Monica Stephens is a member of the DanceLova Dance Academy faculty.
An educator by nature, she is driven by her lifelong passion to nurture the next generation using her unique set of skills and experience in dance.
Monica’s dance training began when she was 3 years old, starting with ballet and jazz.
At 12, she began her training at San Clemente Dance and Performing Arts Center in styles such as jazz, modern, tap, and ballet under the American Ballet Theatre curriculum. Monica received a BA in Dance from University of California: Irvine where she had trained in Vaganova and Balanchine ballet techniques, vernacular jazz, and various modern techniques. Here, she had the opportunities to train under teachers such as Waeli Wang, Lindsay Gilmour, Tong Wang, Molly Lynch, Diane Diefenderfer, and Chad Michael Hall. In her free time at UCI, Monica participated in hip hop dance groups such as CADC and Kaba Modern where she had opportunities to perform and compete at various venues across California including BodyRock and Bridge Dance Competition. After graduating from UCI, Monica was selected to train in Israel under Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in their Dance Journey program. Here, Monica had the opportunities to work closely under teachers and mentors such as Danielle Ohn, Yamit Kalef, David Warren Parker, Dylan Tedaldi, Dvir Levi, Tristan Carter, and Theo Samsworth. Here, Monica rigorously trained in the repertory of Rami Be’er and Cullberg Ballet and explored various improvisation and experimentation techniques.
Ms. Monica is elated to be a part of the DanceLova Dance Academy team and aims to create safe spaces for students to explore their artistry and to create a positive, healthy relationship with their dance practice.
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