CARISSA • SAM • KRYSTLE • KATRINA • JOSH • ALEXIS

Her real pride falls in the entrepreneur category, becoming a franchisee/ owner operator on May 1, 1973, purchasing her first Arthur Murray studio in Riverside. She then opened the San Bernardino Studio in 1978, and moving that same San Bernardino studio, lock, stock and barrel, to Redlands in 1988.

She and her husband, Russ, has accumulated their successes with the Redlands Studio into some really banner years, finishing 2001 in the top 12 studios world wide and receiving the Studio of the Year award. In 2002 they finished eighth, and receiving yet another Studio of the Year award, plus winning the ultimate Grand Champion award for the first part of 2003.

Sheila is dedicated to help, not only her own students and teachers, but all the schools. Under her newest title of District Leader she holds training meetings with all the Southern California Teachers and Executives. Sheila is very proud of the Redlands Studio and Staff, being #1 in California and #3 in the world is a wonderful feat for a small town girl that just loved to dance.

Russ Richardson • Co-Franchisee

Russ started in 1975 as a student. After winning competitions as an amateur, he entered a teacher training program, and became an instructor in 1976. Russ progressed in, specializing in teaching new students, becoming head of the new student department, then supervisor and now manager. Currently, he is the marketing director and administrator. He also manages the structure and logistics at the 4th year running VIP awarded studio.

Katrina Rodriguez • Studio Director

Katrina Rodriguez has been working with Arthur Murray Dance Studios since 2001. Her career started as a Specialist Instructor where she quickly became one of the world’s top twenty Specialists. In 2003 she was awarded the prestigious Winners Circle Award for being one of the top 3 Specialists in the world for the year.

The next step on her Arthur Murray journey was to then lead the New Student Department as the Counselor. Again Katrina achieved excellence becoming one of the top 10 counselors worldwide for the next 3 years. In this area she was able to help all new students begin their own journey of learning to dance. This was a very exciting step for Katrina.

She then had the opportunity to become the Supervisor of the Redlands Arthur Murray Dance Studio which is currently ranked as the number three Arthur Murray studio in the world. There she was able to work with over 14 instructors and 200 students. As a Supervisor she was able to see the growth of both the instructors and the students. In 2007 Katrina was the number one Supervisor of all Arthur Murray.

Katrina has also been competing professionally since 2002. She has won many titles such as Future Champion in both the Rhythm and the Smooth styles of dancing. With her current partner Tavio Morales, they have been Open Rhythm Champions, Salsa and Hustle Finalists, and they were the undefeated Rising Star Rhythm Champions of Arthur Murray in 2007. Arthur Murray has allowed them to travel and compete in such cities as Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, and Florence Italy.

Now Katrina has the exciting opportunity to come to Temecula. She is happy to share her passion for dance with Temecula. She knows dancing will help change people's lives!

2002	Top Twenty Specialist Instructors Future Champion in Rhythm and Smooth
2003	Top Specialist Instructor Winner Circle Recipient
2004	Top Ten Specialist Instructor
2005	Top Counselor Rising Star Rhythm Finalist
2006	Top Ten Counselor
2007	Top Supervisor Winner Circle Recipient Rising Star Rhythm Champion Top Executive
2008	Flamingo Rama Open Rhythm Champion World West DOR Open Rhythm Finalist Temecula Studio Director Top Executive

Sam Kesler • Instructor

Sam Kesler was born and raised in Orange, CA to two very supportive and loving parents. His grandfather, a true Jitterbug in his own right, inspired and shared stories of dancing his way through Europe during WWII to the great Big Band leader of the day. Thanks to those inspiring stories, Sam's love for dancing was realized at age 11 when he enrolled in his first East Coast Swing class. Since the moment he stepped on the dance floor, he never wanted anything else for himself; he fully embraced the idea of sharing with others that which made him so happy!

He progressed in his dancing throughout his early teens, frequently dancing Saturday nights at The Carnation Theater in Disneyland, placing first in six different swing competitions, assisting in ballroom lessons at a local studio, and starting the swing club at his High School. It was also during this time that he began to pursue his secondary passion: Information Technology. He now holds both his A+ Certification for computer repair and is a Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA.)

In the long run, however, nothing could stand up to his love of dance. Over the years, Ballroom Dancing has become an integral part of Sam's life. One day, while listening to an old big band record, he came across the song Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancin' in a Hurry. He began to research and learn more about The Arthur Murray system, and the rest... is history.

Sam's love for dancing, for people, and for Temecula, makes his job as an instructor for Arthur Murray the best thing he could ever have hoped for. He comes to work every morning with a smile on his face knowing that he will be able to share his love of dancing with you!

Carissa Wells • Instructor

The oldest of four, Carissa was born right here in Riverside County. At a young age she studied ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. Through high school and college her growth in music continued to flourish and expland. From show choirs, dance classes, and clubs, she was given awards in leadership, involvement, and integrity. Her attraction to Ballroom Dancing began with an introduction to Swing during her freshmen year of high school.

After several years of interest and involvement in various genres, she decided to further pursue the art of Ballroom Dancing. As Carissa's career in dance progressed, she heard good things about Arthur Murray Dance Studios through the grapevine. She came in for an application and was hired on the spot! That's when she realized that she would be able to reach her full potential.

Though extensively trained in many forms of dancing, what jumps her to her feet every morning is knowing that not only will she be sharing her love of ballroom dancing with others, but also that she is bettering the lives of those she meets. Carissa always wanted to teach dance and is now living her dream to dance with you here at Arthur Murray Dance Studio!

Josh Brown • Instructor

With support and encouragement from his parents, Josh Brown’s passion in music started when he was just a little boy. Learning to play the guitar, piano, bass and then taking up voice lessons became his way of life. It was only natural that this musicality of his would translate into dance.

Lucky for us, this bashful guy began to express more of his talents even before moving out to the beautiful Temecula Valley. The theory of dancing professionally was inspired one day afterschool when a couple of students decided to start a swing club. An uplifting experience he would never forget. Since then, anything Ballroom has his attention. Besides Swing dancing he also loves the Waltz and such Latin dances as the Tango, Rumba, and Cha Cha.

Having the opportunity to work with Arthur Murray has given Josh a new approach for music and a love for meeting, teaching and especially dancing with people!

Alexis Soto • Instructor

Alexis was born into a family of dancers. At the young age of three, her parents enrolled her in jazz, tap, and ballet. She soon started competing and performing at many events; winning first places in team and solo routines also qualifying for the most advanced dance team competitions.

She danced her way though grade school combining all three of her skills and on top of that she started training in hip-hop and gymnastics. During her first year in high school Alexis was the only freshman on the advance dance team; working on routines day and night for school functions was her favorite school activity. Before she knew it, dance became her way of life. The music, the flow, the beats, the excitement… dancing is her forte.

Teaching came early for Alexis; coaching tiny-tots with ballet and tap. During that time Alexis herself was competing and winning very prestigious awards. Shortly after she began ballroom lessons and was introduced to Arthur Murray® Dance Studio. Her journey with Arthur Murray started at the Riverside studio. There she won Top Average in the district for the 2008 New Student Challenge. Alexis touched and changed many lives as a specialist instructor and now she looks forward to sharing her love of dance with you!

Krystle Lacap • Office Manager

Though she doesn't teach, Krystle is no stranger to dancing. Born and raised here in sunny Southern California, Krystle grew up with a passion in performing arts; whether it’s in music, theater, or dance she admires it all. And with a background in business marketing what better way to combine both her skill and knowledge into one; here at the Arthur Murray® Dance Studio of Temecula!