Our Instructors and Staff

Fran Wells has been with BFA for 12 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. 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 9th 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. 

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! 

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). 

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.

My name is Zeriah and I currently teach at the BFUMC Nursery School as a preschool teacher. For the past two years I have taught BFA's Pre-K Cooking class. I am currently studying Child Development and Early Childhood Education at Pasadena City College.