Who We Are

Dr. Randolph Stern & Francesca Stern, LISTD

Back in 2013, when Dance 1 first opened!

After over 30 years of teaching in England and America, Ms. Francesca realized there was a need for focused teaching, rooted in classical technique, so she opened her own studio, Dance 1, alongside her husband, Dr. Randolph Stern. Her philosophy is to train dancers with discipline, exposing them to the classical elements of ballet and jazz, feeding in all genres, and blending in an unwavering support system. Dance 1 has become an elite training studio: winning a Studio of Excellence Award and winners of multiple 1st place overall awards in all genres.

In 2014, Ms. Francesca founded Redondo Ballet with a vision of creating a home for the art of dance in the South Bay. She is the Co-Artistic Director and Co-Choreographer. Redondo Ballet has fulfilled expectations as a company and offers audiences a beautiful, unique experience in two original ballet productions yearly. The goal is to be a stand-out amongst the companies in the area, and they have exceeded that objective with the partnership with Ovation TV.

Ms. Francesca earned her licentiate from The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in September 2021. The ISTD is a world-renowned dance teaching and examination board based in London, England. Ms. Francesca underwent two years of rigorous training and lessons before being observed by expert adjudicators from London. She also provides young dancers at Dance 1 with the chance to study and participate in ballet examinations corresponding to their grade level. Ms. Francesca is dedicated to maintaining high teaching standards and providing up-to-date techniques in the dynamic world of dance.

Meet the Dance 1 Team!

  • Francesca Stern, LISTD

    OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    Ms. Francesca currently earned a prestigious Licentiate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London. She was classically trained in ballet in the Royal Academy of Dance and by Patricia Prime in London. Her passion for dance led her to America, where she studied with such visionaries as Stanley Holden and Margaret Hills. Her philosophy is to train dancers with discipline, exposing them to the classical elements of ballet and jazz, feeding in all genres, and blending in an unwavering support system.

  • Donna Perkins

    JAZZ DEPT. DIRECTOR & PERFORMING COMPANY DIRECTOR

    Ms. Donna is an award-winning Producer, Director, Choreographer & Executive who has achieved vast credits in television and film. She is the Co-CEO and Vice President of 3 Alliance Media. She also brings all her skill and knowledge to directing the live, large-scale professional Redondo Ballet productions and films, and she brings her business acumen to the role of President of the Board of Directors. Donna was instrumental in forging the partnership of Redondo Ballet with Ovation TV.

  • Sondi Foley

    FITNESS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Ms. Sondi has been a Fitness Instructor for 30 years. She began her fitness career in her hometown of Brandon, FL, where she was also a founding member of the prestigious Illusions Dance Company. While pursuing her career as a dancer in New York City, she stayed in shape by teaching at Apple Health and Sports Club and the New York Health and Racquet Club. As Dance Captain and Soloist in such shows as Brigadoon and Guys and Dolls, Sondi kept the cast in top shape with daily backstage workouts.

  • Erin Fleming

    PRESCHOOL & CAMP DIRECTOR

    Ms. Erin started taking ballet at the age of 5. Minoring in dance at Loyola Marymount University, Erin later pursued her passions for science and animals, and now returns to the world of dance as a teacher. Ms. Erin is excited to help Dance 1 bring technically correct dance instruction to the young dancers of the South Bay, inspiring valuable life lessons, and encouraging strong athletes, all while instilling the love and passion of putting movement to music through dance.

  • Corey Hastings

    TAP DIRECTOR

    Born and raised dancing in the South Bay, Ms. Corey is thrilled to be a part of the Dance 1 family teaching tap. Corey began dancing at the age of five and has continued pursuing her passion ever since. She spent over 10 years as a competitive dancer, performing in national competitions, and danced in various high school musicals Corey went on to study English Literature and Political Science at the University of Washington, and continued to dance at school and at various studios around Seattle. She is delighted to be a part of many young dancers’ lives, and hopes to inspire them in the way she was first inspired so many years ago.

  • Jordan Montpas

    PERFORMING COMPANY & JAZZ

    Ms. Jordan grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona where she started dancing and acting at age 6. After receiving her high school diploma at New School For The Arts And Academics she moved out to Los Angeles to further her education in the arts. She received her BFA in Dance Theater at AMDA and has been teaching ever since. Jordan is excited to share all that she has learned with our students.

  • Corinna Ductor

    TAP, JAZZ, LYRICAL, CONTEMPORARY & ADULT

    Ms. Corinna began dancing at the age of 2. When she was 8 years old, she joined the Beach Cities Dance company, where she spent 10 years performing and competing in multiple styles of dance. She continued her training and dance education at the University of California, Irvine, where she received her B.A as a dance major. After she graduated, she began working for Carnival Cruise Lines as a performer where she was able to dance and travel the world for nine years! She is extremely excited to be a part of the Dance 1 team where she can share her love of dance!

  • Morgan Dragsbaek

    PRESCHOOL & ADULT

    In Spring 2023, Ms. Morgan received her BFA in Dance along with a psychology minor at California State University, Long Beach. She specializes in jazz and hip hop techniques, and trains in others including modern and improvisation. Morgan’s most recent performances include Choreographer’s Carnival in Hollywood, and CSULB’s Fall Dance In Concert. She hopes to make a name for herself in the commercial dance industry. In addition, she loves working with children of all ages and looks forward to continuing to teach future generations.

  • Kaylyn Fulton

    PRESCHOOL, BALLET, JAZZ, CONTEMPORARY

    Ms. Kaylyn became dancing since the age of 3. She trained at Hickory Ballet Academy in North Carolina and loved performing various classical ballets. She continued her education at Dixie State University, graduating with a B.S in Dance and B.S in Business Admin in 2020. She performed and competed with the DSU Dance Company and Ballroom Team in various dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and ballroom. She apprenticed with Contemporary West Dance Theater in Las Vegas, NV and spent a summer training with the Florence Summer Dance program in Florence, Italy. Kaylyn is excited to share her love for dance with her students at Dance 1.

  • Patricia Figueroa

    BALLET & CONDITIONING

    Bio coming soon…

  • Nicole Bennett

    BALLET

    Bio coming soon…

  • Beth Blumin

    TAP & CONDITIONING

    Bio coming soon…

  • Sofia Jansen

    PRESCHOOL, BALLET, JAZZ

    Ms. Sofia has been training at Dance 1 for 8 years and was awarded a scholarship to travel to Veracruz, Mexico to study with Escuela Cubana de Ballet Veracruz. She also debuted in Young Choreographers and was awarded Gold. Sofia also participated in "The Chinese Mermaid" where she performed in China in the Summer of 2023. Ms. Sofia currently competes in regional and national competitions and is grateful to have the guidance of Ms. Francesca to teach our younger dancers.

  • Audrey George

    PRESCHOOL, BALLET, JAZZ

    Ms. Audrey has been dancing with Dance 1 for the past 10 years. Audrey trains in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary and has performed in 5 live Ballets and 1 Ballet film production with Redondo Ballet. She recently competed in the 2023 Ballet Beyond Borders where she won Gold for her solo, along with a Gold and Silver for her Young Choreography duets. She is most proud of earning a scholarship with Ballet Beyond Borders to The Opus Ballet School in Florence, Italy, in 2021 and 2022. Ms. Audrey participated in a production of the Chinese Mermaid in the Summer of 2023, where she traveled and performed in China.

  • Naomi Arias

    JAZZ

    Ms. Naomi has been training at Dance 1 since 2015 and has been a member of the Performing Company for 7 years! Genres include: ballet, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. She has participated in Redondo Ballet’s past productions of Through the Pages and Snow Queen. Ms. Naomi is also currently competing in various competitions, as well as past national competitions including Ballet Beyond Borders where she traveled to Montana.

  • Jaya Chatterji

    BALLET

    Bio coming soon…

 

2228 Artesia Blvd.

Redondo Beach, CA 90278

310-371-2141

Rear parking lot entrance on Slauson Lane.

Main entrance will be on Artesia Blvd.