Our Instructors and Staff

Fran Wells has been with BFA for 13 years as her passion for helping children grow and  thrive and her love of the arts continues. Fran moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Georgia. She met her husband working on a television show. After her two sons were born, she began working as a traffic reporter which allowed her to be home after school. As a long-time member of Burbank First UMC, she started teaching Sunday School when her children were young, which led to her position as Children’s Director. Fran enjoys visits to the beach, family time and supporting her favorite teams: Raiders, Dodgers, Lakers and Georgia Bulldogs.

Marissa Lee Hoffman was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and started her dance training at the age of three at Art of the Dance Academy and MKM studios. She was the vice president of the John Burroughs High School Junior/ Varsity Dance Team in 2009-2010 and continued on to study with the Radio City Rockettes in New York City after graduating high school. She has performed, choreographed, competed and cornidated performances with styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. In 2015 Marissa became a certified Ballet Barre Instructor through IBBFA. She has been a certified Zumba Instructor since 2014 (Zumba, Zumba kids/ Zumba Jr, Aqua Zumba, Strong by Zumba). 
Marissa is also an Early Childhood Educator, Associate Teacher and teaches at BFUMC Nursery School as their Outdoor Teacher. Marissa is very involved in working with the local YMCA's teaching fitness classes to all ages. She also travels, working with multiple schools in the LA area, sharing her love and knowledge of dance and healthy lifestyles with children of all ages. Marissa is so excited to be teaching and assisting at Burbank First Academy for her 10th year!

Breeonna Fiamengo, a Los Angeles native, has been involved in the dance world for over 20 years and counting. She grew up dancing competitively in the SoCal area from a young age, studying multiple styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theater, and pom. In her early
years, she was captain of her high school’s varsity pom team, the recipient of many convention scholarships, and established herself as a highly decorated tap dancer; with numerous 1st overall performances in the genre. After High
School, Breeonna opened up her own dance studio in Southern California
“Motion State Studios,” which quickly became one of the most competitive
pre-professional programs in the area. Her students have been awarded
countless 1st overall accolades, technical excellence awards, and national
titles. Additionally, Breeonna’s choreography has been awarded on dozens of
competition stages. Through her extensive experience as both a professional
dancer and choreographer, Breeonna brings a wealth of knowledge to the
dancer’s she is able to guide.

Nikki was raised in Seattle, Washington where she fell in love with ballet at the age of four. She grew in her journey from primary to professional ballerina, attending summer intensives, pre-professional program training, and dancing in full length works with Olympic Ballet Theatre, Cornish College of the Arts, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Dance Theatre Seattle. She performed corps de ballet and soloist roles in productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppélia, and The Sleeping Beauty. Nikki has also integrated her ballet inspired movement into diverse performance opportunities in productions with Greg Thompson’s: Snowflake Lane Parade and Meyer2Meyer Entertainment’s: Haunted Soireé. As she cherishes the moments on the stage, Nikki also extends her passion and knowledge for ballet with over four years of teaching all experience levels from pre-teen to adults. She believes a dance class is a safe space for everyone to express creatively and improve technical goals while supporting others. Nikki’s classes focus on development of overall classical ballet technique, building confidence, friendships, and discovering beauty in one’s unique dance
quality. Nikki recently moved to Los Angeles with her dog, Sadie, and is excited to be in the sunshine every day. Besides dancing, she enjoys iced coffee, watching sunsets, singing in the car, and walks with Sadie. Nikki is excited to join as an instructor with Burbank First Academy!

KiLeigh Williams, was born and raised in Marion Indiana, where she started training in tap at the age of 3. She worked under Lisa Hopkins for 9 years touring in the off-Broadway show called Tap Kids. After high school, she studied Forensic Science at Point Park University, while teaching tap for the Community Tap program at the school. She now goes back to Pittsburgh every summer and teaches at Point Park's 6-week International Summer Dance Camp. She has also taught at many dance studios throughout her career and hopes to keep passing along her knowledge of the arts wherever she goes. 

I've been practicing yoga for over ten years. I am a 200hr certified yoga teacher through yoga alliance. I also teach children gymnastics at an educational gymnast center. Through songs, innovative asanas, breath, and mindful practices children will enjoy their starting journey of the mind, body, and breath connection. I look forward to sharing my love and practice with fresh, imaginative souls as the future is theirs. 

With over 15 years experience teaching kids(of all ages) the practice of yoga and mindfulness, Rebecca is honored to be a new part of the amazing teachers at Burbank’s First Academy. Her passion has always been to inspire others to open their hearts and minds to their ‘svarupa’ or true nature—one of compassion and kindness. 

She teaches by the philosophy : “It is vital that when educating our children’s brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts” His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Rebecca has had training in Vinyasa, Hot, Hatha, Yin, Restorative, and Kids Yoga. With additional certification in Tibetan Heart Yoga, Tibetan Buddhist meditative practices and philosophy, as well as Ayurvedic Basic principals.  She is currently working towards her advanced certification in the Yoga of Ayurveda.  

Caroline Carton is originally from Portland, OR where she began dancing at the age of 3. She received most of her training at Elite Dance Studio in styles of contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, musical theatre, and tap. She moved to Southern California and attended Chapman University to continue her dance education where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and BA in Psychology. She has performed in a variety of live performances as well as a few video/film projects. She has taught and assisted for many years and is so excited to teach your little ones and introduce them to the world of dance. She is sure to add a bit of magic and sparkle to your little one's experience! 

Liza Retter is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Los Angeles and teaches a variety of dance styles. Liza is a graduate of Talent Unlimited High School with an arts endorsed diploma in dance from the New York City department of education. She has trained at prestigious schools and programs such as School of American Ballet, Manhattan Youth Ballet, State Street Ballet’s trainee program, and currently works with Hollywood Ballet. Liza has had the great opportunity of getting to set choreography on Hollywood Ballet, including their artistic director and world renowned principal dancer Petra Conti. Liza loves teaching and was mentored by her parents and many relatives who are also dance teachers!

Hola! My name is Cruz Saldivar (aka Ms. Cruz). This will be my sixth year at the BFUMC preschool and my second year teaching Spanish with Burbank First Academy. I love our program’s philosophy of learning through play and believe this is the best way for children to soak in a second language. My objective is for your child to have fun learning Spanish through music, movement, games, puppets, storytelling, crafts, and other interactive activities. As a bilingual teacher, I am passionate about teaching a second language to young children. I will also be assisting Ms. Murgo with the Monday Pre-K Cooking class and look forward to the experience.

With over 17 years of experience teaching at BFUMC preschool, I am passionate about nurturing young learners and fostering a joyful, creative classroom environment. I am excited to be back as a cooking instructor with Burbank First Academy and look forward to sharing my passion for cooking and learning through playful experiences with your child. It’s going to be a yummy adventure! 

Lilly graduated from AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles with a BFA in Dance, in June of 2024. She has a lot of experience teaching and choreographing for dance competitions and dance recitals. She trains in all styles of dance and for the past several years has been on tour traveling on the convention and competition circuit being a lead faculty assistant and teaching her own classes in the mini room. Lilly brings a high level of passion, technique, and stage presence to the stage as well as the classroom, and loves working with dancers of all ages and levels.

Hello, my name is Fabiola. I am excited to be a part of the BFA family for my second
year! I currently assist in the BFA after-school program working as a teacher’s assistant.
I am also involved in the Church ministry as a nursery teacher for the little ones. I love
working with young children and seeing the world through their perspective. I earned my
Bachelor’s degree in Child Development with a concentration in Early Childhood from
CSUSB. My hobbies include reading, drawing, and cuddling with my dogs.