About Us

DanceNation offers a variety of classes to all levels, ages two to adult, all taught by passionate and professional dance instructors. Classes offered include ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, acrobatics, turns & technique, stretch & conditioning, choreography, and yoga.

All dancers training at DanceNation will perform in our Finale Showcase at the end of the school year. Classes will rehearse one dance routine each leading up to the showcase. The Showcase will take place in a beautiful auditorium on stage with lights, dance costumes, souvenir programs, a videographer and more. DN's Finale Showcase is a very exciting time and showcases what all the dancers have learned over the year.

Additional training and services include company team, showteam, master classes, private lessons, and choreography for special events. Check out additional information about these amazing opportunities DanceNation offers under the "Extended Services" tab. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! @dancenationca for more information, pictures and videos!

Faculty

Shelby Walls

Owner/Artistic Director

Ms. Shelby was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA and started dance at the age of 3, spending majority of her time growing up in a dance studio environment. She danced competitively for 15 years and has been teaching and choreographing for 10+ years in styles such as jazz, ballet, lyrical, acro and jazz funk. Shelby is a graduate of California State University of Bakersfield with a degree in Business Management. She is passionate about getting creative with choreography, inspiring young artists and being an excellent role model for students. The time and dedication she puts into her studio and students is incomparable.

Connie Walls

Office Manager

Ms. Connie has been married for 30+ years and has two grown children. She was a dance mom for 16 years and is now enjoying her role as "dance grandma." Connie is a graduate of California State University of Bakersfield with a degree in Accounting. She worked for the City of Bakersfield for 30 years, as an accounting supervisor, retiring in December of 2017. One of her goals after retiring was to help her daughter, Shelby, fulfill her dream of opening her own dance studio, DanceNation!

Kristyn Van Cleave

Instructor

Ms. Kristyn is a dance instructor, choreographer, and performer who has been in love with the art of dance since a very young age. Now with over 18 years performing and 7 years teaching and choreographing under her belt, she is no stranger to the arts. A well accomplished tap dancer, she has traveled the country learning from and collaborating with artists such as Chloe Arnold, the Syncopated Ladies, Jason Samuels-Smith, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Charon Aldredge, and Debbie Allen. She has performed in several music videos for various artists, as well as charity performances across the Los Angeles area with the Inspire Campaign. Kristyn got her start in classical ballet, and her training has taken her to the stage in such performance opportunities as the Imagine Ballet Company (now Bakersfield City Ballet) and Civic Dance Center/Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra's The Nutcracker, her favorite role having been Rose in "Waltz of the Flowers." Though her beginnings were in dance, she also pursues other areas of the arts, including acting and music. She has performed featured and lead roles in various musicals at Stars Dinner Theatre and the Ovation Repertory Theatre in Bakersfield (notable roles include Lorraine Flemming in 42nd Street, Kate in Legally Blonde, and Bebe Benzenheimer in A Chorus Line). She shares her love of theatre with children as a director and choreographer for North of the River's Junior Theatre program. When she is not performing, choreographing, or teaching, Kristyn enjoys writing. She is the published author of the Dreambreath series, a fantasy novel trilogy, and enjoys writing short stories and journaling on a daily basis. Passionate about health and fitness, she also enjoys running and is currently training for her first marathon in November. Kristyn recently received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Allied Health from California State University, Bakersfield, and will be going on to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Buies Creek, North Carolina, beginning in January of next year. In the meantime, she is excited to be a part of DanceNation and hopes to inspire the next generation of up-and-coming dancers.

Olimpia Frederick

Instructor

Ms. Olimpia is a 33 year old, self-taught dancer and has been dancing for about 16 years. She was the head choreographer for the hip-hop dance team in high school for all 4 years. Olimpia has choreographed hip-hop performances for local Community events as well as private events such as birthday parties and weddings. Olimpia has competed in local and non-local dance competitions. Olimpia has taught hip-hop at multiple local dance studios, one including Eve-lyne's Dance Studio, who was the head ballet instructor at Bakersfield College. Dancing has always been her passion. She loves to teach it is a part of who she is!

Elizabeth Amacker

Instructor

Ms. Lizzie has been dancing since she was three years old and starting competing when she was five years old. Lizzie studied genres of tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz and acro. She is currently attending Cal State University of Bakersfield to pursue a degree in Math Education. She looks forward to teaching kids and improving their technique skills!

Sage Nelson

Instructor

Sage Nelson has been dancing in tap, contemporary, ballet, jazz, and acrobatics for 16 years and was a competitive dancer for 14 of those years. Sage actually trained under DanceNation owner, Shelby, for 6 of those years. In 2017, Sage was offered a full ride scholarship to a NYC Broadway program, but decided to stay out here in Cali where she was born and raised. Currently pursuing her love of dance in LA, Sage is apart of the IMMAbreathe Contemporary Company and immaBEAST Company. She has trained under some amazing choreographers including MaryAnn Chavez, Derrick Schrader, Samantha Long, Cameron Lee, and Janelle Ginestra Adams. Also, she has worked on some great gigs including Rayelles MV "Freedom", Faculty Assistant for Art of Movement Dance Convention, and the Ghostbusters Movie Premiere. If Sage is not dancing, you can find her at the Kickboxing gym or at LA Fitness doing personal training with her clients. It is another passion to go along with her dancing. She is certified through the International Sports Sciences Association and is also in the process of getting certified in Nutrition from there as well.

Nikko Almonidovar

Instructor

Mr. Nikko started dancing when he was 15 years old, training mainly in house and popping. He started out as a self taught dancer but quickly began training under various artist from Los Angeles and San Diego. He created and dance crew in high school called "Culture" and eventually turned that into a dance club. Mr. Nikko also currently teaches for PASO workshops and choreographs for PASO Modern. His young and positive vibe puts a smile on everyone's face!

1612 Art St. Suite C
Bakersfield, CA 93312

661.496.6836
dancenationca@gmail.com

Monday	3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesday	3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesday	3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday	3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday	CLOSED
Saturday	CLOSED
Sunday	CLOSED

© 2019 DanceNationCA. All Rights Reserved.