Location
1569 Olivina Ave,
Ste 121
Livermore, CA 94551
Miss Samantha Gaskin
Founder & Instructor
Originally from Houston, Texas, Samantha Gaskin has a joy and passion for all forms of dance. This love for dance has blossomed through her study, choreography, and performance of dance for more than 26 years. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop styles of dance all over the Bay Area. Samantha has been dancing since the age of 5 years old and hasn’t stopped since. During high school Samantha studied dance on a recreational level and had the opportunity to perform as a member of the WillowRidge dance team in Missouri City, Texas.
While in college Samantha was a member of the cheerleading team and performed in shows collaborating jazz, hip-hop and contemporary for local R&B and hip-hop artist. Samantha performed for many years on the competition team at Dance 10 Performing Arts Studio in Alameda, California under the direction of Pam Drake.
In 1999, Samantha made the prestigious Oakland Raiderette Cheerleading team where she performed for 3 seasons under the direction of Karen Kovac. In, her second season as a Raiderette Samantha was selected to perform on a special cabaret variety show team for the Raiderettes where she performed at special corporate and charity events. In her final season cheering for the Oakland Raiders, Samantha was selected to represent the team in Bosnia and Kosovo to entertain for the troops overseas.
From 2008-2010 Samantha served as head coach for the San Ramon Valley High School Freshmen cheerleading team. As coach she led her team to first place in several local competitions.
Samantha has 10 years of experience teaching dance and cheerleading to young children at different bay area elementary schools, high schools, recreation centers and dance studios giving her a wide spectrum of experience. Samantha’s passion for dance and her love of children is evident in her teaching style. She both inspires and nurtures all of her students. Samantha’s goal is to provide a fun, exciting, and inspiring atmosphere for her students. She aspires to share her love for dance and allow all of her students to acquire the same love.
Maya Denise has been dancing since the age of two, and has technical training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pom, contemporary, and ballet folklorico. She was a part of the Golden State Warriors Jr Jam Squad, received a scholarship to the American Dance Training Camp 2016, and was also the recipient of NUVO’s Teen Hip Hop StandOut Scholarship to attend the DancerPalooza intensive. During her two years of dancing with the Jr jam Squad, Maya Denise, performed with Aloe Blacc and Montell Jordan. She also participated in the 2015 NBA Championship Parade Celebration and received a championship ring. Her Tap solo placed 1st place overall in the age category at Spotlight Dance competition and Placed 2nd at Bravo Dance competition in small group Hip Hop division Maya Denise Played Claire in Sunshine Dance & Cheer studios rendition of The Nutcracker. Maya Denise had the honor of being a part of the California High Schools Varsity song team, and performs at all of the varsity football, and basketball games. Maya Denise helped to lead the team to National champions 3 years in a row. Maya Denise served as girl scout for 13 years and served as Miss Contra Costa County's Outstanding Teen (O.T.) 2017, Miss Central California O.T. 2018, Miss Los Angeles O.T. 2019, California Teen International Junior Miss 2020, Miss Arizona Collegiate 2021 and Miss Arizona Teen USA 2022. Maya Denise is Senior at the University of Arizona where she remotely assists the studio with fun and creative choreography for Sunshine Dance & Cheer Studio.
Miss Lexi Mcintyre
Competiton Team Director & Instructor
Lexi Mcintye has been dancing for over 20 years! Although she started later than others, she quickly had a love for dance immediately. She studied ballet until she was 18 and then she studied other styles including contemporary, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, musical theater, modern! Lexi attended while known schools including San Jose ballet, Santa Clara ballet, Julines school of dance in Modesto, art of dance, Holly Rochelle dance company, and Academy of performing arts. Lexi also danced two seasons as a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleader and danced for the Sacramento Kings! Lexi had the opportunity to perform in the nutcracker as sugar plum fairy, snow queen, Russian, Chinese lead, rat king. Alice In wonderland as red queen and Peter Pan as Peter Pan and the shadow! She has also had the opportunity to perform with the ying Yang Twins, Skeelo, and Amerie. Throughout her competition years her teams have placed top 10 and have received multiple judge's awards, and Lexi was honored by receiving the outstanding choreographer award for her hip-hop pieces! Miss Lexi strives to teach her students to never give up and chase their dreams just as she did and cannot wait to share with her students as well as help and watch them grow so they can reach their goals. Lexi is excited to join the SDC team so she can continue to share her knowledge and passion of dance to the next generation of dancers.
Instructor
Pamela Aguilar began dancing at 3 years old and has experience the world of dance through competing in dance competitions and performing in musicals. Pam is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. During her dancing education she spent training at Las Positas College, she performed in many musicals and dance productions. There she began creating her own choreography. Pam found her passion for teaching children when she had the opportunity to choreographer at a drama camp for kids. Since that moment she has taught ballet, tap, and lyrical jazz to children of all ages. No matter if Pam has always loved how rewarding it is to see her dancers engaged in class and enjoying themselves while learning and growing with their dancing. For Pam, dancing has always been a passion, and she looks forward to sharing her love of dance to her students at Sunshine!
Miss Rollen Myer
Tap Dance Instructor
Miss Rolleen has cheered alongside Miss Samantha on the Oakland Raiderettes and has been an influential teacher and choreographer in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Her extensive experience includes performances in various venues, from concerts to sports arenas, and she has also danced abroad. Miss Rolleen's diverse dance training encompasses Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Acrobatics, and Polynesian, with her number one love being Tap. She is excited to bring her extensive tap skills and education to the SDC dancers. Miss Rolleen is passionate about teaching and loves watching her students grow. We are confident that her expertise and enthusiasm will be a fantastic addition to our studio, and we are excited for our students to learn from her.
Mister Sean Darilay
Hip Hop Instructor
Sean Darilay is a dance freestyler/battler who also teaches hip-hop choreography. Starting as a local dance battler, Sean went on to win various solo competitions and tournaments which led to the development of his own unique urban dance style. Since 2009, Sean has been part of various dance teams such as MVP San Jose, Academy of Villains, and Chocolate Factory. After years of choreography experience, Sean became a hip-hop teacher and has taught all ages from 5-50 years old. Eventually, as a studio dance teacher, Sean was able to continue his competitive spirit by winning highly ranked studio-based competitions. With the heart of a battler, Sean continues to compete in hip-hop style battles, choreography competitions, and local art/music videos. He’s excited to join SDC as a hip hop instructor!