Dance Arts Academy
5725 Winfield Blvd. #4
San Jose, Ca. 95123
578-4055

Billie Gadberry is the Owner and Director of Dance Arts Academy. She studied with Madame Fotopoulos of the renowned Fotopoulos Ballet Company in San Francisco, Charlotte and Peter Griggs, Benny Smith and Jerry Alverez, just to name a few. Her extensive training in all forms of dance includes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Pom Pon, and Baton. Billie has held many dance championships titles and has performed in many television performances. A former 49er majorette, she performed at half-time shows and by invitation at the Seattle World's Fair. Ms. Gadberry was named Teacher of the Year in San Diego in 1993. The Dance Arts Academy's Competition team has won over 5,000 Regional and National awards, and has won many high point awards at both Regional and National competitions. In the 2008-2009 season Ms. Gadberry celebrated her 40th year of professional teaching.

Nicole Kirkland has been dancing for 17 years. She began her training at Dance Arts Academy winning many National titles on the competition team. She became a member of Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area and also The Dance Company of San Francisco, under the direction of Chris Jacobson and Sonya Tayah. She has trained with many amazing chorographers such as Mia Michaels, Rosero Mc Coy, Dee Caspary, Nick Lazzarina and Shane Sparks to name a few. She is currently dancing in San Francisco’s La Femme Panache, Tawnya Kuza’s “Rugged,” and Kat Kalotkin’s Independent Dance Company. Nicole has performed for Macy’s Passport after party, San Francisco’s White party, Golden State Warriors, and many other shows across the nation. She has been featured in several bay area music videos and was a extra on the TV series “Trama”. This past summer she taught with instructors from the dance crews Beat Freaks, Jabbawockeez, Supreme Soul and Kaba Modern. Besides teaching at Dance Arts Academy she teaches master classes and choreographs for high school dance teams throughout the bay area. Nicole continues her training to constantly grow as a professional dancer, and looks forward to working hard with all her students.

Natalie Kirkland has been dancing for 14 years, starting at the age of 4 with Dance Arts Academy. She became a member of The Dance Company of San Francisco and Ballet San Jose. She has been the recipient of many overall awards and scholarships for national competitions and conventions. She has been fortunate to train with many well know choreographers such a Shane Sparks, Nick Lazzarini, Dave Scott and Dee Caspary to name a few. She was a member of City Slam and is currently dancing with Christopher “Pharside” Jennings of Supreme Soul. She is also dancing with “Academy of Villains” and Kat Kalotkin’s Independent Dance Company. Natalie has been teaching for Dance Arts Academy for 2 years, and looks forward to her career as a professional dancer and a dance instructor.

Ilishia Sibbald began dancing at Dance Arts Academy at the early age of 3. She has an extensive background and training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Vocal and Polynesian dance. She is currently Dance Arts Academy’s Hawaiian director and is an expert in all forms of Polynesian dance including Maori and Tahitian. A former member of Waikiki Productions, The Karalolani Polynesian Revue, and Pa Hula Ohana; Ilishia now directs Na Kamali’i ‘o Hula Halau. Throughout her years in dance, she has won many regional and national awards as a member of Dance Arts Academy's Elite Competition Team. At the 2003 Youth Focus California State Championships Ilishia had the honor of receiving perfect scores from all judges, receiving a Double Grand Championship in vocal competition. In 2006, Ilishia became part of Elements, a hip hop group where she worked under artists such as Alisha Simms, Randy Bernal (Jabbawokeez) and Jesse Santos (Britney Spears). Other names include Jen Hechtle-Bradford, Jackie Sleight, Dave Carter, Tina D'Amato, Mark Meismer and Sloane Ishimaru. Ilishia enjoys teaching children the art of dance.

Crystal Peeters started taking dance classes at Dance Arts Academy at the age of 3. She started competing at the age of 5 winning numerous State and National titles. Crystal was a member of Dance Arts Academy’s elite Hawaiian show group and Song and Dance show group. Crystal was a member of Teen Dance Company studying under Jen Hechtle-Bradford, Chris Riddle and Paula Morgan. She worked with master choreographers such as Mia Michaels and Mandy Moore while being at TDC Company member. Also an actress she has had the staring roll in Annie and has worked in many other professional productions . Her professional dance endeavors include being a member of “The Pack” Hip Hop group and a dancer for the Hip Hop artist “Sabatoge”. As a teacher at Dance Arts Academy she is now blessed with a beautiful baby girl and hopes one day her little girl will be a dancer as well.

Jessica Sanchez started dancing at the age of 5 at Dance Arts Academy. She has trained extensively in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary and Modern Dance. At age 12 she was selected for Teen Dance Company working with top choreographers in all dance fields. She has traveled to New York to dance and has won many scholarships at dance conventions as well as winning many high point and first overall awards. Jessica is continuing her training as a dance major at San Jose State University.