Sarah-Jane Measor – Ballet Director/Owner

Sarah-Jane was born in England and realized her love for dance at an early age. She was trained in the Royal Academy of Dance and Imperial Society (ISTD) Ballet techniques. In addition, her wide knowledge of dance also encompasses Tap, Jazz and European Folk dance. Sarah-Jane taught and performed professionally in Hong Kong before coming to the United States and joining the faculty of Menlo Park Academy of Dance 15 years ago. She holds the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate with Distinction, always nurturing her students to achieve their very best. Sarah-Jane serves on the Board of Directors of Dancers Repertory Theatre and is also a member of Dance Masters of America. She is artistic in choreography and has won many accolades and awards of honor with her Ballet Performance Groups. Most of all, Sarah-Jane loves coming to the Studio each day to share her knowledge and love for dance and to watch the students thrive and blossom into beautiful dancers.

Sylvia Duncan – Business Manager/Owner

Sylvia has been a part of the Studio for 40 years. First as a parent of three daughters who danced with MPAOD, one of whom danced professionally and two who became dance teachers. For 12 years she assisted the Dancers Repertory Theatre Company in their productions including ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and served then and now on their Board of Directors. For the last 20 years she has managed the business end of the Studio and is know as the lady who lives in the office.

Leyla Boissonnade

Leyla is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a major in Psychology and a minor in dance and education. She has grown up at the Studio and has passed her RAD major examinations. Leyla is a member of Dance Masters of America and has taught Ballet, Lyrical, Tap and Jazz classes at the Studio for over 8 years. Her choreographic work has received several awards and her students have won numerous titles including Mini Miss Dance of California 2005 and Petite Miss Dance of California 2006. Leyla encourages her students to explore all aspects of dance and performance.

Joyce Aranda

Joyce has taught our Adult Ballet classes for 20 years. She has trained extensively in Ballet and Character dancing. She taught and performed professionally in Chicago.

Dottie Lester White

Dottie danced professionally on Broadway for 10 years. She grew up in the Studio and is now an independent choreographer and director for both stage and musicals. Dottie’s morning and evening Tap classes are fun and challenging.

Marilyn Trounson

Marilyn Trounson was born and raised in San Francisco.  She danced with Royal Ballet, London for 9 years.  Two years in the school and seven years in the Company.  Roles were created for her by Sir Kenneth MacMillan and Sir Frederick Ashton.

Barry Woodruff

Barry is a Professional Ballroom Dancer and Teacher. He has performed on stage in films and TV. Barry brings great style to his Tap and Ballroom classes.

Grant Spencer

Grant began his training at the Yuma Ballet. He also studied with the Joffrey, San Antonio Ballet, Ballet Met and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Grant has performed professionally with the Sacramento Ballet and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Currently Grant is performing with Company C Contemporary Ballet.

Janice Miller Fager

Janice grew up dancing at the Studio and has taught Tumbling and Tap for Menlo Park Academy of Dance in the past. Janice is an accomplished acrobatic instructor. MPAOD welcomes her back as a teacher with many talents.

Nicole Banta

Nicole has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Theater while growing up in the Bay Area. MPAOD is excited to add her to the faculty teaching morning children's classes. (Nicole has two boys of her own). Her fun and innovated classes for children will be very welcome at the studio.

Jessica Touchet

Jessica was born in New Orleans, where she began her dance training at the Giacobbe Academy.  She continued her studies with the Hartford and Joffrey Ballets until dancing professionally with Delta Festival Ballet and La Jaz Danz.  She began teaching at home and was a faculty member of the Cincinnati Ballet School.  Jessica is currently performing with Smuin Ballet of San Francisco.  Since joining in 2004, she has been featured in "Duetino" and "Zorro!", among others.  She is delighted to be joining us at Menlo Park Academy.

Tara Laidlaw

Tara is a graduate of Stanford University, with a degree in anthropology and dance.  She grew up dancing at MPAD, where she took her RAD exams and performed with the ballet competition team.  At Stanford, she has explored social, modern, post-modern, jazz, Afro-Peruvian, and improvisational dance alongside her ballet classes.

Joni Katz

Joni has been performing for 18 years.  She was involved in dancing and singing throughout her college years, performing in many different capacities from theatrical musicals, to competitive jazz.  Most recently, as a member of Clog America, she was given the opportunity of singing and dancing around the globe for International Folklore Festivals. As a mother of two, she is now very excited to share her love of dancing as an instructor of children's dance here at the academy.