Fern studied from early childhood to become a dance teacher and to develop interest in the arts with children. She has studied with many of the dance world's famous artists and is certified to teach by Dance Masters of America. She has taught in Spain, and owned dance studios in her native California before relocating to Nevada. Fern and her husband, Ray Criddle, opened a studio in Las Vegas in 1974, which has become the largest school of the arts in the state. She has taught at national and regional conventions and seminars. As a dancer and singer, Fern toured with her own single act in the West as well as in Asia, Pacific Islands and Alaska. Fern Adair is biographed in Distinguished Women in Southern Nevada, was the recipient of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Achievement in the Arts Award, recipient of Clark County Commissioners Proclamation of Appreciation, and 1996 Fern Adair Day proclaimed by the City of Las Vegas. Dance Educators of America recently honored Fern with lifetime membership
Jennifer Jennings
Jennifer "J.V." Goecke is originally from Huntsville, Alabama where she was the Ballet Company and Competition Director for Birmingham Dance Theatre for 12 years. She received her B.A. in Dance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she was also on faculty. She has directed, choreographed, and produced numeous full-length ballets and musical theatre shows such as CATS, Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast just to name a few. Her students can be seen working in television, movies, and on Broadway. She is a convention teacher/judge for The Pulse, Dance Olympus, International Dance Challenge, Dance Educators of America, and Dance Masters of America justto name a few. She has won numerous regional and national awards for her choreography and continues to choreograph for dance studios, universities, and private coorporate events throughout the country.
J.V. just completed a three-year term as the Scholarship Chairman for Dance Masters of America Chapter #33. She is the creator and director of the "Jumpstart Boot Camp", a weekend program to motivate, advance, and build better dancers. She has been a faculty member of "The Pulse", a convention based with Broadway Dance Center, teaching alongside Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, and Mia Michaels from "So You Think You Can Dance". Outside of dance, she can also be heard as a solo artist on a Contemporary Christian album recorded at Dark Horse Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tina Lederman
Originally from England, Tina started dancing at the young age of two at the Butler Horner School of Dance in Portsmouth. She started her professional career at 16, performing in theatre, cabaret and floor shows in England, Japan and Spain and then traveled with Sitmar Cruise Lines for several years. After years of staying home and raising a family of four, Tina returned to dancing and began teaching for the City of Henderson.
Debbie Freeman
Debbie Freeman has performed and toured with Will Rogers Follies, 42nd Street and was a member of the Altanta Hawks Dance Team. She has been seen on numerous TV specials including David Letterman, Richard Simmons, Good Morning America, The Today Show, FOX New Year's Eve Special, Victor Awards, Peter Allen Tribute, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Debbie had been a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York, on Tour and was dance captain for their Las Vegas Show at the Flamingo Hilton. She is certified member of both Dance Masters of Amercia and Dance Educators of America and has been a member of Actor's Equity and Actor's Guild of Variety Artists. She was choreographer of the Beats of Passion Show at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Debbie's background also includes many industrials, commercials and trade shows. Debbie enjoys sharing her talent with students and has been teaching for 19 years.
Renee Barela
Renee grew up in Denver, Colorado, where she studied tap, ballet and jazz at the Kit André Dance Center. She also studied voice and piano. Renee attended the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She has performed in several operas and musicals, including The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Brigadoon, and Hello Dolly! She’s danced for MGM’s Studio 54, was dance captain for five years at the Steve Wyrick Magic Show, performed with Legends In Concert, and currently freelances. Renee has studied tap with Savion Glover and the Tap Dogs. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Fern Adair family and looks forward to the coming year.
Nicole Shay
Nicole is returning to Las Vegas after a stay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she taught all forms of dance, acrobatics and gymnastics. With a vast resume of experience in musical theatre, Nicole has also performed as a dancer at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and the Crown Odyssey World Cruise. In Las Vegas her credits include Enter the Night, Spellbound, Folies Bergere and the EFX at the MGM staring Michael Crawford. Modeling, television and films also contribute to Nicole’s experience. Top honors have awarded from Dance Masters of America for Nicole’s choreography.
Meghan Hughes
From Massachusetts, Meghan trained at the TerriGordonDanceCenter for 15 years, as well as training extensively at BroadwayDanceCenter, Steps, Alvin Ailley, and the HartfordBalletSchool.She received full scholarships to “The Edge” in LA, and the GusGiordanoDanceCenter in Chicago.She got her BFA in Dance and Choreography from the University of South Florida, where she was awarded “Graduate with Distinction” from the College of Fine Arts, for her excellence in performance and academics.
Meghan has performed with various modern and jazz companies from the East to West Coasts.She toured the world with Holland American Cruise Lines, where she was the dance captain and assistant choreographer.She is currently a dance captain and performer for the production show “Jubilee!” here on the Las Vegas Strip.She has performed in many industrials here in Vegas, and has also appeared in the opening number of the TV show “Last Comic Standing”.She has taught jazz dance at UNLV, and has been on the faculty here at Fern Adair for 4 years.
Travis Pullins
Travis has taught dance for the past 11 years. He has directed and been featured on shows at Opryland USA, on the cruise ship S.S. Norway, in numerous industrials, and also appeared on CBS' Touched By An Angel. He teaches high school Spanish and is part of the TamJams Dance Convention and dances with the Solstice Dance Theater
Pamela Schumacher
Pamela Ann has been a dance teacher for the past 15 years, teaching all forms of dance and ages. She graduated with a B.A. degree in dance from The University of Akron, in Ohio, with an emphasis on teaching. She performed as a dancer in Ohio at Six Flags, Carousel Dinner Theatre, University of Akron Dance Team (Dancer and later Coach), and professional cheerleader for the "Cleveland Thunderbolts". Pamela Ann owned a dance studio in Ohio for 5 years where her students won many local and national competitions with top awards. Her students have went on to be professional dancers and teachers and performed with such artisits as "Shakira". She has also been a competition judge for various competitions. She has choreographed for competitions, musicals, universities, dance teams, and a NFL national commercial.
She moved to Las Vegas looking forward to fulfilling her dream of furthering her performing career. She has been a dancer in Jubilee, Folies Bergere, Show in the Sky, Showgirls of Magic, and many others.
Kiala Fett
Kiala is a newcomer to Las Vegas. Growing up in Minnesota, Kiala attended Minnesota State University, Mankato with a major in musical theatre and a minor in dance studying with Professor Paul Finocchiaro. She is now finishing up her senior year at UNLV with a major in dance. She has performed in and choreographed such shows as State Fair, Footloose, Annie Get Your Gun, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Will Rogers Follies and Urinetown.
Suzanne Swanson
Miss Suzanne has performed and choreographed within professional dance companies across the United States. Having achieved her BA from the University of Louisville with a ballet emphasis, Suzanne also taught and staged productions at the university. Suzanne comes to Las Vegas from San Diego where she taught and was Director of the Junior Company of the San Diego ballet.
Sean Cronin
Sean trained and graduated from Carmichael’s School of the Performing Arts. From there, he joined Capital City Ballet in Sacramento, CA, which led him to start working in Hello Hollywood, Hello! in Reno. Sean joined the Lido de Paris and later performed in Follies Bergere in Las Vegas, where he was the principal understudy. Under the direction of Don Arden, Sean was swept to the Lido de Paris in Paris, France, where he and his adagio partner, Pamela Langevin, were the stars of the show. After 4½ years in Paris, Sean returned to the United States and performed in Miami before his return to the Las Vegas stage. Sean’s expertise in adagio is sought after by professionals and aspiring professionals. He has performed principal roles in Spain, France, Japan, Korea and on cruise ships and in numerous ballet companies.
Angelina Vera
Angelina studied at Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts before attending the University of Utah as a ballet major, and she graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Injury Management. Her professional credits include: soloist and principal roles with the American Dance Company, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Inc., numerous trade shows, conventions, corporate and special events; master ballet teacher; guest teacher in Utah, California, and for the Clark County School District; she also performed as a dancer in an “Evening at La Cage.”
Kelly Ontiberos
Mrs. Kelly Ontiberos has danced with Hartford Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre as well as in Donn Arden's Jubilee. Much of her training came from the School of the Hartford Ballet under such instructors as Raymond Lukens, Franco DeVita, Maria Youskevitch and Alla Osipenko; and also from Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She has taught a wide range of ages at Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts over the past years. Kelly Ontiberos is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
Sarah Camacho
A native of Puerto Rico, Sarah has had extensive training in dance and, in 2006, performed as a soloist for the Western Ballet Theatre of Puerto Rico. Additionally, Sarah was selectied to perform the principal role in Paquita for the International Academy of Ballet. Having been selected by Fernando Bujones to perform as a soloist for the production of Jazz Swing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Sarah went on to dance in several corps of ballet roles choreographed by Bujones. She was a soloist for the Ohio Dance Theatre and a soloist and member of the corp of ballet for the Brandywine Ballet. She was also a guest dancer for the Florida Ballet and perfomed in Raw Talent at the Sahara Hotel here in Las Vegas.A native of Puerto Rico,
Gymnastics Faculty
Cassie Sandou
Coach Cassie brings an exciting array of experience to The Conservatory Gymnastics Department. She has just returned from the year-long Britney Spears Circus Tour. Cassie competed in the USA Gymnastics levels through Elite Level at regionals and nationals. She then competed in the AAU Junior Olympics program. As an Elite Level Gymnast, Cassie also competed at Texas State University. Cassie Sandou was the head coach for the Sandou Circus/Gymnastics School here in Las Vegas as well as coaching competitive gymnastics through level 10. She also has an affection for teaching the very young gym tots.Besides all this, Cassie will be teaching aerial/flying and related arts in our gym and will welcome private lessons as appropriate.
WELCOME, COACH CASSIE!
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Tara Otakan
Coach Tara is currently a student at CSN working on a degree in elemtnary education. She began gymnastics at the late age of 12. She worked her way up to a competitive Level 10 gymnast and competed for five years with gyms in both Las Vegas and Florida. She has medaled in gold, silver, and bronze in all four events and all-around. At 15, she began coaching at recreational gymnastics summer camps and went on to build a recreational gymnastics program as the Gymnastics and Cheer Coordinator for the YMCA. Her passions are gymnastics and working with children.
Dennis Wittig
Dennis Wittig
Nina Reiss
A graduate of UNLV, Nina studied gymnastics at the Conservatory and was a competing member of the first Adair-Ettes Gymnastics Team. Nina presently is an elementary school teacher in the Clark County School District.
Casey Saeger
Casey Saeger
Sherri Bodenstab
When, due to job oblications, Barb Kordestani could no longer teach aerobics, her sister, Sherrie, became the Director of Aerobic Fun!. Sherrie has taught dance both in the Clark County School District and dance studios for over 35 years.
Theatre Department
Maggie Saunders
As an accomplished theatrical practitioner, Maggie has toured globally.
She has lived and worked in Las Vegas for the past 17 years. During
this time Maggie and Chuck Rounds have collaborated on many projects.
Her first professional directing position was offered to her by Chuck.
Maggie’s credits include Lend Me a Tenor, Lover’s Leap, Run for Your
Wife, Beyond Therapy, and I Hate Hamlet.
Music Department
Scott Sherman
New to the music department, Scott was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts area. By the time Scott graduated from Whitinsville Christian School, he had learned two instruments from every family and secured a scholarship at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. After college, Scott performed in a variety of groups including the Boston Pops. Scott has performed in many musical theatre productions; his favorite roles are Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Mordred in Camelot and Danny in Making Scents. Scott teaches all string instruments plus voice and piano.
Victoria Hetey
Victoria’s martial arts training includes Okinawan Go-Ju Ryu Karate, Judo, Iadio (Japanese sword) and Shaolin Kempo.While living in California she was the chief instructor in two schools in Los Angeles and Orange County. Her martial arts experience earned her the position of an assistant to the director on the Martial Arts Comedy/Action movie “Kung Pow – Enter the Fist”. In 2000, she traveled to China’s Shaolin Temple to train with the Shaolin Monks.With over 23 years experience, she holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black belt) in Shaolin Kempo.She has been a martial arts instructor since 1998 teaching both adult and youth classes in Kempo, including weapons and special Self Defense classes for woman.Sensei Victoria has been teaching the youth Karate program at the Conservatory since 2002.
Ballroom and Salsa
Ballroom and Salsa
Angelina and Freddy
Angelina studied dance for eight years at the Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, and later attended the University of Utah as a ballet major. Her professional credits include: soloist and principal roles with the American Dance Company, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Inc., Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio, MGM Grand Resort, Dan Nelson Productions, Redken and Paul Mitchell Hair Shows, Master Ballet Teacher, Guest Teacher in Utah and California, freelance print and runway model. Angelina graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Injury Management.
Alfredo (Freddy), originally from Mexico, is a well respected Ballroom, Latin & Salsa instructor in Las Vegas with 12 years of dance experience. He received his training from a highly acclaimed franchised dance studio where he also taught for 4 years. He is a certified NDCA competitor. Freddy performed at the 2001 World Salsa Congress and was a member of the "Paragons of Salsa Magic" dance team. Along with his partner Angelina Russo, he performed in "Fiesta Caliente" at the Edgewater Resort & Casino as well as for numerous corporate events. Freddy is looking forward to ablishing an active ballroom program at the Conservatory and hopes you will join him in his passion for dance.
Fern Adair, Director
Fern studied from early childhood to become a dance teacher and to develop interest in the arts with children. She has studied with many of the dance world's famous artists and is certified to teach by Dance Masters of America. She has taught in Spain, and owned dance studios in her native California before relocating to Nevada. Fern and her husband, Ray Criddle, opened a studio in Las Vegas in 1974, which has become the largest school of the arts in the state. She has taught at national and regional conventions and seminars. As a dancer and singer, Fern toured with her own single act in the West as well as in Asia, Pacific Islands and Alaska. Fern Adair is biographed in Distinguished Women in Southern Nevada, was the recipient of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Achievement in the Arts Award, recipient of Clark County Commissioners Proclamation of Appreciation, and 1996 Fern Adair Day proclaimed by the City of Las Vegas. Dance Educators of America recently honored Fern with lifetime membership
Jennifer "J.V." Goecke is originally from Huntsville, Alabama where she was the Ballet Company and Competition Director for Birmingham Dance Theatre for 12 years. She received her B.A. in Dance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she was also on faculty. She has directed, choreographed, and produced numeous full-length ballets and musical theatre shows such as CATS, Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast just to name a few. Her students can be seen working in television, movies, and on Broadway. She is a convention teacher/judge for The Pulse, Dance Olympus, International Dance Challenge, Dance Educators of America, and Dance Masters of America just to name a few. She has won numerous regional and national awards for her choreography and continues to choreograph for dance studios, universities, and private coorporate events throughout the country.
Originally from England, Tina started dancing at the young age of two at the Butler Horner School of Dance in Portsmouth. She started her professional career at 16, performing in theatre, cabaret and floor shows in England, Japan and Spain and then traveled with Sitmar Cruise Lines for several years. After years of staying home and raising a family of four, Tina returned to dancing and began teaching for the City of Henderson.
Debbie Freeman has performed and toured with Will Rogers Follies, 42nd Street and was a member of the Altanta Hawks Dance Team. She has been seen on numerous TV specials including David Letterman, Richard Simmons, Good Morning America, The Today Show, FOX New Year's Eve Special, Victor Awards, Peter Allen Tribute, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Debbie had been a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York, on Tour and was dance captain for their Las Vegas Show at the Flamingo Hilton. She is certified member of both Dance Masters of Amercia and Dance Educators of America and has been a member of Actor's Equity and Actor's Guild of Variety Artists. She was choreographer of the Beats of Passion Show at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Debbie's background also includes many industrials, commercials and trade shows. Debbie enjoys sharing her talent with students and has been teaching for 19 years. 
Renee grew up in Denver, Colorado, where she studied tap, ballet and jazz at the Kit André Dance Center. She also studied voice and piano. Renee attended the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She has performed in several operas and musicals, including The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Brigadoon, and Hello Dolly! She’s danced for MGM’s Studio 54, was dance captain for five years at the Steve Wyrick Magic Show, performed with Legends In Concert, and currently freelances. Renee has studied tap with Savion Glover and the Tap Dogs. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Fern Adair family and looks forward to the coming year.
Nicole is returning to Las Vegas after a stay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she taught all forms of dance, acrobatics and gymnastics. With a vast resume of experience in musical theatre, Nicole has also performed as a dancer at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and the Crown Odyssey World Cruise. In Las Vegas her credits include Enter the Night, Spellbound, Folies Bergere and the EFX at the MGM staring Michael Crawford. Modeling, television and films also contribute to Nicole’s experience. Top honors have awarded from Dance Masters of America for Nicole’s choreography. 
From 
Travis has taught dance for the past 11 years. He has directed and been featured on shows at Opryland USA, on the cruise ship S.S. Norway, in numerous industrials, and also appeared on CBS' Touched By An Angel. He teaches high school Spanish and is part of the TamJams Dance Convention and dances with the Solstice Dance Theater
Pamela Ann has been a dance teacher for the past 15 years, teaching all forms of dance and ages. She graduated with a B.A. degree in dance from The University of Akron, in Ohio, with an emphasis on teaching. She performed as a dancer in Ohio at Six Flags, Carousel Dinner Theatre, University of Akron Dance Team (Dancer and later Coach), and professional cheerleader for the "Cleveland Thunderbolts". Pamela Ann owned a dance studio in Ohio for 5 years where her students won many local and national competitions with top awards. Her students have went on to be professional dancers and teachers and performed with such artisits as "Shakira". She has also been a competition judge for various competitions. She has choreographed for competitions, musicals, universities, dance teams, and a NFL national commercial. 
Kiala is a newcomer to Las Vegas. Growing up in Minnesota, Kiala attended Minnesota State University, Mankato with a major in musical theatre and a minor in dance studying with Professor Paul Finocchiaro. She is now finishing up her senior year at UNLV with a major in dance. She has performed in and choreographed such shows as State Fair, Footloose, Annie Get Your Gun, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Will Rogers Follies and Urinetown.
Miss Suzanne has performed and choreographed within professional dance companies across the United States. Having achieved her BA from the University of Louisville with a ballet emphasis, Suzanne also taught and staged productions at the university. Suzanne comes to Las Vegas from San Diego where she taught and was Director of the Junior Company of the San Diego ballet.
Sean trained and graduated from Carmichael’s School of the Performing Arts. From there, he joined Capital City Ballet in Sacramento, CA, which led him to start working in Hello Hollywood, Hello! in Reno. Sean joined the Lido de Paris and later performed in Follies Bergere in Las Vegas, where he was the principal understudy. Under the direction of Don Arden, Sean was swept to the Lido de Paris in Paris, France, where he and his adagio partner, Pamela Langevin, were the stars of the show. After 4½ years in Paris, Sean returned to the United States and performed in Miami before his return to the Las Vegas stage. Sean’s expertise in adagio is sought after by professionals and aspiring professionals. He has performed principal roles in Spain, France, Japan, Korea and on cruise ships and in numerous ballet companies.
Mrs. Kelly Ontiberos has danced with Hartford Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre as well as in Donn Arden's Jubilee. Much of her training came from the School of the Hartford Ballet under such instructors as Raymond Lukens, Franco DeVita, Maria Youskevitch and Alla Osipenko; and also from Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She has taught a wide range of ages at Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts over the past years. Kelly Ontiberos is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
A native of Puerto Rico, Sarah has had extensive training in dance and, in 2006, performed as a soloist for the Western Ballet Theatre of Puerto Rico. Additionally, Sarah was selectied to perform the principal role in Paquita for the International Academy of Ballet. Having been selected by Fernando Bujones to perform as a soloist for the production of Jazz Swing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Sarah went on to dance in several corps of ballet roles choreographed by Bujones. She was a soloist for the Ohio Dance Theatre and a soloist and member of the corp of ballet for the Brandywine Ballet. She was also a guest dancer for the Florida Ballet and perfomed in Raw Talent at the Sahara Hotel here in Las Vegas.A native of Puerto Rico,
Gymnastics Faculty
Coach Cassie brings an exciting array of experience to The Conservatory Gymnastics Department. She has just returned from the year-long Britney Spears Circus Tour. Cassie competed in the USA Gymnastics levels through Elite Level at regionals and nationals. She then competed in the AAU Junior Olympics program. As an Elite Level Gymnast, Cassie also competed at Texas State University. Cassie Sandou was the head coach for the Sandou Circus/Gymnastics School here in Las Vegas as well as coaching competitive gymnastics through level 10. She also has an affection for teaching the very young gym tots.Besides all this, Cassie will be teaching aerial/flying and related arts in our gym and will welcome private lessons as appropriate. 
Coach Tara is currently a student at CSN working on a degree in elemtnary education. She began gymnastics at the late age of 12. She worked her way up to a competitive Level 10 gymnast and competed for five years with gyms in both Las Vegas and Florida. She has medaled in gold, silver, and bronze in all four events and all-around. At 15, she began coaching at recreational gymnastics summer camps and went on to build a recreational gymnastics program as the Gymnastics and Cheer Coordinator for the YMCA. Her passions are gymnastics and working with children.
A graduate of UNLV, Nina studied gymnastics at the Conservatory and was a competing member of the first Adair-Ettes Gymnastics Team. Nina presently is an elementary school teacher in the Clark County School District.
When, due to job oblications, Barb Kordestani could no longer teach aerobics, her sister, Sherrie, became the Director of Aerobic Fun!. Sherrie has taught dance both in the Clark County School District and dance studios for over 35 years.
As an accomplished theatrical practitioner, Maggie has toured globally.
She has lived and worked in Las Vegas for the past 17 years. During
this time Maggie and Chuck Rounds have collaborated on many projects.
Her first professional directing position was offered to her by Chuck.
Maggie’s credits include Lend Me a Tenor, Lover’s Leap, Run for Your
Wife, Beyond Therapy, and I Hate Hamlet.
Angelina studied dance for eight years at the Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, and later attended the University of Utah as a ballet major. Her professional credits include: soloist and principal roles with the American Dance Company, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Inc., Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio, MGM Grand Resort, Dan Nelson Productions, Redken and Paul Mitchell Hair Shows, Master Ballet Teacher, Guest Teacher in Utah and California, freelance print and runway model. Angelina graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Injury Management.