About Us
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(619) 299-METRO(6387)
FAX - (619) 299-6389
5304 Metro St Ste. B 92110
Joanne Lovejoy
Director/Teacher/Choreographer
Joanne, is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. As a teen Joanne performed along side the “Bright Side Singers” in
Bob Hope’s USO shows in California. She was a singer and dancer for “Cabaret Review” produced by On The Town
Productions, as well as for numerous productions with the “Rhythm-Aire Players”, including “Rhythm is our Business”
and “Final Encore.” She choreographed “Annie” and “Little Shop of Horrors” for Children's Creative and Performing
Arts School in S.D., and her choreography was recently showcased at the Lycum Theater in the California Youth
Conservatory Theater’s production of “Little Shop Of Horrors” directed by Shaun Evans. In addition Joanne has been
involved with Mothers and Daughters Club Assisting Philanthropies (MADCAPS), a philanthropic organization, as a
choreographer for the past 15 years. Her studio, Joanne's Dance Place, was the training ground for many dancers
who have performed on cruise ships, in Vegas shows, and on Broadway. For the past twelve years she has been on
the teaching staff at several local dance studios including S.D. Danceworks and Culture Shock Dance Center
providing classes for children through adults offering various dance diciplines from beginning through advanced
levels.
Director/Teacher/Choreographer
Joanne, is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. As a teen Joanne performed along side the “Bright Side Singers” in
Bob Hope’s USO shows in California. She was a singer and dancer for “Cabaret Review” produced by On The Town
Productions, as well as for numerous productions with the “Rhythm-Aire Players”, including “Rhythm is our Business”
and “Final Encore.” She choreographed “Annie” and “Little Shop of Horrors” for Children's Creative and Performing
Arts School in S.D., and her choreography was recently showcased at the Lycum Theater in the California Youth
Conservatory Theater’s production of “Little Shop Of Horrors” directed by Shaun Evans. In addition Joanne has been
involved with Mothers and Daughters Club Assisting Philanthropies (MADCAPS), a philanthropic organization, as a
choreographer for the past 15 years. Her studio, Joanne's Dance Place, was the training ground for many dancers
who have performed on cruise ships, in Vegas shows, and on Broadway. For the past twelve years she has been on
the teaching staff at several local dance studios including S.D. Danceworks and Culture Shock Dance Center
providing classes for children through adults offering various dance diciplines from beginning through advanced
levels.
April Barnes-Sanders
Director/Teacher/Choreographer
April is a graduate of the San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts. She competed in tap, jazz, hula, and
clogging winning numerous Sweepstakes and First Place Awards in local and national competitions. She began
teaching at a very young age at Leah Walker Dance Studio. Then later moved on to teach at Joanne’s Dance Place,
Carlsbad Dance Centre, San Diego Danceworks, and was part owner of the dance studio Rhythm & Dance. She
teaches ages 2 through adult in beginning through advanced levels, including all of the Competition Groups. She
has taken her students to competition where over the years they have consistently placed in the top five overall. She
has been teaching for over eighteen years. Although she teaches many forms of dance her true love and forte is tap.
Director/Teacher/Choreographer
April is a graduate of the San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts. She competed in tap, jazz, hula, and
clogging winning numerous Sweepstakes and First Place Awards in local and national competitions. She began
teaching at a very young age at Leah Walker Dance Studio. Then later moved on to teach at Joanne’s Dance Place,
Carlsbad Dance Centre, San Diego Danceworks, and was part owner of the dance studio Rhythm & Dance. She
teaches ages 2 through adult in beginning through advanced levels, including all of the Competition Groups. She
has taken her students to competition where over the years they have consistently placed in the top five overall. She
has been teaching for over eighteen years. Although she teaches many forms of dance her true love and forte is tap.
Kathy Benson
Teacher/Choreographer
Kathy Benson has been teaching tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet and acrobatics in San Diego for the past 26 years. She is
very proud that she has trained many of the local dance teachers in San Diego. She has been associated with San
Diego Dance Centre, Dance Machine, The Tumble Shop, The Kearny Mesa Dance Academy and many more. Kathy
has received countless “Best Choreography” awards and has won many sweepstake awards. She has danced in
and even choreographed shows in Las Vegas. She danced in “Jesus Christ Super Star” at the Civic Theater and
was lead dancer in “Bah Humbug” at the Spreckels Theater. She was also one of the original dancers on “The San
Diego Dance Team”. Other credits include, choreographing for Granite Hills High School and the philanthropic
group, The SPRITES.
Kathy received her training at San Diego Dance Centre, California Ballet, Grossmont College and the EDGE. Her
students have won several regional, state and national titles. She has trained dancers that have gone on to dance
professionally on cruise ships, in dance videos and even on Broadway.
Teacher/Choreographer
Kathy Benson has been teaching tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet and acrobatics in San Diego for the past 26 years. She is
very proud that she has trained many of the local dance teachers in San Diego. She has been associated with San
Diego Dance Centre, Dance Machine, The Tumble Shop, The Kearny Mesa Dance Academy and many more. Kathy
has received countless “Best Choreography” awards and has won many sweepstake awards. She has danced in
and even choreographed shows in Las Vegas. She danced in “Jesus Christ Super Star” at the Civic Theater and
was lead dancer in “Bah Humbug” at the Spreckels Theater. She was also one of the original dancers on “The San
Diego Dance Team”. Other credits include, choreographing for Granite Hills High School and the philanthropic
group, The SPRITES.
Kathy received her training at San Diego Dance Centre, California Ballet, Grossmont College and the EDGE. Her
students have won several regional, state and national titles. She has trained dancers that have gone on to dance
professionally on cruise ships, in dance videos and even on Broadway.
| METRO DANCE OFFICE STAFF |
| Lynn Dobbs |
| Dori Hoadley |
| METRO DANCE STAFF |
Marissa Nunes
Teacher/Choreographer
Marissa M. Nunes is proud to be a dance educator and is excited to have been provided with the opportunity to
share her movement with the dancers at Metro Dance with directors Joanne, Robin, and April. Marissa graduated
from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2007 and became certified in Zumba
Fitness since May 2008. Marissa has been teaching dance to all ages and levels in a variety of styles and settings
from recreational to competitive and professional for ten years. Through dance she has been fortunate enough to
travel to places such as Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, and throughout the United States to learn, teach, perform,
and share Dance as an international language of expression and understanding.
Teacher/Choreographer
Marissa M. Nunes is proud to be a dance educator and is excited to have been provided with the opportunity to
share her movement with the dancers at Metro Dance with directors Joanne, Robin, and April. Marissa graduated
from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 2007 and became certified in Zumba
Fitness since May 2008. Marissa has been teaching dance to all ages and levels in a variety of styles and settings
from recreational to competitive and professional for ten years. Through dance she has been fortunate enough to
travel to places such as Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, and throughout the United States to learn, teach, perform,
and share Dance as an international language of expression and understanding.
Laurel Dreisbach
Teacher/Choreographer
Laurel has been dancing since the age of four. She has studied various styles including tap, clog, hula, Tahitian,
jazz, and hip hop. She is an experienced competition dancer, having participated in competitions since the age of
nine. Her favorite styles are tap and clog. She is currently getting her degree in Dance and Child Development. She
continues her dance education by attending various dance classes, and dance conventions.
Laurel became a part of the Metro Dance family as a student in mid 2007, since then she has become a vital part of
our teaching and administrative staff. She loves working with the young aspiring dancers, and is hoping to get a
competition class of her own. She enjoys being part of the team and looks forward to what Metro Dance has to offer.
Teacher/Choreographer
Laurel has been dancing since the age of four. She has studied various styles including tap, clog, hula, Tahitian,
jazz, and hip hop. She is an experienced competition dancer, having participated in competitions since the age of
nine. Her favorite styles are tap and clog. She is currently getting her degree in Dance and Child Development. She
continues her dance education by attending various dance classes, and dance conventions.
Laurel became a part of the Metro Dance family as a student in mid 2007, since then she has become a vital part of
our teaching and administrative staff. She loves working with the young aspiring dancers, and is hoping to get a
competition class of her own. She enjoys being part of the team and looks forward to what Metro Dance has to offer.
Tammy Smith
Teacher/Choreographer
Teacher/Choreographer
Danielle Craft
Teacher/Choreographer
Danielle has been dancing for 15 years. Specializing in tap and jazz, she has also trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical,
hula, clog, and hip hop. She has been an active member of competition teams for ten years where she has gone
on to win numerous regional and national awards. Currently, she is in her sophomore year at San Diego State
majoring in Dance and plans to graduate in 2013.
Teacher/Choreographer
Danielle has been dancing for 15 years. Specializing in tap and jazz, she has also trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical,
hula, clog, and hip hop. She has been an active member of competition teams for ten years where she has gone
on to win numerous regional and national awards. Currently, she is in her sophomore year at San Diego State
majoring in Dance and plans to graduate in 2013.
Amber Hendrix
Teacher/Choreographer
Amber has been teaching in the San Diego area for over 15 years. She began her dance training at the early age of
2 at Joanne’s Dance Place, under the direction of Joanne Lovejoy. In her early teens she began to train at various
studios throughout the San Diego and Los Angeles areas, participating in numerous dance conventions and
master classes. She competed in regional and national dance competitions, earning top awards for group and
solo routines. She began teaching while still in high school, winning “Best Overall Choreography” awards at
various dance competitions. She was a dancer for M&B Dance Productions, and has performed professionally at
San Diego Street Scene, the Los Angeles Music & Arts Festival, and various entertainment venues throughout the
San Diego and Los Angeles areas. Amber has worked with the Clairemont High School theatre department,
choreographing for their production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” She also headed the Dance Program at Clairemont
High for the 2008-2009 school year. Her choreography has been showcased at several Southwestern College
Dance concerts as well. Amber’s teaching styles include tap/rhythm tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical
dance. She enjoys working with students of all ages and levels.
Teacher/Choreographer
Amber has been teaching in the San Diego area for over 15 years. She began her dance training at the early age of
2 at Joanne’s Dance Place, under the direction of Joanne Lovejoy. In her early teens she began to train at various
studios throughout the San Diego and Los Angeles areas, participating in numerous dance conventions and
master classes. She competed in regional and national dance competitions, earning top awards for group and
solo routines. She began teaching while still in high school, winning “Best Overall Choreography” awards at
various dance competitions. She was a dancer for M&B Dance Productions, and has performed professionally at
San Diego Street Scene, the Los Angeles Music & Arts Festival, and various entertainment venues throughout the
San Diego and Los Angeles areas. Amber has worked with the Clairemont High School theatre department,
choreographing for their production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” She also headed the Dance Program at Clairemont
High for the 2008-2009 school year. Her choreography has been showcased at several Southwestern College
Dance concerts as well. Amber’s teaching styles include tap/rhythm tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical
dance. She enjoys working with students of all ages and levels.