Meet The Instructors
We would love for you to become familiar with our teachers at La Roche!
All of our dance instructors have collegiate dance education and training.
Many of our instructors are also past or current professional dancers, dancing as members of professional ballet, modern, and contemporary companies both locally and abroad.
Please discover more about us below!
All of our dance instructors have collegiate dance education and training.
Many of our instructors are also past or current professional dancers, dancing as members of professional ballet, modern, and contemporary companies both locally and abroad.
Please discover more about us below!
Sarah Robison - Owner and Director
Sarah began her dance training in her hometown of Jackson, Wyoming as a member of the Dancers’ Workshop Junior Repertory Company. There, she studied a range of styles including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. She also attended many summer intensives, including the American Academy of Ballet in New York, North Carolina School of the Arts, Cincinnati Ballet, Snowy Range Dance Festival at University of Wyoming, and Nashville Ballet. Sarah then attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Dance Teaching. There, she refined her dance technique in a range of styles, and danced with the Butler Ballet and Butler Chamber Dance under many renowned choreographers. While in Indiana, Sarah taught ballet, jazz, and tap at Innovations Dance Center and directed the school’s production of The Jungle Book.
Following graduation, Sarah moved to Colorado to dance professionally with David Taylor Dance Theatre, followed by Apex Contemporary Dance Theater. Over the years Sarah has performed in numerous productions, with favorite roles including Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas in Giselle, and Nagina the Cobra in Rikki Tikki Tavi. Prior to opening La Roche Academy of Dance, Sarah taught in Castle Rock and Denver, choreographing for and directing recitals such as The Nutcracker and Alice In Wonderland as well as top scoring competition dances.
Sarah is excited to commence the ninth year of La Roche Academy of Dance! She has loved seeing her students grow as dancers and artists as their talent blossoms over the years, and she looks forward to the
experiences to come. Through her love of teaching, Sarah strives to pass on her passion and artistry for dance.
Sarah began her dance training in her hometown of Jackson, Wyoming as a member of the Dancers’ Workshop Junior Repertory Company. There, she studied a range of styles including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. She also attended many summer intensives, including the American Academy of Ballet in New York, North Carolina School of the Arts, Cincinnati Ballet, Snowy Range Dance Festival at University of Wyoming, and Nashville Ballet. Sarah then attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Dance Teaching. There, she refined her dance technique in a range of styles, and danced with the Butler Ballet and Butler Chamber Dance under many renowned choreographers. While in Indiana, Sarah taught ballet, jazz, and tap at Innovations Dance Center and directed the school’s production of The Jungle Book.
Following graduation, Sarah moved to Colorado to dance professionally with David Taylor Dance Theatre, followed by Apex Contemporary Dance Theater. Over the years Sarah has performed in numerous productions, with favorite roles including Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Peasant Pas in Giselle, and Nagina the Cobra in Rikki Tikki Tavi. Prior to opening La Roche Academy of Dance, Sarah taught in Castle Rock and Denver, choreographing for and directing recitals such as The Nutcracker and Alice In Wonderland as well as top scoring competition dances.
Sarah is excited to commence the ninth year of La Roche Academy of Dance! She has loved seeing her students grow as dancers and artists as their talent blossoms over the years, and she looks forward to the
experiences to come. Through her love of teaching, Sarah strives to pass on her passion and artistry for dance.
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Cassie Eron - Instructor
Cassie Eron was born in Mohegan Lake, New York where she began dancing at a young age. After moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, she kept exploring her love of dance and theatre. She refined her dance skills at Northridge Dance Conservatory under the study of Kim Davagian training in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, yoga, and Horton Modern. At Liberty High school training under Leslie Williams is where she also studied ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and Fosse as well as costuming and acting. Cassie received her Bachelor of Art’s degree for Dance from Colorado State University and has previously taught at Contemporary Dance Academy and Canyon Concert Ballet in Fort Collins, Colorado. |
Janessa Mehalko - Instructor
Janessa is a Colorado native who fell in love with dance at the age of two. After many years of ballet training, she expanded her focus and started competing at age eight in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballroom. Coming from a musical family, Janessa also grew up learning piano, cello, and voice. Along with numerous dance competitions and recitals, she has performed in many musical theater performances. In 2010, Janessa graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a BA in Aerospace Science and a minor in Dance Performance. She has performed with the Life/Art Dance Ensemble contemporary company in Golden, Colorado and has experience teaching at various studios. Janessa is excited to continue her career with the La Roche family, and loves sharing her passion and knowledge of dance through her teaching and choreography.
Janessa is a Colorado native who fell in love with dance at the age of two. After many years of ballet training, she expanded her focus and started competing at age eight in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballroom. Coming from a musical family, Janessa also grew up learning piano, cello, and voice. Along with numerous dance competitions and recitals, she has performed in many musical theater performances. In 2010, Janessa graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a BA in Aerospace Science and a minor in Dance Performance. She has performed with the Life/Art Dance Ensemble contemporary company in Golden, Colorado and has experience teaching at various studios. Janessa is excited to continue her career with the La Roche family, and loves sharing her passion and knowledge of dance through her teaching and choreography.
Jay Escamilla - Tumbling Coach
Jaylin (Jay) Escamilla grew up between Castle Rock and Denver, and competed for Castle Rock School of Gymnastics for 12 years. She also attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota to compete, returning after her first year due to an elbow injury. However, she continued to coach while working through beauty school, and is now a fully licensed hairstylist working in Parker. Jay still lives here in Castle Rock, and is excited to coach and see a new set of young ones tumbling, flipping, and loving the sport the way she does!
Jaylin (Jay) Escamilla grew up between Castle Rock and Denver, and competed for Castle Rock School of Gymnastics for 12 years. She also attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota to compete, returning after her first year due to an elbow injury. However, she continued to coach while working through beauty school, and is now a fully licensed hairstylist working in Parker. Jay still lives here in Castle Rock, and is excited to coach and see a new set of young ones tumbling, flipping, and loving the sport the way she does!
Maria Nguyen - Instructor
Anhthi "Maria" Nguyen began dancing at age fifteen on a full scholarship at Movement Laboratory, a pre-professional ballet school based in Lebanon, PA. In 2010, she received her Bachelor of Science in Dance, the first in her program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. During her time at Drexel, she participated in several youth out-reach programs such as the Drexel Touring Ensemble and the Youth Performance Exchange. She was selected several times as a student choreographer to set pieces on the Drexel Dance Ensemble (DDE). Throughout her four years of study, she was also a recipient of the Drexel Dance Scholarship and in her Senior year received an award for Outstanding Contribution to the DDE. She also performed with resident artists such as Marienella Boan, Jumatatu Poe, Meredith Rainey, Whit MacLaughlin, and Kun-Yang Lin. After graduation she became an apprentice with Olive Prince Dance for their 2010 Live Arts piece “I desire” and performed choreography by Renee Banson in the 2010 Philly Fringe Festival. In 2011, she began performing with companies such as Dancefusion, Band of Artists, Underground DanceWorks (UDW), and Group Motion. Following that year, Maria also began teaching at studios such as Elite Dance Academy and working with PhillyBOOST, a public school “out-of-school hours” program aimed to offer courses that pursue youth interests such as dance. She has recently relocated to Denver and is blessed to be continuing her career as an educator and long lasting student of dance.
Anhthi "Maria" Nguyen began dancing at age fifteen on a full scholarship at Movement Laboratory, a pre-professional ballet school based in Lebanon, PA. In 2010, she received her Bachelor of Science in Dance, the first in her program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. During her time at Drexel, she participated in several youth out-reach programs such as the Drexel Touring Ensemble and the Youth Performance Exchange. She was selected several times as a student choreographer to set pieces on the Drexel Dance Ensemble (DDE). Throughout her four years of study, she was also a recipient of the Drexel Dance Scholarship and in her Senior year received an award for Outstanding Contribution to the DDE. She also performed with resident artists such as Marienella Boan, Jumatatu Poe, Meredith Rainey, Whit MacLaughlin, and Kun-Yang Lin. After graduation she became an apprentice with Olive Prince Dance for their 2010 Live Arts piece “I desire” and performed choreography by Renee Banson in the 2010 Philly Fringe Festival. In 2011, she began performing with companies such as Dancefusion, Band of Artists, Underground DanceWorks (UDW), and Group Motion. Following that year, Maria also began teaching at studios such as Elite Dance Academy and working with PhillyBOOST, a public school “out-of-school hours” program aimed to offer courses that pursue youth interests such as dance. She has recently relocated to Denver and is blessed to be continuing her career as an educator and long lasting student of dance.
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Montana O'Brien - Instructor
Montana O’Brien started dancing at the age of four. Growing up she trained with Ballet Arizona, Bolshoi Ballet, The Jillana School, Colorado Ballet Academy, and Classical Ballet Academy. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet from the University of Utah where she performed in La Bayadère, Les Slyphides, and several original works including Bloom by Penny Saunders. At the University of Utah, she trained under Pablo Piantino, Calvin Kitten, and Jan Fugit among others. After graduation, she relocated to Virginia to join Charlottesville Ballet and performed in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and an original work titled New Moon. In addition, Montana was a teaching assistant in Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion Team XL outreach program. However, she missed Colorado and moved back. Currently she trains under Jayne Persch. She is a Teaching Artist with Colorado Ballet’s Education Department. Montana is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Outside of performing and teaching, Montana is a model and aerialist. |
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Tara Siegel - Instructor
Dancing has been a major part of Tara's life since she was 5 years old, and growing up in the studio has shaped who she is as a young adult today. She has training in all different types of dance styles. Tara was a competitive dancer for two years, but she truly fell in love with ballet and dance as a whole after joining La Roche Academy of Dance at 13. Some of Tara's favorite roles include Cindy Loo Who in The Grinch, Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Tara is also a graduate of Castle View High School in Castle Rock. Now as an alumni of La Roche, she hopes to provide her young students with the same safe, familial environment that LRAD gave to her. |
Guest Teachers:
Carlee Castillo - Instructor
Carlee began dancing at the age of three, developing her love for the art form into her life as a young adult. She continued her ballet training upon her arrival at La Roche Academy of Dance, appearing as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and more. Her training also includes tap and lyrical. In addition, teaching remains a passion of Carlee's, as she aims to instill self-confidence and establish a welcoming environment for all her students. While dancing at La Roche for six years, Carlee not only developed her technique and artistry, but formed lifelong bonds with fellow students and teachers. Currently, she studies journalism and dance at Colorado College. Overall, Carlee aspires to encourage and uplift others as her prior teachers at La Roche did her.
Carlee began dancing at the age of three, developing her love for the art form into her life as a young adult. She continued her ballet training upon her arrival at La Roche Academy of Dance, appearing as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and more. Her training also includes tap and lyrical. In addition, teaching remains a passion of Carlee's, as she aims to instill self-confidence and establish a welcoming environment for all her students. While dancing at La Roche for six years, Carlee not only developed her technique and artistry, but formed lifelong bonds with fellow students and teachers. Currently, she studies journalism and dance at Colorado College. Overall, Carlee aspires to encourage and uplift others as her prior teachers at La Roche did her.
Lenise Ruff - Tumbling Coach
Lenise was raised here in Castle Rock, Colorado! She grew up competing in gymnastics from age 8 through 18. Her love of the sport brought her to start coaching gymnastics, cheer, and tumbling, and has been doing so for over 5 years. After graduating high school at Douglas County High School, she moved up to Denver where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at Metropolitan State University. She went on to get her certification as a Dietitian Technician and worked at Children’s Hospital for three years.
She eventually made the transition to change careers and started working more in the business world. Now she is working for a small leasing company in Lone Tree, Colorado.
Life eventually lead her and her husband Sam back down to Castle Rock in 2017 where they bought their first home! Being back in this wonderful community has been such a blessing and she is excited to be a part of the family at La Roche were she coaches tumbling and acrobatic skills!
Lenise was raised here in Castle Rock, Colorado! She grew up competing in gymnastics from age 8 through 18. Her love of the sport brought her to start coaching gymnastics, cheer, and tumbling, and has been doing so for over 5 years. After graduating high school at Douglas County High School, she moved up to Denver where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at Metropolitan State University. She went on to get her certification as a Dietitian Technician and worked at Children’s Hospital for three years.
She eventually made the transition to change careers and started working more in the business world. Now she is working for a small leasing company in Lone Tree, Colorado.
Life eventually lead her and her husband Sam back down to Castle Rock in 2017 where they bought their first home! Being back in this wonderful community has been such a blessing and she is excited to be a part of the family at La Roche were she coaches tumbling and acrobatic skills!
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Hannah Jorgensen - Instructor
Hannah Jorgensen began dancing in Castle Rock at age 3, kicking off a lifelong passion for dance. She then started dancing with La Roche Academy of Dance in its founding year, focusing mostly on ballet and pointe classes. She attended Douglas County High School and danced for the International Baccalaureate Program, honing her technique and choreographing original pieces. After graduation, Hannah continued to take dance classes in college while completing her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Colorado Boulder, always coming back to her dance family to help with recitals. She is incredibly excited to return to La Roche as a teacher and be a part of the world of dance she loves so much. She hopes to inspire young dancers to find joy through movement as she has found. |
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Catalin Varela - Instructor Catalin, a proud Colorado native, has dedicated her life to dance and the pursuit of artistic develop for as long as she can remember. Her dance experience began at age two with ballet and progressed through lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern. She now loves to teach, choreograph and perform all styles, and focusses much of her time teaching and performing Argentine Tango. Catalin has choreographed innovative pieces for dancers of all ages, abilities, and styles. As an undergraduate student with Goddard College, Catalin is working towards her Individualized Bachelor of Arts concentrating in Women’s Studies and Modern Dance. Considering herself a life-long learner, she hopes to continue working with the dance community to create an atmosphere that is accepting of all dancers regardless of gender, race, religion and physical and mental ability. She also attended the largest nutrition school in the world, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is now a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. When she is not dancing, Catalin would never pass up a bubble bath, some dark chocolate, and a really good book. |
Alison Fletcher - Guest Instructor
Alison Fletcher has recently returned back to the states from North Africa, where she worked for an arts and culture organization that is designed to help university students express themselves artistically, as well as experience the creative process from other students around the world. Here she used dance to build their gifts and grow her students in leadership and communication. As the Artistic Director of Dance within that company, Alison developed dance programs for students at local universities. She offers them basic training in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Improvisation, and Ballet, and taught them how to use dance to share personal testimonies of their lives.’ Independently, Alison developed a company of her own that was committed to using art for discovery, both internally and externally. Her company often collaborated with local artists to invite the North African community into these art forms through workshops, masterclasses, and exhibitions.
Before Alison moved to Africa in August 2012, she was teaching Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip-Hop dance to students from thirty-eight different countries at an international high school known as Wasatch Academy located in Mount Pleasant, Utah. In 2011, Alison received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Education from James Madison University, where she was actively involved in JMU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble.
Alison began formal dance training when she was eight years old, from Genia Johnson Dance Company, and has been falling in love with the art form ever since.
Alison Fletcher has recently returned back to the states from North Africa, where she worked for an arts and culture organization that is designed to help university students express themselves artistically, as well as experience the creative process from other students around the world. Here she used dance to build their gifts and grow her students in leadership and communication. As the Artistic Director of Dance within that company, Alison developed dance programs for students at local universities. She offers them basic training in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Improvisation, and Ballet, and taught them how to use dance to share personal testimonies of their lives.’ Independently, Alison developed a company of her own that was committed to using art for discovery, both internally and externally. Her company often collaborated with local artists to invite the North African community into these art forms through workshops, masterclasses, and exhibitions.
Before Alison moved to Africa in August 2012, she was teaching Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip-Hop dance to students from thirty-eight different countries at an international high school known as Wasatch Academy located in Mount Pleasant, Utah. In 2011, Alison received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Education from James Madison University, where she was actively involved in JMU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble.
Alison began formal dance training when she was eight years old, from Genia Johnson Dance Company, and has been falling in love with the art form ever since.
Jessica Pittman - Guest Instructor
Jessica was born in Grand Rapids, MI and began her dance training at the age of six. The first eleven years were spent training at a competitive dance studio, Dance Dimensions, to be versatile in many styles of dance. Recently receiving from Grand Valley State University a Bachelors Degree in Dance and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting, she has expanded her knowledge of both technical and performance training. Through the Grand Valley Dance Company she has studied with renowned guest choreographers such as Lauren Edson, Autumn Eckman, and performed with the Thodos Dance Company of Chicago. Jessica has choreographed for various shows throughout her years spent at Grand Valley and was selected to represent the university at the 2013 ACDFA with her senior group piece, Let “Only You” Go. Future plans are to pursue a performance career in Denver, CO.
Jessica was born in Grand Rapids, MI and began her dance training at the age of six. The first eleven years were spent training at a competitive dance studio, Dance Dimensions, to be versatile in many styles of dance. Recently receiving from Grand Valley State University a Bachelors Degree in Dance and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting, she has expanded her knowledge of both technical and performance training. Through the Grand Valley Dance Company she has studied with renowned guest choreographers such as Lauren Edson, Autumn Eckman, and performed with the Thodos Dance Company of Chicago. Jessica has choreographed for various shows throughout her years spent at Grand Valley and was selected to represent the university at the 2013 ACDFA with her senior group piece, Let “Only You” Go. Future plans are to pursue a performance career in Denver, CO.
