Our instructors are dedicated professionals who seek to build dance skills, foster creativity, and teamwork. They are dedicated to instilling a love of movement, dance, and fitness in every student.

LONNIE LIDDELL, Owner and Creative Director — Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Creative Movement

Lonnie was born and raised in Bellingham, Wash. and began dance lessons at the age of four. She has trained in classical ballet, as well as in lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and ballroom. She has trained with The Morca Dance Academy, Vision’s Dance Company of Canada, The Nancy Whyte School of Ballet, and Elizabeth Roper’s School of Ballet. Her love for dance led her to continue her dance education at both Eastern Washington University and Brigham Young University. She and her family moved to Sisters in 2006 and she began teaching for a small local dance school. When the studio owner moved out of state only a year later, Lonnie was at a crossroads. With young children to care for, she was not yet ready to take on a studio of her own. In 2008, Lonnie began teaching ballet classes out of her home and was ready by 2009 to officially open the Sisters Dance Academy. SDA has nearly 300 students from toddlers to adults.

KAYLA WILLIAMS,— Jazz, Contemporary, and the Coach/Choreographer for our 3 Competitive Ensembles

As a dancer most of her life, Kayla has a passion for dance and a desire to cultivate that passion for the arts in her students. Kayla’s dance journey started in jazz, then branched into ballet, hip hop, tap, modern, and contemporary. She has a B.S. in Dance from the University of Idaho, an M.A in Teaching from Oregon State University, and specializes in fitness and injury prevention. Kayla has taught across Central Oregon, Idaho, and even Shanghai, China. Kayla has performed with many great dance artists including Bill T. Jones, Sherry Zunker, Christopher K Morgan, and Susan Hadley. She has choreographed dances for Dancers Drummers Dreamers, American College Dance Festivals, and Groovin’ Hai Productions.

SHANNON ABERO GUERRERO,— Hip Hop, Competition Teams

Born and raised in San Jose, Calif., Shannon discovered her love for dance in high school, where she was a member of the Cheer, Dance and Drill Team. After earning a BA in Psychology at California State University, Long Beach, she realized she really wanted to pursue a dance career. Represented by the Dorothy Day Otis Agency, Shannon toured with the Asian Singers, received a part in Memoirs of a Geisha, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and worked with Nike. She had the opportunity to perform at Monsters of Hip Hop and the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Shannon was a member of the Funkenometry Dance Company. She has trained with Wade Robson and Tabitha and Napoleon from So You Think You Can Dance, as well as Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake’s choreographer). She moved to Bend in 2011 with her family and shares her love for dance with all of us at SDA.

ASHLEY GAONA— Hip Hop, Tap

Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Ashley discovered a love of music in elementary school when she took part in daily music lessons and yearly plays. She was involved in the Youth Choir of Central Oregon and jazz choir in middle and high school,. She started taking Hip Hop classes in 2001 and then studied music education and conducting at Central Oregon Community College. She also joined chorale and jazz choir, and sang in three productions of the Obsidian Opera. Her focus soon switched to dance when an assisting opportunity presented itself, and she never looked back.

Ashley has studied with Poppin’ Pete, Mr. Wiggles, Nappytabs, Brian Friedman, Tricia Miranda, Tony Testa, Misha Gabriel, Phi, Rhapsody, Dave Scott, and more at annual conventions and competitions. She has been CLI Studio certified since 2018 and takes classes at the DNCR Academy. She has been a dancer for Dirtball, the Hot Shots, Globetrotters, and Lady Dice. Ashley has choreographed dances for a variety of parties, recitals, competitions, and even a video called “Beer, Wreck, and Tech” in 2015 to highlight Central Oregon. She joined the Storm Dance Team in 2021, and teaches at Diamond Dance Academy, The Cottage Daycare, Unity Dance Collective, and Sisters Dance Academy since 2018. She truly believes she has the best job in the world because there is nothing better in the world than spreading the joy of dance. Favorite dance quote, “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.” — Fred Astaire

JORDAN WEAVER — Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary

After Jordan’s first ballet class in kindergarten, she practiced for years at home, until she was able to dance again in the 6th grade. Despite moving 20 times before she was 20, Jordi continued dancing wherever and whenever she could! She did ballet in Southern California and drill team in Texas. She danced at SDA for four years and has been teaching here and at other Central Oregon dance studios since 2012. She loves the timelessness, poise, and grace of ballet and also enjoys the freedom and creativity of contemporary dance. Most of all, she loves to teach! She finds great joy in her students and loves to see them grow in grace and confidence. Jordan graduated from Oregon State University with honors. She has a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in English, writing, and communication.

SARAH ARCHER — Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary

Sarah graduated cum laude from California State University, Long Beach with a BFA in Dance in 2001. She trained in Cecchetti ballet since she was five. Then in high school, she added modern dance, studying under teachers who trained with Horton, Graham, Twyla Tharp, and Bill T. Moses.  Sarah has taught ballet, tumbling, tap, and jazz to all ages at Camarillo Academy of Performing Arts in Camarillo, Calif. She then directed the children’s dance program at Plexus Dance in Ojai, Calif. and twice toured and performed with Plexus Dancers, a modern dance company in Ventura, Calif. Most recently, Sarah worked with Solvang Parks and Recreation, teaching children’s ballet classes. She joined Sisters Dance Academy in 2022 and began teaching classes here in 2023.

DENISSE CHURCHILL — Jazz

For 17 years, Denisse studied with Zayda Liardo in her hometown of Guayaquil, Ecuador, learning flamenco, Spanish dance, ballet, jazz, acro, and tap. She also spent 10 years training in ballet technique at the School of Arts Raymond Mauge Thorniel in Ecuador. Denisse has primarily taught jazz and flamenco for many years and often incorporates acro dance elements into her choreography. She loves the movement of the human body and introducing her students to dance as an art discipline and helping them set and accomplish goals, no matter how small or large. She is persistent, driven and passionate in all she does, including owning and running two businesses.

CINDY MISKOWIEC— Ballet, Tap

Cindy has had a love for all forms of dance for over 40 years! She started taking tap, ballet, and jazz classes when she was 5 years old. At 13, she was accepted into Young Broadway Stars, a professional dance group in Florida, and continued to train and perform with them across the state through high school. While attending Florida State University, Cindy continued to train in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. As an adult, she continued to dance when she moved to Albuquerque, Honolulu, and Bend.  Since 2013, she has been teaching classes at Terpsichorean Dance Studio, and recently at Life.Love.Yoga. in 2022, Cindy joined Sisters Dance Academy, which has been a dream come true. She is so excited to share her passion for dance with young dancers.

COLBY ROBERTS — Hip Hop

Colby has been training at the Sisters Dance Academy since the age of 3 in every style offered! She has been a member of the competitive dance teams since 2019, competing in hip hop, contemporary, and jazz. In 2022, she began assisting Miss Shannon’s 7-9 year hip hop class, and substitute teaching for several hip hop classes for ages 5-9 years. She is an incredible dancer, but most importantly, is kind and compassionate with others and excited to be teaching.