Meet The Team

Michelle Miner

Michelle has been an accomplished tap choreographer for over 33 years.  Michelle has trained with such tap masters as Brenda Buffalino, Mike Minery, Sam Weber and the late Gregory Hines. Well known as the tap trainer and choreographer for Sophia Lucia,  she was also the mentor for the 2013 Guinness world record for consecutive pirouettes broken by Sophia. Her choreography is sought after all over the country and her students can be seen dancing for Fox, Disney, ESPN, NBC's World of Dance and in “Dance Teacher” and “Dance Spirit” magazine.  Many of her students have gone on to have successful careers, dancing with such artists as Britney Spears and Rhianna. Her students hold numerous national championship titles and she is known as one of the most successful tap choreographers in the competition dance industry. Michelle is also the artistic director and founder of the California Tap Company, which houses Team USA world championship tap dancers from across CA, AZ & WA. Michelle's dancers have taken home numerous gold and silver medals at the World Tap Dance Championships in Germany and Prague since 2018. She is proud to call Murrieta Performing Arts Center "home" for the training of this decorated team! Michelle is also proud to have trained Rockettes, both past and present! Aside from all of the accolades in her career as a teacher and choreographer, she still holds the greatest pride in the community of children and families that she has built in the Murrieta area & the communication and problem-solving that she teaches her students to have. "Dancing is wonderful and fun, but it will always be secondary to creating strong, responsible and caring human beings!"-Michelle Miner

Sarah Cleveland

In addition to her many years as M-PAC’s studio manager, Sarah continues to work extensively with professional touring theater company Theatre Royale, currently serving as the company’s resident assistant director/stage director/dance director. Standout Theater Royale productions include, Newsies (regional tour), Mary Poppins (regional tour), Les Miserables (regional tour), Beauty and the Beast, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, West Side Story, and Singin’ in the Rain. Sarah graduated from California Baptist University where she studied both Theatrical Performance and Technical Design & Management. 

Jacquelyn Peterson

With over 20 years of musical theater experience, both performing and directing, Jacquelyn is a veteran of the arts who has worked throughout Southern California and New York.  Jacquelyn trained at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and recently directed and musically directed the 2016 production of  A Christmas Carol  for the Temecula Valley Players, making it the company's highest grossing show on record. 

Laila Debin

Having been a dance instructor for over a decade, Laila began her dance journey at the age of 3. Laila has taught students of all ages and skill level, choreographed and produced multiple dance productions in various forms of dance, and has also taught master classes, musical theater, and pageants. Laila holds a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and uses her degree to help dancers better understand their bodies; allowing them develop technique, gain strength, avoid injury, and aid in healing their bodies. She has been recognized with multiple awards, including the State of California Senate certificate of Recognition for her contributions to the dance community. Laila is dedicated to continue to inspire students, aid them in gaining confidence, and help them cultivate a love for dance. She is grateful to be able to pass down the joy and love of dance to future generations.

Joseph J. Arreola

Joseph J. Arreola is a seasoned performer, director, and educator with a passion for guiding the next generation of actors. With professional acting credits in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego, Joseph brings a wealth of stage experience to his work, having performed in nearly 100 theatrical productions and directed close to 150 stage shows across a wide range of genres and styles.

Joseph received his formal training in acting from the University of California, San Diego, and holds advanced degrees in both education and administration from Azuza Pacific University, and Concordia University, respectively. He earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Azusa Pacific University and also holds a master’s degree in English from Arizona State University. He is currently completing a 4th master’s degree in theater, further deepening his knowledge and commitment to the craft.

With a lifelong love for teaching, Joseph is deeply dedicated to nurturing talent and watching actors grow through the creative process. He is thrilled to be part of the team at Murrieta Performing Arts Center in Murrieta, California, where he looks forward to inspiring students, staging powerful productions, and helping shape the future of the performing arts.

Heather Rhodes

Ms. Heather has been teaching & instilling the love for dance to young children for 30 years. Ms. Heather owned and operated a successful dance studio in San Marcos for 15 years. She enjoys and is extremely passionate about teaching. She puts her heart and  soul into teaching young dancers in a safe fun enjoyable environment.

Ms. Heather is excited to be teaching for M-PAC to share her passion for dance.

She runs the tiny tot and mini’s program with combination classes with Tap, Jazz, & Ballet, ages ranging from 2 to 9 years old.

Day Day Robinson

Day Day Robinson, based in Menifee, California brings a dynamic background in both martial arts and dance, with six years of experience training and performing. He began his dance journey in high school and continued developing his artistry while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, where he performed in UCR Is Dancing during his last two years. During his final year, Day Day pursued dance professionally, expanding his versatility in hip hop, contemporary, jazz, freestyle movement, and acrobatics. He has also presented choreography at Club Jete and guest choreographed for NSU Modern at UCLA. Currently, he is an instructor at TNT Dance in Temecula, CA, and choreographer for the Heritage High School dance team which is a full circle moment as it is where his own dance journey began. Day Day is passionate about building strong foundations, creativity, and confidence in every dancer he works with.

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Aaron Cleveland

Aaron has been involved in the performing arts for over 15 years. He teaches a simplified approach to the Stanislavski method, one of the most recognized and well established acting techniques. In addition to many directing and writing credits, Aaron is a resident member of the professional touring theater company- Theatre Royale. During his time with the company, he has performed in many regional touring productions including Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Singing In the Rain, and White Christmas. He has also made an appearance on the Disney Channel and has acted and modeled commercially with Aminocat Entertainment. His technical theater and film expertise ranges from robotics and prop design to sound and lighting. His broad educational experience includes a B.A. in Film Studies and Theatre, as well as a certificate in Digital Design. 

Roxi Johnson

Competitive hip-hop instructor with over three years of teaching experience, currently leading drop-in classes at TNT in Temecula. Brings more than 10 years of competitive and creative dance training across multiple styles, including hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and freestyle movement. Professional credits include performances as a World of Dance headliner, earning 1st Place at Hip Hop International, and corporate performance work for Qualcomm Snapdragon. Specializes in robotics, popping & locking, and wave techniques.

Carlina Cruz

Carlina is a professional dancer and instructor specializing in turns and technique. She is a certified Turn Coach trained under Lynnrae Hiers Serra through the Turn Coach Method and teaches this method to dancers across the country through M-PAC classes, master classes, and private lessons. With her extensive training in all dance styles, Carlina brings a well-rounded approach to her teaching. Her goal is to encourage each dancer, help them better understand proper technique, and reach their full potential through her structured training approach.  

Tanner Levesseur

Tanner is a well versed performer who has worked in the performing arts field in many capacities. He has Directed, choreographed, and performed professionally. 

Anisa Johnson

Anisa Carolina Johnson (They/Them) sparks inspiration in the next generation of dancers through their passionate approach to dance pedagogy. Johnson’s teaching philosophy values athletic excellence without sacrificing the individuality of the developing artist. They create an environment which prioritizes creative expression, while passing on their technical prowess within this scene. 

Johnson has trained with renowned masters of many styles including Linda Sohl-Ellison (tap), Reggio McLaughlin (tap), Lar Lubovitch (modern), S. Ama Wray (modern/jazz), and Cyrian Reed (jazz/hip hop) to list a few. Beyond these notable names, Johnson holds a B.A. in Economics as well as two B.F.A.s in Dance, specializing in performance and choreography; all which were obtained at the University of California- Irvine. For more information on how to get connected or see Anisa Carolina Johnson’s work live, please visit their website at: https://carojcreative.wixsite.com/my-site

Danielle Tucker

Danielle Tucker brings over 25 years of professional experience as a vocalist, vocal coach, and educator. Specializing in contemporary commercial music, including pop, rock, R&B, CCM, and musical theater, Danielle has coached hundreds of singers—from young beginners to working professionals, session singers, and musical theater performers. Her students have gone on to perform in lead theater roles, compete on national television, attend performing arts programs, and build successful careers in music.

In addition to her teaching career, Danielle has enjoyed an extensive career as a professional performer, including more than 15 years as a founding member and lead vocalist of a nationally recognized corporate entertainment band. She is also the founder of The Unstoppable Singer, an educational platform featuring coaching programs, a podcast, and virtual summits that help singers grow both artistically and professionally.

Danielle is passionate about helping every student discover their unique voice while building healthy technique, confidence, musicianship, and a genuine love of performing.

Riley Miner

Riley Miner has been in the Dance industry since birth. Being the daughter of Michelle Miner, she has been trained extensively in tap, but also in jazz and lyrical By Tabetha Thomas and Alix McCurry.  Riley is proud to be part of the Team USA World Tap Team and is in her third year teaching dance.  Riley is also a biology major at Cal State Long Beach and you can find her working her hospital internship at Kaiser Irvine.  Riley has a passion for teaching children and loves to be at her home away from home, Murrieta Performing Arts Center, on her days off from College. 

Joyce Castillo

Joyce Castillo’s love for dance began at just 6 years old, and decades later, that passion continues to shape the way she moves, teaches, and inspires others. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, Joyce brings a diverse background and lifelong love of movement into every class. Since 2025, Joyce has been a proud member of the US Tap Team under the direction of Michelle Miner with California Tap Company, continuing to challenge herself as a dancer while performing and competing on the world stage. She is also a certified instructor in Pole Fitness and Ballet Barre, with a passion for helping students discover not only the joy of dance, but also the discipline, confidence, and dedication it inspires.

Outside the studio, Joyce is a mom of three and proud grandma. Two of her children, Santino and Chloé, share her love of dance and are competitive dancers and fellow members of the US Tap Team, making dance a true family affair.

For Joyce, teaching is about more than learning steps. She believes dance can help children develop discipline, confidence, perseverance, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement. She is passionate about creating a classroom where dancers feel encouraged to work hard, express themselves, and discover what they are capable of. Joyce is thrilled to join the Murrieta Performing Arts Center family and looks forward to being part of each dancer’s journey.

Reilly Archer

Reilly Archer is a San Diego based dance educator, choreographer, and competition adjudicator specializing in tap. She grew up training and competing at San Diego Dance Center under the direction of Sharon Keller and Kristen Hibbs and Michelle Miner and spent over a decade assisting and training under tap educator and choreographer Michelle Miner. Reilly teaches dancers from tiny tots through pre-professional levels, with an emphasis on technique, musicality, confidence, and performance. In addition to teaching and choreographing throughout San Diego County, she serves as a Lead Judge and Convention Faculty member with One Beat Dance Brands and adjudicates for KAR and Ultra Dance Competition. Reilly is passionate about creating a positive, challenging environment where every dancer can grow and be supported to shine as their best selves.  

Savannah Gibbs

Savannah began her dance journey at the age of 3. Since then, she has studied a wide variety of styles including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and her favorite: musical theater. She now runs her own dance program, choreographs musicals for a number of theater companies, and occasionally performs herself. Savannah has performed professionally with the regional theater touring group, Theatre Royale, and very much enjoys the time she spends on stage. But more than anything, the thing that makes her heart most happy is teaching. Helping the younger generation grow, not only as dancers, but as people- is what she loves most. She strives to create an environment that invites creativity, vulnerability, and a space where kids feel safe to fail, so that they can thrive.