About Variant Movement

Variant Movement is an elite, competitive, competition team providing quality training and choreography for dancers in Southern California. Our mission is to provide an exclusive platform for elite, ambitious dancers hoping to excel their performances with competitive choreography training. Variant Movement emphasizes quality over quantity when it comes to providing excellent training in technique and choreography, while prioritizing the dancers’ time spent while training.

Bios

Danielle Braithwaite

Danielle Braithwaite

Danielle Luna Braithwaite began her dance training with some of the industry’s top professionals. In 2006, Danielle was one of seventy-five dancers selected internationally to study with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City where she continued training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern. Throughout her training, Danielle competed as a soloist at the regional and national levels and earned several overall awards and titles. In 2009, she was accepted as 1 of only 25 freshmen into the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Dance Department, which ranks in the top 10 in North America and has a degree in Communications and Dance. She remains a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for undergraduate students who academically rank in the top 20%. She has also earned her Master’s Degree in Education from National University and is currently seeking a teaching credential in Physical Education with an emphasis in Dance. Danielle’s classical and commercial training has inspired her to train well-rounded students who involve themselves in several forms of dance and continue to produce award-winning pieces of choreography. She will be entering her 14th year of dance training and choreography for elite-level dancers in Southern California.
Ashley

Ashley Korngold

Ashley Korngold

Ashley Korngold has been dancing since she could walk and enrolled in a dance studio when she was three. Since then, she has trained in almost every style of dance, but has a special passion for jazz and hiphop. Ashley has performed in and choreographed hundreds of dance productions throughout California, Kansas, and Utah. In 2009, she received the high honor of being invited to The American College Dance Festival in Utah, where she performed in front of its prestigious faculty and judges. She was also selected to be a part of The Architexture Modern Dance Company where she enjoyed training and performing with a professional company. Ashley earned an Associate of Arts degree in Dance while becoming a licensed Speech and Language Pathology Assistant. She focused on early childhood development and spent many years working in private clinics and classrooms, participating in learning strategies for children of all ages. Ashley is now fulfilling her lifelong dream of training and choreographing for dancers of all ages and levels, instilling the love and passion for dance that has driven her successful career. She has become a well-known choreographer whose eye-catching work has won numerous awards such as “Best Choreography”, “Most Entertaining”, and Regional and National overall high scores. Ashley’s work currently holds the highest scoring National Title at Hollywood Connection both in 2021 & 2022. Ashley is so excited to be a part of Variant Movement and continue her legacy of inspiring the next generation of dancers.
hannah schiller 2

Hannah Schiller

Hannah Schiller

Hannah Schiller started her serious ballet training at the age of eight. Throughout her ballet training, Hannah received many prestigious awards for excellence in ballet at both local and international ballet competitions. Her most prestigious award was received in 2009 when she was awarded the Silver Medal in the Moscow International Ballet Competition. Hannah has also danced a total of eight years as a soloist in a professional ballet company. Hannah has a total of fifteen years of pre professional and professional classical ballet training. Hannah has experience in preparing students to compete at dance competitions in both lyrical and ballet. Hannah has taken students to local dance competitions where they have received top awards in overall categories. In 2021, Hannah received her bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent studies with an emphasis on elementary education from California State University, Fullerton. Hannah is currently working on her Masters in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Concordia University, Irvine.
Makayla G headshot 2

Makayla Gordon

Makayla Gordon

Makayla Gordon is a professional dancer and budding choreographer currently based in Los Angeles, California. She began her dance journey at the ripe age of 2, training in various styles. She continued developing her skills throughout the years competing in dance competitions winning several awards and titles. In 2013, Makayla attended Orange County School of the Arts where they hold an acceptance rate of only 11%. She traveled across Southern California and performed in their premiere performing group “Montage” getting the opportunity to perform in SCP Tree Lighting (2014-2018) and danced beside artist Matthew Morrison, in a duet to the iconic “Singing in the Rain” (2017). At only 22 years old, Makayla holds an impressive resume with almost two decades of experience, with her most recent years being trained and mentored under some of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious and famed choreographers. Her experience includes commercials featured in brands like TCL, Verizon, T-mobile, and Mountain-Dew (2021). Music videos and stage performances with upcoming artists etc. Print work for the tv series “The Big Leap” (2021). She is just getting started with many dreams still to accomplish. As she embarks this new journey into teaching she is in hopes to shine a new light on dance for the younger generation and share some gems she’s learned along the way.

Lexi Ascher

Lexi Ascher

Lexi was born and raised in Irvine, California, and recently graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Health Science. She is currently pursuing a career in healthcare working at CHOC as a medical scribe. Aside from this position, she has a huge passion for teaching dance. She started dancing at the age of 2 and competitively at 10. She has been trained in almost all styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and acrobatics. Dance has led to many opportunities for her such as being part of the filming of Dance Moms, dancing alongside Derek Hough, and dancing for a film with Disney and Lily Diabetes. Lexi started teaching at 15 years old and has loved it ever since. She enjoys teaching young dancers skills beyond technical aspects; demonstrating responsibility, commitment, dedication, and motivation. Along with teaching, she is honored to assist in the operations of the studio and the main point of communication.

Lena Karram

Lena Karram

Lena Karram grew up as a competitive gymnast until the age of 12. She then transitioned to dance where she found her love and passion for performing. She trained in a variety of styles throughout her childhood and attended college in Los Angeles, where she earned her B.F.A in Commercial Dance. Lena is signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. Over the years she has been able to train under and work with top choreographers in the industry which has helped mold her into the artist she is today. Lena has found a strong love for teaching and choreographing. She has an athletic, unique and versatile style that she loves to share. Lena is excited to continue her work as a professional dancer as well as a teacher/choreographer.
D53A5771

Ali Terrones

Ali Terrones

Ali Terrones has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern, contemporary, African, lyrical, hip-hop, and any other form of dance she could get into! She started teaching very early as a result of having two parents who were professional gymnastics instructors. She enjoyed dancing and competing in the San Diego area in all styles of dance, but was most passionate for lyrical and contemporary. She was also a Varsity Dance Team Member and Varsity Cheerleader at Rancho Buena Vista High School. She has choreographed for her team in High School, as well as Saddleback College, where she was awarded Dance Rookie Of The Year. She has danced for Unity Dance Ensemble and was a member of Architecture, a Modern Dance Company based out of Orange County. She has been teaching competitive dance in Orange County for over 14 years. She has enjoyed choreographing professionally for hundreds of shows, recitals, weddings, and music videos in Orange County, San Diego and LA. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Dance from Saddleback and fully utilizes her education in Early Childhood Development from California State University Fullerton to facilitate an encouraging, nurturing and loving environment in all of her classes. She believes that every child should be made to feel loved, encouraged, and that dance can be a pathway to building self esteem and discipline.

Gary Roberts

Gary Roberts

Gary Roberts is a dancer, choreographer, performer, adjudicator and creative director. He holds a degree in Theater Arts from California State University, Fullerton where he studied dance and acting. He teaches and choreographs many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, lindy hop and musical theater. Gary started dancing at the young age of 2 years old eventually gaining recognition and top awards for his tap dancing and entertaining performances. He went on to dance for Disney as well as in many industrials Including CBS, Oakley, and Nickelodeon Studios. Gary has performed as a member of Tap Overload, Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, Encore Tap Ensemble, and also as a guest artist at Irvine Valley College and Santa Monica College. His featured role in the original musical “Temptation” earned him a “terrific tap dance” praise from the LA Times. Gary has also shared the stage with jazz legends such as Norma Miller and Gunhild Carling. Gary’s choreography has been featured in the short film “A Night at Club Alabam”, on the “Caroline Sunshine and Friends” tour for pop star Aliyah Moulden and on competition stages across the country. He has choreographed for the dance programs at San Juan Hills High School, Chadwick School and currently choreographs children’s musicals for Upstage Theater Schools. His work has also been showcased at private events, charity events, and nightclubs throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Previous teaching assignments include Orange County School of the Arts, Mount San Antonio College and Millenium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Gary has also worked as an Arts Mentor with the non profit organization, Oasis Center International, teaching the art of tap dance to elementary school kids in underserved communities. Since 2016 Gary has been an adjudicator for Star Dance Alliance allowing him the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion for dance with young dancers across the country.
IMG_2887

Robin Kohler

Robin Kohler

Robin began her dance training at the age of five, with her focus being Classical Ballet. She studied under the direction of Lucille Hood at the Rockville School of Ballet in Rockville, Maryland. As a teen she was awarded scholarships and furthered her studies in New York at The Robert Joffrey , American Ballet Theatre and in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Ballet. As a dancer, and later, a teacher in training, she has been privileged to participate in the classes of many remarkable teachers such as Benjamin Harkarvy, Melissa Hayden and Meredith Baylis. These classes included artistic greats such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne. In 1980 Robin stepped off the dance floor and married. Next came two beautiful daughters and a career in teaching. Robin shares her creativity, love, and knowledge of the discipline of dance with the youth of today, and is passionate about encouraging each and every student to discover their unique individual gifts, nurture them, and share them with the world.
Ashley

Ashley Korngold

Ashley Korngold has been dancing since she could walk and enrolled in a dance studio when she was three. Since then, she has trained in almost every style of dance, but has a special passion for jazz and hiphop. Ashley has performed in and choreographed hundreds of dance productions throughout California, Kansas, and Utah. In 2009, she received the high honor of being invited to The American College Dance Festival in Utah, where she performed in front of its prestigious faculty and judges. She was also selected to be a part of The Architexture Modern Dance Company where she enjoyed training and performing with a professional company. Ashley earned an Associate of Arts degree in Dance while becoming a licensed Speech and Language Pathology Assistant. She focused on early childhood development and spent many years working in private clinics and classrooms, participating in learning strategies for children of all ages. Ashley is now fulfilling her lifelong dream of training and choreographing for dancers of all ages and levels, instilling the love and passion for dance that has driven her successful career. She has become a well-known choreographer whose eye-catching work has won numerous awards such as “Best Choreography”, “Most Entertaining”, and Regional and National overall high scores. Ashley’s work currently holds the highest scoring National Title at Hollywood Connection both in 2021 & 2022. Ashley is so excited to be a part of Variant Movement and continue her legacy of inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Danielle

Danielle Braithwaite

Danielle Luna Braithwaite began her dance training with some of the industry’s top professionals. In 2006, Danielle was one of seventy-five dancers selected internationally to study with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City where she continued training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern. Throughout her training, Danielle competed as a soloist at the regional and national levels and earned several overall awards and titles. In 2009, she was accepted as 1 of only 25 freshmen into the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Dance Department, which ranks in the top 10 in North America and has a degree in Communications and Dance. She remains a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for undergraduate students who academically rank in the top 20%. She has also earned her Master’s Degree in Education from National University and is currently seeking a teaching credential in Physical Education with an emphasis in Dance. Danielle’s classical and commercial training has inspired her to train well-rounded students who involve themselves in several forms of dance and continue to produce award-winning pieces of choreography. She will be entering her 14th year of dance training and choreography for elite-level dancers in Southern California.

Lena Karram Headshot GTA

Lena Karram

Lena Karram grew up as a competitive gymnast until the age of 12. She then transitioned to dance where she found her love and passion for performing. She trained in a variety of styles throughout her childhood and attended college in Los Angeles, where she earned her B.F.A in Commercial Dance. Lena is signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. Over the years she has been able to train under and work with top choreographers in the industry which has helped mold her into the artist she is today. Lena has found a strong love for teaching and choreographing. She has an athletic, unique and versatile style that she loves to share. Lena is excited to continue her work as a professional dancer as well as a teacher/choreographer.

Ashley

Ashley Korngold

Ashley Korngold has been dancing since she could walk and enrolled in a dance studio when she was three. Since then, she has trained in almost every style of dance, but has a special passion for jazz and hiphop. Ashley has performed in and choreographed hundreds of dance productions throughout California, Kansas, and Utah. In 2009, she received the high honor of being invited to The American College Dance Festival in Utah, where she performed in front of its prestigious faculty and judges. She was also selected to be a part of The Architexture Modern Dance Company where she enjoyed training and performing with a professional company. Ashley earned an Associate of Arts degree in Dance while becoming a licensed Speech and Language Pathology Assistant. She focused on early childhood development and spent many years working in private clinics and classrooms, participating in learning strategies for children of all ages. Ashley is now fulfilling her lifelong dream of training and choreographing for dancers of all ages and levels, instilling the love and passion for dance that has driven her successful career. She has become a well-known choreographer whose eye-catching work has won numerous awards such as “Best Choreography”, “Most Entertaining”, and Regional and National overall high scores. Ashley’s work currently holds the highest scoring National Title at Hollywood Connection both in 2021 & 2022. Ashley is so excited to be a part of Variant Movement and continue her legacy of inspiring the next generation of dancers.

D53A5771

Ali Terrones

Ali Terrones has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern, contemporary, African, lyrical, hip-hop, and any other form of dance she could get into! She started teaching very early as a result of having two parents who were professional gymnastics instructors. She enjoyed dancing and competing in the San Diego area in all styles of dance, but was most passionate for lyrical and contemporary. She was also a Varsity Dance Team Member and Varsity Cheerleader at Rancho Buena Vista High School. She has choreographed for her team in High School, as well as Saddleback College, where she was awarded Dance Rookie Of The Year. She has danced for Unity Dance Ensemble and was a member of Architecture, a Modern Dance Company based out of Orange County. She has been teaching competitive dance in Orange County for over 14 years. She has enjoyed choreographing professionally for hundreds of shows, recitals, weddings, and music videos in Orange County, San Diego and LA. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Dance from Saddleback and fully utilizes her education in Early Childhood Development from California State University Fullerton to facilitate an encouraging, nurturing and loving environment in all of her classes. She believes that every child should be made to feel loved, encouraged, and that dance can be a pathway to building self esteem and discipline.

D53A5771

Ali Terrones

Ali Terrones has been dancing since the age of three. She has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, modern, contemporary, African, lyrical, hip-hop, and any other form of dance she could get into! She started teaching very early as a result of having two parents who were professional gymnastics instructors. She enjoyed dancing and competing in the San Diego area in all styles of dance, but was most passionate for lyrical and contemporary. She was also a Varsity Dance Team Member and Varsity Cheerleader at Rancho Buena Vista High School. She has choreographed for her team in High School, as well as Saddleback College, where she was awarded Dance Rookie Of The Year. She has danced for Unity Dance Ensemble and was a member of Architecture, a Modern Dance Company based out of Orange County. She has been teaching competitive dance in Orange County for over 14 years. She has enjoyed choreographing professionally for hundreds of shows, recitals, weddings, and music videos in Orange County, San Diego and LA. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Dance from Saddleback and fully utilizes her education in Early Childhood Development from California State University Fullerton to facilitate an encouraging, nurturing and loving environment in all of her classes. She believes that every child should be made to feel loved, encouraged, and that dance can be a pathway to building self esteem and discipline.

Gary Roberts

Gary Roberts is a dancer, choreographer, performer, adjudicator and creative director. He holds a degree in Theater Arts from California State University, Fullerton where he studied dance and acting. He teaches and choreographs many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, lindy hop and musical theater. Gary started dancing at the young age of 2 years old eventually gaining recognition and top awards for his tap dancing and entertaining performances. He went on to dance for Disney as well as in many industrials Including CBS, Oakley, and Nickelodeon Studios. Gary has performed as a member of Tap Overload, Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, Encore Tap Ensemble, and also as a guest artist at Irvine Valley College and Santa Monica College. His featured role in the original musical “Temptation” earned him a “terrific tap dance” praise from the LA Times. Gary has also shared the stage with jazz legends such as Norma Miller and Gunhild Carling. Gary’s choreography has been featured in the short film “A Night at Club Alabam”, on the “Caroline Sunshine and Friends” tour for pop star Aliyah Moulden and on competition stages across the country. He has choreographed for the dance programs at San Juan Hills High School, Chadwick School and currently choreographs children’s musicals for Upstage Theater Schools. His work has also been showcased at private events, charity events, and nightclubs throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Previous teaching assignments include Orange County School of the Arts, Mount San Antonio College and Millenium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Gary has also worked as an Arts Mentor with the non profit organization, Oasis Center International, teaching the art of tap dance to elementary school kids in underserved communities. Since 2016 Gary has been an adjudicator for Star Dance Alliance allowing him the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion for dance with young dancers across the country.

hannah schiller 2

Hannah Schiller

Hannah Schiller started her serious ballet training at the age of eight. Throughout her ballet training, Hannah received many prestigious awards for excellence in ballet at both local and international ballet competitions. Her most prestigious award was received in 2009 when she was awarded the Silver Medal in the Moscow International Ballet Competition. Hannah has also danced a total of eight years as a soloist in a professional ballet company. Hannah has a total of fifteen years of pre professional and professional classical ballet training. Hannah has experience in preparing students to compete at dance competitions in both lyrical and ballet. Hannah has taken students to local dance competitions where they have received top awards in overall categories. In 2021, Hannah received her bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent studies with an emphasis on elementary education from California State University, Fullerton. Hannah is currently working on her Masters in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Concordia University, Irvine.

Makayla G headshot 2

Makayla Gordon

Makayla Gordon is a professional dancer and budding choreographer currently based in Los Angeles, California. She began her dance journey at the ripe age of 2, training in various styles. She continued developing her skills throughout the years competing in dance competitions winning several awards and titles. In 2013, Makayla attended Orange County School of the Arts where they hold an acceptance rate of only 11%. She traveled across Southern California and performed in their premiere performing group “Montage” getting the opportunity to perform in SCP Tree Lighting (2014-2018) and danced beside artist Matthew Morrison, in a duet to the iconic “Singing in the Rain” (2017). At only 22 years old, Makayla holds an impressive resume with almost two decades of experience, with her most recent years being trained and mentored under some of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious and famed choreographers. Her experience includes commercials featured in brands like TCL, Verizon, T-mobile, and Mountain-Dew (2021). Music videos and stage performances with upcoming artists etc. Print work for the tv series “The Big Leap” (2021). She is just getting started with many dreams still to accomplish. As she embarks this new journey into teaching she is in hopes to shine a new light on dance for the younger generation and share some gems she’s learned along the way.

IMG_2887

Robin Kohler

Robin began her dance training at the age of five, with her focus being Classical Ballet. She studied under the direction of Lucille Hood at the Rockville School of Ballet in Rockville, Maryland. As a teen she was awarded scholarships and furthered her studies in New York at The Robert Joffrey , American Ballet Theatre and in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Ballet. As a dancer, and later, a teacher in training, she has been privileged to participate in the classes of many remarkable teachers such as Benjamin Harkarvy, Melissa Hayden and Meredith Baylis. These classes included artistic greats such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne. In 1980 Robin stepped off the dance floor and married. Next came two beautiful daughters and a career in teaching. Robin shares her creativity, love, and knowledge of the discipline of dance with the youth of today, and is passionate about encouraging each and every student to discover their unique individual gifts, nurture them, and share them with the world.

Lexi Ascher

Lexi was born and raised in Irvine, California, and recently graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Health Science. She is currently pursuing a career in healthcare working at CHOC as a medical scribe. Aside from this position, she has a huge passion for teaching dance. She started dancing at the age of 2 and competitively at 10. She has been trained in almost all styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and acrobatics. Dance has led to many opportunities for her such as being part of the filming of Dance Moms, dancing alongside Derek Hough, and dancing for a film with Disney and Lily Diabetes. Lexi started teaching at 15 years old and has loved it ever since. She enjoys teaching young dancers skills beyond technical aspects; demonstrating responsibility, commitment, dedication, and motivation. Along with teaching, she is honored to assist in the operations of the studio and the main point of communication.

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