Owner/ Dance Instructor

Yesenia received her degree in Dance from Chapman University. She has been on staff at Citrus College for the last 11 years. She was the resident choreographer for the Citrus College Women Ensemble. She was the resident choreographer for the Arcadia High School's show choirs for 7 years.

She recently choreographed Cats, Alice: A Dance Drama, The Wiz, Alice In Wonderland, Twilight: A Dance Drama and has choreographed Bye, Bye Birdie for the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Yesenia was also a featured choreographer for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat at the Haugh Performing Arts Center. Yesenia has been teaching for the last 12 years throughout Southern California. She has also adjudicated several dance festivals in the Inland Empire.

In addition to teaching and choreographing she has spent most of her life performing. She has been seen in many musicals throughout Southern California such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Crazy For You, and The King and I.

Owner/ Vocal Instructor

Frank received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California in Music Business. He has performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Victor Venor at Descanso Gardens. Frank has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the Alex Theatre under the direction of the internationally acclaimed conductor Hilmut Rilling.

One of the highlights of his vocal career was singing at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter. His vocal talents have also taken him on a European tour where he sang in some of Europe’s finest Cathedrals, including Notre Dame in Paris, France. In addition to his classical choral experience he has been seen in musicals including Phantom, West Side Story & Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Frank has been teaching voice for eleven years, both privately and in the classroom. One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of music & singing with the youths & teens of inner cities in Los Angeles.

Ballet/Lyrical/Modern/Yoga

Marlise Martin began teaching Ballet and Modern Dance in 1990 after graduating Cum Laude from UC Riverside with a B.A. in Dance. While at UCR, she received several dance scholarships and Chancellor’s Performance Awards. She also received a scholarship to study with Bella Lewitzsky’s modern dance workshop and performed with the advanced group under Bella’s personal supervision. In 1993 she worked and performed with both Wen-Chi Fang and Dancers and Susan Rose and Company (both modern dance companies). Her ballet background started in 1988 with the Redlands Festival Ballet Company until 1994. During this time period she performed various roles from the Nutcracker Ballet to a soloist position as “Kudishka” (step-sister) in the full-length production of Cinderella. Marlise also performed in numerous corps de ballet roles as well. Other credits include Nutcracker judge auditions for the Arrowhead Ballet Company (1988 & 1989) and talent judge for the Norco County Fair (2006 & 2008). She credits her former ballet and modern teachers including Stanley Holden, Stephan Wenta, David Howard, Susan Rose, Bella Lewitzky, George De La Peña, and Steven Inskeep for their excellent training and direction. In addition to her love of dance, Marlise has extensive training in pilates and yoga. Marlise also teaches at the Southwest Dance and Acro-Sports Workshop held in Palm Springs yearly.

Lyrical/Ballet/Musical Theater/Leaps & Turns/Tumbling

Jessica received her AA in Early Childhood Education at Mt. San Antonio College. She taught preschool for five years, but decided that she needed to be teaching dance which is her number one love. She started her ballet training with the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus at Village Dance Arts in Claremont under the direction of Toni Carrion. She furthered her classical ballet training at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair under Victoria Koenig and in Long Beach at Long Beach Ballet Arts under David Wilcox. Over the years she has had the extreme privilege of taking master classes with Gelsey Kirkland of The New York City Ballet who studied under George Balanchine and also from Edward Villella, the Founding Artistic Director of the Miami City Ballet. She was also invited to participate in The American College Dance Festival Association in Arizona, taking several master classes from teachers and choreographers from all over the world.

Jessica started teaching movement classes to preschool age children at the age of fifteen and has continued to further her teaching ever since. She has a passion for educating her students about the art of dance and about the anatomy of the body and how it plays into the movement in which she is teaching.

Over the years, Jessica, has also performed in several musical. Some of which include, Evita, Sweet Charity, Oklahoma, Hello Dolly, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Music Man, and most recently CATS with VSPA.

This is Jessica’s second year with Valverde School of the Performing Arts and is so happy to be a part of such a wonderful school.

Guitar/Piano

Andrew Lee grew up in Los Angeles California and has been playing music since the age of 6. Having attended the Citrus College commercial music program studying guitar with Steve Cotter and currently finishing school at Azusa Pacific University, Andy strives to further his education. GUITAR & PIANO Andy has been privileged to work and tour with a number of talented artists and bands including The Blue Note Orchestra, Night Shift, Sara Lindsay, Lloyd Brown, Nehemiah Clark and Jimmy Borges among others. As a freelance guitarist for No Vacancy Entertainment and a session musician working all over Los Angeles, Andy has gained the experience and knowledge that can only come from working hands on in the industry.

Instructor

Megan Sexton joined our staff in the beginning of 2005 and has enjoyed teaching various acting methods to the drama students and creative dances for her dance students. She started singing and dancing at the age of five and never stopped. She participated in Performing Arts Magnet Programs starting in junior high where she got to sing for the first lady, Hillary Clinton, and graduated from Hollywood High Schools Performing Arts Program. She was also apart of a YMCA Performing Arts program where she met Yesenia and Frank and toured in Hawaii in the summer of 2000. After High School she joined the Citrus Singers at Citrus College for three years where she had the privilege to tour South America and the Hawaiian Islands for a month at a time. She graduated with high honors from Citrus College with a Music Degree in 2005 and went on to California State Fullerton to finish her Bachelors degree where she graduated in May 2007 with high honors in Theatre Arts. She has played many parts in various musicals and plays such as Bernarda Alba, in the House of Bernarda Alba; M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias; Cinderella’s Mother/Giant in Into the Woods; Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz; Ms. Darbus in High School Musical; and Mrs. Clause in Christmas Is…2003/2004. These are just a few of the projects Megan was apart of, and she hopes to continue her career as a performer while teaching VSPA students to use their talents and abilities to reach their goals.

Guitar/Piano

Steven had been playing guitar and piano for 11 years and is currently a student at Citrus College. He has played with numerous bands using the stylings of rock & roll, country,pop, and jazz. Steven is a full time piano player at PianoPiano in Claremont 4 nights a week and loves to mold young minds with music.

Musical Theatre/Jazz/Lyrical/Hip Hop/Strength & Stretch/Tumbling/Leaps & Turns Instructor

Michelle Perry has been dancing since the age of two years old. She has danced and competed at studios such as RC Club Cheer and Dance, Dellos Dance Studio, The Dance Gallery, and Adage Dance Center. She has been teaching jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, and hip-hop for the past nine years. She has also been in the plays such as: The Wiz, Little Abner, The Glory of Christmas and was in the Sing Along 101 Dalmatian. She currently teaches at Valverde School of Performing Arts in Rancho and Vineyard Jr. High School creating the chorography for the Show Choir Program. She also choreographed for the Twilight Drama that was held with Valverde School of Performing Arts. Michelle has attended Orange County High School of the Performing Arts for three years. She has worked with countless choreographers including: Mark Meismer, Jim Kolb, Cindy Peca, Eddie Garcia, Joe Lorera and much more. Michelle is currently attending citrus college and is planning to transfer to Long Beach to continue her studies in Dance. She also choreographs for the Valverde’s Expressions Group, and helps out with El Roble Intermediate competition Dance Team. Michelle also goes to birthday parties to choreograph a dance of their theme.

Hip Hop

Tatiana received her AA & AS Phys Ed degrees from Citrus College. She began her training at 6 yrs old and continues to train, Choreograph, and instruct along side top artists with the Millenium Dance Complex in Hollywood and other centers. It’s her desire to be a positive influence in the Entertainment Industry and local communities as an instructor, choreographer, and professional performer.

Tatiana has a strong background in a variety of dance technique including Hip Hop, Krump, Breakdance, Acrobatics & Tumbling, Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Folkloric, Irish, African, Bollywood, Ballroom, Latin, Country, and Pageantry dance. She has been instructing & choreographing for ages 2yrs through adults including Seniors & Special Needs individuals for over 6 years. As a performer, she has participated in numerous productions, competitions, and workshops on a local, national, and international level.

Tatiana continues to share her legacy through her instruction with Valverde School of Arts, Millennium Dance Complex, Word In Motion Arts Academy, Rancho Cucamonga & Fontana parks & recreation programs, and Upward Bound program with Harvey Mudd College.

Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop

Bio Info Not Available.

Piano

Tana has been playing the piano since childhood and has been involved in music for as long as she can remember. She received her BA in Music from California State University San Bernardino, with emphasis in Music Education. She also holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music, as well as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has enjoyed teaching children in the classroom for over 14 years in the public and private school settings. She also has over 17 years experience as a private piano instructor.

As the Music Enrichment Program Instructor for Central School District in Rancho Cucamonga, she taught music and directed numerous music productions to over 600 students per year at both Bear Gulch Elementary and Dona Merced Elementary. She also enjoyed teaching, 4th and 5th grade elementary students in after school music clubs. She wrote, designed, and implemented Teaching the Recorder to Elementary Students as her tenured teacher project for Central School District.

Tana has also taught in the private school setting as the music director for Clare Cherry School, working with students as young as 2 years of age. She has enjoyed playing piano as a staff accompanist for churches and schools, enjoyed performing in numerous events, taught class piano at the Cal State San Bernardino Saturday Conservatory of Music, and is currently an adjudicator for the National Federation of Music Clubs – Piano Solo Event. She is extremely excited to share her experience and love of music with the Valverde School of Performing Arts!

Hip-hop/ Breakdance

I started doing hip-hop and breaking at the age of 13 in a half, mainly self taught. Later, in my years of teaching myself breaking, I started getting actual training from B-Boy (breakdance) Crews such as L.A. Breakers, Air Force Crew, and One Love Crew within the past 2 years, as well as performing with them at Santa Monica. I also started taking technique classes such as Ballet, modern, and Jazz at the Valverde School of Performing Arts for the past 3 years and have performed in their past summer shows and theater productions. I am currently attending Citrus College where will then transfer to Chapman University or UC Irvine in order to achieve my Dance Major.

Ballet

Born in Torrance, Ca, Lisa M. Lopez began her Ballet instruction at the age of 3 at the YWCA in West Covina, Ca and city of Glendora Community Centers. She later studied at Fine Arts Academy of Dance where she expanded her training into Jazz and Hip Hop. She also has participated in competitive dance receiving numerous first prize awards. Lisa started her formal classical Ballet training with the Inland Pacific Ballet Academy under Directors Victoria Koenig and Kevin Meyers in 2002 and received an Academy Apprenticeship in 2007. She has performed with the Inland Pacific Ballet Company in productions such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Cinderella, exerts of Dracula and was a featured Guest Artist for The Little Mermaid. She has performed with IPB in the 2010 Dancers Choice Gala working with Contemporary choreographer Stephanie Gilliland. She is a current student at Citrus College pursuing a degree in Performing Arts and performed in Citrus dance departments Holidance Dance Concert. Recruited by Yesenia Valverde, Lisa made her VSPA debut as the Caterpillar in Alice: A Dance Drama. She is very excited to be teaching her first year at Valverde School of the Performing Arts and hopes to bring inspiration and strong technique to her students. Aside from dancing and teaching, Lisa enjoys working as a background actress on numerous TV shows, Entourage, Lincoln Heights, and HOUSE being her favorite.

Piano / Voice

I LOVE THE PIANO and have been passionate about making music on one for 30 years! Raised in a musical family, my first piano teacher was my mom, I later studied at The Claremont Community School of Music, Citrus College and Chapman University. Personally, playing the piano daily brings great peace and balance to my life as well as provide an outlet for artistic expression.

Out in the world I play for church services, choirs, retirement homes, coach vocalists and instigate sing-offs with friends and family! I love music with “taste”, specifically soundtracks, musical theater and ,of course, classical.

I have taught piano for 5 years and am thrilled to now be with VSPA! LET’S MAKE MUSIC!!!

Violin

Doris Chiang is a Southern California based violinist/instructor, who has been teaching and performing for 15 years. She has attended The University Oregon, with scholarship, and studied with Joseph Genualdi, who was a pupil of the violin master, Ivan Galamian. She also graduated with a BM in Violin Performance from San Francisco State University, where she studied the violin and chamber music with the The Alexander String Quartet, quartet with international recognition and in-residence-quartet of San Francisco State University, as well.

Doris has a passion in instructing students of all ages to appreciate the art of playing the violin. She is compassionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Sessions are uniquely designed for each individual students, based on their skills, interest, understanding, and time available for practicing. Violin methods range from Essential Elements 2000, Suzuki, to contemporary movies and musicals. She is a strong believer that everyone could play the violin at some level, with the proper, on going instruction, and the commitment to practice, even as little as 15-20 min. a day (with exceptions).

When not freelancing as a violinist or teaching, Doris enjoys taking time off to go to museums, performing arts events, literary events, and movies. Fine food and coffee is also a favorite. Music favorites range from Bach, Brahms, Stravinsky, and some Oldies, including the Beatles. She also enjoys learning karate and taking long walks by the beach.

Flute

A new resident of Rancho Cucamonga, Katrina Smith is an avid teacher and performer from Washington DC. She holds Master's of Music degree from University of Maryland, College Park and Bachelor's of Arts from California State University, Fresno. At the University of Maryland, she held the Orchestral Assistantship in flute for two years and was a fellowship recipient of the National Orchestral Institute. Also a conductor, Katrina served as Artistic Director for Woodbridge Flute Choir in Virginia and coached graduate and undergraduate ensembles.

She has studied flute with Teresa Beaman and William Montgomery; conducting with James Ross and Lawrence Sutherland. Past performances include three stages in the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Mansion, World Bank DC, Washington Arts Club, fabulous churches, synagogues and centers on both coasts, Canada and China.

Katrina particularly enjoys collaborating and performing with stellar chamber musicians. She is former principal with Inscape Chamber Orchestra and has served on faculty at California State University, Fresno.

Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute

Dan Silva was born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca and began studying music at the age of eleven. At the age of 16 began performing professionally as a saxophonist. Dan went on to study music at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on a full tuition scholarship as jazz studies major. While at UNF Dan had the opportunity to study jazz saxophone with legendary Chicago saxophonist, Bunky Green and had the opportunity to perform along side many legendary jazz artist such as Slide Hampton, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Al Grey, John Faddis, Maria Schneider, Billy Drummond, Russell Malone, and the Count Basie Orchestra to name a few. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, he moved back to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a freelance musician. In the spring of 2003 he graduated from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music with a Master in Music degree (Jazz Composition and Saxophone Performance).

His career as a musician has allowed for many wonderful experiences including teaching, traveling the U.S., Europe and Asia, performing broadway musical, and backing many well known acts such as: Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Rait, Kurt Elling, Tito Puente, Bobby Ridell, Mitzy Gaynor, Dale Kristien(Phantom of The Opera), and Lorna Luft. He can be seen performing regularly with the band "Smooth Touch" and Dave Damiani's "No Vacancy Orchestra."

Currently Dan resides in L.A. area with his beautiful wife and children and is on staff at various educational institutions throughout Southern California as a music educator.

Guitar

Daniel Lape is a professional musician who resides in the Los Angeles, CA area. Daniel is an award-winning guitarist and proclaimed as one of the top young talents in Los Angeles. Some of Daniel’s experiences include but are not limited to: being hand selected to perform on stage with the “Steve Miller Band” in front of thousands of fans at the age of 17, opening for Paul Rodgers of “Bad Company,” performing with Billy Gibbons of “ZZ Top,” performing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, has performed in many famous clubs in Los Angeles, touring around the United States, performing at many important high-end corporate parties and weddings, performing in theatre productions, recorded for pop and rock groups, has performed in Jazz clubs in the L.A. and O.C. areas, performed in many pop music concerts, newspaper articles written about him, and the list goes on…

In the new aged rock scene, Daniel has opens for bands such as Escape The Fate, LoveHateHero, Alien Ant Farm, Lit, I Am Ghost, A Static Lullaby, Saosin, Story of the Year, Death by Stereo, Unwritten Law, Rufio, etc…

“Understanding stage presence and knowing how to work the crowd is a specialty” Daniel’s experience of performing has developed from playing hundreds and hundreds of shows that taught him the skills to be a great showman and crowd pleaser. Daniel continually involved with the business side of today’s music scene as well; he has many great relationships with producers, promoters, managers, and venues.

Daniel’s teaching career includes years of teaching privately, instruction at music stores, and teaching after school music programs at various elementary schools. His vast experiences have taught him well and are a driving force behind his preparation towards the bigger and better.

Piano

Carmen Mangunsong is a piano teacher with a great passion for helping her students experience the wonders of music making. She has over nine years of teaching experience as a private piano teacher, six years as a music director, and over sixteen years working with children of all ages as both preschool and school-age teacher. Her love for playing the piano began at the age of six after performing in her first recital. At sixteen, she became the pianist of her local church and choir led by her dad who bestowed upon her the love of the arts at an early age. Ms. Carmen, as she prefers to be called, loves working on creative projects that enhance her students learning experience. She specifically designs her lessons for the learning style of each student. Although Ms. Carmen enjoys other genres of music, she prefers classical music. She enjoys playing compositions of classical composers such as Chopin, Beethoven, and Bach among others. In her spare time, Ms Carmen enjoys painting, crafting, baking, and spending time with her family and her two dogs. Dedicated to her art, Ms. Carmen's goal is to bestow upon each student the love of music not just for the present but for many years to come.