We’re BETTER TOGETHER!

Our Better Together Dance Theatre family is thrilled to be opening its doors. We are a team of Performing Arts professionals who were brought together by the Arts and are beyond excited to bring a new and innovative studio to the Peninsula community! While the studio “Better Together Dance Theatre” is new, it is founded by industry experts in the dance, theatre, and film world, with over 100 years of collaborative experiences and talents!

We believe that we are all better together.

Christina HornChristina’s love of dance began at the age of three and has continued to grow ever since. Her studies began at Kirkpatrick’s School of Dance and continued through college. She grew to love many styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, and … — Christina Horn
Christina’s love of dance began at the age of three and has continued to grow ever since. Her studies began at Kirkpatrick’s School of Dance and continued through college. She grew to love many styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre. Christina earned her Teaching Credential and Master of Arts in Teaching from Saint Mary’s College of California and currently teaches Kindergarten at North Elementary. Christina loves sharing her love of dance and passion for teaching with others and could not be more excited to be part of the Better Together family!

Kelly DickinsonDancing has been a part of Kelly’s life for the past 28 years. Over the years, she has studied Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and African dance. She began her dance training at Kirkpatrick’s School of Dance and continued on to earn a mino… — Kelly Almanza
Dancing has been a part of Kelly’s life for the past 30 years. Over the years, she has studied Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and African dance. She began her dance training at Kirkpatrick’s School of Dance and continued on to earn a minor in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Dance from Saint Mary’s College of California. Kelly has been teaching and choreographing for the past 16 years to students of all ages. When not dancing, Kelly teaches Kindergarten in San Mateo. She is excited to be a part of the Better Together family and continue sharing her love of dance!

Geoff Horn
Geoff has always had a passion for theatre. Since the age of six, he has been involved in some capacity behind the scenes. Geoff holds a degree in theatre and has been working professionally in the Bay Area for over 15 years, acting as Technical Director for over 60 shows. He was the Theatre Manager at Carlmont Performing Arts Center for the past ten years and has worked with over 600 students who have volunteered their time to run events at the center. These students have had the opportunity to learn critical aspects of lighting, sound, scenic, rigging, and props, and several have gone on to pursue professional careers. He cannot wait to help open students’ eyes to the work behind the curtain and dive deep into the behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre. Geoff is so excited to be a part of the Better Together family!

Daniel Almanza
Daniel was born and raised in Napa Valley. He graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology - Sport & Recreation Management. Daniel has worked in the Non-Profit sector for nearly a decade coordinating and managing youth programming in Napa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Some of his hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. He is excited about helping BT with Marketing and Apparel!

Kelly Ciardella

Kelly was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and grew up on the peninsula. She began her dance training with Kirkpatrick’s at the age of four as a student of ballet, tap and jazz. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. She holds professional and teaching certificates from the Cecchetti Ballet Council of America. Additionally, she joined Dance Masters of America, an elite association of dance educators. Kelly has performed with the Peninsula Ballet Theatre in San Mateo. Since 1993 she has been teaching ballet, tap and jazz to students ranging in age from three to adult. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance with her students and is excited to join the Better Together family!

Robin Conway

As a child, Robin enjoyed dance as well as competing in gymnastics. She started teaching gymnastics as a teenager and was trained by top notch coaches in the industry, specializing in developmental gymnastics for the growing child. She holds a teaching credential from San Francisco State and taught 2nd grade before opening her own gymnastics and dance school, which she ran for 15 years. Robin has vast experience as a gymnastic teacher, from movement exploration for the very young child to coaching advanced gymnasts. She is excited to be teaming up with her daughter to bring tumbling and acro classes to Better Together!

Kari Dixon

Kari has been dancing since the age of three. She began with tap and ballet, then learned jazz and eventually modern. Kari has been teaching dance for 15+ years to ages 3 to adult. She has a passion for teaching beginning dancers with a focus on technique and fun. Kari holds a BFA in Theatre Arts and specializes in Improv, Musical Theatre, and Shakespeare. Kari has worked with youth Shakespeare programs and has choreographed and directed for local middle school productions. She now holds a masters in Special Education and works as a learning specialist with elementary students. She is thrilled to join the BTDT studio!

Lorraine Felix

Lorraine is a Bay Area native. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in economics but her true passion is children and working with people. She has an Early Childhood Education Credential and a Postpartum Doula Credential. She began dancing ballet and tap when she was five years old, then found a love for jazz. The majority of her training was at Dance Attack in Mountain View. She enjoys acro and was a competitive gymnast through high school. She has danced, flipped, and taught the majority of her life! Lorraine is so happy to be part of the Better Together Family! She is excited to share her passion and help others find their joy in dance and movement as well. Lorraine is thrilled she gets to share her love for dance, teaching, and choreography and be part of just a great team week after week.

Angela FribourghAngela “Angie” Fribourgh was born and raised in the Bay Area. She started dancing at the age of seven, training for ten years in ballet, tap, and jazz. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in The… — Angela Fribourgh

Angela “Angie” Fribourgh was born and raised in the Bay Area. She started dancing at the age of seven, training for ten years in ballet, tap, and jazz. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre. Angie loves working with people of all ages and abilities. She has a deep passion for helping people find their confidence both on and off the dance floor! For the past 15 years, she has been teaching dance, theatre, and fitness around the Bay Area. She is beyond excited to be a part of the Better Together experience!

Alisa GreerAlisa is a second generation professional belly dancer and belly dance teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a Dance Emphasis and has performed at restaurants, cultural events and private parties throu… — Alisa Greer

Alisa is a second generation professional belly dancer and belly dance teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a Dance Emphasis and has performed at restaurants, cultural events and private parties throughout the Bay Area. As a teacher, she loves to share the beauty, cultural richness, health benefits and pure joy of belly dance with students in a warm, supportive and fun class environment.