A Time for Dance Mission
Our main goal is provide a standard of excellence in the arts. The staff at A Time for Dance are all highly trained and offer strong technique classes while retaining the warm and individualized atmosphere. Together we are committed to the philosophy that the art of dance belongs to all of us. We take pride in providing a quality dance education for ages 2- adult in a safe and nurturing environment. We aim to instill in each student a passion and love for the arts that will last a lifetime.
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About Sheila Meyer
Founder/Director
Sheila Meyer is the executive director and founder of A Time for Dance. Her lifelong love for dance began in Atlanta GA. After receiving her BA in psychology, Sheila made her dream a reality by starting her own dance studio in Georgia in 2000. In 2004, she started A Time for Dance in Los Angeles and in 2010, she founded the non profit Yachad Dance West to do outreach through dance. She performed in both ballets "The Spirit of Shabbos" and "Crown of Creation". Sheila truly enjoys working with her amazing staff and cherishes the relationships with her students and their families. She derives tremendous nachas from watching her students grow year after year!
About Karen
Drama Director
Karen Baughn is an actor, improviser and screenwriter. Her passion for the theater brought her from Boise, Idaho to Occidental College in LA. She studied at London Dramatic Academy, Improv Olympic Chicago, UCB, The Groundlings, and Bang Comedy. Karen recently wrote and filmed a feature length comedy. She performs regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade and at Disney’s California Adventure. She loves teaching drama and sharing her passion with her students!
About Lisa
Lisa Kapchinske has been performing since she was a child. She infuses her classical dance background with hip hop and acrobatics creating a unique style. Lisa performed off-Broadway for the New York Fringe Festival and has been featured in music videos with Rita Ora, Debbie Gibson and LMFAO as well as live performances for Mario, Trey Songz and LA Clippers. She can also be seen as Betty White’s break dance double on NBC and performs with Show Off Dolls in Los Angeles, CA.
Currently, Lisa is signed to Bloc Dance Agency and tours the world with numerous performance companies as an aerialist and fire performer. She has been teaching dance and gymnastics for over 15 years internationally and is thrilled to share her passion for movement with the world!
About Liz
Elizabeth Ann Clark is a Professional Dancer, Aerialist, Acrobat, Actress and Instructor. She has trained at facilities such as High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, London Studio Center and graduated with an AA from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
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Her array of skills have been showcased with companies including Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers, Zerogravity, The Eclipse Show, Elite Entertainment Global, Edge of the World Entertainment, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. National Tours with Luma Dance Theater, Keshet Chaim dance ensemble and Vans Warped Tour. She has appeared in many TV and film shows. She also teaches at various local studios and gyms around LA.
About Crystal
Crystal Schaefer a California native began dancing at a young age. She received her BA in Sociology and Dance from the University of Boulder, Colorado. Crystal performs regularly and has had the opportunity to work with many top performing artists including Britney Spears, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Kid Rock and more. She has also been featured on the The Voice, Disney channel, Dancing with the Stars, Dance Moms and more. Currently she loves teaching, traveling, performing and choreographing various shows in LA!
About Melissa
Melissa Prather is a professional gymnast and aerial performer. She competed as a level 9 professional gymnast in her hometown of San Diego. Her performance credits include: Blue Horizons at SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios Japan. Currently on staff at Universal Studios Hollywood as an actress in the Waterworld show and at Disneyland Resort in their fantasmic! show. Melissa is also a stunt actress on many national tv programs. She is also trained and certified as a yoga instructor.
About Averi
Averi Yorek is a dancer and choreographer specializing in Hip Hop, Lyrical and Jazz. She grew up dancing and competing in Texas. In high school, she participated in many dance competitions around the country. Upon moving to LA to pursue her dance career, Averi danced back up with several artists and as well as with Royal Caribbean Cruise line. Her choreography has been featured in many live performances including Alena Bernardi and Cali4nia Jones and in several musicals around Los Angeles.
About Natalie
Natalie Lyons is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia holds a degree from University of Toronto. Specializing in Hip Hop, some of her many performing credits include 2013 Super Bowl, 2014 Billboard music awards, 2015 New Year's Rockin Eve, the AMA’s and DWTS and AGT. Natalie has performed with several musicians including Beyonce, Chris Brown, Usher and Fergie.
About Melissa
Melissa Faye Klein is so happy to be a part of A Time For Dance. Originally from New Jersey, she has always had a love for music and singing. Her passion led her to degrees in Music, Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre from CSU,Chico as well as studying with prominent coaches in NY. She is an accomplished SAG-AFTRA vocalist, session singer, voice-over artist, vocal teacher, music director and conductor. Melissa has toured and performed professionally in most of the continental US as well as abroad with musical theatre and classical music.
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Locally, she can be seen conducting the LA Jewish Ladies Choral and performing jazz, cabaret, classical and choral with the Metropolitan Master Chorale, California Philharmonic Chorale, Marina Del Rey Symphony, Life Choir, The Ikeda Kings Orchestra and Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers. Melissa is also a Music Director for Village Arts Theatre, a musical theatre program for kids. It is her mission to enrich people's lives through music.
About Ashley
Ashley Larae started out as a competitive cheerleader at the age of 5 in Denver, CO. She won the national championship and was a runner up in the UCA nationals. She went on to her Varsity high school team where they took first place in the State. Ashley continued her training as a dancer, cheerleader and coach at Arizona State University. As a dancer, she performs professionally with many nationally known artists and in SAG-AFTRA movies. Ashley combines her many years of cheer and dance experience and love for young athletes to build programs to be the best they can be!