OUR
INSTRUCTORS
Our talented team help students reach their fullest potential
Shane Gillia
Shane began dancing at 21 for Hypersquad Dance Company. He’s also trained at 24-7 Dance Force and Studio 808 DanceProject where he has been an instructor since 2004. He teaches dancers to people of all ages from as young as 7 years-old.
For a brief couple of years during his time with Studio 808, Shane was given the opportunity to step up to act as the interim company director. Also, during his many years with Studio 808 DP, he’s been able to put together many award-winning pieces both locally and nationally. Aside from the dance community, Shane is also very involved in Hawai’i’s drag/gay community. He’s danced and choreographed for many performers for numerous shows, events, and pageants.
Classes: Street Funk Ages 12-18
John Rampage
John is well known to Honolulu audiences and has directed and/or choreographed countless award-winning shows. He serves as Artistic Director at Diamond Head Theatre and teaches dance. Learn more about his career that has spanned more than 25 years at DHT.
Alexandria Zinov
Alexandria has taught and choreographed at many Utah and Hawaii schools and studios. She performed as Kristine in DHT’s 2021 A Chorus Line. As Janet in the Rocky Horror Show at MVT, she won Best Actress in Hawaii from Broadway World in 2019. A former professional NBA dancer for the Utah Jazz, she also served as team captain. Originally from Salt Lake City, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Dance Education from Utah Valley University.
Anna Motteler
Anna has performed in Crazy For You, The Will Rogers Follies, Oliver!, 42nd St., Phantom and Camelot. She is a teacher and choreographer at Queen Emma Ballet. She graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts and performed with the State of Alabama Ballet.
Shannon Winpenny
Shannon has studied at several prestigious acting schools in Chicago including The Second City. She has been writing, directing and performing in Chicago and Honolulu for more than 15 years. In 2007, she opened Laughtrack Theater Co.
Julia Ogilvie
Julia enjoys teaching and coaching performers at all levels of experience – specializing in auditions for musicals, plays, television and film. She is Education Coordinator and head acting teacher at Manoa Valley Theatre’s MVT Studio.
A recipient of the Presidential Scholar in The Arts, she trained in acting at The Maggie Flanigan Studio in New York City, and has a BFA in drama from The Juilliard School. She has served as an acting teacher at Yale University, Rutgers University, University of Hawai’i, Queen Emma Ballet, The Juilliard Drama Outreach Program at Snow College,. She has directed and taught for The American Conservatory Theater’s Graduate Acting Program.
Her acting work includes: Timon of Athens (Off-Broadway at Theater For A New Audience & regionally at The Shakespeare Theater Company), That Beautiful Laugh (Off-Broadway at La MaMa Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Shakespeare Theater Company in D.C. and The Macau Arts Festival in China).
Julia may also be recognized from her roles in Disney+ show Doogie Kamealoha M.D. and CBS’s Magnum P.I.
Sarah Yani
Sarah has danced her whole life and specializes in hip-hop, hula and Tahitian dance. She has trained at 24-7 Danceforce and University of Southern California’s college dance team. Sarah has taught at Diamond Head Theatre for many years and enjoys helping her students find joy and fun through dance.
Nanilisa Pascua
Nanilisa is a music educator at schools and is a vocal coach. Nanilisa has also served as musical director for Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars since its inception. Nanilisa received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Caryn Yee
Caryn specializes in choreography and has performed in many of Diamond Head Theatre’s shows. She also teaches & choreographs for the Punahou Tap Company. She received her training at Punahou Dance School, Dupree Academy and The Edge in Los Angeles.
