Welcome To Studio 13 Dance

2190 First St Simi Valley 805.522.1333

Charlene Gildehaus
Co-Owner/Director

Charlene Gildehaus is a native of Southern California, where dance has been an important part of her life since the age of three. Charlene holds a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in visual and performing arts and child psychology from Cal State University Channel Islands where she is also currently pursuing her credential and masters degree. Teaching has always been a very important and rewarding aspect of her life, she is grateful to have the opportunity to combine her love of education and her dance background to do what she loves: teaching young children to dance. Charlene has had the opportunity to choreograph for numerous award winning competitive routines as well as take top choreography honors at various competitions. She is excited to be starting her studio adventure where dancing career began and is thankful for her loving family and friends who have supported her along the way.


Laura Rice Co-Owner/Manager
Laura is here to answer all your questions about Studio 13. Though she is not a dance teacher, Laura is a mother of 3 and knows the importance of communication and learning. Laura is constantly investigating new ways to make people comfortable and happy. Laura’s daughters, Kaycee and Kylie are all about dance. In fact, you will find them helping out in the studio almost every day! It is their passion for dance that drives Laura. Laura says that when they are dancing it fills her heart with love and happiness. The world stops and all her stresses go away. She would like all parents to have that feeling when they watch their children dance. She believes that there is always a way to improve yourself and your business. With Laura running the business side and Charlene handling all the dance programs, they believe their partnership is the recipe for success.

Joy Mosman has been dancing since she was 4 year’s old winning numerous awards at Regional and National Dance Competitions in all areas of the art. As well as winning two Young Choreographer awards. Joy is recognized as an international performer where in 2003 she became a member of the USA Tap Team bringing home the gold metal as she represented her country at the IDO Tap Dance World Championship held in Riesa, Germany. Since then, you might of seen Joy dancing on Royal Carribean Cruiselines, in the Production Cast, where she toured all throughout Europe. Or in Vegas dancing in Show In The Sky at the Rio. Joy has worked with many choreographers such as Bradley Rapier, Billy Blanks Jr, Jeremy Fullam, LJ Jellison, Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, Craig Hempsted, and Carrie LaGrand. Joy is a passionate dancer and teacher. She hopes to install in her students the passion, enthusiasm, joy, and love she has for the amazing art that is dance.

Michelle Assadi Michelle began dancing in 1997 studying different dance forms such as: Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, & Lyrical. Michelle started competing in 1998 and continued competing for six years. She won many awards at various regional & national competitions including top overall awards for jazz, hip hop, & lyrical group dances. Michelle started teaching pre-school age children, as well as jazz and hip-hop class in 2001. In addition to teaching dance Michelle is also studying communications at Cal State Los Angeles. Michelle is privileged to be showing her love of dance through teaching children throughout the Ventura County and San Fernando area. She is excited share her passion and inspiration with the students of Studio 13.

Cass On August 12, 1984 Cass Smith was born in Miami, Florida at Jackson Memorial Hospital. At the age of 11, he realized he had a passion for dance where he began his studying of hip-hop, ballet and lindy hop at Inner City Dance Company. At the age of 12, he joined a dance company called Live in Color, where he continued his studies in dance. As he turned 15, he auditioned for WNBA Dance Troupe Miami Soul where he continued for the next 4 years as a faithful member to the troupe. After the troupe ended he moved on to teaching hip-hop classes at Peaches School of Dance; while still training to become a better performer. He has performed on the National Televised Show Dance Fever, where he and three friends took on the challenge of being televisions next dance stars and won a prize for $100,000. From there he performed for the Miami Heat, The Latin Bill Board Awards,and countless performances in the Florida area. He most recently showcased his skills with Hi Definition (formerly known as “Live In Color”) on MTV’s first season of America’s Best Dance Crew in 2008. Now that Cass has performed at theme parks, on cruise ships, and television shows he is now ready to take the world by storm with his group and family of “HI DEFINITION”. Cass is excited to share his love of dance with Studio 13!


Ashley Grimes is 25 years old and originally from Tampa, Florida. While residing in Pittsburgh she graduated from Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance with a focus on Jazz and Modern. She has performed in numerous performances with the Pittsburgh Playhouse Company from 2003-2007. Than was invited to perform with Attack Theatre in the show “Dressed to Remember”. Ashley than moved to Bolivia to teach Jazz and Modern for Capezio Estudio de Ballet as well as choreograph for their company. Ashley has received many choreography awards for numerous dance competitions . Her piece “If you could relive a moment” was selected to go to ACDFA in Buffalo, New York in 2007. Ashley recently moved to Los Angeles and is in her second season with Rhetoracle dance company. She is excited to be in LA constantly taking classes from cutting edge choreographers at EDGE as well as auditioning for exciting new projects. She recently performed as a back up dancer for a Jive productions showcase! Most of all she is thrilled to be teaching for Studio 13 and looks forward to the fall session!!




Kayce Aea Originally from Mililani, Hawaii, Kayce was the founding member of Studio 808 Dance project in Waipahu, Hawaii. She currently teaches at South County Dance and Adage Dance Studio in the Southern California area, and graduated in 2008 from Chapman University with a BA in dance. Her credits include Boogiezone’s Breed 4EVER and Entity, Essence Ladies, Expressive Doubt and Boxcuttuhz. She has also had the privilege of teaching internationally in Spain, Germany, Poland, Amsterdam, and Greece. Kayce is currently resides in Los Angeles and is represented by Trio Talent Agency.

Rod Howell has had extensive training and experience performing in the areas of tap and jazz. His performance credits include The Nutcracker, US Dance Olympus Tour, Miss Kansas Pageant, Lincoln Center Showcase, Edge Performing Arts Scholarship show, Miss America pageant, The House of Blues and Rhythm from the Feet, and Mind and Soul. He has trained with Gregg Russell and has taught at a variety of dance studios including Edge Performing Arts Center, LA Underground, and the 3D Dance Network. Rod shares his interests and special abilities of choreography and computer assisted music editing/mixing with many students at Dance Ten. He most recently choreographed, composed, and was featured on the national network Soap Net. Rod’s sounds can be heard at Miss America Pageants, and online at www.unitedtaps.com. He is proud of being the creator of the world’s largest tap video dictionary. Rod has also won many high scoring and entertainment awards for his very creative and innovative Tap Choreography




Kristyn Abbandini started dancing at the age of three. She currently has over 26 years of experience in the dance industry. At the age of 10 she was asked to be a part of the Tremaine Teen Company, "Next Generation", under the direction of Marguerite Derricks. Some of her teachers include; Joe Tremaine, Marguerite Derricks, Doug Caldwell, Tyce Diorio, Liz Imperio, Brian Friedman, Chris Dupre, Michael Rooney, Jackie Sleight, Meridith Baylis and Sally Whelan. At the age of 14, she began assisting Chris Dupre and touring around the states to teach. Under the direction of Chris Dupre, she has assisted at various conventions such as Urban Jamm, Tremaine, and Company Dance. At the age of 21, Kristyn took on the hat of choreographer to Lizzy McGuire co-star Lalaine. She toured with Disney as Lalaine's lead choreographer for three years. Kristyn has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theatre, various Laker half time shows, former Mayor Richard Riordon's inauguration, and many other events. She has had the pleasure of working for Ivan Wrightman, Demi Moore, Elizabeth Berkley, Britney Spears, Micheal Myers and Paula Abdul to name a few. Some of her credits include, The Joffrey Ballet, Austin Powers, Starsky and Hutch, Power Rangers, KFC, Green Day, and USPS.

STUDIO 13 DANCE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME
2 NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR TEACHING STAFF!

JT (Justin Soliz) Bio Coming Soon!


Melody began dancing at the age of three, in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada and has had the opportunity throughout the past 18 years to perform with some of the best ballet companies across Canada and the United States. At fifteen years old Melody was accepted into The Goh Ballet Academy, located in Vancouver British Columbia. Leaving home at such a young age was just the beginning of her travels. From there she went on to dance with The Alberta ballet (on scholarship), The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The Banff Center of the Performing Arts. She has had the privilege to dance with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company, The National Ballet of Canada, and The Boston Ballet, in works such as Serenade, Swan Lake, Giselle, Piquita, and the Nutcracker.

For Teaching Opportunities Please Submit your Resume with Video Clips to info@studio13dance.com



Where Did The Name STUDIO 13 DANCE Come From?
Coming Soon..