ABOUT US

Miss Elaine strives to inspire a love of the arts in a positive, healthy environment where all who dream to dance are welcome!

Her early training began at the age of 7 with Janet Sassoon, formerly of San Francisco Ballet, along with Camden Lloyd, who enchanted her with the ethereal, elegant world of dance. She then continued training with Connie Dolan, (who trained with Suzanne Farrell, ABT).  Other passions for her included singing, travelling with Craig Bond and the St. Helena Jazz Choir, along with preforming in many Broadway-stye musicals. Elaine earned a Minor in Dance from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, while completing a BA in Liberal Studies focusing on education. While in college, she trained at San Luis Obispo Civic Ballet where she was invited to an apprentice position in the ballet company.  Her experience also includes many years in the dance program at Napa Valley College.  She previously taught Ballet and Modern dance in St. Helena from 2010-2020, at Little Feet School of Dance, to students from preschool through adult.  In 2021 she founded ELEVÉ STUDIO in the heart of Napa Valley.

Other recent projects include co-directing the full-length Nutcracker ballet at Center Stage Studios, Middletown CA, 2019-2025, where she has danced solo roles and designed and crafted costumes, sets and props.  Mis Elaine also is an instructor at Center Stage Studios.

Her philosophy is to create a dance experience that challenges and encourages students to explore the artistry, expression, discipline, tradition and joy of dance.  Her approach is holistic and seeks to bring out and showcase the individual best in each student.  She highlights the many facets of dance education that not only develop a well-rounded dancer, but also a well-rounded person, with skills and attitudes that translate to the world beyond the dance floor.

Introducing: 

Bonnie Amante has been dancing since she was 10-years-old and has trained in a variety of styles including jazz, lyrical, modern, and contemporary, but her true passion lies in ballet. Her dance journey started when she wanted to join the local jazz team as a kid and her mom made her take ballet classes as well. Despite them being a requirement at the beginning of her dance training, something clicked when it came to ballet, and she never looked back. She trained with Jamie Bracisco (formerly of the San Francisco Ballet) until she graduated high school and then continued her training at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in ballet, jazz, and modern. She took a long break after college but found her way back to the dance world through Center Stage Studios in Middletown, where she has also been an instructor.  Bonnie has had many performing opportunities throughout her training, including solo roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy, and continues to perform in recent and upcoming productions of the Nutcracker ballet.  She also brings the experience of attending dance intensive programs abroad.

Miss Bonnie’s passion now lies in teaching, particularly teen/adult recreational ballet. As someone who understands personally just how hard it can be to start or keep dancing as you get older, she loves providing classes that allow dancers from all walks of life to enjoy the magic that is dance.

Emily Bullaro has been dancing over 15 years and is trained in multiple styles, including Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Musical Theatre, with a specialty in Jazz.  She has performed in multiple productions of the Nutcracker ballet presented by Center Stage Studios, Middletown CA, in an assortment of solo and corps roles, including the roles of Snow Queen, Arabian Solo and Dew Drop.  She has also been a member of the Illusion dance team, attending various dance conventions and competitions.  

Emily is passionate about connecting with kids who are eager to learn about dance and performing!  Her goal is to create a safe environment that encourages students to express themselves, while also instructing and training them with the elements of technique and joy of being a dancer.