a spring ballet each season for the Antelope Valley Ballet Company. Kathleen is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor.

Tracie Phillips is currently a principal dancer for the Antelope Valley Ballet Co. and their ballet mistress. She has trained with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York. Tracie has danced many major roles with the company since 2001. Highlights of her roles include: “Clara”, “Spanish” and “The Dew Drop Fairy” in The Nutcracker, “Evil Stepsister” in Cinderella, “White Rabbit” in Alice in Wonderland, “Songbird Fairy” in The Sleeping Beauty and “Firebird” in Firebird. Tracie successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 and is certified to teach the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also the director of the Dance Magic Performing Co.

KD Reilly is a Principal Dancer and a ballet mistress for the Antelope Valley Ballet Company. She has danced the roles of “Swanhilda” in Coppelia, “Hermia” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, “Little Swan” in Swan Lake and “The Dew Drop Fairy, and Snow Queen” in The Nutcracker to name a few. Her most recent accomplishment was the lead role in AVB’s “Alice in Wonderland”. KD performed with the Dance Magic Performing Co. from 1998-2007 and has attended annual conventions learning from top teacher/choreographers. KD has also contributed to her community by teaching dance at summer camps, performing at local churches and in classroom demonstrations to promote performing arts in the school system. She has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 and is certified to teach the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Makenna Hertz began dancing at the age of three. Her love for the performing arts has inspired her to train to an advanced level in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. She began competing at age of ten and holds many top awards. She is currently an accomplished dance competition team choreographer.

MaKenna is a principal dancer in the Antelope Valley Ballet Co. where she has performed leading roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and many other ballets. She has gained more than 10 years of various types of experience in the field and currently teaches at Dancin in Acton, DNA Studio, Fostering Dreams Project, and Dance Magic. 

Kelsey is one of Hollywood’s leading celebrity trainers, privately coaching stars such as Bette Midler, Derek Hough, Jeremy Piven, and more. She also has worked on many films, most recently doing all of the Tap foley work for Kermit the Frog and Ricky Gervais in the “Muppets Movie” and Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in their Academy Award winning movie musical, “La La Land”. 

Her choreography credits include Derek & Julianne Hough's "Move Live Tour", Dancing With the Stars, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Access Hollywood, Ellen Degeneres and Steve Harvey's hit show "Little Big Shots", and Universal Studios. She also just recently debuted her original choreography for Derek Hough and world renowned violinist Lindsey Stirling's latest music video, "Kairos." Kelsey was nominated for her choreography on Dancing With the Stars alongside Derek Hough this past year.

Brooklyn began dancing at Dance Magic at the age of 3. She has been a member of the Dance Magic Performing Company for a total of 8 years and has trained in multiple dance genres including hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and even ballroom! She is now a lead choreographer for the Dance Magic Performing Company.

Brooklyn danced with the Antelope Valley Ballet for 9 years. And, in 2018, she was cast in 'The Nutcracker, dancing the lead role of Clara! Brooklyn has taken numerous classes from top professional choreographers in LA, including Tricia Miranda, Luther Brown, Kenny Wormald, Guy Groove, and Dexter Carr. Brooklyn was also in the "Zombies VS Cheerleaders" Disney movie dance video with Danceon, choreographed by Dana Alexa. She has been in multiple music videos including, Shania Twain’s “Giddy Up” and Cinta Laura Kiehl’s “Loco”. She has performed at the World of Dance Finals with Enola Bedard and at Comic Con International 2024 in Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine Panel. She has been represented by Movement Talent Agency since the age of 14.

Besides dancing professionally, Brooklyn loves posting on various social media platforms, hoping to bring a smile to everyone’s face through her dancing and comedic content, attracting millions of viewers! (Go check her out!) 

While being a part of the Dance Magic staff, Brooklyn aspires to create a positive, fun, and loving environment for her students to be the best they can be, while also encouraging them to stay true to themselves!

While studying dance in Michigan at Rising Star Studio and Western Michigan University (BFA in dance), Katina also began her professional dance career. She has performed with Tim Conway, Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and Jay Leno. She danced on the TV show VIP with Pamela Anderson and was a winner with her son on Your Chance to Dance. Katina has danced on numerous cruise ships and choreographed for 8 theme parks including Cedar Point.  She has performed in multiple musicals and played Maude with Tony Award winner Stephanie J Block as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.  She choreographed for the TV show Angel and for Nickelodeon. Most recently she danced with LeBron James in a Mountain Dew Rise commercial.  She has taught dance for over 30 years and has received many awards for her choreography in Los Angeles, Michigan, and New York City.  Having worked as a judge for dance competitions, Miss Kat feels she can bring that experience to help her students better prepare for the competitive arenas. 

Katina produces, choreographs, and directs for many stage and film projects. But her greatest production is her family she has four kids ages 13 through 30 years old.  All her kids are performers and, in the industry, even her non showbiz husband has done commercial work. You may have seen four of them (including Miss Kat) on the Ghostbusters Afterlife commercial. 

Her tap influences are both Broadway and rhythm tap. She grew up with Al Gilbert, and has studied with Thommie Retter, Laurie Johnson, Boom, and Gregg Russell.

Jansen San Juan is an inspiring artist and choreographer based in Los Angeles. He started his journey in the arts in his sophomore year of high school and is now perusing it professionally. His credits include Academy of Villains, Americas Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, and more.His experience ranges from teaching at local studios in Southern California and around the states including Florida, to international including Costa Rica. He strives to teach more than movement and hopes to serve his purpose as he continues to share the crucial lessons he has learned about life through dance to all students of all levels, to help them on their journeys of finding themselves as artists alongside him. 

Frankie has over two decades of dancing experience with 11 years of Hip Hop training. Her education in Jazz, Ballet, Tap and other dance styles has made her both an open minded and versatile dancer.  Frankie has trained with many notable choreographers including Tabitha and Napoleon, Marty Kudelka, Jamal Sims, Dave Scott, Kevin Maher, Misha Gabriel, Brian Friedman, Kenny Wormald and many more. Frankie worked as a professional dancer for a number of years performing in stage shows, music videos, and television shows. She worked with multiple artists including Cee Lo Green and Sean Kingston.

Chrix Palacio is a dancer/choreographer based in Los Angeles, CA. Chrix is the Director/Choreographer for The Avenue Juniors, and has choreographed for The Avenue Dance Crew on numerous occasions. Their credits include The Avenue, Snowtorious, Frostbite, <ThaMost, Metamorphs, Vans Off The Wall, Knott’s Scary Farm, Disneyland, Vinfast, and Escape the Fate. Chrix is passionate about exchanging movement with others, and providing the youth the tools to explore their movement in a safe and healthy environment.

Allana Garza began dancing when she was 3 years old. She danced at various local dance studios growing up in the Antelope Valley and was a member of a local competition team for 6 years. Allana was also a member of the Antelope Valley Ballet company in its early years performing in the Nutcracker and it’s Spring Ballets. Most notably, Allana has been a choreographer for the past 20 years for Acme Acting Company, a local theater group, created by her parents, dedicated to instilling a love of the arts in children! Some of her favorite shows to choreograph were Cats (twice!), 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Beauty and the Beast and Annie.

Lillian is an apprentice with the Antelope Valley Ballet Company and recently performed in The Nutcracker. Her ballet training is ongoing with Vicki Zarley, Tracie Marks, KD Reilly-Lewis and Kathleen Burnett. Lillian has also completed our annual studio teacher training programs. She creates a loving, positive environment in the classroom while maintaining high standards for her students.

Madison is a well versed dancer who’s trained in: ballet, technique, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop. Her favorite genre is contemporary. She competed on Dance Magic Performing Company for 3 years where she took convention classes from well renowned choreographers and teachers like Keri LaGrand, Derrick Schrader, Tiffany Maher and Meghan Sanett. Her proudest moments while being on the competition team was her contemporary solo, 'Figure 8' which she received many high score and specialty awards including, Judge's Choice awards, a scholarship to the New York Dance Experience workshop and a National Finals invitation, just to name a few.

Madison is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, majoring in Biology. She plans on attending medical school after receiving her Bachelor's degree to become a general surgeon, all while continuing to train, teach and choreograph for dance. Madison wants to share the knowledge she has learned not only about dance, but also with personal confidence, stage presence, and creating a unique personal dance style. She wants to emphasize to all her students that it does not matter what age you start your dance training, but about personal growth and journey. Her goal as a teacher is to make everyone feel like they're in a safe space to share their stories, to have fun and to unlock their full potential!

Robyn has studied dance part-time throughout high school and college. She competed at dance competitions like Showstoppers and Starbound and attended acting and dance intensives in New York City and Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio.

​

Robyn's love for the performing arts has allowed her to branch out in a variety of ways including choreographing for the City of Palmdale's dance program, dancing in several pieces for the Antelope Valley Mall, where she was the featured tap soloist for Salute to America, she's worked in various film and television as well as having the opportunity to perform in multiple musical theatre productions throughout the local community theatre groups. Her theatre credits include The Music Man, The Crucible, The Importance of Being Ernest, Zombie Prom, and she played the Argentinian Tango Dancer in the production of The Boyfriend.

Robyn is a choreographer for Cedar Street Theatre and teaches at Dance Magic.

For the past 17 years, Alissa has danced here at Dance Magic Studios where she began training at the age of 3!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

For 5 consecutive years, Alissa was a member of our DM Performing Company before entering high school. During her 4 years at Quartz Hill High, she competed on the dance team and became team captain her senior year! This season, Alissa is happy to be back with us on the DM Performing Company where she currently competes on the Teen Hip Hop team! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Alissa is a well-rounded, versatile dancer studying in all genres including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary and hip hop. Her extensive training and many years of dance experience will make Alissa a phenomenal, incisive teacher and an asset to all her students! With the goals of inspiring the kids and setting up that strong dance foundation, she still wants and loves to have fun! She hopes to create a positive, comfortable and encouraging environment for her students to learn, grow and dance like nobody's watching!

We are so excited to have Alissa join the Dance Magic staff!!!

Leann has been dancing for over three decades with Dance Magic becoming her home studio at the age of eight.  While tap is her passion, she has been trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary dance styles.  Leann has trained with established tap choreographers such as Thommie Retter and Jeffrey Williams. She is currently training with renowned tap instructor and choreographer to the stars Kelsey McCowan. While she performed for Dance Magic’s competition team, she also performed tap in plays, including The Unsinkable Molly Brown.  In addition to dance, she is also a high school English teacher as well as an Instructional Coach.  She obtained her Associate's Degree from Antelope Valley College, her Bachelor’s from Utah State University, and her Master’s from Grand Canyon University.

Sema’J Williams first began his dance training at the age of 14 with the Dance Ensemble at Lynwood High School. While there, he competed at various competitions and performed at Disneyland’s Community Arts Showcase. Sema’J has trained extensively under various professional dancers, choreographers, masterclasses, and workshops. His favorite styles of dance include jazz and contemporary.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Currently, Sema’J is a soloist with Antelope Valley Ballet as well as a member of the Dance Magic Performing Company. His favorite ballet roles include: “Nutcracker”, “Knave of Hearts” and “Russian”. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Sema’J' has trained in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary which make him an adaptable, versatile dancer and teacher this season! Sema’J loves to create a safe space for students. He is innovative, passionate, and driven in making sure that he inspires and motivates the students in excellence as they grow and mature in their dance training.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Sema’J is currently touring as a dancer with Carnival Cruises.