Carla farnsworth

co-artistic director, Farnsworth dance academy performance and competition company

Dancing is in Carla’s genes. She grew up in a dance and performing arts family and began dancing at the age of three at her mother and aunt’s School of Dance and Theater Arts in Indianapolis. As a child, Carla was trained in classical ballet, jazz, tap and gymnastics. She began assisting her mother at the dance studio the age of 12, while also participating in children's theatre. Carla went on to major in Dance, Music and Theatre at Butler, Indiana, and Ohio State universities. After college, Carla returned home to take over her mother's dance studio and on summer break earned her Actors Equity card performing in musicals with directors, choreographers and fellow dancers and actors from NYC. It was during her third summer of stock when another actor from New York told Carla she should move to New York because Bob Fosse would love her. Carla took the advice and fortunately had the privilege to audition for Bob Fosse after only two weeks in New York, and was hired for the Broadway show Pippin. Sadly, she had to decline the offer because she was in a new Broadway show that flopped after opening night. However, Fosse had put her on the waiting list for replacements in both Chicago and Pippin.  Soon after, Carla joined the Broadway cast of Chicago with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera and she later went on to understudy both amazing women. After Chicago closed on Broadway, Carla join their first national tour for a year, traveling to all the major cities in the United States. Following the tour, Carla vacationed in London where she auditioned for Chorus Line and was hired – playing the part of Sheila at the Royal Drury Lane. Moving back to New York for 15 years Carla had the opportunity to perform on Broadway and national tours of Five O'clock Girl, Sugar Babies, Gigi, Oklahoma, Showboat, No No Nanette, Al Jolson tonight, and Funny Girl to name a few. She also danced live on the Grammy Awards with Irene Cara to “Fame.” She appeared in the soap operas Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live, and All My Children. Her favorite job was traveling internationally, promoting tourism to New York City with the I Love New York Broadway revue. While living in New York, Carla had the opportunity to study dance intensively with some of the Masters in ballet with Finis Jung, David Howard, and many greats at the American Ballet Theater. In Jazz she studied with Luigi, Bob Fosse and Anne Rienking. She studied tap with Henry Le Tang, Danny Siretta, Brenda Buffolino and Gregory Hines. Carla has spent the last 15 years joyfully sharing her love of dance with students of all ages and is thrilled to be continuing her mother’s legacy at Farnsworth Dance Academy with her greatest and most wonderful production - her daughter Juliet Farnsworth-Perry.

Juliet Farnsworth-Perry

co-artistic director, Farnsworth dance academy performance and competition company

Juliet has been dancing and modeling since the age of three and can still be seen performing and training with many other artists throughout the Bay Area. She co-owns and operates Farnsworth Dance Academy with her mother, Carla Farnsworth, while continuing her career as an actress, model and choreographer. Juliet has trained for 13 years in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, contemporary and hip-hop. Juliet makes regular visits to Los Angeles and New York to train under the dance industry's leading professionals. In addition to her years of dance training, she has had four years of training in the Advanced Dance and Theatre program at Benicia High School, four years at The Edge PAC in LA, Debbie Reynolds Studio in LA, Steps and Broadway Dance Center in NY, two years as a member of the Tremaine Performance Company and one year at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in LA. Her choreography has earned her number top awards at Bay Area dance competition and an ARTY Award for Best Choreography in a Musical. As Co-Artistic Director for North Bay Performing Arts competition Companies, she choreographs for dance teams of all ages and styles and also choreographs for Benicia High School and is a guest instructor for some of the Bay Area's finest dance studios. Juliet is honored to share her love and passion for the performing and visual arts. To quote Joe Tremaine - "Dance training is life training." And always remember - The Show Must Go On!

terrin Kelly

competition company & ballet, contemporary ballet and pointe

Terrin is a native of Antioch, California, and realizing her love of dance at an early age, began her classical ballet training at Delta Ballet Academy with Helga Ishikata, Helen Piernik, and Michael Lowe. Thereafter, she went on to study with Arlene Newhouse at Ballet Celeste International. Beginning her professional dance career at 14, Terrin has performed throughout California as well as touring nationally and internationally dancing with various companies including: Theatre Ballet of San Francisco, Oakland Ballet, Peninsula Ballet Theater, Ballet San Jose, Moving Arts Dance, Menlowe Ballet, San Francisco Opera, and even a magic show produced by Siegfried & Roy.  Terrin obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the LEAP program at St. Mary's College, she has held numerous titles in the Miss America Program, has been featured dancing in print and web ads, in a national as well as a global commercial, and is the featured ballerina for DANCIN vineyards. She has had the pleasure of working with many esteemed choreographers who have shaped her dancing and teaching style. As an instructor, Terrin has enjoyed watching her students soar in all disciplines, win many awards and gain recognition under her tutelage while following their dance dreams studying and performing for esteemed colleges, major companies, Broadway shows, cruise ships, music videos and tv shows. Terrin is excited to celebrate her 16th year of teaching in Benicia at Farnsworth Dance Academy!

Noor Halabi

competition company & Jazz, contemporary, and Lyrical

Noor graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Linguistics and International Relations as well as a minor in Arabic. During her time at UC Davis, she was a member and director of the esteemed “Released Contemporary Dance Company”. Prior to her time in university, Noor trained for 16 years in all styles under the guidance of Carla and Juliet Farnsworth. During these formative years, her love of dance blossomed. Noor is passionate about Dance Education and Choreography, and her goal is to create an inclusive environment for all her students which promotes a love for dance and personal growth for each dancer.

becka mckenzie

competition company & ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical

Becka began her training in Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical at a local studio in Benicia. After 15 years of taking classes and training on competition teams she joined an Antioch hip hop group that performed throughout the Bay Area. Becka has always had a love for working with children and creating new choreography. She has spent the past 10 years teaching at dance studios and coaching competition teams in the Bay Area. Her goal is that her students acquire the same love and passion for dance that she enjoys and she motivates her students to be the best that they can be.

“To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.” ~ Aubrey Lynch

Jennifer adami

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Lyrical

Jennifer began her dance training at the age of three, at the local recreation center in Antioch, California. However, Jennifer’s family notes that as soon as she could walk she was dancing. Jennifer’s mother saw passion and perseverance in her at a young age and sought out a stronger studio for her to train at, Judy’s Dancers Elite. Initially Jennifer took recreational Jazz and Tap classes with former Gold Rush Cheerleader Antionette Paulino, and a few years later she got the taste for competition never looked back. In 1999, the predominantly jazz and tap studio closed its doors and the Academy of Arts and Ballet took its place. Jennifer trained there for several years under the instruction of Arlene Newhouse and Antionette Paulino. This studio offered Jennifer the opportunity to train and compete in lyrical, ballet, pointe, ballet folkloric and hip hop; styles which were not previously accessible to her. She was able to benefit from experiences such as traveling and performing The Nutcracker with the Russian Moscow Ballet, as well as the studio’s own production of The Nutcracker. In high school, Jennifer made the transition into performing and competing with her school’s dance team under the instruction of Sharlene Sabonis. High school was also the time when Jennifer got her first taste for teaching and found a real passion for lyrical dance. After high school Jennifer continued to teach at local dance studios, teaching a wide range of ages and styles, and has been able to expand her teaching to share her love of dance with students with special needs. Her passion for teaching led her to take over Deer Valley High School’s dance team as their head coach. There she led the team through performances at sporting events, on the main stage and to competitions and conventions. She has continued her training as an adult by taking classes at various local dance studios including Shawl Anderson and by taking a position in the adult dance company Visual Rhythm. Jennifer feels blessed to have been able to work with such a wide variety of dance professionals growing up, they have all contributed to her teachings and quirky style of dance. She prides herself in thinking outside the box when it comes to choreography and pushing her students to their limits, the same way her instructors did for her while growing up.

Ashley smith

ballet

Ashley started her love of dance at the age of 4 in a small Midwest town. Over the years she has trained in all disciplines including acrobatics and clogging. Many years of training and competing in Nebraska cemented her love of dance. After moving across the country she realized Ballet was her true passion and continued her training at The Vacaville Ballet Academy. While there, she not only trained as a dancer but as a teacher with great care given to appropriate and proper technique. During this time Ashley traveled to The Nutmeg Conservatory in Torrington, Ct to study Vaganova Pedagogy. She is excited to share her passion with this new generation of dancers and hopes to inspire them on their journey.