meet our staff

Studio Owner

Dance Team Director

Jazz, Contemporary, & Musical Theater Program Director
Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap

Jenna has been dancing for 39 years and teaching for 30. She began dancing and competing in Redlands, California and moved to Seattle in 1998. She completed her BFA in Dance at Cornish College of the Arts in 2007. She's danced with many award winning teachers and choreographers in the Los Angeles and Seattle areas, and has been teaching and choreographing in Seattle for more than 20 years. She started teaching at RDC in 2006 and took over as owner in 2012.

Assistant Studio Director

 Tap & Ballet Program Director
Adult Tap (levels 1 & 2), Ballet 1 & 4, Contemporary 1 & 5, Hip Hop/Acro, Jazz 2 & 5, Tap  1, 3 & 4

Cristen Klaja grew up dancing at her local studio in Vancouver, Washington, where as a teen she trained and began working as an instructor.  She moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and continued teaching at studios in the area. She graduated from UW with a BA in Dance in 2002.  In the years since, her life has been filled with dance, both in the classroom and the stage, family, and adventure. Cristen has been teaching at RDC since 2013.

 Teacher

Ballet 3, Ballet/Contemporary 3/4 & 5

Robbi Moore, from Hamden, CT, began dancing at New England Ballet and continued at Dee Dee’s Dance Center and New Haven Ballet. They are an alumnus of Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, the Ailey Summer Intensive, Cunningham Trust Workshop, Jacob’s Pillow’s Commercial Dance Program, and the Complexions Intensive. They went to Mexico with JUNTOS Collective, and taught with Notes in Motion, Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre, and JD/dansfolk. Robbi graduated magna cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program and has danced with Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre, The Steps Repertory Ensemble, AATMA Performing Arts, Whidbey Island Dance Theatre, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, Karin Stevens Dance, the Guild Dance Company, Kinesis Project Dance Theater, The Gray, PRICEarts, Coriolis Dance, Khambatta Dance Company, and Spectrum Dance Theater.   Robbi recently worked for The Village Theatre as Associate Choreographer for "Little Shop of Horrors".

Teacher

Acro Program Director

Acro 1-4,  Jazz 1, 3 & 4, Tap 2

Jilyan was born and raised in Massachusetts before moving to West to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education from Arizona State University. She has had the opportunity to teach in studios, middle schools, high schools, and day & overnight camps in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Arizona and Washington. Predominately trained in modern and jazz, Jilyan has also studied ballet, tap, and acrobatics. She holds two levels of certification through Acrobatic Arts, a certification through International Dance Teaching Standards, and has completed the Summer Dance Institute for Teachers at the Creative Dance Center, expanding her knowledge of Brain Compatible Dance Education.

Jilyan takes a personal approach to teaching dance. Her focus is on combining proper technique while exploring self-expression, confidence, and personal growth. She is dedicated to educating dancers about all areas of dance including its rich history, kinesiological principles and choreographic methods. More than anything, Jilyan is focused on having fun in the classroom and creating a love for dance and movement.  

Teacher

Ballet 1, 2 & 5, Contemporary 2, 3 & 4, Pre-Pointe, Pointe

Sara Caplan (she/her) is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist originally from Dedham, MA. She received her BA Theatre: Dance Performance and her BS in Biology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2013 and her MFA in Dance from the College at Brockport in 2017. Caplan has performed in works choreographed by Elisha Clark Halpin, Sherone Price, Laura Peterson (NY), Juanita Suárez, Maura Keefe, Kendra Portier, Mariah Maloney, Beth Gill, Elise Beers AachixQaaduug, Lucille Jun, Bri Wilson, Shenandoah Harris, Madeleine Gregor, Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone and Anja Kellner-Rogers. She currently dances for Karin Stevens Dance and collaborates on various independent movement projects. She has presented works in various theatres and urban venues, as well as virtually, in Pennsylvania, New York, and Seattle. Sara has more than 10 years of experience teaching in studios and has taught at the Pennsylvania State University, The College at Brockport, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and Slippery Rock University.

Teacher

Hip Hop 1-4

Yoko Kogure, a Los Angeles native, has immersed herself in Southern California’s vibrant Hip Hop dance scene for 20 years. She dedicated nearly a decade to serving as the company director for Culture Shock Los Angeles, a dance organization committed to fostering community engagement, education, and delivering professional entertainment. During her tenure at CSLA, Yoko collaborated with exceptional artistic directions, choreographer’s, and accomplished dancers. She played a pivotal role in coordinating, producing, and participating in numerous events and performances. Additionally, she served as a teaching artist at the LA Unified School District, further enriching her experience in nurturing young dancers. Her teaching commitment covers a wide spectrum including mentoring professional dancers and guiding aspiring talents in various educational settings and outreach programs. She has shared her expertise across dance studios, public and private schools, and held leadership roles directing dance companies for youth and professionals. 

Focusing on nurturing the foundational aspects of dance, Yoko’s classes prioritize the development of movement, self-expression, and confidence in her students. As a respectful guest within a Black dance culture, she diligently integrates essential historical context into her lessons, recognizing the roots of Hip Hop. Her approach extends beyond teaching steps to impart the profound cultural significance and historical roots deeply embedded within this popular dance form.

Yoko’s commitment to providing a holistic dance education resonates through her vibrant energy and unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation. Her teaching style fosters a love for movement, instilling confidence, and positivity in every student’s journey!

Teacher

Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap, Ballet 1 & 3

Raised in Colorado, Vera grew up dancing in multiple styles at a local dance studio. They joined the Joffrey Ballet School (NYC) in 2016, and continued their education afterward at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where they earned a BFA in Dance. Vera's personal art practice focuses on being a co-director and performer for HEARTH Movement Company and integrated dance movement for all ages. They have performed and studied under many beautiful artists in New York City and Seattle, including The Guild Dance Company, Alia Swersky, Keyes Wiley, Michael Waldrop, and more. As a teacher, Vera is committed to meeting dancers where they are at, and providing individualized and engaging education for all as they meet and learn from each and every student. 

 Office Manager

Timithy Child began dancing in college at New Mexico State University, where he studied and subsequently earned his Bachelors of Arts in Dance Performance and Production. During his time at NMSU he was afforded many opportunities to perform for several notable artists, including Bill Evans, but he was also given many opportunities to create dance. His senior work represented NMSU at the regional American College Dance Association conference in 2012 and was selected as alternate to represent the region at the national conference. This inspired him to continue his education and career in the field of dance. Following graduation, he enrolled at Sam Houston State University for the MFA Dance program. He spent his years at SHSU developing his skills as a choreographer, performer, and educator. He presented work every semester through to his graduation, including presenting in Luca, Italy for Dance Italia directed by Stephanie Nelson. Timithy also performed professionally as a founding member of Nicolay Dance Works directed by Dana Nicolay, a guest artist for Noble Motion Dance directed by Andy and Dionne Noble, and freelance for various studio organized productions in the greater Houston area. After earning his MFA, Timithy worked with Dana Nicolay to start the Huntsville Dance Connection where he worked as the office manager. He also joined the Texas Renaissance Festival as a character actor and Haven Arts Theater as a dancer for their suite of work produced for the Texas Renaissance Festival: After Dark. Timithy Child most recent work has been presented at the Austin Dance Festival in Austin, TX and the Barnstorm Dance Festival in Houston, TX. He is very excited to be joining Rainier Dance Center as the office manager and is looking forward to working with and in the dance community that RDC has cultivated. 

Desk Staff

Recently graduated magna cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in 2023, Bee draws from his experience as a queer, disabled artist to give voice to the human experience. Born and raised

in Oak Park, IL, they have over 20 years of dance education in ballet, Graham, contemporary, improv/contact improv, jazz, integrated dance, and more. Bee's work has been performed in Cornish's New Moves, MOMENTA's CounterBalance, and HEARTH, their up-and-coming dance company, co-directed by artistic partner Vera Drumond-Moore. They also put energy into their other passion, teaching, working with students of all ages at Haven Dance Academy, All That Dance, AIM Seattle, and the Academy of Music and Dance in Ballard and Shoreline. With

almost a decade of teaching experience, Bee strives to create a welcoming space where dancers can explore and discover the creative force that they are!