Meet The Palisades Dance Studio FACULTY

DANCE DIRECTOR ~ 

(BALLET, MODERN & CONTEMPORARY)

Cami received a BFA in Modern Dance from East Carolina University and has over 30 years of experience teaching dance and working in the entertainment industry.  She founded and directed professional dance companies and studios in Hong Kong, Singapore, Florida, and North Carolina. She has a passion to mentor youth and assists them in developing careers in the area of performing arts. Cami also works with Kreativ Media Partners as a youth talent manager. She was the administrator and children's dance instructor for Abby Lee Dance Company in Los Angeles, CA. In Orlando, Florida, she worked as co-artistic director/choreographer for the Holy Land Experience theme park. Cami toured internationally with dance conventions as a dancer, guest speaker, instructor, choreographer, and talent judge.  She has also choreographed and performed in music videos, TV shows, films and events internationally. This year marks the 26th year of marrige for Derek & Cami. They are most proud of their 3 treasures Cayden, Sasha, and Cole.

DANCE & FITNESS DIRECTOR ~

(TAP, HIP-HOP, JAZZ & TUMBLING)

Derek received a degree in dance from East Carolina University and has co-owned and operated dance studios and performing companies in North Carolina, Florida, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles. Derek has worked as a performer at Walt Disney World, Busch

Gardens Tampa Bay, Dance Revolution, Glory Dance Company & Holy Land Experience. His fitness journey started in Honk Kong and Singapore and led him to Los Angeles. He's had the opportunity to work with amazing organizations such as Tracy Anderson, Orange Theory, Equinox, Bay Clubs, Pure Fitness, Exhale & Griffin Club LA.

DANCE - (CONTEMPORARY)

Gianna Martello is a dancer, teacher and choreographer from Pittsburgh, PA. You may know her from the fan favorite, Dance Moms. You can catch her choreography on all 8 seasons of the hit reality TV show! Raw talent and intensive training under the direction of Abby Lee Miller and the faculty at the Abby Lee Dance Company earned her regional and national accolades growing up as a “competition kid. At 16, Gianna began choreographing routines alongside Ms. Miller as well as on her own which led her to discover her passion for teaching and choreography. She has been on faculty at the ALDC for over 15 years and serves as a guest instructor and competition judge around the world.

Gianna was able to balance her academic and dance opportunities with great success. She graduated from Point Park University in 2011 with a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations. Her choreography can be seen in the movie, Dance-Off, Go90’s Crashed series, Kid’s Choice Awards and Dance Class Live promos, Australia’s ASTRA Awards, Abbys Ultimate Dance Competition, and music videos for Rachael Sage, Alexx Calise, Nia Sioux, Todrick Hall, and many more. 

DANCE ~ (HIP HOP, CONTEMPORARY, ACROBATICS)

Natalie is a graduate from the University of Akron; BA in Dance with Business Cognate. She teaches Hip-Hop, Tumbling/Acrobatics & Contemporary.

Natalie began dancing competitively at the age of 14 with her dance studio, and high school team.  In college Natalie was a 4 year member of the University of Akron dance team and trained weekly at The Abby Lee Dance Company in PA. Natalie regularly teaches at Abby Lee Dance Company LA,  DanceKidz LA and Palisades Studio.  Her most recent performance credits include dancer/choreographer for the "Boys of Summer National Tour 2021-2022" and "Playlist Live Orlando".  She has appeared in various music videos such as “Tainted” by American Idol’s Allegra Miles, “It’s a Vibe ft. R3HAB” x Peloton collab, RIP Youth, Alexis Ma.

GUEST FACULTY-

(BALLET & CONTEMPORARY)

Sasha began dancing in Hong Kong at the age of two and has had the unique opportunity to train, travel, and live in Florida, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

Her parents, Derek and Cami Capps, are both former professional dancers, and Sasha has grown up immersed in the dance world. Throughout her training, she has studied with several respected programs and institutions, including Hong Kong Ballet Academy, Jean M. Wong Ballet Academy, Cheng Ballet School, Glory Academy of Dance Arts, Marat Daukayev Ballet Theatre, Ballet Magnificat, Abby Lee Dance Company, and the Grand Academy of Ballet.

Sasha previously studied with Ballet Magnificat Professional Training Company in Brazil and is currently a member of the Carolina Ballet Pre-Professional Program in Raleigh, North Carolina.