Instructors
Jenna Mitchell
Jenna Mitchell has been a guest dance director for the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble since 2006, and the owner of World Rhythm & Motion Dance studio since 1999. Jenna began her dance training as a child focusing on classical ballet, modern and jazz, and later performing with Cal Poly’s Orchesis Dance Company. Middle Eastern Dance became her passion 20 years ago which led her to study with master teachers in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and the US. A long time San Luis Obispo resident, Cal Poly graduate, mother and human resources manager, Jenna loves to share diverse dances from the Arab World with the local community and further abroad.
Sylvia Ke'alalaua'eokalani Hambly
Sylvia Hambly is the director of Hālau Hula Na Mele o ke Kai. Her dancing experience started in southern California when she was 5 years old and included many years of formal dance training in several disciplines.
Her passion for hula developed under the watchful eye of Virginia Millar. Sylvia is committed to the preservation and perpetuation of hula, the Hawaiian language and the traditions of the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures. Following tradition, she shares her knowledge of centuries-old hula with her hālau and encourages men and women of all ages to come and experience aloha.
Sylvia continues to participate in kumu hula training with Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett with whom she celebrated ‘uniki (graduation) in 2012. Loea was the first to present the opportunity to ‘uniki to a mainland group.
Talia Ortega
Talia Ortega is a San Luis Obispo native, and currently majoring in Music at Cal Poly. She has developed a solid career in music and dance locally, with a long involvement with the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble as a flutist, singer and dancer. Under the study of Laura Garcia of Garcia Studios in Lompoc, Talia has been a top student of Flamenco dance and has been sharing her passion for the art through teaching in SLO for a few years.
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The SLO Rugcutters have been providing swing dance lessons for all ages and experience levels on the California Central Coast. For more information visit http://www.sloswing.com.
