MEET OUR LA DANCE FACULTY
LINDSEY GAARDSMOE
DANCE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Lindsey’s dance journey started at a young age where she trained in various styles at her local studio. Her passion for dance continued to grow and has now led her to pursue a career in dance.
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After studying Marketing and Dance at Gonzaga University, Lindsey began working in the professional dance industry in Los Angeles in the business, teaching, and performing realms. Some of her most rewarding work includes dancing and choreographing for music videos, assisting choreographers, working with college and pro dance teams, live event performances, and more!
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Lindsey believes in the power of dance and its ability to transform lives. With over 8 years of experience in teaching, she has seen first hand the positive influence that dance brings the youth - increased self confidence, connection to mind and body, a support system and community, and more. She is passionate about encouraging dancers that she works with to step into their greatness and leaves them with tools that they can take into their lives beyond dance!
JANAI JOHNSON
DANCE EDUCATOR
Janai Olive-Rose Johnson is an actress, dancer, and model, originally from New York City, now living in Los Angeles, California. She grew up studio trained in many styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, modern and ballroom.
She has worked in the industry for many years, including guest starring in a role on the TV show ‘Jane The Virgin’, completing a 3rd year of touring with Mariah Carey on The “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS” Special at The Beacon Theatre on Broadway and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas NV, walked the Runway in LA FASHION WEEK LIVE SHOW, and more!
DANA MANGOBA
DANCE EDUCATOR
Dana is from the small city of Reno, NV and has been teaching, choreographing, and coaching dancers for almost ten years. She grew up training as a ballet and technical dancer in the style of Cecchetti ballet, then adopted other various styles of dance such as hip-hop, which is demonstrated throughout our program's classes.
As a professional dancer and educator, she is passionate about sharing this creative outlet with the youth, as she too was once in their positions.
To cultivate a fun environment for these kids is something so special, as she prides herself in giving back to the community that helped shape the dancer and person that she is today!
GABBY SMITH
DANCE EDUCATOR
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Gabby's dance journey started at just 3 years old. She trained and competed in tap, jazz, hiphop, lyrical, contemporary and ballet. Hip Hop and tap have always been her favorite and still are to this day!
Gabby has been assisting and teaching for the past 5 years and is passionate about sharing her love of dance with children. Seeing them fall in love with dance like she did as a kid is what makes it all worth it!
CARLY JOHNSON
DANCE EDUCATOR
Carly grew up in Sweetwater, TX and furthered her dance education by receiving her BPA in Dance Performance at Oklahoma City University.
With over seven years of professional dance experience in LA, she's now excited to channel her passion into teaching and sharing the freedom of this art form.
She has danced on sets for TV and music videos and has worked on skeleton crews for artists like Beyoncé, Pitbull and Bad Bunny. Carly enjoys an eclectic music taste and is thrilled to express the liberating essence of dance and create a fun, positive and loving atmosphere.