please click on an instructor name below to expand their bio.
Cera has been studying dance, music, and theater since the age of 4. Her dance experience includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Kathak of India, Dunham Technique, Salsa, Samba, Tribal Bellydance, classical and contemporary Persian dance, Flamenco, and most recently, Capoiera. In addition to being the founder and Artistic Director of Damage Control Dance Theater, Cera has performed professionally with Shahrzad Dance Company (Classical and Contemporary Persian dance), PULSE Modern Dance Ensemble (Modern), Ultra Gypsy Dance Theater Company (Innovative Tribal Fusion Bellydance), Rara Tou Limen (San Francisco's only Carnaval contingent representing Haiti), as well as presenting her solo choreography in festivals, concert stages, lecture demonstrations, and private events across the United States.
Cera holds a BA in Dance (Performance and Choreography), with an emphasis in World Music and Dance from San Francisco State University, and certifications in Group Fitness Instruction (YMCA) and Pilates Mat (Sanchez St. Studios).
Cera teaches daily classes in Pilates, Yoga, and Dance, as well as Personal Training & Coaching dancers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
Brittney has been studying dance in its many forms since the age of four and draws on her rich cultural background, musical talent, and classical dance training to create innovative and captivating choreography and deliver powerful performances. She is currently level 3 certified in Suhaila Salimpour’s Technique and takes regular classes at SSSBD, where she also teaches. She is the founder, director, and choreographer of Expansion Dance Theatre. EDT is a dance company focused on the elevation and experimentation of bellydance fusion, and the development of expressive movement.
Claire Furlotte has had trouble sitting still since she was a child, and decided to channel that energy into something she loved-dancing. She grew up onstage as an actress and began studying dance and circus in high school. She has continued her dance training in her college years under the guidance of some of the Bay Areas finest teachers, and has become a seasoned performer through local and national work with companies including the Erika Shuch Performance Project, the Bellydance Mafia, the Living Dead Girlz and the University Dance Theatre at San Francisco State. She has been an integral part of the Shoebox Studio family since it's inception, and is delighted to add to it's vibrant cast of instructors and begin her teaching career.
Christina Lowery is Bay Area bred artist. She grew up training as a ballerina and has branched out into modern, hip hop and creative dance methods. In addition to dancing and designing for Temple nightclub she is a member of El Gato Del Diablo Theatre, a dancer and resident costume designer for Artface Physical Theatre and a member of Team Lexington Performance Collective. Her art is absurd and beautiful with an emphasis on personal responsibility and sustainability.
www.christinalowery.com
Aside from studying with masters of their craft such as Leila Haddad, Amel Taftsout, Nanna Candelaria, and Cera Byer, Najla has a wealth of experience as a solo dancer, and has spent her dance life honing and defining her interpretation of what Lebanese style is. She is currently a member of Damage Control Dance Theatre.
For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and salsa were a natural progression. For the past 9 years, Nick has been teaching salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with martial arts concepts of connection, balance, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii, and all over California. He has taught at numerous Salsa Congresses, festivals and cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa vol. 4".
Nick and Serena are Co-Directors of Salsa Vale Todo and organizers of Salsa Rueda Festival San Francisco 2008. Serena brings to it her training in ballet, tap, jazz, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Brazilian, and Brazilian Samba. She has trained in New York, Brazil, Miami, and San Francisco. Currently she performs with the samba company, Energia do Samba. Serena has shared the stage and opened for Olodum, Elba Ramalho, and Jorge Ben Jor.
www.salsavaletodo.com
Cera Byer
- Fusion Bellydance Levels I & II
- Dance Conditioning
- $5 Pilates
- Hip Hop Fusion
- Personal Training
- World Fusion Contemporary
Cera has been studying dance, music, and theater since the age of 4. Her dance experience includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Kathak of India, Dunham Technique, Salsa, Samba, Tribal Bellydance, classical and contemporary Persian dance, Flamenco, and most recently, Capoiera. In addition to being the founder and Artistic Director of Damage Control Dance Theater, Cera has performed professionally with Shahrzad Dance Company (Classical and Contemporary Persian dance), PULSE Modern Dance Ensemble (Modern), Ultra Gypsy Dance Theater Company (Innovative Tribal Fusion Bellydance), Rara Tou Limen (San Francisco's only Carnaval contingent representing Haiti), as well as presenting her solo choreography in festivals, concert stages, lecture demonstrations, and private events across the United States.
Cera holds a BA in Dance (Performance and Choreography), with an emphasis in World Music and Dance from San Francisco State University, and certifications in Group Fitness Instruction (YMCA) and Pilates Mat (Sanchez St. Studios).
Cera teaches daily classes in Pilates, Yoga, and Dance, as well as Personal Training & Coaching dancers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
Brittney Laleh Bannaei
- Hip Hop Fusion Bellydance
Brittney has been studying dance in its many forms since the age of four and draws on her rich cultural background, musical talent, and classical dance training to create innovative and captivating choreography and deliver powerful performances. She is currently level 3 certified in Suhaila Salimpour’s Technique and takes regular classes at SSSBD, where she also teaches. She is the founder, director, and choreographer of Expansion Dance Theatre. EDT is a dance company focused on the elevation and experimentation of bellydance fusion, and the development of expressive movement.
Claire Furlotte
- Cardio Dance Workout, Dance Conditioning, Assistant Director of Studio Troupe
Claire Furlotte has had trouble sitting still since she was a child, and decided to channel that energy into something she loved-dancing. She grew up onstage as an actress and began studying dance and circus in high school. She has continued her dance training in her college years under the guidance of some of the Bay Areas finest teachers, and has become a seasoned performer through local and national work with companies including the Erika Shuch Performance Project, the Bellydance Mafia, the Living Dead Girlz and the University Dance Theatre at San Francisco State. She has been an integral part of the Shoebox Studio family since it's inception, and is delighted to add to it's vibrant cast of instructors and begin her teaching career.
Christina Lowery
- Baby Ballet
- Kids' Hip Hop
Christina Lowery is Bay Area bred artist. She grew up training as a ballerina and has branched out into modern, hip hop and creative dance methods. In addition to dancing and designing for Temple nightclub she is a member of El Gato Del Diablo Theatre, a dancer and resident costume designer for Artface Physical Theatre and a member of Team Lexington Performance Collective. Her art is absurd and beautiful with an emphasis on personal responsibility and sustainability.
www.christinalowery.com
Najla Turczyn
- Bellydance Improv + Performance Skills
Aside from studying with masters of their craft such as Leila Haddad, Amel Taftsout, Nanna Candelaria, and Cera Byer, Najla has a wealth of experience as a solo dancer, and has spent her dance life honing and defining her interpretation of what Lebanese style is. She is currently a member of Damage Control Dance Theatre.
Nick Van & Serena Wong
- Mixed Level Salsa Rueda
For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and salsa were a natural progression. For the past 9 years, Nick has been teaching salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with martial arts concepts of connection, balance, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii, and all over California. He has taught at numerous Salsa Congresses, festivals and cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa vol. 4".
Nick and Serena are Co-Directors of Salsa Vale Todo and organizers of Salsa Rueda Festival San Francisco 2008. Serena brings to it her training in ballet, tap, jazz, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Brazilian, and Brazilian Samba. She has trained in New York, Brazil, Miami, and San Francisco. Currently she performs with the samba company, Energia do Samba. Serena has shared the stage and opened for Olodum, Elba Ramalho, and Jorge Ben Jor.
www.salsavaletodo.com
| “Ohhh ShoeBox....this studio is my sanctuary. I cannot imagine any place better than the ShoeBox to learn about the body, mind and spirit. Cera and her teachers provide a safe, healthy, warm learning environment for all students All the instructors bring such a wonderful variety of skill and training to their classes and are all incredibly talented individuals with great energy and beautiful spirits. They are patient, motivating, encouraging, and down to earth. The classes leave nothing to be desired-everything from yoga to ballet to belly dance and some core-rockin' Pilates is offered, and each class is as fun and fabulous as the next. I've never left a class without having learned something new about myself and my body. Anyone can benefit from taking classes at ShoeBox. Bottom line? The teachers are awesome, the classes are lots of fun, and the price is just right.” - Miss Claire, Bellydance Levels 1&2, Dance Conditioning, Modern Fusion. Assistant Director of Shoebox Studio Troupe |