Rubio's Dance Studio

Rubio's Performing Arts Instructors and Staff

Our seasoned and talented instructors and staff are here to help your child experience the joy of the performing arts and help them reach for the stars.

Studio Director - Chris Rubio

Studio Manager - Yvonne Rubio

Office Assistants - Teresa Wignall, Kerri Holzer, & Crystal Hay

Instructors:

CHRIS Rubio		CHRIS RUBIO, formerly on tour with the Broadway show, “Stomp.” Chris played the leading role as Sergeant on tour. Studio Director and Choreographer of “Crew” and “Jr. Crew” Living a Drug Free Life, Street Scene and Sea World’s Stompin’ Gravediggers and Jammin’ Janitors, Legoland’s Drumming Mummies and Elves. Winner of Ed McMahon’s, “Next Big Star Competition.” Choreographer of numerous CYT shows and beauty pageants. Dance styles: Tap, percussion movement, hip-hop, musical theatre and swing.
CLAUDIA Dyson-Hightower		CLAUDIA DYSON-HIGHTOWER credits her artistic energy to her major mentors: Bea Johnson, Vivian Valade, Day Power, Eileen Figliolino, Louis McKay and Bill Heiden. She’s continually performing, choreographing and teaching both nationally and internationally and taking classes herself (Heaven forbid if she ever became a “Dance Driod Stiffo”). Claudia is certified in her profession and teaches ages 3-73 years at six different locations. Claudia’s students can be seen on Broadway, on TV and in several movies. “Life is only an audition to the BIG DANCE FLOOR IN THE SKY!”
CHARLEIGH France		It was at the age of three when CHARLEIGH FRANCE was introduced to a beautiful art form we know of as dance. Unable to keep still and keep off stage, she was put in the competition world at the age of 5. From there she has continued to pursue dance as a professional career. She believes it started in high school when she joined the San Jose Ballet School and from there it unraveled to becoming apart of the San Diego State School of Music and Dance. Being apart of the dance departmemnt at SDSU has opened many doors and allowed her to take advantage of traveling opportunities such as attending the World Dance Festival in Poland, which included work by Johannes Wieland and Idan Cohen(Israel), and a summer intensive at Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, along with master classes at Julliard. There she participated in choreography work by well known companies such as Ronald K. Brown, Battleworks and Gina Gibney Dance Company. A move to Vegas led her to work with the worlds famous Cirque Du Soleil along with cast members of Jubilee. From Vegas came a job offer in Mexico where she choreographed and performed with Barcelo Resorts. During this time she has also been recognized by recording artists such as Ciara and Busta Rhymes along with a participant in So You Think You Can Dance. In between traveling and technique classes Charleigh also teaches children and adults in San Diego as well as in Northern California. Her award winning choreography can be recognized in both areas of California. From show choirs to disabled children her passion for teaching will always be a big part of her career. Her career has taken her to Las Vegas where she is currently performing. After receiving her BFA from San Diego State University Charleigh France continues to travel, perform and teach this art form with hopes of adventure and a long lived learning experience.
MICHAEL Garcia		Most people call me "MIKEY G". I am a film student at San Diego State University and have been playing the drum set/percussion for 12 years. I was taught different genres of music from rock to jazz and from hip hop to Latin. To expand my capabilities and challenge myself as a drummer I joined the school marching and conert band in middle school and high school. I have been playing in numerous bands throughout my musical career to make friends, better myself, and always exceed my boundaries. I am currently working in two bands, one is a hip hop blues band and another is an experimental rock band. I have so much passion, dedication, and diligence towards towards my love of drumming that I love to share it. Music, I can easily say is my savior and if I could share my gift with others I know that I served a meaningful purpose in my lifetime.
KRYSTA Norby		Hi my name is KRYSTA NORBY and I have been dancing since I was six years old. Dance is a huge passion of mine and I love to see others with the same passion. I went to Valhalla High School and was very involved in the dance program for four years and was a dance officer for the last two years. I was also involved with cheer for three years and a captain my last year. I go to San Diego State University where I am majoring in Nursing. At San Diego State I am part of the cheer program.
JOSHUA Burks		JOSHUA BURKS-I have been dancing for over 12 years. Hip-Hop is my passion...I love the emotions. That led me to dancing Future Shock San Diego with Angie Bunch at the age of 13. I later moved on to Culture Shock San Diego at the age of 18 and took part in the dance programs at San Diego Community College, Mesa College, and Cal State Los Angeles. I have produced and conducted over 13 performances from “Circus Night” to “Hip Hop meets Bhangra.” At the age of 22 my hunger continued to grow and I made my first step into the Hollywood scene by getting signed to the Bloc Agency and Clear Talent Agency. I was then involved in five commercial shoots, two music videos and an overseas tour in Japan with Slum Village. I decided to step away from the dance scene and focused on building my own dance troupe’s “Twisted Illuzions” and “Body TRX” in early 2008. I am on the verge of opening a dance center for autism but you can find me subbing classes at Culture Shock Dance Center, working in the after school programs in South Bay and Harmonium school districts, or teaching master classes throughout the county.
SYDNEY Hall		SYDNEY has been dancing since the age of 7. She started off with tap and jazz and has since added ballet, lyrical/contemporary, modern, hip hop, rhythmic tap, swing and Jr. Crew to her list of studies. Sydney attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts where she was able to grow even more as a dancer. She loves to work with and teach young children as well as help in the "Arms Wide Open" classes.
MATTHEW Taylor		As a musician and educator, Matthew Taylor aims to expand the horizons of his audience and students to include more than traditional sounds and means of making music. Matthew's formal musical education is from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2009, Matthew earned his Masters of Music in Modern American Music from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For over two decades, Matthew taught at Boston-area schools such as the Community Music Center of Boston. Since relocating to San Diego in the Fall of 2009, he has built a successful private teaching practice. Matthew has also been invited to play with the La Jolla Symphony, musical theater productions as well as many fine local jazz artists such as singer Dave Patrone and saxophonist Bill Shreeve.
ORNA Edwards		ORNA EDWARDS has been dancing throughout her life and has performed in many different musical theater productions, as well as a former dancer at Sea World. She is currently dancing at Grossmont College and obtaining her Teaching Credential in Physical Education/Dance from SDSU. Orna is very passionate about dance and fitness and teaches many different group exercise formats at 24 Hour Fitness such as Turbo Kick, Zumba, and Boot Camp. In the future, she plans to get her Masters Degree in Special Education and become a Dance Therapist. She is also a proud parent of two Rubio Dance Studio students and is excited to join the RDS teaching staff.
EDDIE Bielma		EDDIE BIELMA was born in 1970. He embraced music at an early age which was influenced by a long line of family musicians. At the tender age of eight, he picked up his first pair of drumsticks and has never put them down. In the early years he was in band projects with his brother, Rick. After graduating from high school, Eddie was introduced to the mechanics of recording by his brother while at the same time educating himself on guitar, piano, and bass. He has had countless opportunities of engaging others in learning sessions where his passion for music has influenced others to take up the craft. Eddie demonstrates discipline for even the most miniscule of rudiments, whether for drums, dumber, congas, or tambourine. He can tie all these elements into true pieces of art. Eddie is currently the drummer for, "The Lost Disciples," with which he has been involved for 12 years.
NADIA Fakhoury		NADIA began dancing when she was nine years old at San Diego Dance Centre, where she learned about and participated in all genres of dance. She danced competitively for four years and at 14 came to Rubio's Dance Studio where she found her newfound passion in rhythmic tap. It is amazing how many sounds we can make with our feet! She went to Valhalla High School where she was a member of the dance program for three years, choreographed, and was an officer her last year. She is now at San Diego State University studying Child Development with a specialization in Visual and Performing Arts.
NANCY Rubio		NANCY RUBIO is currently performing in the Broadway production of STOMP. Nancy has been dancing most of her life. She has a passion for dance and performed in “CREW”. She truly loves teaching and being a part of her family dance/productions company when she is in town.