Our instructors

DeeAnn Valine

DeeAnn Valine is a seasoned dancer and the owner and director of the renowned Academy of Danse. With over 40 years of experience, DeeAnn's love for dance began in her childhood, mastering tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. After attending Solano Jr. College and training under Sherri Stockdale, an accomplished choreographer, DeeAnn discovered her passion for musical theatre.

In 1994, DeeAnn's dream came true as she established The Academy of Danse. For the first three years, she taught up to 25 classes per week while managing the studio. In 1995, she formed the Academy of Danse Competition Company, which has excelled in various styles, including musical theatre, at prestigious Bay Area competitions.

DeeAnn takes immense pride in the welcoming and challenging atmosphere at the Academy of Danse. Students of all levels are encouraged to grow and improve, and many consider the studio their second home. DeeAnn's high expectations and dedication to her students have fostered a strong sense of family within the studio.

With a supportive staff, DeeAnn continues to nurture talent and create a community where dancers thrive. Her unwavering commitment to her students' progress and her love for dance drive her to help others fulfill their dreams. The Academy of Danse stands is a testament to her vision and passion, providing a space where dancers of all backgrounds can discover their potential and experience the joy of dance.

Alex Walder

Alex, born in Wisconsin and raised in Napa, discovered her passion for dance at three years old. Joining the Academy of Danse at seven, she embraced tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, pointe, contemporary, and musical theater. As a member and team captain of the Academy's Competition Company, Alex treasured the close-knit community and lasting friendships. Graduating from Vintage High School in 2019, she contributed to the dance program as a performer and choreographer. Currently studying Medicinal Biochemistry at Napa Valley College, Alex also works in administration and medical research. As a dedicated dance teacher for hip-hop, jazz, and ballet, Alex relishes nurturing her students' progress and looks forward to another inspiring year at the studio.

Beth Rowles

Beth's dance journey began with an interest in ballet, sparking a passion that led her to Academy of Danse at age 7. From ballet to jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop, she embraced various dance styles. Beth's love for musical theater allowed her to blend character portrayal with diverse dance techniques. Performing since the age of 3, she treasures the stage, participating in school plays, voice/piano recitals, and dance recitals, missing only one due to injury. Beth's six years on the Competition Company enriched her teaching with dedication and hard work. Being raised in a large family, she values patience and cherishes teaching Tiny Tots and Musical Theater for the past three and four years, respectively. Excited for the year ahead!

Bianca Rodriguez

Bianca, a teacher at the Academy of Danse for 7 years, has been with us since age three. Over the years, she's learned various styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, and contemporary. She joined the Napa Valley College Ballet Folklorico group at five, performing Mexican regional dances for seven years. Later, she was asked to audition for the Academy's competition team. As the youngest member, she appreciated having role models and was part of the team for five years. Bianca's journey helped her discover her confidence, which she hopes to instill in others. In addition to teaching at the studio, she has worked with kids at an in-home preschool since 2017. Bianca is passionate about helping others build confidence through dance and enjoy it as much as she does.

Caitlin Henry

Caitlin, born and raised in Napa Valley, began dancing at age 4 at the Academy of Danse and has been dancing ever since. Over the years, she has studied various dance styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, musical theater, modern, and contemporary. After high school, Caitlin continued dancing at college and graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.A. in psychology. She obtained dance fitness certifications in Zumba and Zumba Kids while in college. Passionate about working with children, Caitlin teaches dance, works at West Park Elementary School, and is a director for Experience Camps. Caitlin has been back at the Academy of Danse for 11 years and is excited to share her love of dance with more students this year.

Devin Trosky

Devin's dance journey began at Academy of Danse when she was just four years old. Over eleven years, she trained in various styles and competed for four. At twelve, she started teaching her own classes to help fund her competitions, igniting her love for teaching. In high school, Devin danced and competed with Chapkis Dance Family's Prophecy team for three years and the Lisa Clark Dancers for two. She also taught at local schools, gaining valuable teaching experience. At UCSB, she danced with Urban Dance Company, serving as artistic director and choreographer for three years. Returning to Academy of Danse in 2019, Devin now teaches Hip Hop 5 and coaches alongside her sister, Erin, for competitions.

Erin Trosky

Erin discovered her passion for dance at age 4 in Academy of Danse's pre-dance program. Throughout her journey, her love for dance only grew stronger. She danced at AoD, spending a year on the pre-competition team and three years on the competition team. In high school, Erin pursued professional hip hop at Chapkis Dance, competing and performing with them. She excelled, winning 1st place in the USA with two teams at Hip Hop International in 2016. Erin's teaching experience expanded when she joined her sister, Devin, as an assistant for Hip Hop 5 at Academy of Dance in 2020. Proudly entering her second year as an official assistant and co-coach, Erin brings her experience back to her home studio, watching her students flourish.

Jaycie Valine

Jaycie has dedicated 23 years to dancing and has coached the competition company for a decade. Her choreographed routines have received numerous awards, including the highest-scoring overall routine and multiple choreographers' awards. Jaycie graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in biology and aspires to teach science at the secondary level. Balancing her studies with a busy schedule, she taught, coached, and choreographed for the Academy of Danse, taking classes in various dance styles. Jaycie, who dances with her sisters and learned from her mother, DeeAnn, values community and a safe dance environment. She aims to continue fostering a dance family at the Academy of Danse where students can freely express themselves and grow as dancers and individuals.

Jessica Valine

Jessica has been dancing at Academy of Danse since 2006, starting in Tiny Tots. Her passion for dance never wavers, as she constantly practices on her own or with her teacher sisters, Julia and Jaycie Valine. From the Pre-competition Company in 2014 to the highest-level competition pieces, Jessica thrives in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Technique classes. Having grown up immersed in the dance world, she continues to learn and eagerly passes down her knowledge to her students, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment. Jessica's joy stems from her shared love for dance and creating an inclusive dance family alongside her mom and sisters.

Kiera Ruscica

Kiera discovered her love for dance at age 7, starting with tap and later exploring various styles like jazz, hip hop, ballet, and pointe. In 2018, she joined the pre-competition team and advanced to the competition company in 2019. Kiera cherishes the camaraderie with her team and the chance to showcase their hard work through competitions. Conventions have been a highlight for her, as they offer exposure to diverse dance perspectives from teachers nationwide. Despite the challenge of learning new choreography quickly, Kiera embraces the growth it brings, earning many scholarships. At 13, she became an assistant teacher and has nurtured young dancers for four years, aiming to teach her own class. Kiera is currently attending Justin Siena High School, balancing academics with her dance passion. She is also involved in art classes and enjoys painting, holding a special place in her heart for the visual and performing arts.

Lila Lu

Lila's love for dance began at age 9 when she enrolled in jazz and ballet classes. Soon after, she joined the pre-competition team and found her second home in the dance studio. Dance became Lila's greatest passion, where she met her best friends and found a supportive dance family. Now, Lila has been a member of the AOD competition company for four years, participating in styles like jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary. Outside the studio, Lila has always enjoyed working with kids, gaining experience in childcare and assisting dance classes for two years. Her time assisting has fueled her desire to teach. Lila is thrilled about her new role at the Academy of Danse, eager to share her knowledge and help students develop their skills. She aims to create a nurturing environment where students feel safe and part of a close-knit dance family.

Mackenzie Cole

Mackenzie Cole, born and raised in Napa, has been dancing since she can remember. Starting at age two, she fell in love with ballet and eventually joined Academy of Danse at 7, embracing her dance family. Joining the Junior Competition Company at 11, Mackenzie flourished in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre, and pointe. After graduating from New Technology High School in 2019, she completed a program at Portland Bible College and is currently studying at Napa Valley College. With a passion for working with children, Mackenzie teaches ballet and coaches the junior lyrical dancers. Excited to help her students grow and strengthen their skills, she looks forward to their dance journey.