Triple Motion Dance Alumni

Looking to take your competition dancer to the next level?
These dancers did...

KC Fredericks began dancing at age 12 in his hometown of Trinidad, CO.  At 16, he moved to northern California and was in search of a new dance studio that would help progress him in his training.  After much research, he was recommended to S.S. Dance Express.  He could not have found a better fit.  Shawnel and Sonya welcomed him into their studio.  "Training at S.S. Dance Express allowed me to intensely expand my dance technique.  In just two years I had grown so much as a dancer, and by graduation I knew I had been well prepared for the professional dance world."  

KC competed regionally and nationally, earning him the titles of Mr. Teen Dance America, Mr. Dance USA, and Mr. Global Dance.  He also earned numerous scholarships allowing him to train at Broadway Dance Center and STEPS on Broadway in NYC.  After high school,  he toured with the SF bay area’s Off-Balance Dance Co. which lead him to southern California where he continued the pursuit of his dance career.

KC has since worked in the commercial and theatrical industries of San Francisco, Los Angeles, New England, and regionally throughout the country.  He was a founding member of RhetOracle Dance Co. of Long Beach, CA and also danced with Odyssey Dance Theatre of Salt Lake City.  His film credits include The American Mall (MTV) and Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year.  In addition to being a working actor/dancer, KC is also in pursuit of his degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.  He has toured with the National Tour of CATS and most recently toured the country playing Chistery in the Broadway National Tour of WICKED.  In New York, he has been seen dancing back up for Nicki Minaj as well as for Nokia, O.C. Tanner, and MAC Cosmetics.  KC currently resides in New York City where he is chasing his Broadway dreams.

Jordan started dancing at the age of 2 under the direction of Sonya Hardy and Shawnel Herbst. She did her first competition at the age of 4 and went on to win numerous regional and national overall high score awards and titles. She was chosen by  Dance Spirit Magazine in 2001 and 2004 and Dancer Magazine in 2007 for their Future Star Awards. In 2009, Jordan represented the United States as not only a team performer but also a soloist on the  US dance team at the Prix De Italia in Italy where she was the Tap champion. Jordan has had the opportunity to perform onstage with some prestigious tappers such as Gregg Russell, Ryan Lohoff, and Mike Minery  in shows like Tap Sounds Underground, Underground Sound, and Slide in New York City and Los Angeles. At the age of 14, she started teaching and doing choreography, and her students have won regional and national awards. Jordan graduated high school with a performing arts diploma and was a 4 year member of the varsity dance team. She is now attending Azusa Pacific University in Southern California and majoring in Industrial/Organizational psychology. She was a member of the APU dance team and had the opportunity to choreograph several routines. She is now a member of the universities cheer team and is a dance instructor for a non-profit organization called Girls On The Move and spends as many weekends and school vacations as possible teaching and doing choreography for Triple Threat Performing arts in Northern California. Recently, Jordan was a model/tapper for MAC cosmetics for the opening of their new collection “Hey, Sailor.”

“I am so grateful to Sonya and Shawnel I would not be where I am today without their support and encouragment. Not only were they amazing dance teachers, but they truly care about their students.”

Amanda Pierce - Amanda is a native Californian where she trained since the age of three and now resides in New York City.  As a faculty member for the national dance convention NRG Dance Project, she was interviewed and highlighted in a cover story about NRG by Dance Informa Magazine.   Amanda has developed her very own Electro Tap Scholarship for NRG tappers which has been a huge success. You may have seen her performing at the Super Bowl, as well as with Lenny Kravitz, Lee Ann Womack, Green Day, Constantine Maroulis, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.  She was a NFL cheerleader for the New York Jets five years, graced the pages of her team’s swimsuit calendar, and choreographed for the Jets Cheerleaders Show Team.  Both the Oakland Tribune and KRON TV dubbed her the “Queen of Tap” after she won the solo Tap Title at the World Cup Dance Championships in Italy.  Her credits include:  Television- Mornings on Fox, So You Think You Can Dance, The CBS Early Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox and Friends, The Dr. Oz Show, NFL Draft Radio City, Madden NFL 12 Premiere, Celebrity Beach Bowl, Fox Business News, Good Morning New York, KRON Weekends, Jets Nation, and interviewed on KGO Talk Radio.  In Mexico City, she did numerous interviews and performances on Fox Sports, TV Azteca, and Sky TV.Theater- Recipient of two Dean Goodman Choice Awards for winning roles in “We’ll Take Manhattan” and “Rodgers and Hammerstein…with Hart”.  Other credits include “A Chorus Line” (Bebe), “Beat It Down”, “We’ll Take Manhattan…Again”, and “Cabaret in Concert”.  She was featured in “An Evening with Tai and Randy” with Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner and toured Europe with the American Dance Company as the premier tap dancer.  She was also a soloist at the renowned Duke Theater on Times Square in the “Broadway Dance Showcase”.  Commercials – Post Cereals, Beach Body: Brazil Butt Lift, Kraft Foods.  She has been seen several times in both Dance Spirit and Dancer magazines, as well as Sports Illustrated. Print Ads – NFL Game Day, Capezio, Traditional Home, Bon Appetit, Metropolitan Home, and The Décor. During her competition career besides winning the World Tap Title, in national championships she also won the Miss Dance America title in Panama City, and the Miss Dance USA title in Las Vegas.  Amanda won a combination of 28 national number one overall and Miss Dance titles.  Amanda is an alumna of New York’s Hofstra University where she attended on a dance scholarship.  As one of the tap world’s dynamic choreographers, Amanda enjoys pushing the envelope to inspire and motivate dancers. Amanda thanks Shawnel and Sonya for their expert training and continued support.

Testimonial:

Amanda would not have a professional career in dance without the teachings and guidance of Shawnel Herbst.  Amanda was just nine when she obtained Shawnel as her tap teacher.  She was the choreographer for most of Amanda’s 28 national #1 overall and Miss Dance titles as well as her World Championship tap number in Italy.  Shawnel and Sonya took their entire studio to New York twice during Amanda’s tenure there to make their students familiar with Broadway and the professional dance world.  Those trips are what helped Amanda make her decision to pursue a career there.  During Amanda’s stint at Shawnel and Sonya’s studio they provided her with not only the dance ability she needed to pursue a professional career in New York, but also the mentoring, direction, and supervision that she needed to mature into a young woman.  These two teachers are the best, both as dance instructors and as people. 
~  Russell & Sylvia Pierce

Paige Scheckla began training in all styles of dance at the age of three, most notably under the supportive and talented staff at Triple Threat Performing Arts. During her competitive dancing years, she won hundreds of overall titles, scholarships, and opportunities to dance with prestigious choreographers. After graduating from high school in 2009, Paige moved to Los Angeles to pursue both her degree in Political Science at UCLA and a dance and choreography career in her spare time.

Since 2007, her students and choreography have won numerous regional and national titles. Paige has also assisted multiple top choreographers including Jason Kalish of Hollywood Connection and Jessica Starr of Muse Dance Company. In 2011, she appeared in a national commercial for truecar.com. Most recently, Paige was selected to join and tour with the incredible Gregg Russell in his tap company, Tap Sounds Underground, starting in August of 2012. Although Paige plans to attend a distinguished law school when she graduates from college, she also hopes to continue dancing and choreographing for the rest of her life.

"I started dancing with Sonya and Shawnel when I was just three years old and they have always inspired me to be not only the best dancer I can be, but the best person I can be! I cannot thank them enough for their great teaching, amazing skills training, and guidance in general, especially now that I am working as a professional dancer in Los Angeles! "

Lisa Thompson had her very first dance class at the age of two with Shawnel.  She continued as a student of Sonya and Shawnel’s at “S.S. Dance Express,” where she trained and competed in tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary. She has won title and regional awards for her tap, as well as the Tracy Performing Arts scholarship. In high school Lisa taught a dance class to elementary school kids through a non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club.

She was a member of her high school’s varsity dance team for four years and captain for two years. She won the title of Tracy’s Distinguished Young Woman (formerly known as Junior Miss). She also won talent with her tap routine choreographed by Shawnel. Lisa graduated high school with her Performing Arts diploma and as an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate. She was a tap dancer/ model for MAC cosmetics to promote their new “Hey, Sailor!” collection. Lisa is attending Texas Christian University in the fall as a nursing major. Recently, she was selected for the 2012-2013 TCU Showgirls dance team.. Go Horned Frogs!

“I have grown up with Sonya and Shawnel. They’ve not only taught me how to dance, but they have also been my examples of integrity, hard work, and success in the dance business. I can’t wait to take classes from them again at Triple Motion Dance!”

Jacy Barney, the tap teacher at cutting edge dance center is versatile in all styles of dance including Tap, Jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and gymnastics. She is certified by United Spirit Association in dance technique and has a diploma in performing arts. Jacy was chosen to represent the United States in Barcelona Spain winning world titles as a member of the American dance company and choreographs for many competitive dance studios winning numerous top overall awards as well as creativity and choreography recognition. She won two college dance team titles which aired on ESPN and has coached at the Anaheim Angels stadium for the NCIF championships, and was head coach of the Edison High school Song Team. Jacy was crowned national “Miss Dance USA” and was awarded Dance Spirit Magazines “Future Star of the Year Award.” She assisted at Company dance convention with Brian Friedman, Gregg Russell, Barry Youngblood, and Tyce Diorio and currently travels on weekends working for KAR dance competition. Jacy is signed with MSA agency in Hollywood and dances for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Performance credits include the “Beach Blanket Babylon Scholarship for the Arts” showcase at Club Fugazi in San Francisco, Beat it down, A chorus Line and “Get up and move” Haiti Benefit. She was a soloist at the renowned duke theater on times square “Broadway dance showcase” and can be seen Dancing in the MTV Video Music awards with the Jonas Brothers and rapper TI. You may also have seen Jacy in commercials for Monday night football and Bacardi Limón or in the video for D. Woods (Danity Kane) “Legalize Me.” She is on the big screen dancing in the #1 comedy movie of the year “Easy A” and the “Hannah Montana Movie.” Jacy signed under the R&B singer Ciaras’ Label and had the opportunity to choreograph for her Universal Dance and talent agency auditions. She spent one season cheering for the Anaheim arsenal basketball team and performed in Las Vegas representing alumni pro cheerleaders during the Superbowl. Currently she is cheering for the Los Angeles Clippers where she was awarded hardest working member on the team, and asked to represent the NBA in Taiwan.

She hopes to continue dancing and sharing her passion for dance while motivating kids to be the best they can be.

My daughter started with Sonya and Shawnel at 6 years old in Livermore, Ca. I watched her become a beautiful, dancer and achieve so many awards, and experiences, simply due to these two individuals. She learned about commitment, teamwork and obtaining personal goals. They ran a studio that was like family, and taught her so much more than dance. She has life long friends from coast to coast and they still mentor her when she needs advice and guidance in her professional life as a dancer, teacher, NBA cheerleader, and choreographer in Los Angeles. She is living her dream and they have as much to do with her determination, confidence, and work ethic as we her parents. Whether looking for recreational classes or very technical training in a safe and positive atmosphere look no further, you've found your studio it doesn't get any better than these two ladies. They started working for the rec center offering classes with the city, and ended up with the biggest and most accomplished studio in the Northern Ca area. Competitive dance is very big out here and they gave us the opportunity to compete locally as well as New York, Florida, Ohio, Los Angeles They have made a name for themselves everywhere, always taking home top overall awards in many age divisions as well as being honored with sportsmanship awards. I can't say enough about what growing up in their studio did for our daughter other than you won't be disappointed with the results. Best of Luck and Love to Triple Motion Dance Studio, get in on the ground floor be apart of something big.

Nancy and Gary Barney

Danielle Laven from Livermore California is a trained in dancer in many types of dance including Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Ballet. She received her training from many different teachers and choreographers including, Shawnel Herbst, Sonya Hardy, Dennis Caspery, Mark Meismer, Sean Harrington, Brooke Perotti, Chris Jacobson, and Bruce Campbell. After years of studying dance, Danielle began dancing for Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line where she performed nightly production shows for the guest on board the ship. Danielle then went on to perform at Disneyland Resort as a world famous Disney Princess there she appeared on many television broadcasts including Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the Macy’s Day Parade and many others.

Danielle has been teaching dance on and off since the age of 16. She currently teaches at a studio in Ladera Ranch California where she is the team coach for ages 5-18. Danielle’s passion lies in the art of jazz. That is where she finds she is most comfortable and has recently won many awards for her numerous jazz numbers performed at many of the regional and national competitions. 

I have known Sonya and Shawnel for 17 years, and from the very first time I took class with them they made me feel so comfortable and welcome in their studio. They have taught me everything I know when it comes to dance and the professional dance world. Not only did they build a successful studio, in which I was so very LUCKY to be a part of but they built a family. They should be extremely proud of the dance experience they gave us all at S.S Dance Express, it truly was like no other and I am forever grateful!

Danielle Laven

Ashley Bower has been dancing since she was four years old, training in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporar,y and hip hop. She performed with Team Rave LA and Team Rave SF for three years.

In October, 2001, she auditioned for Mickey's Soundsational Parade on October 2011 and has been happily working there ever since.