The People Behind the Training

Meet Our Dance Faculty

Experienced artists and educators who help dancers build strong technique, confidence, creativity, and character.

Meet Our Dance Faculty

Dance is our PASSION!

The people teaching our dancers matter. We select faculty members for their technical knowledge, their ability to teach, and the character and care they bring into the studio.

Faculty Standards

What We Look for in Every Teacher

SKILLED ARTISTS

Our instructors bring meaningful training and performance experience to the styles they teach.

EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS

Great dancers are not automatically great teachers. Our faculty must communicate clearly, adapt to individual learners, and help students make measurable progress.

CHARACTER & INTEGRITY

Our faculty members are expected to model respect, responsibility, encouragement, and professionalism in every class.

Meet the Team

Our Instructors and Staff

Owner and Programs Director

Combining her unique flavor, dynamic performance, and distinguished Peas resume, Bonita Saldaña’s influence is recognized from the streets to the stage. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, her professional career originated as a member of the Phoenix Mercury Hip- Hop Squad and the Phoenix Suns Dance Team. Also known as, “Bgirl Bonita”, she has performed with artists such as: Jason Derulo, P. Diddy, Black Eyed Peas, Sean Kingston, Fergie, and Jamiroquai. She is also a member of three of the most legendary, world- famous and credible names in Hip-Hop dance: The Rock Steady Crew, The Groovaloos and The Beat Freaks. Bonita has also been featured on Disney’s Shake It Up, Nickolodeon’s Fresh Beat Band, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and MTV’s Made. Additionally, she has performed in corporate events for NIKE, ADIDAS, Sketchers, Dillard’s, Toshiba, Red Bull, AT&T and many more.

Bonita has been an instrumental teacher for the Universal Dance Association for 15 years, helping establish their summer hip-hop choreography and adjudicating their national events. She adjudicates for Worlds, NDA National Events, Amp Dance Competition, and Hip-Hop International. She has worked with ICU and USASF helping establish their Hip-Hop curriculum for coaches and program development worldwide. Her distinctive dance choreography can be seen on collegiate, high school, and studio teams across the USA. Her knowledge and credibility in Hip-Hop have taken her to places such Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, London, Montreal, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Australia, Reunion Island, and Barcelona.

Bonita is currently living in Phoenix, Arizona with her business partner and husband, Gabriel, raising their two dancing daughters, Amoriah and Valentina all while rigorously leading her business and living out her calling. Bonita is a successful female entrepreneur as the owner of a local dance studio in Phoenix, Arizona, The Studance Lab. With her expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, and overall culture implementation, The Studance Lab is one of the newest and fastest growing dance schools in the Valley. As an online feature for Gusto Headquarters and Step X Step Dance, Bonita’s accomplishments and ingenuity has also led her to guest speaking opportunities at national and local events including Adelante Mami and Varsity University.

Ballet Instructor

Breaking Instructor | Blessed Fresh

Gabriel Saldaña began bboying in 2008 and is a member of Arizona’s very own, For the Love Krew. As a top contender in Arizona, he has inspired the dance community with his dynamic air moves and unique transitions, bringing the dance to a whole new level! Off the dance floor, he is completing his degree in Christian and Biblical studies at Grand Canyon State University. He is the “behind the scenes man” at The Studance LAB.

Teams Director

Kyla

Teams Director

Gianna

Hip Hop Instructor

Vida Toting is a 19-year-old dancer, instructor, and aspiring talent from Phoenix, Arizona. With over seven years of experience in dance, Vida teaches Hip Hop and breaking to students aged 3-18 at The Studance Lab. In addition to her passion for dance, she is training under the John Casablancas Talent Agency, focusing on expanding her skills in acting and modeling. Vida is currently a Business and Management student at Estrella Mountain Community College. Her experience includes performing with the WNBA as part of the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad and competing in numerous dance competitions and battles across the community.

Ballroom Instructor

Ivan

Instructor

Taya

Instructor

Bio coming soon

Show Cheer Instructor

Bio coming soon

Instructor

Gabby

Instructor

Bio coming soon

Hip Hop Instructor

Helena Parks is a 27 year old professional Hip Hop dance instructor that was born in Armenia & raised in Russia. She began teaching 10 years ago at the “Ener Dance Studio” of Moscow. Since then, she has traveled the world sharing her love for dance with many cultures to both children and adults. She is now engaged to be married making Arizona her home! She looks forward to growing as a teacher with The Studance Lab!

Tumbling Instructor

Bio coming soon

Hip Hop Instructor

Bio coming soon

Instructor

Beto

Instructor

Sky

Instructor

Staz/zee

Instructor

Ava

Studio Manager & Enrollment Coordinator

Monica De La Rosa is the newest member to our Studance Lab staff, but not new to the dance community. After taking a break of 5 years running her own studio, she is back to fulfill her passion of seeing the youth grow and flourish in dance and in life. She keeps herself busy as a wife to popping instructor, Tony De La Rosa, and as a mom of 3 under 3. As a family, they believe that God has called them to minister to the youth through dance but also as Student Coaches for their church, Catalyst Church. When not changing diapers or making bottles, you can most likely find Monica at Starbucks-Hot White Mocha, in case you were wondering. Before returning to the Lab, Monica was the Volunteer Coordinator and Life Enrichment Specialist for Beatitudes Campus, a life plan community in central Phoenix. Monica is excited to be a part of the Studance Lab family (literally and figuratively- as the sister of Gabriel Saldana), to see the students grow, and to build lasting friendships!

Administrative Assistant

Bio coming soon

Experience the Difference

Meet the team in the studio

The best way to understand our teaching approach is to experience a class and find the right fit.