WebologyWORX

Sample redesign by WebologyWORX · Concept for Hudson Dance Academy, not the official website

About this project Get one for your business →
17070 Magnolia St, Unit A, Fountain Valleyhudsondanceacademy5678@gmail.com
(714) 323-3487
Hudson Dance Academy
Home  /  Faculty
Our Faculty

Teachers who’ve been where your dancer wants to go.

Former Laker Girls, collegiate national champions, touring professionals and HDA alumni — all warm, friendly, and invested in every student.

Tiffany Hudson-Specht, owner and artistic director
Owner & Artistic Director

Tiffany Hudson-Specht, M.B.A.

Teaching and choreographing for over 20 years, Miss Tiffany has built one of Orange County’s most successful studios.

She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and hip hop, earned her B.A. in Communication Studies and Dance Performance from Loyola Marymount University, and went on to earn her M.B.A. from LMU. She began dancing professionally at 17, touring Southern California with a hip hop company, and co-founded Kumba Beatz — a hip hop company still performing at LMU today.

Her students have won 1st Overall at Starbound, KAR, Showstoppers, Thunderstruck, Headliners and Rainbow, earned “Studio of Excellence” honors, and worked with Nickelodeon, Puma, McDonald’s, the Latin AMAs and more. Her choreography has appeared at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, NCAA basketball games and on ABC 7.

  • Best of Fountain Valley for Education — 2020, 2022 & 2023
  • Alumni at Chapman, UCI, Pace, LMU, Hofstra, SDSU, UCSD & CSULB
  • Students signed with MSA, LA Models, Clear Talent Group & more
The HDA team

Meet our instructors

Wendy Hudson
Office Manager

Wendy Hudson

Miss Wendy joined HDA in 2017 after a 30-year career in client management.

Read bio

She also brings 20 years of experience as a dance mom (Miss Tiffany’s!). You’ll find her at the front desk with a smile, ready to help.

Clara D’Autillia
Ballet Director

Clara D’Autillia

Year-round Artistic Director for Coast City Ballet and Axis Theater.

Read bio

Miss Clara trained in ballet, dance and musical theater from a young age, holds several dance certifications and a Fine Arts degree, coached the Edison HS Dance Team from 2007–2020, and continues to work on Edison’s musical theater productions.

Marissa Skates
Hip Hop Director

Marissa Skates

10+ years in the industry with credits for BET, EDC, Disneyland Resort and EstrellaTV.

Read bio

A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts at HBHS, Marissa has choreographed for the OCC Dance Team, Concordia University and studios across California. She’s known for boosting young dancers’ confidence and helping them dance with power and purpose.

Lauren Hanson
Lead Jazz Instructor

Lauren Hanson

HDA alum, Chapman University dance minor, award-winning choreographer.

Read bio

Lauren began at Hudson at age 10 and competed with the team from age 11. At HBHS’s Academy for the Performing Arts she danced in the jazz ensemble and earned Best Jazz Dancer and Bright Spot awards. Her choreography has won across categories at Starbound, KAR, Showstoppers, Rainbow and Thunderstruck.

Megan Shimada
Instructor · Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz & Lyrical

Megan Shimada

Former Laker Girl and national champion with the Orange Coast College dance team.

Read bio

Megan trained in Cecchetti ballet from age four, attended Joffrey Ballet and ABT intensives, and earned her dance degree at Loyola Marymount University. She has choreographed for Newport Harbor HS, OCSA and studios across Southern California.

Jane Retzlaff
Instructor

Jane Retzlaff

HDA-trained dancer and award-winning choreographer.

Read bio

Jane started dancing at HDA at age 10 and trained at both HDA and the Academy for the Performing Arts. Over 8 years she earned awards at Showstoppers, KAR, Rainbow and Starbound, and her choreography has taken several 1st Overall titles.

“Kobe” Bryant Pearson
Instructor · Hip Hop

“Kobe” Bryant Pearson

Street-trained hip hop artist from Santa Ana’s Saint City Crew.

Read bio

Kobe honed his skills in freestyle and battles, was featured on Juice TV, and trained two years with Outer Class under choreographer Mitch Villareal. His style blends hip hop groove with rhythm and storytelling.

Natalie Jameson
Instructor · Choreographer

Natalie Jameson

17+ years as an Orange County competitive choreographer, instructor and coach.

Read bio

An OCSA commercial dance alum and Chapman dance major, Natalie has created pieces for Mater Dei, SJHHS and Esperanza high schools, judged team auditions and competitions, and founded Jameson Dance Company for competitive dancers 12+.

Kianna Lee
Instructor

Kianna Lee

Former Los Angeles Lakers dancer for three seasons.

Read bio

An HB native and HBHS dance team alum, Kianna danced and coached with the UCSB Dance Team while earning her B.A. in Communications. She now teaches ballet, jazz, hip hop and pom, and leads camps for school dance teams nationwide.

“Ziva” Whitney Farmer
Instructor · Hip Hop & Adult Hip Hop

“Ziva” Whitney Farmer

Trained 10 years at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy; toured with KC & the Sunshine Band.

Read bio

Ziva landed her first professional job at 12 and danced with well-known artists from 16 to 24. Her passions are hip hop and contemporary, and she’s known for her “hip hop ticking animation” style. She teaches ages 3 to adult.

CN
Instructor · Ballet

Christine Nunez

Performed with Motion Tribe, C. Round Ballet Works and LA Unbound.

Read bio

A Sacramento Ballet Nutcracker alum with an A.A. in Dance from Orange Coast College, Christine has directed summer intensives, staged classical ballets from Swan Lake to Coppélia, and coached dancers for Youth America Grand Prix.

FM
Instructor · Ballet

Fiona Murphy

B.A. in Dance from California State University, Long Beach.

Read bio

Fiona trained at Alameda Ballet Academy with summers at ABT, Joffrey, The Rock School and Kaatsbaan, performing roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

New students welcome

Come in and try a class.
We bet you’ll love it here.

Small classes, warm teachers, and a studio family that cheers for every dancer. Reach out and we’ll find the right class for your dancer’s age and experience.

Call UsTry a Class