La Mesa Dance Academy
            3322 Coors Rd. NW  Suite 4N
                     Albuquerque, NM  87120
                         (505) 831-2722
                Director/Owner: Cecelia Palladino-Jaramillo

Cecelia Palladino-Jaramillo - Director's Page

Linda Tillotson.- Linda specializes in working with children in the areas of preschool 
    dance, children's ballet and creative dance. She was trained in Classical Ballet by 
    Krassnov's School Ballet (1964-1966), under Suzanne Johnston, founding director 
    of the New Mexico Ballet Company (1966-1976), by Sans Francisco Ballet Summer 
    Intensive (1969),by Soili Arvola and Leo Ahonen of Houston Ballet (1977-1980), 
    under various guest artists including George Zoritch, Natalie Krassovska, & Eugene 
    Tanner, and by University of New Mexico Department of Theater Arts and Dance
    (1976-1978).

    Linda's experience includes performing with the New Mexico Ballet (1975-1987),
    the Albuquerque Civic Light Orchestra (1980-1985),University of New Mexico 
    Loboettes (1969-1971), and Suzanne Concert Dancers (1967-1969).

    Linda has a multitude of teacher training. These trainings include Little People's
    Creative Workshop Certification (2004), Pacific Northwest Ballet Teachers' Seminar 
    (2001, 2004), and the National Dance Educators Organization Conference (2003). 
    She is certified by Examination (LEVEL 1) in the Dance Educators of America 
    Teacher Training & Certification Program (2003). Further teacher training includes 
    Bill Evans Teachers' Seminar, University of New Mexico (2002), Summer Dance 
    Institute for Teachers, Creative Dance Center, Seattle, Washington (2001), Vail 
    International Dance Teachers' Seminars (2001,2000,1999), Bachelor of Science in
    Education, Elementary Education K-8, Houston, Texas (1977), and Informal 
    Observation of Masters Teachers Including Cecelia Palladino-Jaramillo. 

    Linda's teaching experience of 30 years includes instructing at La Mesa Dance 
    Academy since 1987 to present, Kids Love to Dance (2001-present), Albuquerque 
    Public Schools (1979-2001), Wingert Conservatory (1986-1987), New Mexico Ballet
    Met (1984-1986),and Suzanne School of Ballet (1970-1971,1975-1984).

  Stephanie Burch - Stephanie graduated Magna Cum 
  Laude from the College of Santa Fe with a BFA in 
  Musical Theater. After studying a semester in 
  London, she moved to New York where she was on 
  scholarship at Steps on Broadway. She danced with 
  companies such as Underground Dance Project,Fuzion 
  and TainoProductions. Locally, Stephanie has 
  performed and choreographed for The New Mexico 
  Ballet Company,Ballet Theater of New Mexico, 
     Musical Theater Soutwest, The Albuquerque Little Theater and the Adobe 
     Theater. She is a CPR & AFFA certified aerobics instructor and personal 
     trainer with specialty certification in Urban Rebounding and BOSU. She 
     is also certified with The National Dance Institute. 

     Some of Stephanie's theater performances include Grease and The Rocky Horror 
     Picture Show which were performed at The Highland Theater in Albuquerque, New
     Mexcio.She has also been in Chicago and The Sound of Music both performed at 
     Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a choreographer, she has 
     choreographed The Fantastiks and Sweeney Todd for theater. In dance she has
     choreographed Step's Choreographer's Showcase for Steps on Broadway and 
     assistant choreographed ABT's Make a Ballet Program for The Metropolitan Opera. 

     Stephanie is currently active as an aerobics and gymnastics instructor, choreographer,
     and the Hip Hop instructor at La Mesa Dance Academy. 

   Stormy Morgan - Bio in progress. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

   Andrea Sanchez - Andrea earned a BS in Biology ('98) 
  and a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Toxiocology ('05)
  from the University of New Mexico and is currently a
  chemist for the City of Albuquerque's Water Quality
  Laboratory. Andrea began ballet traiing at the age of
  three at Fishback's Studio of the Dance. She has trained
  under Cecilia Palladino-Jaramillo since 1988 and has
  performed with La Mesa Dance Academy's Enery In
  Motion Group. She studied ballet at the University of
  Hawaii (1995-1996) under Paul Maley and Eve Walstrum
  Sanders. She also studied at the University of New Mexico
  (1996-2000) under Celia Dale and Suzanne Johnston, 
  participating in University Dance Productions such as
  "Stars and Stripes" under Suzanne Johnston and various
  works under Jolie Simballa.

  With Ballet Theatre of New Mexico, Andrea performed in
  "A Midsummer's Night Dream", "Nutcracker", and "Carmen".
    She also performed seasons with The New Mexico Ballet Company in "Dracula" and 
    "Nutcracker".

    Andrea's teaching experience includes instructing children's ballet classes at La Mesa
    Dance Academy (1996 to present) and at High Spirit Dance (1994-2000). 
 

Jessica Garcia.- Jessica is trained in tap, jazz, and ballet. She began dancing at the age
     of 3 at Dance Alegre where she studied under Lori St. Morgan. In 1998, Jessica
     became a part of La Mesa Dance Academy and has danced there ever since. She has 
     studied under the instruction of Cecelia Paaldino-Jaramillo, Linda Tillotson, and Stormy 
     Morgan. In 2001, Jessica became a member of "Energy In Motion" Dance Company. 

     In 2005, Jessica used a dance scholarship, earned at La Mesa, To study at EDGE 
     Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California. She was given the opportunity to 
     take classes from many well known dancers including Eddie Garcia, Helene Phillips,
     and Misha Gabriel.

     Jessica has been in 12 shows with La Mesa thus far, and she has also performed twice
     in the New Mexico Tap Jam. In 2005, she worked under Aleita Kiwanuka and Charlene
     Blejwas in the Cibola High School presentation of the musical "Kiss Me, Kate". Jessica
     performed in, as well as choreographed for, the student directed show "EXPO! 2005!"
 
 
 
 

  *More instructors coming soon.