faculty

faculty

MISS STELLA

Founder & Director

Stella began dancing at the age of three in Tbilisi, Georgia where she quickly fell in love with the art form. After performing in the Nutcracker and other major ballet productions at only 10 years old, Stella moved to Russia where she trained under Polyakova and discovered her passion for teaching dance in addition to learning and performing. Inspired by her instructor, Stella’s dream of opening her own studio where she too could inspire young dancers was born!

In pursuit of this dream, Stella began assisting her own dance teacher when she was 12 years old and furthered her dance education by attending the Russian University of Culture and Arts. There, she founded Avenue, a dance company that performed at local city events, festivals, and fundraisers of all sizes. Stella continued to run Avenue while also performing with several other dance companies in Russia before moving to the United States.

Upon moving to Hollywood, Stella trained in various styles including jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary through professional college programs. While keeping her dream of opening her own studio in mind, she gained extensive experience by teaching many different styles of dance at several youth studios and schools.

In 2014, Stella opened her boutique dance studio to inspire the next generation of dancers in the West Hollywood community. Stellar Dance Studio is the epitome of a dream come true for Stella, and she looks forward to fulfilling many more dreams in the years to come. Throughout her dance career, watching her students learn and achieve their goals on and off the stage has fueled Stella to keep dreaming big. She is so excited to continue growing Stellar Dance Studios in the West Hollywood Community and beyond!

MISS AKSINIA

Instructor

Born and raised in Cheboksary, Russia.

Aksinia Nefrit began her career at the Republican School of Arts at the age of four, where she received an aesthetic education, which included such educational disciplines as fine arts, acting, choral performance, aesthetics, playing, musical literacy and dance art.

After graduating with honors she joined Chaika`s competitive performing company, which worked in such dance directions as ballet, contemporary, jazz, street dance.

At the age of 16, she entered the Professional College of Culture in Russia, where she gained extensive knowledge, skills and experience of eight classes of ballet, contemporary, jazz, ballroom, folk dance, modern choreography and hip-hop. She has a degree in leadership of a creative team, specializing in choreography.

Twice awarded the head of Cheboksary city, Russia with a scholarship for the special creative aspirations.

After graduation, she joined a rapidly developing dance group, where she has been directly involved as a soloist, choreographer and organizer of mass performances for 13 years, and from which talented dancers and future choreographers were trained under her leadership. Actively takes part in international master classes, dance camps for advanced training and skills.

Aksinia moved to Los Angeles in 2022 where she currently works as a teacher-choreographer . She is proud to continue teaching at Stellar Dance Studio while pursuing her career and hopes to empower her students to reach their potential through the art of dance.

MISS MARISA

Instructor

Originally from a small town in Ohio, Marisa Ervin began her dance training at the young age of two, and her passion for dance only grew as she did. After training with choreographers: Cat Cogliandro, Chaz Buzan, and Talia Favia she discovered her love for improvisation and contemporary dance. Marisa furthered her studies at both collegiate campuses of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). She began her AMDA training at their New York campus, then finished her degree in Los Angeles earning her BFA in Dance Theatre. Continuing to develop her artistic voice, Marisa’s choreographic work has been featured in various concept films, showcases, conventions, and competitions.

Marisa can be seen performing in multiple live and video performances such as Chad Future's "BUTTER" music video and "Summer in the City" performed at New York City's iconic Insonia Theatre. Recently Marisa assistant choreographed alongside Monika Smith and performed in Lume Dance Collective's "WHAT IF... I DIDN'T FEEL BROKEN" showcase.

As a complex dancer and choreographer, Marisa Ervin works with improvisation and contemporary dance for stage and film. She’s interested in exploring immersive and lively movement to portray transcendental and intense narratives. She consistently aims to create a safe space to explore, discover, learn, and inspire. She believes in the power of individuality and encourages every dancer to use their artistic voice to lead them through class.

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