Summer Dance Guest Teachers

EMC is offering the special opportunity to work with professional dance instructors at our 2021 Summer Camps!

Ethan Bloem, is a multi-talented dancer with an urban choreography focus. He is currently training under and a member of Los Angeles based dance company, Guests of Honor, who recently competed on NBC’s World of Dance Season 3. Ethan is a creative director, choreographer, and dancer who has been working to better himself and his craft since the age of nine. He began training locally in San Diego and grew quickly by jumping at all learning opportunities, that same work ethic he has in his personal dance is strongly reflected in his love for teaching. Ethan still has strong connections to his first dance teachers as well as his current mentors, he hopes to transfer the impact his teachers/mentors had on him to his students!

Rachel Sebastian began her training in classical ballet at the age of 8. She entered into the Cecchetti method of ballet under the direction of Sylvia Palmer Zetler (National Ballet of Canada) and was awarded high commendations in her syllabus exams. By invitation, Rachel continued her training in the professional division of the Houston Ballet Academy. In an effort to become a more versatile and well rounded dancer, she trained at the Academy of Performing Arts (Kevin Patterson/Liam Harney, Directors). Rachel has danced professionally with several dance companies, production agencies, and touring groups. Rachel has toured throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and North America as a ballet, jazz, and irish dancer. She is currently performing with the San Diego Ballet as a principal dancer. Her favorite roles include the Snow Queen (The Nutcracker), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and the Dying Swan from Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. Other favorites include the contemporary and avant-garde works of San Diego Ballet’s award winning choreographer and co-director, Javier Velasco.

Now retired, Rachel has shifted her passion to teaching children ballet.

Tia attends Point Park University in Pittsburgh as a Dance major. She specializes in jazz and contemporary. Ms.Knight has been dancing since she was 4 years old at Georgia’s School of Dance in Escondido, California. Alongside studying dance in Pittsburgh, she has also been teaching dance classes for 4 years. EMC is looking forward to having Tia for the summer!

Hayley Weber grew up in Ramona, CA where she began her dance training at local studio, Ramona Julian Academy of Dance. She continued her training in Bonsall, CA at North County Academy of Dance under the direction of Pablo and Cassandra Infante, studying primarily with Elena Baltovick. She has attended summer programs at California Ballet, The Hartt School, and Kirov Academy of Ballet. In May 2021, she graduated with Honors from Butler University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Pedagogy with minors in both Mathematics and Computer Science. During her time at Butler, Hayley has performed multiple roles in full length ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle as well as in various classical and contemporary works. She also had the opportunity to work with Patrick de Bana performing a featured role in his world premiere of Falling Sky. When Hayley is not dancing, she enjoys working with children, whether that be in teaching dance classes, tutoring, or volunteering. She also stays physical by taking Pilates classes and hiking.