Sherman Oaks Dance Academy

Mary Ablaza

Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Modern

Mary Ablaza is a graduate of the Juilliard School, NYC (BFA 1994) and Idyllwild Arts High School (1990) and has worked as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. During her life as a dancer she had the good fortune to work with and perform under the direction of Jiri Kylian, Robby Barnett, Felix Blaska, and the Martha Graham Company. Mentors include Alfredo Corvino, Benjamin Harkarvy, Maria Grandy, Jean Marie Martz, Ethel Winter & Christine Dakin. Mary has performed and toured with several companies including: The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Lincoln Center Outreach Touring Company. She found her love for teaching while performing with Redwood Empire Ballet as a teenager, later she taught company class while on tour, since then she has taught at numerous studios, colleges and schools. When AMDA, NYC opened the Hollywood campus in 2002 Mary was asked to join the faculty and wrote the ballet syllabus for the musical theater and theater programs. Mary has been trained to teach both classical ballet and Horton/Graham based modern dance. Currently Mary also choreographs for stage and film.

Margaret Hobson (Studio Manager)

Hip Hop, Jazz Funk

Margaret Hobson is a dancer and teacher from Chicago, IL who came to LA with a passion for dance, a fresh degree in hand, and ambition to see what she could gain from and offer to this city. Margaret started dancing at four years old with basic training in all styles which grew into dancing and choreographing with her high school’s dance team, then continued more advanced training throughout college and young adulthood at Chicago’s Lou Conte Dance Studio under Trae Turner. Margaret’s specialty is hip hop paired with years of experience and training in pom, jazz funk, heels, and contemporary hip hop. While still in Chicago, Margaret’s training and dancing hit a high when becoming a full company member of Hip Hop ConnXion Chicago. Since arriving in LA, Margaret has worked with choreographers such as Gigi Torres, George Jones, and Tawnya McCoy and performed in shows like World of Dance Live, Movement Lifestyle’s Show n Tell, Choreographer's Carnival and in several music and concept videos. She has also created choreography videos of her own. Margaret believes that what you give to the world, universe, and its people is what you’ll get back. Do all things with authenticity and love living with an open heart and mind, and what might happen will surprise you.

Nicole Craft (Company Director)

Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop

Nicole Craft is a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor in Los Angeles, CA. A native to Minnesota, Nicole started dancing and competing at a young age and began receiving choreography awards and scholarships as young as seventeen. She is the company director at Sherman Oaks Dance Academy. Nicole has been teaching at Sherman Oaks Dance Academy for two years teaching a plethora of styles ranging from Hip Hop to Lyrical. She is a dancer on Collabor8 Dance Company, performs at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and works commercially with I Group Model and Talent Management. She trains alongside choreographers Willdabeast Adams, Matt Steffanina, and Tucker Barkley. Before moving to Los Angeles, Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Choreography from Columbia College in Chicago, IL. After concluding her degree, she worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Next to Disney, other credits include dancing and choreographing promos for Fox TV's So You Think You Can Dance, Honda, as well as a number of independent music videos and films. Nicole has performed on stage at Urban Street Jam, World of Dance LA, Carnival Choreographer’s Ball LA, and The PULSE on Tour in New York City. She is an intensive dancer and crew member for The PULSE.

Victoria Moore

Tap

Victoria is a Master Tap Instructor, Choreographer, Performer, and sought after Competition Judge. Her training and professional career is extensive; performing in the Broadway shows 42nd Street and Sugar Babies - touring with both shows throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. Victoria has also performed as a special guest artist in numerous benefits and tributes. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and co-owner of Triple Threat Dolls Productions, Inc., a production company focusing on developing and producing projects in a variety of theatrical formats. Victoria’s mission is to inspire, train, and pay it forward to the next generation of young hopefuls, so that they too may pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Renee Petkovski

Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap

Renee Petkovski originally from Detroit, Michigan. Began dancing at a young age and was immediately signed with The Affiliated and The Talent Shop Agencies. Renee traveled throughout the US while studying with numerous world-renowned choreographers. She has been seen in numerous commercial and print ads including, People, Redbook, Jacobson’s and Vernors. Renee continued her training and education while attending Western Michigan University. She performed and choreographed for numerous concerts and performances and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Renee was hired by Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, as a featured dancer in their hit, Broadway-style musical production, Katonga. She was quickly placed in many of the parks other shows as dance captain and also assisted in choreography, casting, and maintaining the quality of all shows. Renee currently is signed with one of Los Angeles’ elite dance agencies, and has become an established dancer, and model in the industry. Credits include; ABC Family hit show, Bunheads, featured model and dancer for Mercedes Benz LA Fashion week, featured dancer in the popular acclaimed Sean T’s Rockin’ Body video, featured dancer in Xanadu Live!, featured performer at the LA Music Awards, and The World Dance Awards, featured dancer in Brian Anthony’s “Worked Up” Video, assistant choreographer for ESPN bowl game half time shows, and the Los Angeles Clippers. She is Coach to a High School Dance team, as well as a certified Piloxing Instructor. She gets great joy traveling around the country teaching, inspiring, and sharing her knowledge, and passion, with aspiring dancers.

Sarit Zorano

Hip Hop, Jazz

Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, where she started dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14 she studied theatre, and landed a speaking role on a local kids TV show called “Adumot.” She continued to train at Studio B in styles such as Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet and African Jazz. At the age of 18, she began teaching. Sarit traveled to the US and shortly after arrival, booked a featured role in Lil Mama’s music video, and Touring with the hip hop legend Lil' Kim. Sarit continued her training at Peri-Dance and Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center studying hip hop, jazz, etc., where she became known for her energy and precise movement. She has performed at the Gramercy Theater with the Dream & Ron Browz, the Latin Grammy’s promo, began choreographing for artists, and was featured in Music Videos. Sarit is thankful to be able to dance daily and grow as an artist.