GET TO KNOW
THE FACULTY
SARA GONZALEZ
Co-Founder | Director
Sara began dancing at Impact's former studio "Ballet Etc" when she was four years old. She grew up thinking of Impact as her second home, training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical and various other styles. At the age of 16, she began pursuing her professional dance career, starring in shows such as "Wizards of Waverly Place," "Lab Rats," "Victorious," "Liv and Maddie" and various others. Sara is so grateful to have grown up dancing at such a wonderful studio, and feels blessed to be able to pass on her love of dance to the next generation of dancers.
MEAGAN MANAHAN
Co-Founder | Director
Meagan began dancing at "Ballet Etc." when she was six years old and continued training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop at Impact through her high school years. She furthered her dance education at the University of Southern California, where she performed with the Repertory Dance Company and Sokamba Performing Arts Company, and minored in Dance at the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Impact has always had a very special place in Meagan's heart. She feels extremely grateful and blessed to work with the wonderful students and instructors who make up the Impact Family.
CEJAE KENDRICK
Dance Instructor
Miss Cejae was born and raised in Yorba Linda California. She has studied lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop in Anaheim, CA and started at the age of two and a half. Her passion for teaching the competition team stems from being a competitive dancer herself. She teaches all styles and ages at Impact Dance x Wellness. Many opportunities have come her way such as teaching/coaching in a high school setting along with other studios since a young age! Her hope is to inspire the younger generation and to increase their confidence in themselves while exploring all the capabilities of movement. "Having somewhere to go is HOME, Having someone to love is FAMILY, Having both is a BLESSING."
"Let us praise HIM with dance."
-Psalm 149:3
TEAL BRINKMAN
Dance Instructor
Teal began dancing at age 8 at British Dance Academy in Kent, Washington where she trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and tap. She began teaching at Impact in 2013 when she moved to Azusa to study nursing. She now works full time as intensive care nurse as well as teaching at Impact. Teal is so thankful to Impact for bringing so much joy to her life. She is grateful for the opportunities Impact has given her to grow as a choreographer, dancer, and person, and is excited to continue watching and helping the next generation of dancers grow. Her favorite parts about Impact? The sweet students, the teachers who have become friends, and sticker time of course
LISA LOPEZ
Dance Instructor
Lisa has been part of Impact Dance Academy since 2013. She has trained at prominent dance studios before pursuing her formal Classical Ballet training at the Inland Pacific Ballet Academy. She has performed with the Inland Pacific Ballet Company. She furthered her dance education at Citrus College, studying Commercial Dance. The Citrus Dance Department allowed her to travel to New York through her studies as a dancer. She has participated in a number of dance intensive programs and has numerous stage performances to her credit. Lisa continues to perform and train to stay current in her craft. Although dancing professionally will always be her true passion, Lisa has discovered a new passion in teaching. She hopes to encourage and inspire her students to follow their own passions.
LESLIE SANDOVAL
Dance Instructor
Leslie was born and raised in West Covina CA. She was introduced to dance at the age of six, but didn’t start pursuing her professional career until the age of 17. She began dancing at Dellos Dance and Performing Arts, where she studied all styles that were offered--from ballet to hip hop, jazz, tap, and lyrical. At 17 she decided to start her training in LA where she’s been able to work with and be exposed to all different types of artistic movers. With her inspiration and knowledge she was able to create a style and space that allows everyone to understand their body movement. She teaches contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop at Impact with the want to teach students that there is no limitations with dance. She hopes to spread freedom and individuality through her art wherever her career in teaching may take her.
LILIANA CENTENO
Dance Instructor
Miss Lily was born and raised in Covina, CA and danced at “Dancemaker” in Covina. Since the age of 3 she has trained in theater and has been dancing styles such as jazz, tap, pointe, modern, ballet, lyrical, and hiphop. She attended Azusa Pacific University where she studied biology and was a collegiate cheerleader. Miss Lily has been involved in several productions such a as “Hairspray,” “Ragtime," "Les Miserables," "Into the Woods," and has performed for the talent industry "IPOP” as well as the “City of Hope” organization.
“I love Impact because of the friendships that surround the studio. You make life long memories and friends while demonstrating your passion for dance. I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else!”
APRIL BRAUN
BodyBarre, Mat Pilates
April developed a passion for fitness when she began dancing at age 3, April was among the first group of certified BodyBarre instructors, and is now a BodyBarre Ambassador & Master Trainer. April currently travels the country, training new BodyBarre instructors in the original BodyBarre method, handles marketing and communication for the main
BodyBarre studio in Houston, TX and often appears in the weekly BodyBarre YouTube series videos.
ASHLEY ABBOTT
Vinyasa Yoga, Turnt Tuesday Flow, Flashback Friday Flow, Power Vinyasa
Ashley is a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher registered with the Yoga Alliance. She completed her yoga teacher training with YogaWorks in SoHo, New York City. As a daily practitioner, Ashley discovered her love of yoga and studying the body in movement through dance, which she began training in at age 5 in New Jersey and New York City. She relocated to California to pursue her passion in both mediums of movement, after graduating magma cum laude from Elon University, North Carolina as a BFA Dance Performance and Choreography, BA Arts Administration double major, with a minor in Business Administration. She has been teaching dance for 8 years, ranging in styles from ballet, to contemporary, to West African. Currently, she is performing in Fantasmic! at the Disneyland Resort, and it makes her heart full to share her passion both on the stage and in the studio.
JESSICA MILLENDER
Yin Yoga & Meditation
Jessica is a Southern California native with a background as a school educator. Her mission in life evolved to educating others on the benefits of yoga and meditation, in hopes of influencing positive change in people’s lives. She is a Certified Mediation Teacher, and a Registered Yoga Alliance Yin Yoga Instructor. Learning to build inner strength, following one's true authentic self are the visions Jessica hopes to cultivate in her students.