Staff
Cami Curtis-Director
Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Combo, and Musical Theater Dance Instructor
ccurtis@camicurtis.com
Cami Curtis brings years of experience as a professional dance instructor, choreographer, and performer to her role as Owner/Director. As a life-long dancer, Ms. Curtis has expert knowledge of all the styles of dance that will be taught at Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center.
She recently served as Dance Coordinator for Multnomah Athletic Club, where she established a widely acclaimed dance program which included over 65 different classes with more than 425 participants.
She has won numerous awards for her choreography, and has instructed dancers of all skill levels both here and in other countries. She continues to add to her dance expertise by training with top performers and choreographers in New York and Los Angeles, and learning the latest styles in the various dance forms.
Kelli Parmele-Business Manager
Hannah Downs
Ballet, Pre-Ballet, and Yoga Instructor
hdowns@camicurtis.com
Hannah Downs began her dance training at Colorado West Ballet in
Anya Klimova-Preston
Ballroom, Latin/Swing, and Salsa Instructor
ak-preston@camicurtis.com
Anya’s serious dance training began at the age of 12. She spent four to five hours per day, five days per week training in Classical Choreography, Ballroom, Latin, Jazz, Modern, and Folk Dance. Being an active, competitive dancer, Anya began teaching at the age of 17. Her credentials include:
- International Adjudicator and Judge of National Dance Council of America- Master's Degree in Dance Education and Ballroom Choreography
- Coach of Ballroom/Latin Champions, 2005 (Moscow, Russia)
- "Dance Teacher of the Year," 2003 (Russia)
- Author of the ballroom dance program, “Dance Fireworks,” for beginners to professional couples
Sarah Brahim
Summer Dance Camp Instructor
sbrahim@camicurtis.com
Candalee Wrede
Ballet Instructor
cwrede@camicurtis.com
Clarissa Castro
Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Pre-Ballet and Pre-Tap/Hip Hop Instructor
ccastro@camicurtis.com
Adam Freeman
Hip Hop Instructor
afreeman@camicurtis.com
Michelle Metzler
Hip Hop Instructor
mmetzler@camicurtis.com
Emily McLaughlin
Swing Instructor
emclaughlin@camicurtis.com
Josh McLaughlin
Swing Instructor
jmclaughlin@camicurtis.com
Stacey Lennon
Salsa Night Club Instructor
slennon@camicurtis.com
Ricah Rejano
Hip Hop Instructor
rrejano@camicurtis.com
Photos coming:
Andrew Auble
Guitar Instructor
aauble@camicurtis.com
Andrew Auble is a Portland based guitarist and composer with an extraordinarily diverse musical background. Andrew has performed in various ensembles including the Calarts Bulgarian Choir, the Calarts Javanese Gamelan, the pit orchestra for Cats the Musical, a middle eastern trio, several classical guitar quartets, and various other rock/avant-garde ensembles. Andrew is also an accomplished recording artist, having recorded four studio albums along with several other film/ studio projects.
In 2006 Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Southern Illinois University were he studied classical guitar. In 2008 he went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Miroslav Tadic, who in the January 1997 issue of Guitar Player Magazine was voted one of the world's thirty most radical and individual guitarists. Aside from his solo project, Andrew performs with local artists like Nosebleed Fantastique and Zach Zaitlin.
Amanda Baker
Vocal Instructor
abaker@camicurtis.com
Amanda Baker started her musical journey in Bend, Oregon. She starred in musicals, sang in large choruses and jazz choirs, participated in statewide vocal festivals and competitions, and has been privately studying classical voice for the past eight years. It was in high school that she began volunteering her spare time to teaching children music and kept volunteering through college. Amanda started her own children’s music program and choir in Gresham last year. While Amanda is working for a career in music education and the world of opera as a soprano soloist, she teaches all ages privately in voice and beginning piano.
Aaron Brown
Acting Instructor
abrown@camicurtis.com
Venessa Chavez
Yoga Instructor
vchavez@camicurtis.com
Venessa Chavez is originally from the southern California and is the very proud and happy mother of 3 beautiful and talented children. She has a steady yoga practice in various disciplines and is honored to be among the wonderfully talented and inspiring people at Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center. Venessa earned her BA in Sociology from Portland State University and some advanced studies in Social Work and the Graduate School of Sociology. Venessa is currently studying for certification to teach Childbirth Education classes, as well as prenatal/postpartum yoga. She has also completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher training at The Yoga Union Community Wellness Center. This has laid the foundation for her interest and love for Anusara Yoga, which is based off Tantric philosophy. Venessa believes, "That through our yoga practice we increase our capacity to give and receive loving and support: we shine out and reveal our intrinsic goodness. I would love to share a light hearted approach to yoga that is also challenging. Laughter and informal inquiry are very welcome in my yoga classes. As one teacher would say, 'Whoever has the most fun wins!' A heart centered yoga practice brings me inner stillness,clarity, physical release and relaxtion, reduces my bad eating habits and so on. I invite you to come and practice and see what unfolds for you."
Colleen Curtis
Front Desk
cocurtis@camicurtis.com
Todd Owen
Salsa Night Club Instructor
towen@camicurtis.com
Photos by Kelly Montgomery
Kellmo@gmail.com
All students must have a signed liability waiver on file before taking their first class
CCPAC Liability Waiver Form Download
Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center
1932 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
503-227-8649
info@camicurtis.com
