Jeri Sutter

Jeri Sutter has been co-owner and instructor at SBSD since its opening in 1997. Jeri tried her first dance class at age 8, but she really fell in love with dance when she reached High School and earned a spot on her high school dance team. Throughout high school, both in Northern California and San Diego, Jeri trained regularly as part of her high school dance programs, at local studios and by regularly attending dance damps, dance conventions and workshops.

Jeri began teaching dance right after high school and continued teaching through college. Jeri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development as well as Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Her passion for working with children goes as far back as she can remember. She has taught Pre-School, was the ESS Coordinator at a local elementary school in Poway and has taught both second and fifth grade for the Poway Unified School District. Through all her positions in education, dance always remained a big part of Jeri’s life. She continued to teach dance, including coaching award winning competitive dance teams in both tap & jazz as well as attending conventions and teacher training workshops, choreographing school musicals and working with groups for various talent competitions. Her greatest passion in the dance business is working with young students.

She loves being there to help her young students build a solid foundation and hopefully instill a lasting love of dance in their lives. Jeri continues to attend dance conventions/teacher training workshops several times annually. In addition to her role at SBSD, Jeri spends time volunteering at her sons’ school, enjoys teaching Sunday School at her church and loves hiking, camping and watching Padres baseball! Jeri resides in Ramona with her husband Mike and their two sons, Jackson & Mitchell. She is CPR & first aid certified.

Molly Roller

Growing up in a military family, Molly has been dancing across the United States over the past 25 years. Molly trained with professional dancers and choreographers including Louis McKay, Lorinda Wise, Anatoly Sisman, Toonnie Sammartano, Judith Sharp and Xavier Hicks, to name a few.

From the age of eight, Molly competed regionally and nationally winning top awards as a soloist and in group categories. In high school, Molly was head captain, choreographer and All-American with the award winning Academy of Our Lady of Peace cheer squad. All the while she was choreographing musical theater productions and taking lead roles in plays such as Annie, Oliver, and The Odd Couple. Molly attended UC Santa Barbara, where she earned her B.A. in Communications in 2002, and danced and choreographed for the UCSB Dance Team.

In Santa Barbara she continued acting with the CBB Theater in such plays as The Hound of the Baskervilles. Molly has also done voiceovers and radio commercials for several businesses and national trade shows. Molly had been teaching jazz, tap and lyrical dance for over ten years. She also choreographs regularly for various high school dance teams and cheer squads. When asked about her philosophy, Molly responded, “I believe the best dancers truly entertain their audience. My goal is not just to develop good dancers, but also create great performers.” Molly currently lives in Rancho Bernardo with her husband, Ben, and her son Tyler, and is very happy to be part of the STEP BY STEP family.

Courtney Jennings

Courtney has been dancing for over 20 years. She has trained at Black Mountain Dance Studio, Jean Hart Academy of Dance and through the dance program at Mt Carmel High School. Courtney continues her dance education by attending nationally recognized dance conventions and teacher training workshops as well as taking classes whenever possible at APA in San Diego.

In addition to dance, education is a real focus for Courtney. She holds a BAS in Liberal Studies with a minor in Spanish from San Diego State, a California State Teaching Credential from Cal State San Marcos and received her Master’s in Education from National University. Courtney also recently became National Board certified in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy.

She puts all her education to good use in her position as a first grade teacher for the Poway Unified School District. Courtney has been teaching dance for STEP BY STEP for seven years and when asked what she likes most about it, she responded, “I love teaching dance because it allows me to share my passion with the next generation. It gives me the opportunity to express all the different sides of my personality and being. Teaching dance brings so much joy to my life as I see the sparks of joy ignite in the eyes of my students. In our hectic and driven society, dance brings me comfort, focus and peace.”

Garyn Chiles

Garyn started dancing at age five with Angela Amoroso. She took tap, jazz and ballet for several years and eventually discovered she had a real passion for ballet. Garyn trained with Lili Griffiths of The Royal Ballet along with Keren Ramsdell and Diana Nicastro.

She also trained at City Ballet School and was part of the City Ballet II Summer Touring Company. Garyn is a member of the Mesa College Dance Company and has had the privilege of training with Jan Ellis, Donna Flournoy, Aulane Chun and Colleen Shipkowski. Miss Garyn began as an assistant teacher at age 14 and received her first pre-dance class at age 16.

She choreographed for the Scripps Performing Arts Centre’s production of The Nutcracker for multiple seasons and has taught and choreographed for several dance studios in San Diego County over the past eight years. Miss Garyn teaches ballet, lyrical, pre-dance, combination and pointe classes.

Trish White

Trish has an extensive background in dance and professional cheerleading. Her experiences include being named the All American Cheer/Song leader for the National Cheerleading Association (NCA), dancing with the NCA in the St Patrick’s Day parade as well as at the Lord Mayor Ball in Dublin, Ireland and dancing/cheering for the San Diego Chargers as a Charger Girl.

Trish also participated in the Allan Hancock College Dance Program where she was chosen as a member of the College Dance Ensemble. She trained there in jazz, modern, hip hop and ballet. Trish has performed in Super Bowl Pre-Game Shows as well as a music video and was also featured in the Sony video game, “Madden”. Trish has been teaching dance for 14 years at various dance studios as well as the YMCA and Frog’s Fitness Center. As a competitive dance coach, Trish’s students have received top awards including being ranked 1st place nationally.

Trish herself has received top teacher awards as well numerous judges awards for her choreography. She has also worked as a choreographer for several high school dance teams, including Poway High School. Trish has also enjoyed her experiences as a judge for several dance competitions, air band competitions and cheerleading auditions. Trish currently lives in Carmel Mountain Ranch with her husband, Brian and their two children, Callahan & Caden. Trish has been part of the STEP BY STEP dance family for 9 years.

KJ Gonzalez

KJ started dancing at age 17 with Culture Shock San Diego then moved on to dance and artistically direct UrbanFX until 2005. He is currently one of the artistic directors for the Super Galactic Beat Manipulators. KJ has also toured with such artist as 3lw, MC Hammer, Tonex (Tonay), Jhene and has recently toured with Disney’s Cheetah Girls.

He has also been in commercials for Pepsi, K-Swiss, and HIV prevention. KJ gives all glory and thanks to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ for His amazing Grace and Salvation, the gift of dance, the experiences lived through them and just for life all together.

Shea Duddy

Ryane Duddy