FACULTY.
Danielle Bordeaux is the cofounder and contemporary director/choreographer at DNA Dance Collective. Danielle started dancing at a young age in her hometown San Ramon and gradually expanded her dance training throughout California. Danielle gained her strengths and techniques from various studios as a competitive dancer and went on to pursue a career as a contemporary choreographer in 2012. During her years as an instructor and choreographer, Danielle danced professionally for NBA on the Sacramento Kings Dance Team and represented the brand for three consecutive seasons. Throughout her exposure as an ambassador with the Sacramento Kings, Danielle had the opportunity to travel internationally to India, China and Canada where she performed and connected with small communities around the world. Her students have gone on to pursue dance careers of their own through MSA Talent Agency representation, on collegiate dance teams and in the NFL. In the Spring of 2019, Danielle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Dance from Sacramento State University. Danielle’s students inspire her to push the boundaries of movement while combining different aesthetics into her work which has resulted in 2x National Grand Champions with DNA Dance Collective. Dance has empowered her to sustain healthy relationships with her friends, family and mentees that also help foster her passion within the local dance community.
Derek Troy is the cofounder and hip-hop director/choreographer for DNA Dance Collective. Derek grew up in the small town of Rocklin, CA where his passion for dance was sparked at the age of 17. Derek has trained in many genres of dance but considers himself to be an all-styles hip-hop dancer. He has trained in styles such as: locking, popping, breaking and animation. After training in hip-hop for several years, Derek then started dancing with hip-hop icon Greg Chapkis, where he and his crew won 1st place in the country at Hip-Hop International and World of Dance Bay Area in 2014. Dancing In Sacramento, Derek then began training with cast members from the Jabbawokeez where he was properly trained in freestyle fundamentals. Continuing through his hip-hop career, he then went on to sign with the Movement Talent Agency (MSA) in Los Angeles, CA. His passion for dance is exponential, but his love and commitment to teaching and training students has surpassed even that. He is a sought after teacher and choreographer in the Sacramento area ranging all the way from Nevada to the state of Hawaii. Derek was also nominated for “Best Dance Instructor 2017” by Styles Magazine in the Rocklin, Granite Bay, and Loomis Area where he placed 2nd. He has won multiple 1st place overall titles at competitions such as Starbound, KAR, Legacy, Rainbow and Onstage New York. Recently, Derek garnered awards for “Best Choreography" by Legacy Dance Competition. Derek has also trained dancers who have made appearances on such platforms such as: Netflix Original shows, Hulu, So You Think You Can Dance, and more.
Amber Rodriguez is the cofounder and tap/jazz director/choreographer at DNA Dance Collective. After 20 years of professional dance training in the Bay Area, North Carolina and South Carolina, Amber has been teaching, choreographing and directing competitive and recreational dancers since 2007. Most recently, she has been choreographing and teaching at local studios in the Placer County area, and also in Los Gatos at a nationally ranked studio. She has trained dancers that have gone on to study dance at: Sacramento State, University of Kansas, Chapman University, San Diego State, UCLA, UCI, and perform for NFL and NBA dance teams. Dancers under Amber's direction have been signed with various agencies in Los Angeles, and New York and have gone on to study dance further at Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and tour with conventions such as Tremaine, ASH, and BellaMoxi. In addition to receiving her Masters degree from UC Davis, Amber has adjudicated for various national dance competitions (both studio and high school/collegiate based), and produced nationally recognized choreography for studio, high school and collegiate dancers all over the United States. Dancers trained by Amber have earned many top overalls, judges' awards, and accolades for best technique and choreography. Outside of her passion for dance, Amber currently works as a technical recruiter for a tech company based in Santa Barbara and enjoys spending time with her husband and little girl, Penelope.
Mercedes is a hip hop teacher and choreographer at DNA Dance Collective and Mercedes has been training extensively in hip hop for the last decade. Her expertise is in multiple styles of hip hop and has been choreographing winning pieces for the last 8 years at multiple studios across Northern California. She has trained and performed with crews in Sacramento such as Xposed Dance Company. Dancers training with Mercedes have won national titles and awards with her choreography. Mercedes is very passionate about training the next generation of kids to continue the the culture of hip hop and embrace who they are... and how they love to dance!
Jordan is a young, yet innovative choreographer. He is known for his technical style with that blends jazz, lyrical and contemporary, all which are in his background dance education. He specializes in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet and tap. Jordan has had the opportunity to work with some of the most sought out choreographers such as: Shannon Mather, Jamie Donovan, Patrice Barakat, Brooke Pierotti, Rebecca Hart and more. Along with working with talented choreographers, he was trained under the direction of successful professionals Bill Langley, Brian Drogosch and Tamie Slader at a top Bay Area dance studio. As a performer, Jordan has won many overalls, titles and scholarships in his dance journey. He started teaching at the age of 14, and has been able to travel across the country to assist bringing his elements of dance to a new level. As a choreographer, Jordan has won overalls and achievements for his dancers every season across various studios. Jordan’s teaching style keeps expectations high, but has demands focus and a the goal of being the best you can be each day. His hard work, dedication and creativity shows and brings out the best in all his dancers. Jordan can’t wait to see what this next season has in store at DNA. Jordan looks forward to working with everyone!
Amanda is a mother of three, professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor. For 17 years, Amanda has incorporated the dance world into her life. Amanda trained under Tessa White a the Conservatory of Dance as well as other instructors. She has experience in Pointe, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, and Hip Hop with her emphasis being classical and contemporary ballet. Amanda has worked to develop dancers from 3 years to 18 years of age. Amanda spent two summers studying with the Milwaukee Ballet Summer Intensive Program. Following her two summers at Milwaukee Ballet, Amanda was offered a scholarship and role as an apprentice with the Milwaukee Ballet. Amanda’s objective is to infuse a love for the art of dance within each of her students that incorporates passion, discipline and technical strength. Amanda will help each student identify their individual strengths and opportunities. Amanda is committed to teaching with integrity, honor, and consistency and looks forward to being a part of your dancer’s journey.
Alyson was born in New York and raised in San Jose, CA Alyson was trained at her family’s dance studio. Her mother was a local radio personality in her hometown and a former Radio City Rockette and her father was an Arthur Murray ballroom instructor. Needless to say, dance was in her family genes. Her training included intensives, conventions and master classes as well. Her first professional opportunity arose in the form of a Warner Brothers production role and then touring as a backup dancer abroad for a popular Mexican singer. Alyson has taught dance since the age of twenty and has distinguished herself as an instructor through countless honors, including a teaching opportunity at the H & H Dance Troupe convention in her twenties. She has won numerous choreography awards and she received an invitation for her students to perform in New York for “Tappy Holidays” and Southern California at the “L.A. Tapfest”. She was the recipient of a distinguished dance teaching award that she earned in 2000. Her company was voted New York’s Favorite Youth Tap Company in 2010. through an Operation Tap challenge. During her eight years as artistic director of Sound Out Tap Company, Alyson choreographed seven original dance concerts. Alyson was Operation: Tap’s Technique Tuesday Challenge V Teacher Champion in 2017. She also currently serves as tap director of both the Lincoln Hills Tap Company and the Roseville Sunsations. She has served as tap director at Leighton Dance Project in Folsom from 2013-2023. Even as an experienced instructor, Alyson has continued to enrich her own dance education through classes with many of today’s great tappers including Chloe Arnold, Jason Samuels Smith, Bril Barrett, Ray Hesselink, Sarah Savelli, Laurie Johnson, Barbara Duffy, Dianne Walker, Steve Zee, Anthony Morigerato, and Jason Janas. Also attending tap festivals to keep her craft up to date!