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(661) 253-9909 Serving the greater Santa Clarita Valley |
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(661) 253-9909 Serving the greater Santa Clarita Valley |
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Meet the Faculty
Under the leadership of Director Erin Sanfelippo, the faculty at Star Dance Center brings years of dance industry experience combined with a love of teaching. Every student receives thoughtful, individualized attention from highly-dedicated teachers whose mission is to help them reach their highest potential!
Miss Erin Sanfelippo has been happily teaching dance and theater classes to children all over Southern California for over 25 years!.
A graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, Miss Erin’s performing career includes dancing and singing all over Southern California, in commercials, television, industrials and for Disney; working with such celebrities as Adam Lambert and Fred Willard and many of today’s Broadway stars.
In 2005, Erin took over Star Dance Center here in Newhall and the studio has continued to grow for 18 years, voted Best Dance Studio in the Santa Clarita Valley by The Signal.
Miss Erin’s work with preschool dancers is featured in her animated dance class film “Miss Erin’s Magical Dance Class,” which features original songs and vocals from Miss Erin.
Erin truly believes that the joy of dance should be shared with all ages and is passionate about sharing her love for dance with as many students as possible.
Kaila Medina
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Kaila Medina is a passionate early dance educator with nearly a decade of experience inspiring young movers and developing confident, expressive dancers. She has worked with students of all ages, creating supportive and engaging classroom environments that foster both strong technique and a lifelong love of dance.
Kaila’s teaching journey has taken her from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Los Angeles, where she expanded her experience across diverse studio settings and communities. Her approach blends foundational training with creativity and encouragement, helping each dancer grow at their own pace.
She trained at the AMDA College of the Performing Arts, where she deepened her technical knowledge and artistic perspective. Kaila continues to bring that professional training into her classes, emphasizing musicality, confidence, and joy in movement!
Carly Becerra
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Miss Carly has built her life around the art of dance. Before she started her teaching career she was a well accomplished dancer. During her time as a competitive dancer she earned many accolades. Including seven title awards and many overall achievements and specialty performance awards. She even received perfect scores from all four judges at Dance Rave National Competition. She performed at numerous charity events like Heal the Bay and opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics. As well as a back up dancer for Ricki Martin for the Pepsi brand commercials.Mrs. Carly's high energy and passion for dance is reflected in her teaching. She started by assisting and co-choreographing for her dance studio's Musical Theater Program. She also taught technique classes as well. Carly danced and choreographed for Mrs. Manzo's advanced dance program for all for years of high school, as well as teaching the intermediate program weekly lessons.
At the age of 19 she started working in Kathy Dagget's Movement Education Tumbling & Sports preschool program. She traveled to several preschools in the La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge area, as well as helping the company add Aria Montessori in Pasadena. Soon she also started assistant coaching the Cheer program at Maranatha High School and started her journey at Revolution Dance Center.
With three teaching jobs under her belt Carly was still ready for the next challenge. After two years she left Maranatha High School to accept the head coaching job at La Canada High School. For four years she was in charge of the entire Pep Program.
By the end of 2014 Carly had three teaching jobs, had married her boyfriend of seven years, purchased a home together, was promoted to Preschool Director at RDC, implemented a new RDC dance program at Valley Vista Preschool, and been awarded Best Dance Teacher in Glendale by Glendale Newspress.
Carly then decided to focus on her classes at RDC, being Preschool Director, and implementing RDC's new Kinder Musical Theater classes. She expanded the tap, ballet, hip hop and new Musical Theater program at Valley Vista Preschool. Carly's passion for teaching grows each and every year.
In 2019 she became pregnant with her third child. She decided to focus on her individual classes and took a step back from directing. In 2020 she gave birth to her second daughter. With three kids in tow she was so excited to expand her dance family at Star Dance Center in Winter of 2020.
She is fulfilled by teaching dance and raising her three children. Dance is her constant and direct calling in life. It is her passion and purpose!
Jordan Albright
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Miss Jordan joined our Star Dance Family in 2025!
Samantha Longtin
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Miss Samantha began dancing at just two years old at Star Dance Center, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theater. After leaving at 13, she moved to Simi Valley and continued her training at Santa Susana Performing Arts High School, where she strengthened her technique, worked with diverse choreographers, and discovered her passion for choreography.
Following high school, Samantha attended Moorpark College, studying both dance and child development. During this time, she worked as a party princess, blending her love of singing, acting, and dancing while performing and choreographing for children’s events. She later continued her education and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in dance at CSU Northridge.
Samantha is thrilled to be teaching at the studio where her dance journey began and is excited to share her love of dance with the next generation!
Alex Richard
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Alex Richard is originally from Houma, Louisiana, and has been dancing since the age of three. She joined her first competition team at nine and quickly discovered dance was her passion, dedicating herself fully to her training. At sixteen, she began traveling two hours each way to study at a more advanced studio, further strengthening her technique and artistry.
After high school, Alex continued her training in Louisiana before moving to Los Angeles at 22 to pursue dance professionally. She signed with MSA in 2019 and has since worked on a variety of projects, including music videos, live performances at Coachella, and a contemporary production in Romania. She continues to train, perform, and grow in the industry today.
Alex began teaching after moving to Los Angeles and joined the faculty at two studios in 2020. She has choreographed competitive routines for studios in Louisiana and teaches dancers ages 5–17. Alex is passionate about creating a supportive, fun environment where students can build confidence, grow as artists, and be inspired to follow their dreams!
Julian Laro INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Mr. Julian specializes in boys hip hop and breakdancing and brings over 10 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Throughout his career, he has worked with dancers of all ages and skill levels, creating high-energy classes that build confidence, musicality, and strong foundational technique. His teaching journey has taken him to multiple cities, including New York City, where he taught at Broadway Dance Center.
As a performer, Julian continues to stay active in the industry. Most recently, he appeared at the Latin Billboard Awards in Miami and has worked on projects with artists and brands such as Jonas Brothers, Target, Salt-N-Pepa, Travis Scott, and Nickelodeon. His professional experience brings real-world insight and inspiration directly into his classes.
Known for his infectious energy and genuine care for his students, Mr. Julian creates a supportive environment where dancers feel motivated to grow and have fun. We’re thrilled for him to share his passion, expertise, and joy for dance with our Star Dance Family!
Hayley Hayutin
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Miss Hayley began dancing at the age of 5 right here at Star Dance Center! She had immediately found her passion and began to take classes in all styles of dance. Hayley is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater and acro. She joined the competition team by age 7 and enjoyed competing in all the way up to her final year of high school, winning many top awards with her team over the years.
At the age of 13 she began to assist various classes at the studio. At age 16 she completed a course to become a Certified Assistant Dance Teacher. Once she graduated from High School she began to teach her own classes. Hayley loves teaching dance and still loves to perform as well! At age 19 she fulfilled a long time dream when she was hired as a performer at Disneyland.
Hayley is also a Certified AcroDance Preschool instructor and a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer.
Emily Wallace
INSTRUCTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Emily Wallace is a dance artist originally from Breckenridge, Colorado. She began her training at Summit School of Dance and Alpine Dance Academy before earning a BFA in Dance from Colorado State University. At CSU, Emily honed her skills in modern, ballet, jazz, improvisation, choreography, pedagogy, dance history, and teaching creative movement.
A seasoned performer, Emily has worked with Denver-based modern dance companies such as the Hannah Kahn Dance Company and Life/Art Dance Ensemble. She now brings her artistry to Los Angeles, where she is currently a company dancer with Benita Bike Dance Art.
Beyond performing, Emily is passionate about teaching and choreographing. She encourages creativity, collaboration, and personal growth in her students, aiming to create an environment where dancers feel safe to reflect and express themselves!
