Soo Park
Owner | Artistic Director
Soo started her formal training at the renowned private institute, SUNHWA Art School in Korea, which is known for accepting high achieving students that pass a rigorous entrance exam. Soo was taught and trained intensively on the principles of the Russian Vaganova methodology. As a young dancer, Soo was selected by the Universal Ballet Company for role of ‘Clara’ in The Nutcracker and traveled with the company to perform around Korea. In 1994, Soo came to the U.S. and had the privilege of being trained by Yelena Vinogradova, the Artistic Director at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C., where she continued her training. Soo studied at KNUA, Korea National University of Art, where she majored in dance choreography. She trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, and Korean dance. She expanded her ballet career as one of the KNUA ballet members and performed with them.
Upon arriving to the U.S. in 2002, Soo entered the University of California, Berkeley, and received her B.A. in Environmental Economics and Dance. Soo’s post university experience included performing at the SF Ethnic Dance Festival and teaching Korean dance at Claire Lilienthal School in SF. Her passion for ballet and teaching inspired her to establish her own dance studio, SOO DANCE COMPANY & ACADEMY, in 2010.
In 2015 the studio relocated to a larger, more modern 5,000 square ft custom dance facility located in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. In 2018, Soo Dance Academy opened a second location in San Ramon.
SDCA has presented full length productions of The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, and Don Quixote. In just a few short years, SDCA has earned a strong reputation in the Bay Area and is proud to have placed many of its students into the renowned Kirov Academy, Stanford University, and NYU: Tisch School of the Arts.
She also became a certified Progressing Ballet Technique in Junior, Senior, and Advanced programs instructor in 2018 and ABT- certificated instructor in 2021.
The SDCA Competition team consistently places in the Overall Finalist Top 3 at The International Dance Challenge, Spotlight National Dance Cup, EnerGy National, StarBound National, California Dance Classics, Showbiz, 24 Seven/Nuvo , Hollywood Vibe competition and convention, Rainbow, Revolution Talent National and YAGP competitions.
Soo has achieved remarkable success at the Spotlight National Dance Cup, receiving the prestigious “Director Award” consecutively in 2019 and 2020. In 2024, Soo’s outstanding performance and dedication were further recognized with the “Triple Crown & Studio Achievement” award. These accolades reflect Soo’s exceptional talent and commitment to excellence in dance. Soo Dance Academy received the 2025 ADCC Studio of Excellence Award and the 2025 Excellence Studio Award at Hollywood Vibe
Rebecca Trim
Ballet Instructor
Miss Rebecca Rhodes was born in Libertyville, Illinois, and trained at Dance Academy of Libertyville and Milwaukee Ballet School. She completed her training at the San Francisco Ballet School. She was named apprentice in 2008 and promoted to the San Francisco Ballet Company corps de ballet in 2009. She has performed a wide variety of works during her time with the company and originated many roles. After giving birth to her daughter, Rhodes decided to leave the ballet company and turned to teaching in San Francisco Ballet School. Rhodes now resides in the Bay Area with her husband and two young children.
Elena
Ballet Instructor
Elena’s love for dancing started at age of 9 when she started studying ballet, character dance and jazz. By the age of 18 she graduated from one of the most prestigious dance academies in the world (Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Academy). After her graduation she moved to the USA with her family and continued her career as a world class adagio performer, where her professional edge required her to master several disciplines simultaneously: dance, acrobatics and the art of illusion. She appeared on television shows, competitions and performed in more than 40 countries.
Elena is very excited to share her knowledge and love for the art of dancing with the next generation of dancers. Elena and her husband Pasha are professional entertainers called Pasha and Aliona. Their greatest achievement, AGT(America Got Talent) had broadcasted nation-wide of their amazing choreography.
Mimi Rana
Associate Director
Mimi’s love of dance started at the young age of 5. She has since 15 years studio trained in the disciplines of Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Ballet, Acro, and Hip Hop built her foundation in dance at Joanne Brown Dance Studio and Yoko’s Dance Academy. Mimi began competing at the age of ten has won numerous National Dance awards, invitations to Scholarship Workshop: Alvin Alley and Joffrey Ballet and invited to several Dance Competition as being assistant choreography as a young age. As an adult, Mimi continued dancing in college with the Dance Department at Ohlone College during that time she was traveling to Los Angeles and had trained in Intensive Dance Program: AMADA for three years while in college. After graduating from Ohlone College with an Associate Degree in Marketing and Dance. Also graduated California State University, East Bay, with a Major Early Childhood Development Minor in Dance. Teaching and working in the child care industry (Teacher, Coordinator, and Preschool Director) for 10 years between teaching dance classes at dance studios in the south bay and east bay starting 2008 as a side passion. Her professional credits includes Los Angeles Clippers (2008), Semi pro Dance Team Bomshells Girls and Liberty Belles, Half time Dance Team with Santa Cruz Warriors, and Mission in the Mix w in South Bay area for 7 years.. Has experience and taught and created Preschools Dance Program almost 10 years around the Bay Area, and young adults for 8 years. Mimi is currently coaching Los Gatos Dance Team and also freelancing with other pre-professional dance teams in the Bay Area.
Isabella Marines
Competition Director
Ms. Isa is a California native who performed in the dance industry with studio and theatre companies. They trained in various styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, and acrobatics. Beginning when they were 12, they closely studied acrobatic safety and techniques and were mentored by Acrobatic Arts professionals. Since they were 16, Isa has choreographed in California and the Maryland-Virginia area for theatre productions, recreational dance, and competition dance routines. In their time choreographing for competition, multiple pieces have placed in the Top 10, Top 5, and Top 3 at regional and national competitions.
Skye Montante
Hiphop/Contemporary Instructor
Skye Montante began studying ballet at Petaluma School of Ballet at the age of 8. In later years as they were introduced to other forms of dance, they found their true calling with Hip-Hop and Contemporary. They continued studying dance through college and graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Dance. While in school in San Francisco, they studied abroad in Argentina at IUNA University furthering their studies in Ballet and Modern dance. While studying in Buenos Aires, they began to work at PeiMei Studios, teaching Contemporary Fusion dance. Skye spent the past 10 years teaching both youth and adult classes in New York City in multiple studios such as Steps on Broadway and Brooklyn Arts Exchange. They were also a guest choreographer at Frank Sinatra High. Skye is currently living in Oakland, CA and deepening their roots in the Bay Area dance community. They teach youth and adult classes at ODC, and Full Out Studios. Skye’s focus as a teacher and creator is to help their dancers find their own individual voice and establish a safe space to move. They continues to work as a freelance choreographer, creating personal projects and looks forward to their continued growth as a part of the Bay Area Dance community.
LaTonya
Hiphop/Jazz Instructor
La Tonya Watts (Director/Choreographer): LaTonya has worked with several famous directors and choreographers to pursue her passion. She has directed and choreographed many theatrical performances for some of the Bay Area’s popular theatrical companies. Her work includes: Taming of the Shrew; Romeo & Juliet; The Wiz; Grease; Pippin; Oedipus; Cinderella; Macbeth; Dreamgirls; Blackballin; Once Upon This Island, Chicago (2011 SFBATCC and Shellie Awards nominee for Best Choreographer); West Side Story; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Hairspray; Life Could be a Dream; 9 to 5; Rent; Hedwig and the Angry Inch; The Robber Bridegroom; Night of January 16th; A Trip Down Broadway (2016 Shellie Award winner for Best Choreographer); Aladdin; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Arsenic and Old Lace; Urinetown, the Musical; Rumors; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; Moon Over Buffalo (2018 Shellie Award winner for Best Director); The 1940s Radio Hour; Lend Me a Tenor; Once Upon a Mattress; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Zombie Prom; The Savannah Sipping Society, School House Rock, jr., Young Frankenstein, Freaky Friday, A Raisin in the Sun, Fences, Dreamgirls, Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits and Annie Jr., The Mousetrap, Working, the Musical, Lion King Jr. and Frozen Jr. She was a recipient of the 2018 Women of Distinction Award from the Soroptimist International Organization. In 2022, she was inducted into the Pittsburg California Entertainment and Arts Hall of Fame and for BroadwayWorld San Francisco 2022 Regional Awards she won Best Director of a Play Fences and Best Play Fences.
Love
Hiphop/Jazz Instructor
Miss Love started dancing at 9 years old. She started training in ballet and a few months after, she played the role of the stepmother of Cinderella for their recital amongst skilled ballerinas. That ballet class sparked the love she has for dance which also led her to pursue dance as a career being a performer and an instructor. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Science, her thesis was focused on the importance of anaerobic training in power output on competitive dancers. With this she was able to create a training program targeted to build and improve dance skills and agility helping all skill levels which she uses till this day. Miss Love has extensive experience teaching kids, youth and adult Jazz and Hip Hop. She believes in empowering her students by focusing on building discipline and foundation.
Asha Park -TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Asha Park is a dedicated and accomplished dancer who currently serves as a Teaching Assistant at Soo Dance Academy. She began dancing at Soo Dance when she was just 3 years old and has now trained for over 11 years, including participation in the studio’s most advanced intensive classes. Her passion, discipline, and talent have grown with her, making her one of the academy’s standout young leaders.
Asha is a YAGP solo winner, scholarship recipient, and National Revloution Miss Teen title champion. She has earned 1st Place Awards at CDC, Miss Titles and Dancer of the year numerous competitions for both her solo and group performances. Her achievements reflect not only her technical strength but also her versatility and artistry on stage.
She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Conditioning, and she brings that knowledge into the classroom with enthusiasm and care. Asha is known for her positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and leadership with younger dancers. As a TA, she is committed to helping students improve their technique while building their confidence and love for dance.
With more than a decade of training and performance experience, Asha continues to be a proud representative of the Soo Dance family, both on and off the stage.
Mia Moore-TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Mia Moore is a passionate and accomplished dancer who began her dance journey at just 4 years old. Now 13, she has dedicated nearly a decade to perfecting her craft and growing as an artist. Specializing in jazz, Mia also has a deep love for ballet and contemporary dance, which she blends seamlessly into her performances with grace and emotion.
Her commitment to dance has earned her numerous awards and recognition, but for Mia, the true reward is the joy of movement and the ability to express herself through every performance. Whether it’s the power of a jazz routine, the elegance of ballet, or the creativity of contemporary, Mia’s passion for dance shines through in everything she does.
With each step, turn, and leap, Mia continues to push herself to new heights, inspiring those around her with her dedication, talent, and love for the art of dance. She is more than excited to share her love of dance with her students.
Isabella Wu-TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Isabella Wu is an exceptional dancer who is a Teaching Assistant at Soo Dance Academy. She started to dance when she was two years old, and started competing in Dance Competitions with Soo Dance when she was nine. Her parents had encouraged her to dance competitively, so her passion and talent bloomed under the care of her instructors.
Isabella is a national champion, scholarship recipient, and has placed in the overalls countless of times for her solos. She has earned 1st place awards many times, the world dance championship invite three times, and the Triple E scholarship twice for her groups. She has also danced main and side roles in the biannual show Soo Dance puts on.
Isabella is trained in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Conditioning. She brings those into the studio with care, creating a personalized dance experience for everyone. Isabella is known for her optimism, cheering for her friends during competitions, and taking the role of leadership when needed for her groups or for the younger children.
With more than a decade worth of experience onstage and in training, Isabella happily continues to be a representative of Soo Dance Academy, creating a team where everyone is welcome.
Taylor Koning-TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Taylor, a Teaching Assistant (TA), began her dance training at the age of 4 at the Sultanov Ballet Academy in Portland, Oregon. There, she was introduced to classical ballet, her first dance passion. In the years since, she has pursued dance education in Oregon, California, and Atlanta, and has been a part of the Soo Dance Academy since 2022. Having participated in numerous performances and competitions, she enjoys sharing her interests with younger dancers.
Taylor is trained in contemporary dance, along with classical and contemporary ballet. Her favorite aspect of dance is the ability to enhance one’s discipline, grace, and artistry in a supportive environment and bond with other teachers and students.
Elle Koning -TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Elle Koning is a Teaching Assistant and member of the Soo Dance Academy Competition Team. She began her dance training in Atlanta, Georgia, with The Atlanta Dance Academy, learning hip hop and classical ballet technique and style. After relocating to the Bay Area, she joined the Soo Dance Academy in 2022. Her leadership and enthusiasm for dance has paved the way for her mentorship of younger dancers.
Elle has received numerous awards and scholarships in regional and national competitions. She has quickly learned to master several genres of dance, while building on her technical skills and artistry on the stage. Elle is trained in HipHop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and Conditioning, and she brings her skill and positivity to her work with younger dancers in classes and solo lessons.
Aryanna Ma -TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Aryanna Ma is a senior at The Athenian School and a dedicated dancer who has been training since the age of 3. She has studied Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop for over a decade, developing a strong technical foundation and a deep commitment to her craft.
Throughout high school, Aryanna has attended the Joffrey Ballet School summer programs each year, continuing to challenge herself in a professional setting and broaden her experience with diverse instructors and styles.
In addition to her training, Aryanna has taught group dance classes and private solos, working closely with younger dancers to support their technique and build their confidence.
At Athenian, Aryanna also founded both the dance team and the pom team, where she continues to promote creativity, school spirit, and community through dance.
Janie Lau -TA Instructor
Education
Soo Dance Academy
Janie is a passionate and versatile dancer trained in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet, and acro.
She began her dance journey in 2018 and has since performed in a wide range of shows and competitions, showcasing her dedication and growth as an artist.
In 2023, Janie joined Soo Dance Academy, where she continues to refine her technique and expand her performance experience. Alongside her training, she has served as a teacher assistant. She has truly enjoyed sharing her knowledge and supporting younger dancers.
Janie’s commitment to dance is reflected in her dynamic stage presence and her drive to grow as both a performer and mentor within the dance community.