Faculty

Mandy Cottengim 

Hi, I am Mandy Cottengim.  I grew up in the south bay and found my love for dance early. I started dancing at the early age of 2 under the direction of Miss Patty and Miss Tina (my mom and aunt) here at JPA. After years of dance training I began performing with the Fancy Dancers, and traveling the world dancing.  

I decided to continue my dance education and attend San Jose State University in 2001. Under the direction of Gary Masters, Fred Matthews, Janie Scott, and Heather Cooper, I graduated with a BA in dance and a minor in Business. Throughout out my four years of college I developed a love for teaching and performing. I have performed in many Great America shows, The Abigail Hosein Modern Dance Company, Weird Al Yankovic, and various local companies. After a few years of teaching and performing, I was hired as the dance teacher at Milpitas High School where I teach beginning and intermediate dancers the love of dance. In 2007, I went back to school to earn my teaching credential and Masters in Education.

I am married to my husband Ryan and we have a beautiful daughter named Makenna and a son named  Jordan.

Joanna Jensen

I am Joanna Jensen and I grew up in the South Bay.  I started dancing at the young age of 2 at JPA and developed a love of dance early on.  I have studied tap, jazz, ballet, and every new dance form that came along. I have been teaching for over 12 years at JPA. I enjoy teaching kids the love of dance and to have fun through movement.

I have a Masters degree in Educational Counseling and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. When I am not teaching dance, I can be found working in Fremont Unified School District as a high school administrator. I enjoy working with students of all ages and love to see kids' faces when they hit the big stage each year during recital!

Sumiko Curtin

I am from Osaka, Japan, and have been teaching ballet class at Jensen Performing Arts since 1998.  I teach Ballet levels 1 ~ 6, technique, point, and competition team. 

As a little girl, I would always pass by a small ballet school on the way home from school.  I would be mesmerized as I stared through the window and fell in love with the art.  After watching each day’s lesson I would quickly rush home and practice by mimicking what I had seen each day.  After relentlessly asking my parents, soon enough, they allowed me to take ballet lessons. 

The passion I had as a little girl never died, and after many years of practice, I made it into the Homura Tomoi Ballet Company in Osaka Japan.  I have danced in many classic ballets, including: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Esmeralda, Graduation Ball, Paquita, La Bayadere, The Stone Flower and many more. (I also studied early childhood education at Tokiwakai College, following her love for children.)

Arielle Cole I started dancing at Jensen’s Performing Arts when I was 3 years old. During my time at JPA, I was a member of TNTs, the Ballet Competition Team and the Fancy Dancers. I attended Lincoln High School in San Jose, CA where I was a member of the award-winning dance team, the Lincoln Convertibles.  Upon graduating from high school in 2007, I became certified to teach ballet through Dance Masters of California, Chapter 13. 

I later graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Dance. Throughout my training, I have studied Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Improvisation and Acrobatics. In 2012, I traveled to Israel and danced in the MASA Dance Journey program with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company. After my experience in Israel, I danced with various companies including World Dance Fusion in San Francisco, CA, Keshet Dance Company in Albuquerque, NM, and am now dancing with Montage Contemporary Company here in Santa Clara, CA.

I am very excited to be teaching again at my home studio where I can pass on my knowledge and love for dance to future generations. 

Cristina Bustamante 

I started dancing when I was four.  Yes, I too grew up in JPA.  I quickly learned to love tap the most but have taken classes in all dance forms.  I started assisting classes at JPA when I was very young and discovered my love for teaching.  After high school I attended San Jose State where I received my BA in Creative Arts, my teaching credential and a Masters in Educational Leadership.  I am also a member of Dance Masters of California.

Along with teaching dance I also teach at a middle school in San Jose.  When I am not teaching school or dance you can usually find me watching my son, Eli, playing baseball, spending time in Disneyland or hanging out with my dance family! 

Joni Yabut

I am Miss Joni. I began dancing at a young age all over the Bay Area and have found my home at Jensen Performing Arts, where I trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and tumbling. I continued with my love for dance by performing with the Fancy Dancers and then in college with the Filipino Student Association and Boston University's premiere hip-hop team Vibes. I am very excited to extend my passion and knowledge with all our current JPA dancers especially in acro and hip hop.

In addition to teaching at the studio, I teach at the City of Milpitas Little Stars Learning Academy for preschoolers. I am also a certified teacher in the Acrobatics Arts AcroDance preschool program and GROOV3 - a hip hop/funk dance workout class great for all ages. And I'm a registered Yoga instructor (RYT-200) specializing in gentle vinyasa and yin restorative styles. I look forward to seeing you soon! :)

Casey Kitazumi

As a bay area native, Casey Kitazumi started her dance training at the age of three. Throughout her life she has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, lyrical, and acro. Currently Casey is a BFA candidate at San Jose State University and is a company member of UDT. At San Jose State, she studies under Heather Cooper, Raphael Boumaila, Mark Foehringer, Dominique Serapio, Jill Yager and most recently Chafin Seymour. She has also had the opportunity to work with guest artists such as Paul Vickers, Mike Esperanza, Kyle Abraham & Company (AIM), Sean Dorsey Dance, Gallim and Rickey Trip. Casey has danced with several companies in the Bay Area including The Fancy Dancers, Acuity and Cabaret San Jose. In 2017 Casey became a member of PERSpectives Dance Company under the direction of Lindsey McLevis. Casey has also been a member of ArcTangent Dance Company since its inception in 2018.

Casey began teaching at Jensen School for the Performing Arts in 2014 and has loved it ever since. “As a dancer and dance educator, I believe in providing a space that is open to all ideas and thoughts. I want students to be involved in the process of creating, teaching, and learning just as much as I am. I want them to feel comfortable and confident to let their creativity grow and develop, while still finding ways of challenging their minds and strengthening their bodies. My mission is to encourage a long-lasting love and appreciation for the art of dance through not only physical aspects, but the life skills that can be learned as well. I want my students to thrive and succeed in the world we live in now, but also encourage them to succeed in creating a better world that doesn’t exist quite yet.” 

Tina Gonzalez Jensen

Hi, I am commonly known as Miss Tina. I too grew up in a dance studio and took more classes than I could ever count.  I have been teaching dance since 1979.  Being one of the founding teachers of JPA, I am so proud to be part of the growth we have achieved over the years. 

Currently I am the Director of the JPA Children’s Dance Program.  When I am not teaching at JPA you can find me at the City of Milpitas Learning Stars Preschool Program where I am the Director.  I am also an active member in Dance Master of California. 

As you can see my life is pretty full with dance but I still have time to spend with my grandchildren and fur babies. 

Sharon Stoeppel 

I started dancing at the age of five and trained in acro, tap, jazz and Hawaiian.  I graduated from San Jose State University with a BA.  I have been with JPA since 1995 and am currently the Director of Acrobatics.  

I have been an Acrobatic instructor for over 35 years. In those years I have become a skilled choreographer for both show and competition routines.  I keep my skills sharp as an 11 year member of Dance Masters of California.  I teach all ages and all levels.  

Dana Jensen

I grew up dancing in the bay area. I am a graduate from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelors in Dance. I have choreographed for many dance teams in California. I am also a former Miss Santa Clara and have also choreographed several pageant opening routines. Currently I am a special education teacher. Along with teaching children's dance, I have taught therapeutic dance for individuals with disabilities. 

Charles Solomon

Anthony Charles T. Solomon started dancing at the age of 4 at his local studio in San Jose. In 1998 Charles got the opportunity from his teacher and mentor, Joy Sinnott, to become an assistant teacher, and in 2001 became a full-fledged teacher at his studio.  In 2007 he tested and became a member of Dance Masters of California chapter 13 and Dance Masters of America. Charles’ choreographic credits include, Lincoln HS Dance Dept., St. Francis High School Musicals, Piedmont Hills High School Musicals, Willow Glen High School Dance Team and the CSUMB Dance Team. He has also done choreography for many quinceaneras, cotillions and flash mobs, including those of PHHS Faculty and students, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Classic Cool Car Show, and the American Cancer Society. Charles has also choreographed many award winning routines on the Regional and National level and has also received special judges awards. He has also received the Grant Gray award two times for best new choreography at De Anza College. He is proficient in teaching many levels in the subjects of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop. He now works as a teacher at the Willow Glen Elementary after school program where he has started a dance program for children TK - 5th grade. He is also theCo-Founder and Creative Director of the Dynamics Performance Team. Recently Charles and the Team celebrated their 15th season. In honor of this, he and the team received a special Congressional recognition from Ro Khanna and a commendation from the U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein for their ongoing dedication to celebrating the performing arts. Charles is excited to now be a part of the JPA family and be able to work with his mentors Miss Patty and Miss Tina. Charles hopes to spread the Love and Joy of dance to whoever he is teaching.

Meiling Adams          

Miss Meiling has been part of the dance world for 27 years. At seven years old, her mother enrolled her to help with her coordination. It was supposed to only be for a Summer session, but here she is 27 years later still dancing. She has been teaching dance for seven years and was part of a dance team for ten years. Her favorite part of her dancing experience was the first time she traveled to DMA Nationals with her dance team. Aside from dance she enjoys crafting with her cricut, all things Disney and spending time with her two dogs. She is excited to be part of the JPA family and can’t wait to meet everyone.  

Amanda Dellandre 

Amanda has been at JPA even before she learned to walk. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and continues her training in all genres of dance. Amanda has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, lyrical, acro, gymnastics and theatre. Amanda has studied at Joffrey School of Ballet in Las Vegas and Rhythmic Souls Tap company in Texas and commercial dance in Reno. She has danced in the ballet productions of "Nutracker", "Aladdin", "Coppelia", "Peter Pan" and many more.

She also found work as a model, dancer & performer in music videos, commercials and short films. Amanda has been a student, now teacher and choreographer at JPA and as for Center Stage Performing Arts productions like Rent and Newsies . Amanda has been a jr member of Dance Masters of California since 2011.

Amanda loves helping the new dancers foster their love of dance, pursuing her degree in the arts and performing with the Fancy Dancers of Milpitas.

Mykala Berger 

Hello, my name is Mykala Berger. I started dancing at JPA through the recreation center when I was four and have continued to dance ever since. I found my love for dance when I joined the fancydancers when I was ten. I began assisting various dance classes when I was younger and knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Since then I have assisted every class I could. Summer of 2022 I got the opportunity to travel to North Carolina where I took a five day intensive and learned from many different teachers. I am currently attending college and plan to get a minor in dance.

Staff

Cheryl is at the JPA help desk with new student enrollment and any other JPA needs. She has lived in Milpitas and has over 30 years of customer service and office management plus experience in a variety of performing arts platforms including costume design.  She has also spent several years active in various roles as PTA, PTSA board at several schools and local nonprofits.