Our Staff

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“Born In A Trunk”– Miss Karen parents were a song and dance team in Vaudeville and owners and operators of 2 successful Ohio dance studios, so she was literally “born in a trunk.” Dance instruction as a child began in Cleveland, Ohio and continued through the teen years in Chicago, Boston and finally New York.  Miss Karen performed in musicals at the Cleveland Playhouse, in club dates in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York and was a member of The Cleveland Civic Ballet Company along with credits as a dancer in several television productions and pilots.  She also worked as a Production Assistant on several television recorded concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra and worked as a Productions Assistant at WIXY Radio and WKYC TV. She began working as a class assistant at the ages of 12 and has been teaching Ballet and Tap since the age of 16. Karen, along with her mother, was co-director of 2 dance studios in the suburbs of Cleveland. She is now the Owner and Director of the very successful Carousel Dance Studio in the West San Fernando Valley since 1984 and is the Artistic Director of the equally successful and nationally recognized Carousel Dance Company, a Performance/Competition dance group.  There’s a saying that goes “Those who can’t do, Teach.” Karen prefers this one:
“Those who care, Teach,”

Born in Hollywood, Natalie went straight from the hospital to her Mother’s dance studio. At Sixteen she moved to New York to work with Alvin Ailey and Dance Theater of Harlem, while in NY she was chosen to be a Radio City Rockette- the youngest in history. Ms. Willes’s performance credits include Broadway’s Movin Out, Saturday Night Fever, Leap of Faith, Jersey Boys the Movie, Ted 2, 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, Oscars , 2016 Tony Awards,Chicago the Movie, Fox’s Lucifer,SF Opera La Rossignol, LA Opera Tanhouser. Ms Willes’ Directorial/ Choreography credits include- “The Travels of Shaka-Muni, “Vox Lumieres Phantom of The Opera”,2018 Universals City Gala, The 2016 White House Halloween Spectacular, Bravo Television promotions, Honeywell, Ameriprise Financial and Amgen. Natalie and her Mother Karen Willes were recipients of the 2017 Professional Dancers Society Choreographers Award. Natalie also received the Los Angeles Music Centers Spotlight Award for choreography and performance in contemporary dance. Natalie is the proud Artistic Director/Choreographer of the Highly Acclaimed Carousel Dance Company,Her Pieces “The Giving Tree” “Blurred Lines”, “To Life” and “Winter Wonderland” have won Top honors at Tremaine, ASH,Hollywood Vibe Dance League and McCallum Theater Competitions. Natalie’s multicultural Background has opened many doors to her all over the world and has given her an opportunity to perform and teach on every continent. Her newest passion project is Founding The Ishan Foundation- a non profit organization that raises funds and awareness for Autism and Neurological Disorders the Foundations mission is to use artistry & creative means to inspire philanthropy. Creating,educating, and entertaining for children has always been a passion of Natalie’s and it is her children, Rasha and Ishan that inspire her creativity, moves and joyful spirit.

Rebecca's life has been spent dancing on the floors of Carousel Dance Studio. She started dancing at the age of 4, and from the moment she met Karen and Natalie Willes they have been family.

She is professionally trained in all genres of dance and has danced throughout the world. Over the years, Rebecca has danced for some of the world's most renowned dance groups and venues. Most notably, Rebecca has performed with Cirque du Soliel, where she danced a principal role in the show "Mystere".

Rebecca enjoys teaching all styles of dance from beginner to advanced at Carousel Dance Studio. For years, her commitment of teaching has trained dancers that have graduated and moved onwards to some of the most sought-after dance schools and professional dance careers. 

When she's not dancing, Rebecca's passion for fitness kick's in. She shares her pursuit of living a healthy life style with others and teaches fitness classes at Carousel Dance Studio as well. 

Aside from being a teacher Rebecca is a devoted wife and mother to Christopher and Hana. She thanks them for always being her biggest fans and supporting her every step of the way.    

REBECCA@REBECCA-FIT.COM

Amanda Carr is so excited to be teaching at Carousel! Amanda grew up in Los Angeles, CA dancing and doing musical theatre. She is now working as a professional dancer, with credits in tv, film, theatre, and live stage shows. Some of her recent credits include “Beauty and the Beast”, "Sister Act the Musical", "Oklahoma", "Bye Bye Birdie", "The League" on FX, The Queen Mary’s Chill, and shows at Six Flags Magic Mountain. 

Coming from Los Angeles, California Roman Vasquez as had the opportunity to work for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion, BackStreet Boys, Eva Longoria, Roselyn Sanchez, Anastasia, just to name a few. Other television/film and video credits include American Music Awards, MTV Music Awards, Kids Choice Awards , Pepsi, Sprite, EL Pollo Loco, Days of Our Lives, Rock the Reception, Bring it On 5, Indiana Jones 4, Mobbed and Alvin and the Chipmunks 3d. Stage shows including EFX with Michael Crawford and David Cassidy, Splash, Christina Aguilera Tour, Jessica Simpson Promo stage show.

He has also choreographed and performed with companies such as Nike, FUBU, Adidas, Red-kin and Paul Mitchell. Roman Vasquez continues to choreograph and teach across the country on workshops and dance conventions.

Allie began dancing at the age of 3. She grew up dancing at Carousel and was with us for 12 years. She also joined Carousel Dance Company at the age of 8 and continued until she graduated. After Carousel, she signed with Go 2 Talent Agency and attended Moorpark College, where she joined a new modern company that she currently dances with, called Movement Theater CoLab, which attends dance festivals all around. She has danced professionally in the production of Chicago the Musical with Plan B Entertainment, in the La Gay Pride Parade and other small gigs around LA. 

Allie has taught with us over the summer for the past 3 years and is excited to continue that into the fall season. Allie thanks her family that has put her through all her years of dance classes, competitions, and endless dance costumes! 

Orna’s passion in life is dance. In her determination to create fun and life changing fitness classes she has designed a unique and energetic dance program. Orna’s enthusiasm for fusing all forms of dance steps and continuous athletic movement into a fun cardio class. Combining interval training and creative dance moves based on her certifications in Zumba, Belly Dance and Spin.  These disciplines have captivated and inspired many of her students.

Before joining Carousel Dance Studio in 2011 Orna’s fitness dance classes at Powerhouse Gym, Spectrum Health Club and My Symmetry Studio, quickly became huge successes with a devoted following.  Orna was delighted to join Carousel Dance Studio exclusively and become surrounded in extraordinary creative environment.

Inspired to create she formed a Belly Dance troupe “Apsara and The Tanha Dancers” made up primarily of her talented students. The troupe performed in many of the highly anticipated events in the Belly Dance community.

Orna’s motivation to keep evolving her style and learning along with her charismatic and enthusiastic approach toward teaching has caught on , her classes are always filled with students of all ages, levels of fitness and ability.

Orna is most proud when her students transform not only physically by losing weight and getting into great shape but they also experience a mental and spiritual transformation. They discover a new passion for dance and look forward to her class as part of their journey to success!

Being just old enough at the age of 3 for organized gymnastics and dance classes, her mom enrolled her at the local recreation center, and Grace-C fell in love. She grew up as a military brat, which meant she moved often, granting her the opportunities to not only see the world, but to train and compete around the world as well. As a USAG level 7 gymnast, she competed in the sport of gymnastics up until age 13. Entering her Freshman Year of high school, Grace-C hung up her leotard, replaced it for cheer bows and officially converted to competitive cheerleading. She cheered as a high school cheerleader, an all-star cheerleader and a collegiate cheerleader, and had a very successful career.

Grace-C has coached gymnastics, cheer and dance for 16 years in gyms and studios around the world. She is a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Coaching and Safety certified coach, United States All-Star Federation Certified (USASF), USAG coaching and safety certified and is able to bring knowledge and experience from all three worlds to the table. 

Grace-C is a classically trained vocalist and music is her heart and soul, she is an accomplished singer/songwriter/producer with several placements and credits alongside some top names in the entertainment industry. She is an international selling recording artist and is the owner of Gracious Jamz Music Publishing Company. Being able to balance her love of music along with her passion for developing kids through means of athleticism, Grace-C is truly doing what she loves daily in life. To God be ALL the Glory!