Instructors

Lead Instructor

Sherene is an accomplished performing artist, choreographer and arts educator. She specializes in youth development and cultural diplomacy through dance. Sherene served as a San Francisco Arts Commissioner for 12 years, representing the fields of dance and arts education. In 2019, she was appointed by UNESCO’sInternational Dance Council (CID), as founding President of the UNESCO CID West Chapter, representing the western region of the United States. From Harvard University, she holds a Master of Arts in Education; she has also earned a Certificate of Ballet Direction Specialty and Choreography from the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia, and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from the University of San Francisco in Performing Arts and Social Justice, where she received the Dean’s Medal for Excellence in the Arts. Sherene has performed and choreographed for dance companies at home and in Europe. She has been commissioned to present pieces for the United Nations, European Parliament, the International Red Cross, and PBS. Her work has been recognized by the press nationally in Dance Magazine and Dance Teacher, and internationally broadcast. Having excelled in artistic creation and innovative forms of cultural preservation, Sherene has received a “Certificate of Honor” in recognition of outstanding achievements in the arts from the City and County of San Francisco. She is recognized by the U.S. State Department for “Distinguished Service in Cultural Diplomacy through Dance” and by European Parliament for “merging art and social justice.” Sherene is fluent in French, Russian, and English.

Ballet & Pointe Conditioning

A Bay Area native, Matthew began his formal training with San Francisco Ballet School. As a student, he performed in their annual Nutcracker and student showcase as well a few other ballets with the company. After graduating high school from the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., he spent a few years abroad. He attended the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy, where he graduated June 2013. He currently works as a freelance artist around the Bay Area.

Jazz & Lyrical

Lara Jean Mummert (Choreographer/Dancer) - BFA Dance Summa Cum Laude, SUNY Purchase. Lara is originally from San Francisco, CA. She trained with San Francisco Ballet and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet (1999-2009), and with Sonya Teyah from SYTYCD and Chris Jacobsen from Adrenaline dance convention in the Dance Company of San Francisco (2002-2006). She has performed works by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Bill T. Jones Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company. Lara was also invited by Oxygen Network to work as a dancer/singer for the glee project press events and has performed the role of Elmo in the national tour of Sesame Street Live: Can't Stop Singing. Lara is currently with Movement Talent Agency as a Choreographer/Dancer and is currently working as a guest choreographer for Bravo Channel's Markus Klinko and Indrani. Lara asks nothing of herself but overall greatness at what she does. Lara has worked with Presidio Dance Theatre since 2013.

Dance Instructor

Guest Teaching Artist

Traci has danced with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, specifically the notable Forever Balanchine: Farewell performances at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House; Les Grands Ballet Canadiens; New Chamber Ballet; and CelloPointe. Recent projects have included dancing in Mannakin Theater and Dance production of The Nutshell! and at Lake Tahoe Dance Festival in works by Constantine Baecher and Marco Pelle. Originally from Utah, Traci graduated from Brigham Young University with her BA in dance and a minor in mathematics. Traci has presented choreography in New York City, Lake Tahoe, and Seattle, WA. Traci currently teaches at Mannakin Theater and Dance, and is a guest instructor at Lake Tahoe Dance. She has taught at The School at Steps and Long Island City School of Ballet in NYC and at Academy of American Ballet in Redwood City.