Our Staff

Cristina acquired CPAA in September of 2022 after a year of collaboration with its founder, Mary White. A lifelong dancer trained in ballet and contemporary since the age of 7, she took the entrepreneurial path after receiving her B.A. in 1996. In addition to CPAA, She operates a successful family business located in Lake Tahoe, Reno, The Bay, and San Diego. Following the path of CPAA’s mission statement, her passion is to take both her skills in business and the discipline from years of dance training to lead a team of teachers, artists, and students who thrive in the arts!

Mary White-Phlek is a Carlsbad native that began her performing arts journey at the age of 3. She spent her childhood immersed in the Dance and Theatre world and found that her true joy was when she was up onstage in front of an audience. Mary began teaching and choreographing at the age of 16 and went on to receive her BA in Dance from UCSD. She is also spent several year touring throughout San Diego and L.A. as a singer/song writer.

Shannon holds an MA in Performance Psychology, a BFA in Dance Performance, a Minor in Integrated Educational Studies, and is a certified PBT instructor. Shannon is formally trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. Her performance credits include original works of Merce Cunningham, the LA Tap Festival, and a variety of performances at Chapman University including excerpts of Memphis and That’s Entertainment! Shannon has won numerous awards for her choreography.

Dewey’s family traces back five generations of Carlsbad history. As a youth, he dedicated over ten years performing for regional theatre’s in San Diego County, including Carlsbad Community Theatre, and Moonlight Amphitheater. He trained at Dance Arts with Lewis McKay, and took voice from James Cook. Dewey then attended Boston Conservatory where he majored in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance, setting him on a trajectory towards artistic growth.

A former Disneyland performer, Bay remains actively involved in the arts community through her volunteer work at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She is passionate about supporting young dancers and creating a welcoming environment for all.

Liv Isaacs-Nollet was born and raised in San Diego where she trained under Maxine Mahon at California Ballet School. At eleven, she began her contemporary dance training with her mother, San Diego’s iconic modern dance founder, Jean Isaacs. She continued her ballet training and performed with Starlight Musical Theater, San Diego Repertory Theater and the La Jolla Playhouse. She was also highly influenced by Bill de Young and Risa Steinberg, whose early influence and the Limon technique became a grounding force. Liv went on to receive her BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase where she worked with Kevin Wynn, Larry Clark, and Hernando Cortez.

Brittany grew up dancing in Encinitas under the Direction of Leslie Craig. Brittany has attended summer intensives at State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara, and taken summer classes from Larry Rosenburg. Brittany received her BA in dance from California State University, Fullerton. Under the department direction of Gladys Kares, Brittany began her modern training. She trained in Limon, Horton, and Graham from instructors Debra Noble, Alvin Rangel, and Lisa D Long; as well as keeping up her Ballet training with Muriel Joyce.

Peggy Seipp-Roy, danced professionally as a Principle dancer with Companies throughout the US and Europe. Companies such as Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, TU Dance, Moving Spaces (Germany), as well as guest appearances with dancers from LINES Ballet and Complexions throughout the US and Europe.Peggy began her training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre, before joining the School of the American Ballet, and Royal Winnipeg. Peggy holds a BA in Speech Communication/Theater Arts, and Secondary Education from the University of St. Thomas, and received her certification in Stott Pilates from Stott Pilates in Montreal.

Alexis Coates is a studio and collegiately trained dancer from North County San Diego. Through her competitive background, she was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and is a former member of a professional tap company. As interim head coach of Fallbrook High’s varsity dance team, she led a program of 150+ dancers and managed all administrative operations, from hosting regional competitions to producing full-scale shows. Alexis has taught at several local studios, recently graduated from SDSU, and works in hospitality on the side.

Emilia has grown up dancing from the age of three. She grew up training in all styles of dance and grew up in the studio competition environment. She was on her high school’s competitive POM team and danced all four years of high school. She is currently teaching at a few different studios across North County and is going to school to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Emilia is so excited to share her passion for dance with all her students.

Makenna Moss has trained, performed, and competed in jazz, jazz funk, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, ballroom, heels, and ballet until graduating from Edge’s program at the age of 19. During this time she also performed and competed on the San Marcos High School Dance Team, including three years on Varsity. Makenna was then accepted into the CLI Conservatory, a groundbreaking new program in Massachusetts designed to prepare students to enter the professional world of dance. While there, she performed in multiple shows, made and starred in creative films, and attended over 500 classes led by over 100 of the worlds best choreographers, including Teddy Forance, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Popin Pete, Hamly Tavarez, Al Blackstone, and many more.
After graduating from CLI Conservatory in June of 2024, Makenna began pursuing teaching and dancing professionally as her passion. She has trained and continues to take classes at world-renowned studios, such as Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Brickhouse NYC, Millenium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle, Playground LA, and TMilly Studios to expand upon her dance education and experience.
Makenna first discovered her passion for teaching at the age of 16, at Edge Dance Academy.

Jamie began her studio dance training at the age of 3, which flourished into competitive dancing in ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, and varsity dance team. Dance has always served as a safe space and creative outlet for Jamie and she continues to feel that it is ultimately her heart’s home. She pursued continued training and performance in Chicago, IL where she additionally began her passion for choreography and teaching. Jamie currently hold a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters in Psychology for Counseling, and is a licensed professional counselor and mental health coach.

While pursuing her degrees, Jamie has taught competitive studio dance and built a competitive varsity dance team program for Bishop McGuinness High School. Jamie lead her team to 3 State Jazz Championships, an Overall State Champion Jazz High Point Award, and a the State Choreography Award of 2020. Jamie has devoted much of the last decade towards choreography and dance training, as well as hosting summer dance camps and master instruction for turn and leap technique and strength training plyometrics customized for dancers.

Lily Sood discovered her passion for dance at the age of 4, igniting a lifelong love with movement and expression. Growing up Lily did competition with her local studio for many years earning many scholarships and overall awards. She later was on a pre-professional team, and competed an extra season after graduating High school. Lily began her teaching journey when she was 16 starting at her home studio, and soon teaching at other local studios. She is so excited to share her love of dance at CPAA.

Ida was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. She grew up dancing at Plumb Performing Arts Center, where she trained in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, musical theatre and hip-hop. She also trained and performed with The School of Ballet Arizona’s Pre-Professional Program, as well as in plays and musicals with her high school’s theatre department. Ida attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where she trained in the Dance program, performed in shows with both LMU Dance and LMU Theatre Arts, and studied to become an elementary school teacher. She graduated from LMU with her B.A. in Education and Learning Sciences, a Concentration in Dance, and her CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Ida is so thrilled to be joining the CPAA family!

Ellie has been training with CPAA for 15 years and has been a competition member for 10. She is a current member of the Lancer Dancers.

Marisa Taylor Scott is an Oceanside native and has been traipsing around the theatrical world for over 22 years. With a BFA in Acting, Minor in Musical Theatre and Directing, Marisa has performed on stages locally, nationally and internationally. Growing up in North County, she has a passion for bringing more arts to the place that she grew up in! Marisa has taught and directed all around San Diego (favorite directing credits include: Finding Nemo JR, Descendants, Glory Days, James and the Giant Peach), and is thrilled to be with the CPAA team! Her directing and teaching philosophy is to cultivate a safe and creative environment for all to thrive and be the brightest they can be!

Autumn grew up dancing and danced on her highschool dance teams. She is currently enrolled at CSUSM and plans to graduate Fall 2025 with a degree in Liberal Studies. While working at CPAA she hopes to spread encouragement, support, and love to all of our performers!