Christina Crocker

TWIRL, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, & Jazz Instructor

Christina Crocker (Nina) has been dancing since the age of 3, and competing since the age of 6. She spent a majority of her youth training at Corona Dance Academy located in Corona, California. Later moving to Avi’s Dance Project under the direction of Aviana Sanchez in Corona, California. 

At Corona Dance Academy, she was heavily versed in the genre of ballet as she competed in the highly accredited competition known as Youth America Grand Prix, traveling to New York as a finalist. She also spent summers training at intensives such as Maple Ballet conservatory and American Ballet Theater. 

At Avi’s Dance Project, she trained in all styles of dance as well as competed at competitions and conventions. In her time at Avi’s Dance Project, she was awarded as Miss Dance America in both 2019 and 2021 by KAR at nationals. She began teaching at Avi’s during her senior year of high school where she gained experience working with students in the styles of ballet and jazz. 

Christina attended Santiago High School located in Corona, California where she was a proud 4 year member of the dance team. She was chosen to be captain for both her junior and senior year where she choreographed several halftime performances. She also competed with her team at West Coast Elite dance where she was asked to come back as an apprentice, and now holds a position as an employee. 

Currently, Christina is a proud member of the UCSB dance team. Traveling with her team to compete in Florida at UDA Nationals, they were recognized in the D1 category by taking home 4th in pom finals and is looking forward to this upcoming year. Christina is beyond thrilled she gets the opportunity to work for Momentum Dance Company and is loving her time here already! She thanks everyone for welcoming her and can't wait to continue this amazing year!

Mackenzie Groty

Front Desk Receptionist

Mackenzie (MG) has been dancing since she was 3 years old and began competing when she was 4. She spent the first 8 years dancing at Studio 31 Dance Center before moving to Murrieta Dance Project to further her technical and competitive training. 

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At Murrieta Dance Project, she was trained in a highly competitive setting with an emphasis on technique and performance. MG trained in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop. She has won various awards as a soloist and as a group performer at many different competitions. When she began High School, she became an Assistant at the studio. With this, she learned how to teach classes, clean routines, and be a role model for the younger dancers. Her senior year, she became a Lead Assistant. 

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MG attended Lakeside High School and was apart of their dance team. She was Captain of the dance team for 3 years. With this, she choreographed dances, cleaned routines, and helped the team prepare for Nationals. 

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Currently, MG attends UCSB to further her education and belongs to the UCSB Dance Team. With the Dance Team, she has performed at various sport games, on-campus activities, and competed at UDA Nationals in Florida, CA. She can't wait to continue being on this team and now work at Momentum Dance Company with all the wonderful dancers here!

Kacey Hartman

TWIRL & Tap Instructor

Kasey Hartman, now a high school senior, joined Momentum in Season 1. She started helping with summer camps and classes because she loves working with kids. When injuries forced her to stop dancing, Betsy invited her to teach and help with classes. She was more than happy to make this switch so she could stay in the Momentum family and have lots of time to help kids have the great dance experience she benefited from at Momentum. 

Jaylyn Vaughan has been dancing since the age of 3 and competing since she was 10. She spent most of her youth dancing at Classical Dance Center in Tustin, California. She later moved on to her home studio, Avi’s Dance Project, as well as the accredited Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet.

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At Avi’s Dance Project in Corona, California, she trained in all styles of dance as well as competed at several competitions and conventions. Jaylyn began assisting her teacher/studio owner Aviana Sanchez during her junior year of high school. She became a member of the ADP faculty the following year, teaching ballet, lyrical, jazz, and technique classes. Her second studio, the accredited Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet, became her main source of professional ballet and pointe training.

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Jaylyn attended Villa Park High School and was a four year member of their Advanced Dance Company. During her senior year she was captain of the team and choreographed several performances. Jaylyn also participated in countless student choreographed dance concerts. Jaylyn was also recognized three times as a Varsity All American Top 10 Camp Dancer at the high school level USA Dance Camps.

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Currently, Jaylyn is a proud member of the UCSB Dance Team. Jaylyn has loved her time spent teaching and dancing alongside all the students, staff, and company members. From the bottom of her heart she thanks you all for welcoming her with such open arms.

Antonio Perez

Acro Instructor

Born in Santa Barbara, CA; raised in Salt Lake City, UT. Spent early childhood singing in church and elementary school choirs. Shortly after took music lessons and learned to read/write music and play multiple instruments. After discovering a passion for performing, he started taking multiple dance and tumbling classes consistently. Eventually making it onto a high ranked competitive high school dance team for four consecutive years. After graduating in 2018, he started to spend more time working/volunteering at dance studios and cheer gyms in Utah and California. Experienced working with kids of all ages, since 2015. Determined to help kids/teens achieve their athletic goals through practice, encouragement, and authentic passion.

Landry Breaux began dancing at the age of 3 in Dallas, Texas. After moving to Riverside, California at the age of 8, Landry danced at the studio Kristi’s Forever Dancin’ for 7 years. After relocating to Irvine, California, Landry danced at West Coast School of the Arts for 4 years. While at West Coast, Landry also became an instructor, teaching jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and ballet classes. Currently, Landry is a fourth-year team member on UCSB’s dance team and a third-year treasurer for the team.

In the studio, Landry was trained in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and tap. Landry has won various awards as a soloist and group performer during her competitive seasons. She has placed in the Top 10 at Showstoppers Nationals during her high school years, won Regional Miss Dance at KAR, placed in Top 5 at Hall of Fame, placed Top 3 at Mark of Excellence, Top 5 at KAR nationals, and much more. Along with placements, Landry has been fortunate enough to work with many esteemed choreographers and teachers, such as Paula Kessinger, Ray Leeper, Stacey Tookey, Chalatorn Ujamras, Cooper Zamorano, Marguerite Derricks, and Lex Ishimoto.

During middle school, Landry had her first experience as captain for her dance team. Landry was undefeated in her 8th-grade year for her lyrical solo titled “Uneven Odds”. In high school, Landry was a member of the Beckman High School dance team. Landry received the highest solo score on the team for all four years, and was the first dancer at Beckman to win at a regional event and place at USA Nationals. During her senior year, Landry was crowned 2019 Solo Champion at USA Nationals for a solo choreographed by Zack Falk. Landry hopes to continue dancing outside of college and is excited to be able to teach at Momentum Dance Company.