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| Center for Creative Arts |
| 14168 Poway Rd. #110 Poway, CA 92064 phone 858.748.9033 fax 858.748.9023 |
| About CCA |
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Ericka Moore, Dance Faculty
Ericka Moore believes in the impact of art (dance) to empower individuals, which therefore empowers
community. She began to study dance (jazz, ballet, modern, and hip hop) seriously at the age of 15. Since then,
Ericka has been driven to perform and to create pieces that speak about the world she lives in. Ericka made
her choreographic debut with Fingers N the Hood, which received the Union-Tribune Critic's Choice Award
and extensive television coverage. Funkalosophy was Ericka's second full-length show created in 2001.
Funkalosophy revealed how the hip hop subculture contributes to an activist dance theatre, while empowering
youth and other hipsters with a voice concerning their political and social issues. Ericka is a Company
Dancer and Instructor for Eveoke Dance Theatre. Ericka has been teaching children dance for about 5 years
in the San Diego area and the San Diego Unified School District. She joined CCA in 2006 and currently
teaches modern dance to the CCA dance company students and to adults from the Poway/RB/Scripps Ranch
community.
Ericka Moore believes in the impact of art (dance) to empower individuals, which therefore empowers
community. She began to study dance (jazz, ballet, modern, and hip hop) seriously at the age of 15. Since then,
Ericka has been driven to perform and to create pieces that speak about the world she lives in. Ericka made
her choreographic debut with Fingers N the Hood, which received the Union-Tribune Critic's Choice Award
and extensive television coverage. Funkalosophy was Ericka's second full-length show created in 2001.
Funkalosophy revealed how the hip hop subculture contributes to an activist dance theatre, while empowering
youth and other hipsters with a voice concerning their political and social issues. Ericka is a Company
Dancer and Instructor for Eveoke Dance Theatre. Ericka has been teaching children dance for about 5 years
in the San Diego area and the San Diego Unified School District. She joined CCA in 2006 and currently
teaches modern dance to the CCA dance company students and to adults from the Poway/RB/Scripps Ranch
community.
Vanessa Nieman, Office Manager
Vanessa first came to CCA as a dance parent in 2005 and joined the staff as Office Manager in August of
2006. She was raised in the Poway area, completed her degree in Art with an Illustration emphasis at San
Jose State in 1992 and moved back to the area in 1998 to raise her family. Her background includes clerical
support and office management for businesses ranging from non-profits to universities. She employs her
creative skills in projects for her family, such as Halloween costumes and paper dolls. She is a supporter of
the arts and is 100% committed to furthering CCA’s vision within the community.
Vanessa first came to CCA as a dance parent in 2005 and joined the staff as Office Manager in August of
2006. She was raised in the Poway area, completed her degree in Art with an Illustration emphasis at San
Jose State in 1992 and moved back to the area in 1998 to raise her family. Her background includes clerical
support and office management for businesses ranging from non-profits to universities. She employs her
creative skills in projects for her family, such as Halloween costumes and paper dolls. She is a supporter of
the arts and is 100% committed to furthering CCA’s vision within the community.
Molly Glynn Puryear, Dance/Drama/Art Faculty
Molly has been committed to and nurtured by the arts since she began studying dance at
the age of three. After studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance, she received her
B.F.A. in Dance from University of North Texas. She continued her ballet technique
under Kathy Marfin Grey, Jim Clouser, and Arlene Sugano and expanded her studies to
include pedagogy, kinesiology, African dance, improvisation, movement for theater and
creative dance for all ages. In 2003, she moved to San Diego and began teaching all forms of movement as
well as visual art and theater. She has enjoyed teaching dance in the studio setting as well as elementary
and middle schools through Center for Creative Arts, Malashock Dance, and Young Audiences of San Diego.
She also choreographs and performs in local dance events. Molly strives to make each class full of energy,
inspiration and fun, while challenging each student to reach their maximum physical, mental, and artistic
potential. She focuses on the successes of each student as they conquer the challenges of problem solving,
and are given the opportunity to safely express themselves. Her passion lies in facilitating growth in
individual students, and giving them the tools they need to communicate, learn, and live a more positive life.
Molly is the winner of CCA’s “Dance Teacher of the Year 2006-2007” award. She currently teaches Ballet,
Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz and Art at CCA.
Molly has been committed to and nurtured by the arts since she began studying dance at
the age of three. After studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance, she received her
B.F.A. in Dance from University of North Texas. She continued her ballet technique
under Kathy Marfin Grey, Jim Clouser, and Arlene Sugano and expanded her studies to
include pedagogy, kinesiology, African dance, improvisation, movement for theater and
creative dance for all ages. In 2003, she moved to San Diego and began teaching all forms of movement as
well as visual art and theater. She has enjoyed teaching dance in the studio setting as well as elementary
and middle schools through Center for Creative Arts, Malashock Dance, and Young Audiences of San Diego.
She also choreographs and performs in local dance events. Molly strives to make each class full of energy,
inspiration and fun, while challenging each student to reach their maximum physical, mental, and artistic
potential. She focuses on the successes of each student as they conquer the challenges of problem solving,
and are given the opportunity to safely express themselves. Her passion lies in facilitating growth in
individual students, and giving them the tools they need to communicate, learn, and live a more positive life.
Molly is the winner of CCA’s “Dance Teacher of the Year 2006-2007” award. She currently teaches Ballet,
Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz and Art at CCA.
Amanda Clark, Dance Faculty
Amanda joined the CCA Faculty in the spring of 2005. She is currently completing her
Fitness and Nutrition degree at San Diego State University, with a minor in Dance. She
has been dancing for 18 years, with a background in tap, jazz, Irish dance, musical
theatre, hip hop, and Broadway productions. She has additional experience in acting, song
and dance, and cheerleading, and has performed for Mesa College Dance Company as a
dancer and student choreographer. Amanda currently teaches tap, jazz and hip hop at CCA.
Amanda joined the CCA Faculty in the spring of 2005. She is currently completing her
Fitness and Nutrition degree at San Diego State University, with a minor in Dance. She
has been dancing for 18 years, with a background in tap, jazz, Irish dance, musical
theatre, hip hop, and Broadway productions. She has additional experience in acting, song
and dance, and cheerleading, and has performed for Mesa College Dance Company as a
dancer and student choreographer. Amanda currently teaches tap, jazz and hip hop at CCA.
Connie Hayashi, Dance/Drama/Kindermusik Faculty
Connie joined the CCA faculty in the summer of 2004. She is a graduate of UCSD with a
BA in Theatre and Dance. She also holds an Associates Degree in Dance from El Camino
College and is a Certified Kindermusik Educator. Her dance training includes extensive
study in tap, jazz and hip hop as well as ballet and modern. She has performed with
KIXX Dance Company, Tony Masa Tap-X Ensemble, R&B Dance Company, El Camino
College and UCSD. Her theatre experience includes No, No, Nanette, Once Upon a
Mattress, Two Gentleman of Verona and Desperados in Dreamland. She currently
teaches Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Drama and Kindermusik at CCA.
Connie joined the CCA faculty in the summer of 2004. She is a graduate of UCSD with a
BA in Theatre and Dance. She also holds an Associates Degree in Dance from El Camino
College and is a Certified Kindermusik Educator. Her dance training includes extensive
study in tap, jazz and hip hop as well as ballet and modern. She has performed with
KIXX Dance Company, Tony Masa Tap-X Ensemble, R&B Dance Company, El Camino
College and UCSD. Her theatre experience includes No, No, Nanette, Once Upon a
Mattress, Two Gentleman of Verona and Desperados in Dreamland. She currently
teaches Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Drama and Kindermusik at CCA.
Marianne Thompson, Dance Faculty
Marianne joined CCA in Spring of 2006. Her dance background includes extensive
training and performance in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary Dance as well as Modern,
Creative Movement, Tap and Hip Hop. She was the captain of the Poway High School
Dance Team for two years. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance with students of
all ages. She strives to inspire students to work hard and acheive their highest
potential through positive reinforcement, fun and energetic classroom dynamics and a
consistent base in technical dance training. Marianne currently teaches ballet, jazz,
lyrical and tap at CCA.
Marianne joined CCA in Spring of 2006. Her dance background includes extensive
training and performance in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary Dance as well as Modern,
Creative Movement, Tap and Hip Hop. She was the captain of the Poway High School
Dance Team for two years. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance with students of
all ages. She strives to inspire students to work hard and acheive their highest
potential through positive reinforcement, fun and energetic classroom dynamics and a
consistent base in technical dance training. Marianne currently teaches ballet, jazz,
lyrical and tap at CCA.
Brian Aellig, Music Faculty
Brian joined CCA’s newly expanded music program as piano teacher in the summer of 2007.
Additionally, he is currently the Worship Director at Church of the Hills in San Marcos
and has led worship at several churches in San Diego County. He has studied piano
extensively, teaching privately for the past 7 years. In total, he has over 28 years of
experience in musical performance. He really enjoys working with children and watching
them grow in musical abilities. Brian believes that “Music can be a powerful and
wonderful experience, and children who develop a passion for music will have the ability
to experience the joys of music later in life.”
Brian joined CCA’s newly expanded music program as piano teacher in the summer of 2007.
Additionally, he is currently the Worship Director at Church of the Hills in San Marcos
and has led worship at several churches in San Diego County. He has studied piano
extensively, teaching privately for the past 7 years. In total, he has over 28 years of
experience in musical performance. He really enjoys working with children and watching
them grow in musical abilities. Brian believes that “Music can be a powerful and
wonderful experience, and children who develop a passion for music will have the ability
to experience the joys of music later in life.”
Samantha Trent, Music/Kindermusik Faculty
Samantha came to CCA in the summer of 2007, serving first as our voice teacher. She
also took on additional studies toward her certification as Kindermusik Educator.
Samantha is currently attending Mesa College, studying Industrial/Organizational
Psychology with a minor in Music. She has been singing for 12 years through private
instruction, and has performed in musical theatre productions around San Diego for
over 10 years. In addition to teaching private voice lessons, Samantha is also a musical
theatre teacher at Christian Youth Theater, as well as a musical director for their
most recent spring productions. She currently teaches voice, musical theatre, and Kindermusik at CCA.
Samantha came to CCA in the summer of 2007, serving first as our voice teacher. She
also took on additional studies toward her certification as Kindermusik Educator.
Samantha is currently attending Mesa College, studying Industrial/Organizational
Psychology with a minor in Music. She has been singing for 12 years through private
instruction, and has performed in musical theatre productions around San Diego for
over 10 years. In addition to teaching private voice lessons, Samantha is also a musical
theatre teacher at Christian Youth Theater, as well as a musical director for their
most recent spring productions. She currently teaches voice, musical theatre, and Kindermusik at CCA.
