Meet Our STAFF

Nicole Hardman

Studio Owner / Teacher

Creative Dance, Tap, Jazz & Ballet

"My dance experience started at 4 years old when I took a tap/ballet class at my local community center. At the age of 10 I joined a dance studio and participated in tap, jazz & ballet, performing in annual performances and competitions. My love for dance continued into college, where I majored in Dance Education. During my years at Brigham Young University, I had opportunities to perform in educational outreach programs both locally and in New York inner city schools. While on the east coast, I participated in a collaboration with Temple University performing at the Dance and the Child International conference. The following year I was able to attend the DACI conference in The Hague, Netherlands where I presented research to other dance educators involving the positive effects of dance for the development of our youth. I firmly believe that art, music and dance can enhance a child's educational, emotional, physical and social development. Teaching dance brings me so much joy!"

Mirandy Lewis

Office Manager

"My name is Mirandy Lewis, and I have been involved with dance & music for most of my life! I have 5 kids ages 20 to 12. My daughter started dancing at just 18 months old and is now in her senior year of high school. I also have 4 boys that play different musical instruments. I was also a band/choir kid throughout school and played the piano and percussion. I absolutely love the arts and love that we can bring the art of dance & music to Fernley!" 

Melissa Franz

Teacher

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre

"My name is Melissa Franz and I have been dancing since I was 3 years old! I have danced for 20 years and have been teaching dance for the last 8 years. I love working with children and watching how dance helps them develop self-confidence and unlocks their artistic creativity. I have taught ballet, hip-hop, and musical theater. I have performed in Broadway pieces, musicals, and other performing arts, and I love them all! I am a mother to two children and a director for a daycare center. I am also a vocal coach and a trained opera singer. The arts are just my forte and working with children is my passion. I look forward to working with your children in the upcoming dance year."

  Jamen Workman

Teacher

Percussion

"My name is Jamen Workman. I am currently going to college for music education. I started learning to read music in the first grade and started playing percussion when I got into the third grade. In high school, I played in the jazz band, concert band and marching band. I am currently a part of the UNR marching band's drumline. I also am on the worship team at Summit Church, as their drummer. I am also the drummer for the rock band, In Another Life. Music is my passion, and I love teaching!

  Noah Chavez

Teacher

Guitar, Piano

Noah was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and was surrounded by music from a very young age. When he was eight years old, his parents put him into piano lessons. He continued those lessons for nearly twelve years performing at the UNLV Junior festival competition for the majority of those years. After graduating high school, Noah picked up the guitar and music production in an attempt to start creating his own original material. His love for music and songwriting inspired him to begin playing in a band, In Another Life, a band that he continues to rock on with today. Noah also writes and produces music with his brother Alex for the band Myriad. In addition to music, Noah also enjoys rock climbing, reading, running and hiking among other hobbies. Noah is excited to spread his love of music, piano and guitar to inspire the next generation of rockers and pianists. 

  David Marble

Teacher

Guitar, Bass

"My name is David Marble I’m 36 years old. My wonderful wife and I have two awesome boys that are also involved in music here at FPA. I was formally trained in folk, blues, and rock with guitar. I spent much of my teens and early 20s in bands, playing at many venues and for crowds large and small, from recitals to punk rock shows! Playing and Producing music has always been a large passion of mine. I have taught guitar for the last 15 years and have had a blast teaching kids and adults of all ages how to pick up a guitar or bass and play the music they love! I look forward to working with you and your kids to help explore the amazing world the music has to offer!"

  Sarah Roberts

Teacher

Violin

My name is Sarah Roberts. I started learning to play the violin when I was 9 years old and took lessons for 10 years. I studied under David Porter, a violinist for the Utah Symphony. I competed in violin federation for 8 years, earning several awards for my performances. I participated in Suzuki Institute for 4 summers and played in a community orchestra as well as chamber groups. I have been teaching for almost two years now. I took a break from violin while I was in college and starting a family. I have loved getting back into violin and helping my students learn to express their creativity through music.  

 Laken Boonlua

Teacher / Coach

Competition Teams, Tumbling, Technique,  Jazz

"Hi, I am Laken Boonlua & I trained at my home dance studio, Center Stage Dance Academy out of Long Beach, CA for 17 years. I was professionally trained in all styles of dance and nationally competitive for over a decade! I was a part of my varsity high school dance team & began my love for choreographing at the young age of 10. I had the opportunity of training with the Radio City Rockettes and my love for kick lines was born. As an adult, I continued dancing for a semi-professional football league until I decided to start a family. I have 4 beautiful children and a wonderful husband. For the last 3 years, I have had the opportunity to coach again and proudly built 3 competitive dance teams with Fernley Performing Arts. I also have the opportunity to expand my coaching with Five Star Athletics' Velocity Dance program. I have a passion for dance to share and enjoy the challenge of choreographing competitive dance routines all while cultivating a trusting, supportive & positive chemistry and foundation on each team!" 

Sophie Workman

Teacher

Ballet, Creative, Jazz, Tumbling

"My name is Sophie Workman and I started dance when I was 2 years old. I have been dancing for almost 16 years now. I am currently on the senior competition team. I have been helping teach children ages 3 - 8 for the past few years and I absolutely love it! I have experience in ballet, jazz, hip hop, pom, and tap. I love staying in shape and being active. I have participated in soccer, cheerleading, dance team, wrestling and track at my school. I also enjoy babysitting and love spending time with little kids."

Molly Wilkinson

Teacher

Hip Hop, Tap

"My name is Molly Wilkinson. I have been dancing for as long as I can remember. Dance is one of my favorite things, it is such an amazing way to express yourself and have fun! I have been teaching dance for 3 years now, and it is one of my favorite things! I love to teach children how awesome dance can be!

Annabella Villa

Teacher

Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tumbling

"My name is Annabella Villa, I am 14 years old and currently a sophomore at FHS.  I have experience in jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop. I am currently assisting at FPA for ballet and I am also part of the competition team. I have danced and assisted at multiple dance studios, and I love to teach the little dancers and help them grow to love to dance the same way I do!"

Lindsay Durocher

Teacher

Mommy & Me

"I’m Lindsay Durocher. I grew up in Utah. We’ve lived in Fernley for four years now and really enjoy it. My husband and I just celebrated 11 years of marriage and we have four kids. I used to teach elementary school, but right now I stay home with the kids. I also teach REFIT classes at my gym and church. I love kids, music, dance and movement so the Mommy and Me class is perfect for me!"

Reece Chapman

Teacher

Tap

"My name is Reece Chapman. I love dance, and I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old. I have experience in ballet, contemporary, and tap. Music has always been a passion of mine and it’s something that makes me happy. My favorite type of dance is tap, and I’m so excited to teach. I’m a senior in high school and I love singing, dancing, and pretty much anything having to do with music. I’m very excited for the year to come. It’s gonna be so fun!"

Hannah Banuelos

Videographer Intern

Studio Pictures/Videos

"Hi! I’m Hannah Banuelos and I’m the Intern Videographer at FPA. I’m pursuing a Bachelors of Film and Media Production at the University of Nevada Reno where I plan to create fictional films hopefully as a Director someday. I also have a big background in editing, and I can create many means of media, whether it’s photographic or video. I also have a huge background in Percussion, where I’ve performed on snare for two years and bass drum for one year at UNR; I have a total of 9 years of musical experience. Regarding my field, I’ve always been interested in the performing arts, and it’s why I desire to pursue film. To enhance the recognition of performing artists of all ages, and I’m excited to be able to do so here at FPA. 

Demi Tekelidis

Teacher

Ballet

“My name is Demi Tekelidis and I’ve been dancing ever since I learned my first plié! My dance journey started when I was 6 dancing recreationally; I instantly fell in love with ballet and the Vaganova technique. I continued to dance all the way up until I was diagnosed with extreme scoliosis which required a surgery that would forever impact my range of motion. However, my love for dance made what should have been a halt in my journey into a mere bump in the road. I reintroduced dance into my life when I joined my high school cheer team which was where I learned a love for pom dance. I continued my ballet training at Western Nevada Performing Arts center and then at the UNR where I now dance ballet and minor in dance education. UNR is where I fell in love with teaching dance while studying dance pedagogy. I have now taught numerous dance classes ranging from summer camps all the way to professional warm up classes! My favorite part about teaching ballet is sharing my love of the technique with the little dancers and teaching them that if you have passion and dedication, anything is possible!

Bella Bezinque

Teacher

Hip Hop, Jazz

"My name is Bella Bezinque. I am 17 years old and a senior at Fernley High School. I am currently in my 4th year of varsity dance at FHS. I have 8 years of dance experience, school teams and studio time. My favorite dance styles are contemporary, hip hop and jazz. I am excited to continue my passion of teaching dance to others!