Faculty

Cheryl was born in Vancouver, B.C. Canada and moved to the states when she was 4 years old. She began her ballet training under Katherine Lowe in Fullerton, California. After moving to Utah, she continued her studies with Nila Horton of Ballet West at the University of Utah. Cheryl attended Brigham Young University and studied modern dance under the direction of Abby Fiat, Dee Winterton and Pat Debenham, who choreographed the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. After moving to New Mexico, she began teaching dance at NMSU-C and for 10 years traveled every summer to study dance at the University of Utah with the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. In 1985, Cheryl founded the CHS Dance Company and opened Cheryl’s School of Dance. Knowing the importance of continuing her own dance education, she traveled continuously in the summers and has been able to study under the Nicholais Dance Theater and the Moving Earth Dance Company, both located in New York, Tandy Beal of Tandy Beal and Company, and Lynn Topkowski and Donna White at Utah State University. Cheryl traveled for 3 years to attend the dance teacher workshop with Cathy Roe, Angelo Moio, and Lyn Cramer. She has been taking students to compete at Regional and National levels for almost 20 years. Cheryl spends her summers traveling to Dance Teacher Conferences.

Harmony Preece, a Carlsbad native, began her dance career at Cheryl’s School of Dance and studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, modern, and ballroom. She attended Southern Utah University on the prestigious SUU Leadership Scholarship, the Western-Undergraduate Scholarship, and the Mary E. Lindley Scholarship. Harmony graduated Summa Cum Laude, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Dance Education. She was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company and performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Harmony was selected to attend the American College Dance Festival in Long Beach, California. She was also chosen to study and perform under the internationally recognized choreographer Charlotte Boyd-Christensen. Harmony loves traveling to conventions and competitions with her students. She loves spending her summer’s traveling to various dance teacher conferences that focus on teaching techniques and management skills.

Rexanna grew up in the world of dance studying tap, jazz, modern and ballet. She has taught dance at NMSU-C, Tip Tap Dance Studio, and is the former owner/director of Spotlight Dance Academy. She has had the honor of studying with choreographers Mike Minery, Gil Stroming, Cory Finn, Mark Goodman and Laurie Johnson. She has taken her students to conventions and competitions, winning numerous awards and titles. Rexanna feels very blessed to share her love and passion of dance with her students and encourages them to live up to their greatness!

Sarah Prentiss began dance classes at age three. She studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip-hop, ballroom and musical theater. She was a CSD Company Member in all styles and assisted classes in tap and hip hop. She traveled to competitions and conventions, winning numerous awards and individual scholarships, and has attended Dance Excellence five times. After graduating she attended The Young American’s College of the Performing Arts, in Corona, California where she obtained an Associate’s Degree in Performing Arts with a dual emphasis in both Dance and Voice. During her time as a YA, she had the amazing opportunity to tour Japan, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Netherland’s where she was able to teach, perform and share her love of the arts. Within all of these places and in California, she taught kids of all ages, worked with students with special needs, and taught with the outreach program at a juvenile detention center, bringing joy to troubled teens. Sarah is so excited to take her great love for working with kids and combine it with all she has experienced to create a fun and positive environment, inspiring her students to be a light and use their gifts in which they have been blessed.

Dustin Franco has danced his entire life. He was a competitive dancer with the CSD Intensive Teams, taking numerous Titles and recognitions. Dustin joined the CSD Faculty in 2019, both assisting and teaching jazz, lyrical, leaps & turns, and acro.  He loves being in the classroom and sharing his love and passion for the art of dance.

Mallory Arbogast grew up dancing and cheering. She joined the CSD Intensive Team program during her high school years. Mallory has been assisting and teaching at CSD since 2019. Mallory has been able to travel with the Universal Cheerleaders Association as a Staff member in 2021 and 2022. She recently received her Acrobatic Arts Module 1 Certification and is excited to be taking over the acro program at CSD. Mallory loves teaching and brings a great energy into the classroom.

We are excited to welcome Kati-Lyn to the CSD Faculty!

Marissa Smith is a new assistant and teacher at Cheryl’s School of Dance. Marissa grew up dancing and joined the CSD Intensive Teams Program. She went to the University of New Mexico for a season and was able to take many dance classes there. Marissa is happy to be back home at CSD and working with the ballet program.

Rafael Salcido-Reyes is a Classically trained performer, who has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Mirato Mirai hall of Japan, as well as Lincoln centre to name a few. Originally from Carlsbad, NM, Rafael Salcido-Reyes began his studies at Eastern New Mexico University in Music with an emphasis Vocal Performance. During his time at ENMU he began competing In NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competitions , holding 3 National titles for the Tenor Voice division. His Roles have included Gherardo in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Peter in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Fernando In Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, featured Tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah, as well as tenor in the Mozart and Brahms Requiem along with many more orchestral choir works. For last few years he spent his performing and doing outreach work in with The Young Americans in Japan, Germany, Poland and California. We are so excited for Rafael to join us again at CSD!

Saig Morales started dancing at Cheryl’s School of Dance at 5 years old and participated in the CSD Intensive Teams Program until she was 18 years old. Saig studied all styles of dance, including jazz, ballet, and hip hop. Saig is excited to no only continue dancing, but also to assist and teach what she is passionate about. Saig can’t wait to see what the year brings to all the kids, teachers, and assistants.

Kim Acosta began dancing at Cheryl’s School of Dance while in high school. She joined the CSD Intensive Team Program and spent many years traveling and competing. Once Kim graduated, she joined the CSD Faculty as an assistant teacher. Kim is enthusiastic and passionate about dance, especially hip hop. She loves being in the classroom and sharing her love of dance with CSD students.

We are excited to welcome Adisyn to the CSD Faculty!

We are excited to welcome Damara to the CSD Faculty!

Marissa Mitchell is CSD’s Office Manager! She has been with us since 2018. She has traveled to New Jersey to participate in the management portion of the DanceLife Teacher Conference. Marissa has also completed courses in our dance studio’s computer software. Marissa is organized, efficient, and brings a wonderful energy into the studio.

Corinne Arrington is a seasoned musician who has been teaching children and adults how to play the piano for the past 12 years.  Her personal study of music has spanned over 28 years.  She has performed at Arizona State University, in several music festivals and competitions, receiving the judges highest scores every time. She loves to share her musical talents in church and home and is looking forward to joining Cheryl’s School of Dance staff.  Most importantly, she is passionate about teaching, specializing in classical, modern, and technical repertoire.  She is dedicated and committed to her student’s success, and will work with any student, regardless of age or level, who has a desire to pursue a musical education.

Tabatha Trujillo started singing at the age of 9. In her youth, she studied voice with Carol Brashear, played piano, participated in drama, and was involved in the Artesia Council. She played the lead roll of Annie in the musical, “Annie” and also participated in the World Baptist Youth Conference in Arlington, Texas, placing 1st in vocal solo. Tabatha received a vocal scholarship from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas and majored in Commercial Music. Tabatha was able to sing with the lead singer of Dixie Chicks, Natalie Mains, at South Plains College. She was selected for a traveling ensemble where she performed through West Texas, including live television. Tabatha has sang in many bands of different genres: rock, country and tejanjo.  Tabatha has opened for many artists such as Clay Walker, Rick Trevino, and Blake Shelton. She performed and won the Country Showdown with an original song.  Tabatha has been able to study vocals with one of the famous Maines Brothers, Cary Banks, of Lubbock, Texas. She is excited to share her love of music with the students at CSD!