Leila Baradaran
Leila Studied dance choreography/performance at San Francisco State University. She teaches dance classes at Dance Mission Theater and is the Dance Mission Youth Program Director. She also teaches Hip-Hop at MoBu Dance Studio. She has performed with Mind Over Matter Hip-Hop dance company, World Dance Fusion, and Cuatro Dance Company. Her dance experience includes: Hip-Hop, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Salsa, Bellydance, Samba, Capoiera, and Persian Dance.
Takami Craddock Dance Director
Takami is passionate about teaching children. She had her own dance school in Shizuoka, Japan near her hometown from 1983 to 1985. In 1996, she opened her own dance program in San Francisco called DancEsteem. In May, 2006, DanceEsteem held its 9th annual performance at Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater. Takami also started an exchange program with young dancers from her home town of Numazu, Japan. For the past 12 years, she has worked as an artist for performing arts workshops, teaching Pre-K through 5th grade students in public schools across the Bay Area.
Anna Kreager
Anna Kreager's third year teaching at Dance Esteem. She received her Bachelor of Arts in dance from the New School University in New York. Upon graduation she moved to the bay area, performing with the Oakland Ballet 2003-2005. Anna emphasizes the rigor and attention to detail the study of ballet requires. She is excited about passing on the respect, passion, and musicality her own teachers taught her.
Malinda Neal
Melinda is a professional dancer who has performed with Contemporary companies New Trails dance Theatre, Udance Electra, and was a Founding Member of Napoles Ballet Theatre. She has also danced with Classical companies, Oakland Ballet academy, Solano Civic Ballet and as a Guest artist with California Youth Ballet. Mrs. Neal co-owned "The Dance Network" in Fairfield, ca and was the Artistic Director of Halal Ballet Theatre a youth ballet Company. In addition to teaching and dancing, she will be graduating in 2010 from st. Marys College ( LEAP) program with a BFA in dance. Mrs. Neal currently teaches at Alonzo King lines dance center and through out the san francisco bay area.
Jennifer Polyocan
A native of Great Neck, New York, Jennifer received her training at the School of American Ballet and with Nancy Bielski at the David Howard School of Dance. After graduating from Professional Children's School in NYC, she joined the Miami City Ballet. She remained at Miami City Ballet for five years where she performed soloist roles in Nutcracker, Tarantella, and Scotch Symphony. She then joined Wes Chapman's Alabama Ballet where she performed title roles in Copellia and Giselle. After joining The Washington Ballet in 1999 she performed soloist and principal roles in works by Antony Tudor, Nacho Duato, Septime Webre, Kirk Peterson and Dwight Rhoden. In addition to teaching at MoBu Dance studio, Jennifer currently teaches at ODC in San Francisco. Jennifer is a certified Alexander Technique practitioner with a private practice in San Francisco and brings her knowledge and joy of movement to her dancing and teaching.
Mela Sanders
Specializes in Latin, African and Modern based dance forms. Mela loves to share here knowledge with students of all ages. She studied Afro-Cuban and Cuban Popular dances in Cuba and the US, in addition to training in Belly Dance, Hip Hop, West African, Congolese and Capoiera Angola in the States. Her constant inspiration flows through her teaching and the continuous deepening of her knowledge. She is currently completing her thesis work while dancing with the beauty of motherhood.
