Our Instructors

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. 
Marissa is also a certified Early Childhood Educator and teaches at BFUMC Nursery School. 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 with the Burbank First Academy for her 8th year!

Lee Knott is from Santa Clarita, California, where she started her dance training at 3 years old.

She danced at Santa Clarita Ballet Academy and Los Angeles Ballet Academy. She is a classically trained ballerina, having completed her Royal Academy of Dance Exams from Pre Primary through Advanced 1. In 2014, she danced at the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer intensive where she trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern and Pilates. She has performed in over 50 shows in her lifetime, some of her favorites include Swan Lake, Midsummers Night Dream, and Cinderella. Lee is currently enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dance’s Certificate in Dance Teaching (CDT) program, where she will become a RAD certified teacher. She is always perfecting her craft and takes regular classes at Hama’s Dance Center, Millennium Dance Complex, and Playground LA. Her favorite dance style to teach is ballet, as she believes it is the foundation to all forms of dance. She is super passionate about teaching, and loves to create a safe environment so that each student can fall in love with dance. 

Dominique Napolitano has been dancing for 23 years. She trained at Art of the Dance Academy, Media City Ballet, and Millennium Dance Complex, She was President of the John Burroughs High School Junior/Varsity Dance Team. She has engaged in various showcases and stage plays. Dominique has experience teaching toddlers to teens. Her style comprises Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. On top of performing and teaching, she aspires to build her resume and one day have her own dance studio. She is grateful to her loving Mother Miss Monica for introducing her to the world of dance at a young age and encouraging everyone to "Dance like no one is watching!" 

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. 

Hola! my name is Oralia Kameny. I was born in Mexico and emigrated to the United States when I was nine years old. I love my culture and everything that goes with it, such as the food, music, community, and language. I am the mother of 3 amazing children, a son and two daughters, ages 25, 22, and 11. I find it inspiring how children are inclined to see the world in such a fresh and magical way. I am a preschool teacher at the BFUMC Nursery School, I am very excited to share my passion for creating learning opportunities for children, and allow them to feel safe, encouraged, supported, and loved, so that they can be brave and explore their world.
I feel excited to teach Spanish and share the fantastic and rich Latin culture with your children. Apart from a love of teaching, my hobbies include running, yoga, horses, arts and crafts, sewing,and home construction projects. 

Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom – Roger Bacon

My name is Zeriah and I currently teach at the BFUMC Nursery School as a preschool teacher. I am excited to teach Pre-K Cooking for my second year at BFA alongside Mrs. Pirzadeh! I am currently studying Child Development and Early Childhood Education at Pasadena City College. My favorite thing to cook is any dessert or pastry. 

Hello! I am so excited to facilitate art experiences in the “Art Your Way” class. Offering
children, the opportunity to express themselves and learn through art is a passion of mine. I
have two children (now 21 and 27) who both took this class when they attended BFUMC Nursery School many years ago and I saw first-hand how much they gained from creating art their way.

I am currently a preschool teacher at BFUMC Preschool, and when I am not teaching and
learning alongside children I enjoy baking, reading, solving puzzles, and cuddling with my dog,
Scully.

My name is Megan Pirzadeh and I am so excited to be your teacher this year. We are going to have so much fun. A little about my background, I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from CSUN and a master degree from Antioch University in Psychology with an emphasis in child and family development. I have 2 children who both attended the BFUMC preschool. I absolutely fell in love with the school while they were there. I began substitute teaching and helping out in the childcare room, and then I was so fortunate to be offered a teaching position there. My family and I love being a part of the burbank community and I am so glad my children attend one of our wonderful burbank schools. I love coffee, cross stitching, reading and being at home with my husband, my kids and our pets (2 cats and a dog).