Welcome To Studio 13 Dance

2190 First St & 3010 E Los Angeles Ave Simi Valley 805.522.1333

Laura Rice
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.

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.


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.


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!!

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 http://www.unitedtaps.com

JT (Justin Soliz) Justin holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as a B.S.N. from California State University Los Angeles.  His love of dance was sparked when he first saw Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation music video, since then he has not been able to keep from moving to the beat.  His professional dance career began when he moved to Los Angeles, since then he has not looked back.  Justin has taught at the world famous IDA Hollywood, and has also been an instructor & choreographer for several award winning competition teams, as well as the opportunity to travel to teach workshops.   Justin has had opportunities to perform with David Guetta, Afrojack, & numerous up & coming artists, as well as Carnival: The Choreographers Ball.  Justin has done artistic direction & choreographed for live stages shows and special events, as well as assisted some of today’s biggest choreographers. He is excited to be apart of the Studio 13 team.


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.


Marie Bonnevay, stage name Marie Poppins is a French Professional Dancer aged 25, currently living in Los Angeles. She started dancing in France and followed her training in Chicago with Stick and Move Dance crew, and then with Culture Shock Los Angeles. She learned different styles of dance and decided to focus on Popping. She is now steadily making a name for herself in the hip-hop circuit, winning battle after battle:
BBOY SUMMIT 2010- LA HIP HOP INTERNATIONAL 2009- Las Vegas FINALIST FREESTYLE SESSION 2010 – LA HIPOPSESSION 2010 – FRANCE FINALIST SDK - UK BATTLE VISION 2010- FRANCE JUST 4 LADIES – France
Marie Poppins has worked with artists such as Justin Bieber, Busta Rhymes, Dj Tiesto, Rita Ora, KRS One, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Common, Ludacris, Ray J and Cascada. She judged Hip Hop International Mexico, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Madrid and Russia. She was recently casted for the new dance movie STREETDANCE 3D 2 choreographed by Rich and Tone Talauega. You can see Marie Poppins on TV in the last Superbowl Budweiser Commercial “Eternal Optimism” and in the I ROBOT vaccuum Commercial choreographed by Shotyme. Marie Poppins’ workshop is about sharing her knowledge in Popping, Tutting, and Animation that she learned and developed in Los Angeles.www.youtube.com/mariepopping

Justine Menter, originally from Dallas, TX, is a choreographer known for teaching Kim Kardashian on Keeping Up the Kardashians and working with LMFAO. She has choreographed numerous live stage shows & music videos within the entertainment, music & fashion industries. In addition to credits like Faith Hill, Manny Pacquaio, Sephora, Sony, The View, LA Fashion Week and Choreographer’s Carnival, Justine co-found Flirt Dancers, a company performing all over Southern California & Vegas. Well versed in multiple styles of dance such as jazz, hip hop, lyrical/contemporary & pom/drill, Justine is quickly becoming a sought after choreographer. Justine also excels as a performer, having worked with notable choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Derrell Bullock, Gina Starbuck & Kobi Rozenfeld.
Justine is on faculty at International Dance Academy (IDA) Hollywood, a professional studio home to shows like SYTYCD & America’s Best Dance Crew, as well as Turn It Up Dance Convention, Be Discovered, School of Cinema & Performing Arts, LA Dance Dream & Boogiezone. Passionate about inspiring the youth of today, she continues to teach, judge & set choreography all over the U.S.
Her entrepreneurial spirit, unique musicality, and fresh, sassy approach to dance have earned Justine her notoriety. She currently resides in Los Angeles with representation by The S Agency (choreography/dance), The Movement Management (dance education/choreography) & Bobby Ball Agency (commercial/print). 


Jessica Stover has her Bachelor's Degree in Dance from California State University Long Beach. She was on Long Beach States dance team where her team placed 2nd in the Nation at the UDA National College Competition in Florida January 2010. She currently works for Webby Dance Company as a Dance Teacher. She trained at California Dance Theatre for 8 years before attending college, where she was on faculty for four years. She has performed with Pacific Festival Ballet in their annual Nutcracker, Noah's Ark, Sea Princess, Heaven and Hell...the Journey, Bambi, Mary Poppins, The Secret Garden, and Peter Pan. She was a member of CDT's platinum-winning competition team. Jessica spent her summer of 2005 at ABT Texas and 2004 at State Street Ballet. Jessica competed on the hit CBS show Dance Revolution and has danced in Panda Transport music videos who are the musical musicians of the hit TV show Grey's Anatomy. This is her first year on faculty with Studio 13 dance. 


Michael started dancing in Fresno at the age of 17.  He began his training in hip hop and breakdancing and was later on introduced to jazz and contemporary, where he began his classical training.  He spent many years traveling the country in the competition world winning awards as a dancer as well as a choreographer.  He moved out to Los Angeles, CA at the age of 23 and has trained and worked as a professional dancer/choreographer.  His credits include (Glee, Millenium Dance Complex Instructor, Daily Burn Dance Fitness Videos, Gottchalks Commercial, many Award Shows, and choreographer for artist Richie Alexander and the Miss California Pageant)

PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE STUDIO 13 TEACHING STAFF!!

Marielle is an experienced dance-artist, started training at the young age of 3 under Liza O. Mata of St. Anne's Ballet in the Philippines. She took lessons in Jazz, Hawaiian Hula, Classical Ballet and Modern, where she received remarks of Highly Commended and Distinction from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD London). She entered the University of the Philippines in 2000 as a Dance major for further hone her skills and became more graceful dancer formidable not only in Classical Ballet but in Modern, Contemporary, and styles such as Pangalay, Classical Indian Bharatanatyan, Flamenco and some Folk and Ethnic Dance during her study. She had performed and teach all over the Philippines and in Tari Dance Festival in Malaysia. Upon graduating from UP, Marielle became a company member of the Philippine Ballet Theatre where she had the opportunity to dance lead roles in Ballet. After a few years, she joined Airdance Company where she became more versatile, expressive dance artist as a performer, teacher and choreographer in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Aerial dance and Hip hop. She also became part of the Royal Caribbean International Production as a dancer since 2010 and got the opportunity to travel around the world. 


Nicole Maldonado has been dancing since she was 2 ½ years old. She is originally from Long Island New York and has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching dance for the past 5 years in all areas and to all ages. She has won many awards during regional and national dance competitions. Nicole has studied under the directions on Madam Elvire Seivert, Jose de la Cuesta, Frank Hatchet and various other educators of dance. She was a Varsity Cougarette in high school which is a National Champion award winning dance team and was a part of her college dance teams in both Virginia and on Long Island. For the past 4 years she was a professional dancer with the Brooklyn Cyclones Beach Bums, a minor league baseball dance team associated with the New York Mets, becoming captain the last 2 seasons. She hopes that with her experience and the love of dance she can influence the minds of the dancers at studio 13 in a positive way for years to come.

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