Meet Our Dance Instructors
Valerie Cunningham Campbell
Owner & Director
Val Cunningham Campbell has immersed herself in the world of dance since 1997, seamlessly blending instruction, performance, and choreography into her illustrious career.
Her dedication to the craft is evident through her certifications, including ISTD, DIVIDA, YOGA & ZUMBA, where she has achieved 'High Honors' in both Ballroom Latin & swing styles.
As a member of N.D.C.A., she continuously expands her repertoire through extended studies in Hip Hop, House , Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Pilates.
While proficient in a myriad of dance forms, Val's heart beats strongest for the electrifying rhythms of Lindy Hop Swing, Cuban Salsa, and Argentine Tango, particularly drawn to the raw energy and fluidity of street and club styles.
Her pursuit of mastery has led her to learn from esteemed figures such as world champion Tom Slater and renowned master Richard Lambarty, enriching her understanding of the art form.
Val's influence extends far beyond her local community, with her teachings reaching across continents. From the bustling streets of the U.S. to the vibrant landscapes of Australia and the cultural hubs of Europe, she has left an indelible mark on dancers worldwide, sharing her passion and expertise with students of all levels.
Val Cunningham Campbell's legacy in the world of dance is not only defined by her technical prowess but also by her unwavering dedication to spreading the joy and artistry of movement across borders and generations.
Angela Vujkovic
Lead Studio Coordinator
Having graced the dance floor since the age of 9, Angela has garnered a wealth of experience and expertise. She had the unique opportunity to study, perform and teach Ballroom and Latin dances in Europe and the Bay Area, solidifying her prowess in Latin and Ballroom dance forms, such as Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, Samba, Foxtrot, Tango, and Waltz. In her current role as THE DANCE LOFT SF's Lead Studio Coordinator and Partner Flow Specialist, she continues to guide dance enthusiasts through the enchanting, transformative and joyful world of dance. Angela’s passionate, patient and playful spirit is guaranteed to put you at ease and bring out your potential, regardless of your dance experience.
RICHARD HORNOR
First studying and performing as a theatre actor and then training as ballroom dancer with master coaches Olga and Dima Sukachov. Richard approaches Ballroom Dance with a unique perspective. Using concepts and skills learned through theatre performance, Richard teaches choreography that showcases a dance couples chemistry and passion. Combined with a deep technical understanding of movement and dance, Richard crafts unique performances that deliver an artistic message. Richard enriches the lives of his students through their dancing and hopes to make a contribution to the history of partner dance.
CARSON ANDRINGA
A Midwest native who charted her path to the West Coast in pursuit of her passion for professional dancing, Carson radiates with her vibrant and effervescent personality, especially evident in her teaching.
Graduating from the University of Arizona with a dual degree in Dance and Business, she has navigated her way through the industry with remarkable skill and dedication. With extensive experience training , teaching and performing including a contract aboard Holland America Line where she showcased her prowess in Ballroom partnering, Carson boasts proficiency in a diverse array of styles of Ballroom, Latin & swing including tango, cha-cha, jive, line dancing, jazz, hip hop foundations, modern & contemporary. Her journey in teaching began a decade ago and has since flourished, spanning studios nationwide and catering to a roster of private clientele.
Certified in Dance , Barre and Yoga, Carson is enthusiastic about curating an unforgettable dance experience for all her Dance Loft SF clientele In solo, partner and team dances !
ALISE HALBERT
Alise Halbert has been teaching, competing, choreographing and performing Ballroom Dance in the Bay Area since 1996. Alise has completed her Membership degree in Standard and Associate Degree in Latin with the ISTD at the Pick School of Dance in SF as well as had extensive training with BDTC at the Metronome Ballroom. She has taught throughout the Bay Area, and also in Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic and Japan. Her dance coaches have included US and World Champions. She loves performance and bringing people together for the joy and skill of dance.
SUMMER BAREGI
Summer started dancing at the age of 2 & grew up as a competitive dancer. Over the 10 years she competed, she won many high score awards, scholarships, and judges awards. After high school, she attended AMDA in NYC as a dance major training with many reputable teachers in the industry expanding her dance knowledge, in jazz, modern, ballet, musical theatre, and tap. After graduating college, Summer has worked many professional jobs including dancing at Super Bowl Live!, multiple Cedar Fair parks across the country, and touring with Cirque du Soleil. Summer is well trained in ballroom and is certified in bronze core 6 with Divida. Summer has competed professionally and was a finalist in smooth dancing at The Seattle Star Ball. Summer has a passion for teaching people of all ages and levels and is excited to join The Dance Loft family.
TAIS ZHUKOVA
Tais, a top-tier dancer ranked among the USA's top 5, boasts over a decade of intensive training under renowned coaches Dima and Olga Sukachov.
With 7 years of experience teaching competitive ballroom and latin dance, plus 4 years dedicated to wedding dance instruction, Tais excels in adapting to diverse client needs.
Specializing in coaching wedding dance couples, Tais ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience, using straightforward language to introduce beginners to partner dancing.
From crafting choreography that perfectly matches your chosen music to addressing individual skill discrepancies with sensitivity, Tais prioritizes harmony and confidence in every couple's first dance. With a focus on safety and personalized feedback, she tailors each session to meet clients' specific desires and requirements.
MIKEY CHANG
We are excited to introduce the Group Class Director at The Dance Loft!
Mikey is a Certified Barre Fitness Instructor and a Licensed Zumba & Zumba Circuit Instructor. He has trained extensively in dance, movement, music, and acting, including a conservatory setting at the renowned American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco! His classes blend movement and storytelling together to create unique dance pieces that vibe perfectly with the music. His passion for dance led him to subbing a class at the studio he was training at, after which he was told by the director that he had found his calling. He has since been teaching professionally in San Francisco since 2017. He first started teaching a heels class which focuses on self empowered, sensual exploration through dance. That class got so popular that it had had to expand to a second date. He has been providing a fun way for people of all fitness levels to work out, train, and strengthen their bodies ever since! You can check out more about him on Instagram at @mikeylikesthed. Yes, the d is for dance!
JOSH HOOVER
Josh started dancing at the age of 4 in the Lakewood Ballet, WA where he trained for 8 years in ballet and jazz. After finding his passion for dance again as an adult, thanks to the revival of Lindy Hop Swing, Josh has spent the past 13 years social dancing, performing, and teaching dance in the San Francisco Bay Area. Josh has been a core member of Loose Change Dance Company, for five years,with whom he has performed with at Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts, Cowell Theater, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Josh has taught and performed Lindy Hop and Hip Hop throughout Europe and he has been performing with Val Cunningham for the past 6 years, who he has since married and help co-run The Dance Loft.
MELISSA RUTZ
Melissa began her training at age four at Star Dance Studio in San Francisco. Three years later, she found herself at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School for seven years under the direction of Lola DeAvila. While at SFB School, Melissa studied classical ballet, and performed in various performances with San Francisco Ballet. From there, Melissa desired to expand her dance education and soon found herself at the Metronome Ballroom studying two of her favorite types of dance: swing, with champion Lindy Hop instructor Sharon Ashe, and Theater Arts Adagio with coach, and World Champion adagio cabaret dancer, Tom Slater. Under Tom's wing, she won the 1998 title of United States Pro-Am Theatre Arts Adagio Champion
PARKER DEARBORN
Parker has been dancing for 30 years, studying all of the partner dances with a focus on Ballroom, Latin, West Coast Swing, and Country. He became a professional dancer and instructor in his hometown of San Diego, California at the age of 17. Since then, he has dedicated his life to creating an incredibly successful career by competing, choreographing, judging, event directing, and traveling around the world teaching and spreading his love for Dance! Parker’s exceptional talent, distinct style, and irresistibly charming showmanship have earned him the most prestigious awards in the world of West Coast Swing. Parker holds the title to every major championship in the nation, including three time US Open Swing Dance Champion and two time Grand National Swing Dance Champion. He appeared in the off-Broadway production of Swango and the Hollywood movie, Love and Dancing. He also demonstrated his creativity and innovation as a choreographer for the hit television series, So You Think You Can Dance. Parker Dearborn has devoted his entire life to dance because he truly believes that dancing has the capacity to inspire joy and change lives.
KAYLEIGH COOK
Kayleigh Cook has been dancing and performing since the age of 5. She studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern and Irish dancing at SFS Dance Center of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA under the direction of Jason and Lisa Weiss. She then followed her passion and continued to Dance at California State University, Long Beach where she learned from world-renowned choreographer Andrew Vaca. Kayleigh spent years performing for large companies in Los Angeles, such as Disneyland, The Los Angeles Clippers and The Royal Caribbean Cruise. She transitioned from being a soloist to partner dancing just a few years ago and her love for the art and connection continues to grow as she studies West Coast Swing, Lindy-hop and Salsa.
Kayleigh is so excited to be joining Val Cunningham and the dance team at The Dance Loft. She hopes to bring her joy, love and understanding of dance to all that she teaches
MARIAH LEVIN
After 15 years of training, performance and teaching experience in aerial circus arts, Mariah began serious partner dance training when living in Western Africa. She dances all 10 dances in the international Standard (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep) and Latin (Jive, Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba and Paso Doble). She is also fluent in many club dances including salsa, bachata, west coast swing, and blues fusion. Outside of partner dancing she has also studied ballet, house dance, and aco-yoga. Mariah has worked with countless couples preparing for their wedding or big event and loves creating memorable fun dances as she helps her students find comfort with movement in their own bodies.