Maya Adam (Ballet) - Maya is currently teaching at Stanford University where she is also studying Human Biology. She trained at the State Academy of Dance on scholarship in the professional program, and later performed as a soloist for the Ballet Dresden, State Theater of Saxony in Dresden, Germany from 1993-2000.


Erin Avalos (Jazz) - Erin is currently the Director of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders and a producer for an event and entertainment company. She graduated from UCLA where she danced on the dance team for three years. Erin has also performed with the Los Angles Laker Girls, and was a featured dancer in television shows, music videos, movies, and over 30 commercials with celebrities such as Paula Abdul and Comedian Ray Romano. For the past eight years, Erin has also been a head instructor with United Spirit Association.



Tami Burton (Performing Company Director, Children, Jazz, Tap) - Tami performs extensively with the Foothill College Performance Company where she is the Assistant Dance Director. Former cheerleader at SDSU and gymnast, B.A. Computer Science, and with her husband, Mark have three super children; Alyssa, Bryan, and Cory. Tami has been teaching at Dance Connection for the past seven years, and is a very popular teacher.

Eric Carey (Hip Hop, Boys Dance) - Eric has been a fixture at Dance Connection for the past couple years. He is an awesome hip-hop dancer (and tapper) and is an inspirational influence on all the students he teaches. He has also danced at Foothill College, and we are pleased to have him join our faculty.


Kathryn Edelstein (Ballet Director, Ballet Performing Company Director, Ballet) - BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance Performance, State University of New York Dance Conservatory. She received her training at the Asheville Academy of Ballet in North Carolina under the direction of her mother, and moved to New York to train under several famous teachers after winning an Emerging Artist's Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. Kathryn was a Principal Dancer and choreographer for Southern Danceworks in Birmingham, Alabama, and has been teaching ballet for the past 12 years. She and her husband, Scott have two daughters, Mara and Susan.


Jennifer Kulz-Smith (Ballet) - Jennifer was most recently a ballet company member of the long-running Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco where she performed for 4 ½ years. She has also performed with the Redwood Empire Ballet, San Francisco Dance Theatre, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Santa Clara Ballet, and Pacific Ballet Theatre. Jennifer and her husband have two beautiful little girls, Cynthia and Allison.


Lydia Martinez-Campos (Ballet) - M.A. in Dance from UC Irvine, B.A. in dance from SJSU. Lydia has taught classes at San Jose State, Irvine, and currently teaches at Evergreen Community College in San Jose. She began her training in Mexico City at the National Institute of Fine Arts and performed with Ballet Theatre San Jose. Lydia has taught for several dance schools for the past 8 years and has a daughter who is almost one year old!


Kavita Master (Ballet) - B.A. in English and Minor in Dance from Arizona State University. Kavita has been teaching ballet for the past two years, and performs with Santa Clara Ballet, and has also performed with the American Repertory Theatre Ballet.


Patricia Perez (Ballet) - Patricia began her ballet training in Havana, Cuba where she was a member of Compania de Ballet Classico de la Havana. She has performed as a guest artist with Canton Ballet, Ashland Ballet, and the Jefferson Ballet Theatre of New Orleans. Patricia has been performing with Ballet San Jose of Silicon Valley under Dennis Nahat since 1998, and has been a principal dancer in Swanilla and Coppelia. We will be taking some "field trips" to watch her perform this season!


Joan Walton (Tap, Theatre, Ballroom) - M.A. in Dance Education, Stanford University, B.S. in Communication, University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences. Full Time Professor of Dance at Kentucky University, University of Michigan-School of Music, and San Jose State University, and part-time faculty member at Stanford University, San Jose State, Foothill College, University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, and Write State University. Joan is an excellent performer and award-winning choreographer who is currently teaching at Stanford University and the College of San Mateo.


Lisa Woody (Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap) - Lisa has had a lifetime of dance training, and is a former student and performing co. member at Dance Connection from the age of 12. Lisa has also performed for Foothill College. Lisa is a gifted performer and choreographer who's show-stopping routines and exciting classes are loved by one and all.




Cindy Ginanni (Director, Children, Adults) - Teaching for the past 23+ years in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, and children's dance. Haley-Hall Jazz Company, and NCA dance camps - B.C. (before children.) A.A. in Early Child Development. My husband, Mark and I have three children, Joe-21, Christie-19, and John-15. Founded Dance Connection in 1987, and undertook a full-time lease here at Cubberly seven years ago.