Instructors

Pamela Trokanski  received her BA in Dance from Empire State College, New York, and holds a California Teaching Credential for grades K-12 in Physical Education.  She is the Director/Choreographer of the Pamela Trokanski Dance Theatre and The Third Stage, Northern California’s only multi-generational, contemporary dance company.  In her 24 years in Davis, she has received multiple Arts Contracts from the Davis Civic Arts Commission.  She has taught dance at Davis Senior High School since 1985, where she also directs the student company, Momentum.  Pamela has been a TCAP (The California Arts Project) faculty member, having taught for them 1993-2003.  Her work with TCAP includes both Open Institutes and Invitationals at UC Davis, CSU Chico, and S. Lake Tahoe and the writing of a teachers’ guide for UC Davis Presents’ school matinee series that integrates the concert experience with the California Content Standards for the Visual and Performing Arts.  She also writes as a dance critic for the Davis Enterprise.

Cara Rains Steindorf has studied classical ballet for 28 years, with a significant part of her training focusing on R.A.D. Syllabus. She trained and performed with the Sacramento Ballet in addition to performing with several other Northern California ballet companies and the PTDT!  She has worked with children for 20 years, including eight years of ballet instruction through the Dance Workshop.

Marlaina Schroeder has trained in classical ballet (15 years), jazz (9 years), urban hip hop (5 years) and lyrical (3 years). Her performance work includes work for and with the Fallbrook Civic Ballet Studio, Fallbrook High School, Heritage Hall, and Urban Steps. Her teaching experience has focused on jazz, hip hop, directing and choreographing for two jazz air-bands, and includes mentoring by Pamela Trokanski. As Assistant Coach of “Caution” a hip hop team, she won 3 of 4 competitions and received 1^st place at a National Competition in Las Vegas.

Jan Fiore is certified in Acupresure, Ayurveda, therapeutic bodywork, and is a Reiki Master.  She is certified Acu-Yoga® instructor, and has studied yoga with Janet Papale since 1994.  She has studied dance and movement since 1971, and her classes center on movement and yoga to rebalance, revitalize and relax the body at all levels while increasing strength and improving flexibility.

Latisha Paw U has studied classical ballet for 14 years.  She has performed with the Hanneka Lohse Ballet Company and has worked with children for four years as a ballet assistant.

Brandi Grigg has been studying belly dancing for eight years, and teaching for two.  She was a member of Jewels of the Nile for four years, and has performed at various events including the California State Fair and Rakkasah Festival, as well as at restaurants and private parties around the Sacramento area.  She was crowned Queen of the Nile in 2007, and was featured on the cover of Zaghareet! magazine.  She specializes in traditional Egyptian Cabaret and Baladi styles, teaching and performing with veil, sword, cane, and finger cymbals.