TEACHERS
KARYN LAVER
Owner and Artistic Director
Karyn Laver started dancing at the age of 10, inspired by Gene Kelly in his film Singin' in the Rain. She began by taking tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet lessons at Central Coast Dance in Los Osos, California, where she danced for 10 years. At age 12, she became director’s assistant and a teaching assistant. By age 15, she was teaching her own classes and choreographing for the studio’s junior tap company. Since then, Karyn has performed, competed, taught, and choreographed in multiple styles, including tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary.
Throughout her dance career, Karyn has been recognized at Dupree’s, Showstoppers, and I Love Dance national conventions/competitions for her performance aesthetic and choreography. The pieces she has presented, including self-choreographed solos, have won numerous first place and top awards. She has been awarded dance scholarships to Dupree’s National Convention, danced internationally with the Stars at Sea program, and was a featured performer on her high school dance team.
Karyn’s specialty—and passion—is tap, both rhythm and Broadway style. She has taken master lessons from such luminaries as Al Gilbert (known as the “Pied Piper of Dance”), Thommie Retter (who is currently performing in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway), Darryl Retter, and Janice Barringer. She has also studied at the Debbie Reynolds’ Studio in Los Angeles. Karyn has taught tap at multiple studios along California’s Central Coast and currently teaches in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.
For the past several years, Karyn has performed with Fusion and ArtBark International. She has been in dances featured in BASSH!, Synergy, Kinesis, and at the Diavolo Theater in Los Angeles. Her choreographed/co-choreographed pieces (such as “Where We At?” and “City Life”) have been performed at BASSH! and Synergy. As artistic director and dancer for The Dance Network’s Senior Performing Company, she and her company have performed at multiple venues in Santa Barbara. Always looking to expand her dance repertoire, Karyn recently began learning Latin ballroom styles and has performed at Santa Barbara’s Fiesta.
“Dancing and teaching are my two favorite things to do in life. Nothing makes me happier than being in the studio or on the stage, showing everyone just how passionate I am about what I do and how inspired it makes me. I hope that that passion and inspiration touch and inspire others, too. As the director of The Dance Network, my mission is to nurture the dancer that’s in all of us—that joy of creative expression. At the same time, I want my students, especially my more advanced company students, to also understand dance as a mastered work of art that requires discipline and practice.”
Owner and Artistic Director
Karyn Laver started dancing at the age of 10, inspired by Gene Kelly in his film Singin' in the Rain. She began by taking tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet lessons at Central Coast Dance in Los Osos, California, where she danced for 10 years. At age 12, she became director’s assistant and a teaching assistant. By age 15, she was teaching her own classes and choreographing for the studio’s junior tap company. Since then, Karyn has performed, competed, taught, and choreographed in multiple styles, including tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary.
Throughout her dance career, Karyn has been recognized at Dupree’s, Showstoppers, and I Love Dance national conventions/competitions for her performance aesthetic and choreography. The pieces she has presented, including self-choreographed solos, have won numerous first place and top awards. She has been awarded dance scholarships to Dupree’s National Convention, danced internationally with the Stars at Sea program, and was a featured performer on her high school dance team.
Karyn’s specialty—and passion—is tap, both rhythm and Broadway style. She has taken master lessons from such luminaries as Al Gilbert (known as the “Pied Piper of Dance”), Thommie Retter (who is currently performing in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway), Darryl Retter, and Janice Barringer. She has also studied at the Debbie Reynolds’ Studio in Los Angeles. Karyn has taught tap at multiple studios along California’s Central Coast and currently teaches in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.
For the past several years, Karyn has performed with Fusion and ArtBark International. She has been in dances featured in BASSH!, Synergy, Kinesis, and at the Diavolo Theater in Los Angeles. Her choreographed/co-choreographed pieces (such as “Where We At?” and “City Life”) have been performed at BASSH! and Synergy. As artistic director and dancer for The Dance Network’s Senior Performing Company, she and her company have performed at multiple venues in Santa Barbara. Always looking to expand her dance repertoire, Karyn recently began learning Latin ballroom styles and has performed at Santa Barbara’s Fiesta.
“Dancing and teaching are my two favorite things to do in life. Nothing makes me happier than being in the studio or on the stage, showing everyone just how passionate I am about what I do and how inspired it makes me. I hope that that passion and inspiration touch and inspire others, too. As the director of The Dance Network, my mission is to nurture the dancer that’s in all of us—that joy of creative expression. At the same time, I want my students, especially my more advanced company students, to also understand dance as a mastered work of art that requires discipline and practice.”
KYLE YBARRA
Assistant Director and Fitness Coordinator
Since Kyle Ybarra started dancing, he has been making sweet noise in the Santa Barbara dance community with his charisma and raw style. Kyle’s love for dance started at the age of six when he was watching and mimicking Michael Jackson videos. By teaching himself how to break dance at a young age, Kyle grew up with a basic understanding of rhythm and style. Years later, Kyle was recruited to study flamenco where his true passion for dance flourished. He studied under Rose Marie Cruz for five years, where many choreographers helped to shape his rhythmic flamenco style: Pamela Lourant, Domingo Ortega, Manuel Gutierrez, and Timo Nuñez. Kyle also choreographed and taught break dance at Cruz Dance and Entertainment. He started his study of Latin ballroom with Santa Barbara’s own Derrick Curtis, who gave him the opportunity to choreograph and perform with him in Synergy and BASSH! He now continues his ballroom and social dance training under David Alvarez and Lucia Albolino with his partner Emma Neumann at the Santa Barbara Dance Center. Since he has been with The Dance Network, Kyle has expanded his focus to study tap, ballet, and hip hop, amongst other styles. He also has used this opportunity to work on teaching and choreography. Every day Kyle works to sharpen his craft with the intention of bringing even more energy and ferocity to the stage.
Assistant Director and Fitness Coordinator
Since Kyle Ybarra started dancing, he has been making sweet noise in the Santa Barbara dance community with his charisma and raw style. Kyle’s love for dance started at the age of six when he was watching and mimicking Michael Jackson videos. By teaching himself how to break dance at a young age, Kyle grew up with a basic understanding of rhythm and style. Years later, Kyle was recruited to study flamenco where his true passion for dance flourished. He studied under Rose Marie Cruz for five years, where many choreographers helped to shape his rhythmic flamenco style: Pamela Lourant, Domingo Ortega, Manuel Gutierrez, and Timo Nuñez. Kyle also choreographed and taught break dance at Cruz Dance and Entertainment. He started his study of Latin ballroom with Santa Barbara’s own Derrick Curtis, who gave him the opportunity to choreograph and perform with him in Synergy and BASSH! He now continues his ballroom and social dance training under David Alvarez and Lucia Albolino with his partner Emma Neumann at the Santa Barbara Dance Center. Since he has been with The Dance Network, Kyle has expanded his focus to study tap, ballet, and hip hop, amongst other styles. He also has used this opportunity to work on teaching and choreography. Every day Kyle works to sharpen his craft with the intention of bringing even more energy and ferocity to the stage.
MEREDITH CABANISS
Instructor
Meredith Cabaniss is a multi-creative artist based out of southern California. She recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her studies she was a Regent’s Scholar; member of the UCSB Dance Company; and received undergraduate honors including an Undergraduate Research Award for her departmental Honor’s Project, the Corwin Award for choreography, and other achievements in the department. She has also studied with Batsheva Dance Company during their summer dance intensive in Tel Aviv, Israel and at the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92Y in New York City. As the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of Santa Barbara-based company selah dance collective, Meredith has presented her work nationally in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City and internationally in Italy and the Philippines. She is on faculty for various dance schools in the Santa Barbara area and travels internationally and nationally as a dance educator while pursuing her Master in Fine Arts degree at Hollins University in conjunction with Kunstlerhaus Mousonturm and Frankfurt University for Music and Performing Arts in Germany. In 2017, she will take on the role of Artistic Director for Novus Dance Project in Los Angeles, California, as well as expanding Summit Dance Project to five new cities in the Philippines, including areas hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
Instructor
Meredith Cabaniss is a multi-creative artist based out of southern California. She recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her studies she was a Regent’s Scholar; member of the UCSB Dance Company; and received undergraduate honors including an Undergraduate Research Award for her departmental Honor’s Project, the Corwin Award for choreography, and other achievements in the department. She has also studied with Batsheva Dance Company during their summer dance intensive in Tel Aviv, Israel and at the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92Y in New York City. As the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of Santa Barbara-based company selah dance collective, Meredith has presented her work nationally in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City and internationally in Italy and the Philippines. She is on faculty for various dance schools in the Santa Barbara area and travels internationally and nationally as a dance educator while pursuing her Master in Fine Arts degree at Hollins University in conjunction with Kunstlerhaus Mousonturm and Frankfurt University for Music and Performing Arts in Germany. In 2017, she will take on the role of Artistic Director for Novus Dance Project in Los Angeles, California, as well as expanding Summit Dance Project to five new cities in the Philippines, including areas hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
DANIEL J ROJO
Instructor
Born and raised in Santa Barbara. Daniel is a dancer, choreographer, performer, actor, and an artist. He began dance at the age of seven, then joined his first dance team at Studio E performance and fitness at the age of 12. He taught his first beginning/intermediate dance class at the age of 14, advancing his talent and skills throughout the years. He's been teaching and performing for over 15 years. His skills were recognized, carrying him on to lecture and instruct the art of dance in Bratislava, Slovakia. Daniel is known for his creativeness and his fun workout, Hip-Hop and Break Dancing classes. He's taught throughout local schools in Santa Barbara County, U.S, Europe and with many performance art programs. He is currently working with OffGrid Productions and Elevated Dreams Entertainment, a crew filled with aerialist, hoop and flame dancers, Character performers, Mc's and acrobats. Daniel is also working along with his own movement called In The Moment performance arts. His form of dance art is breaking down difficult to easy, giving the student knowledge on how to listen, feel, and create with music. He has the ability to teach students how to express their natural movement through music.
Instructor
Born and raised in Santa Barbara. Daniel is a dancer, choreographer, performer, actor, and an artist. He began dance at the age of seven, then joined his first dance team at Studio E performance and fitness at the age of 12. He taught his first beginning/intermediate dance class at the age of 14, advancing his talent and skills throughout the years. He's been teaching and performing for over 15 years. His skills were recognized, carrying him on to lecture and instruct the art of dance in Bratislava, Slovakia. Daniel is known for his creativeness and his fun workout, Hip-Hop and Break Dancing classes. He's taught throughout local schools in Santa Barbara County, U.S, Europe and with many performance art programs. He is currently working with OffGrid Productions and Elevated Dreams Entertainment, a crew filled with aerialist, hoop and flame dancers, Character performers, Mc's and acrobats. Daniel is also working along with his own movement called In The Moment performance arts. His form of dance art is breaking down difficult to easy, giving the student knowledge on how to listen, feel, and create with music. He has the ability to teach students how to express their natural movement through music.
BETHANY SUTHERLAND
Instructor
Dance has been a driving force in Bethany’s life since a young age. Growing up, Bethany studied various dance styles at Extensions Performing Arts Academy (EPAA) in her hometown Lancaster, CA. Under teachers such as Donyelle Jones of SYTYCD Season 2, Bethany learned ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, modern, and pointe. She competed and danced professionally with EPAA and Antelope Valley Ballet Company from 2002-2008.
Alongside her training, Bethany extended her love of dance to the community, coaching the local middle school dance team, co-leading her high school hip-hop squad, and reviving Westmont College’s NSTEP Dance Crew. Her involvement included founding dance missions in New York (Dec. 2011) and Ensenada, Mexico (Mar. 2012), and partnering with CRASH in the Japanese tsunami relief (Jul. 2011).
Recently, Bethany has performed at various Santa Barbara venues and private events such as Center Stage Theater, Granada Theatre, and the Bacara Hotel. She danced in Dominic Balli’s music video “Louder” and UNITE crew’s music video “MOVE.” Since graduating from Westmont in 2012, Bethany has taught and choreographed for Fusion Dance Company and performed locally in BASSH and various local festivals.
Currently, Bethany continues to share her love of movement through teaching at The Dance Network under her philosophy of dance: “Freedom through expression.”
Instructor
Dance has been a driving force in Bethany’s life since a young age. Growing up, Bethany studied various dance styles at Extensions Performing Arts Academy (EPAA) in her hometown Lancaster, CA. Under teachers such as Donyelle Jones of SYTYCD Season 2, Bethany learned ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, modern, and pointe. She competed and danced professionally with EPAA and Antelope Valley Ballet Company from 2002-2008.
Alongside her training, Bethany extended her love of dance to the community, coaching the local middle school dance team, co-leading her high school hip-hop squad, and reviving Westmont College’s NSTEP Dance Crew. Her involvement included founding dance missions in New York (Dec. 2011) and Ensenada, Mexico (Mar. 2012), and partnering with CRASH in the Japanese tsunami relief (Jul. 2011).
Recently, Bethany has performed at various Santa Barbara venues and private events such as Center Stage Theater, Granada Theatre, and the Bacara Hotel. She danced in Dominic Balli’s music video “Louder” and UNITE crew’s music video “MOVE.” Since graduating from Westmont in 2012, Bethany has taught and choreographed for Fusion Dance Company and performed locally in BASSH and various local festivals.
Currently, Bethany continues to share her love of movement through teaching at The Dance Network under her philosophy of dance: “Freedom through expression.”
GRACE SALSIDO
Assistant Teacher
Grace Salsido has been dancing for almost five years. She started dancing with the Goleta Valley Junior High dance team and continued her training at The Dance Network. She has been involved in the studio's teen and senior performance companies. She studies jazz, ballet, tap, and contemporary, and assists with the younger jazz, ballet, and tap classes. Grace has also been both an alternate and top ten finalist in Santa Barbara’s Teen Dance Star competition. Along with dance, she was a member of the Varsity Cheer team and co-captain of the Varsity Song/Dance team at Dos Pueblos High School. She was also Goleta Valley Junior High Dance Team’s Assistant Coach and Choreographer this past season, and will work with the team in the summer. Next year Grace will continue her education at Azusa Pacific University where she will be a member of their dance company. Grace is looking forward to hopefully continue choreographing and returning to Santa Barbara after college!
Assistant Teacher
Grace Salsido has been dancing for almost five years. She started dancing with the Goleta Valley Junior High dance team and continued her training at The Dance Network. She has been involved in the studio's teen and senior performance companies. She studies jazz, ballet, tap, and contemporary, and assists with the younger jazz, ballet, and tap classes. Grace has also been both an alternate and top ten finalist in Santa Barbara’s Teen Dance Star competition. Along with dance, she was a member of the Varsity Cheer team and co-captain of the Varsity Song/Dance team at Dos Pueblos High School. She was also Goleta Valley Junior High Dance Team’s Assistant Coach and Choreographer this past season, and will work with the team in the summer. Next year Grace will continue her education at Azusa Pacific University where she will be a member of their dance company. Grace is looking forward to hopefully continue choreographing and returning to Santa Barbara after college!