Teacher

​Isaiah Zamora is a multimedia artist, choreographer, dancer, and educator dedicated to empowering the next generation of dancers through passion, discipline, and creativity. Most recently, he served as Team Captain of the College of the Sequoias Dance Team, under the guidance of Rebekah Meinert, Carli Mendes, and Kaliyah Souksavath, leading the team to its first competition in school history.

 

Beyond the Central Valley, Isaiah trains in Los Angeles with renowned choreographers including Dexter Carr, Kelly Sweeney, Natalie Kirkland, Sam Nelson, Brandon O’Neal, and Frank Soares. He has also auditioned for the LA Rams Cheerleaders and The Walt Disney Company.

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Teaching Background

 

In 2017, Isaiah discovered his passion for teaching when friends encouraged him to coach at Central California Gymnastics Institute. At CCGI, he taught hundreds of cheerleaders, dancers, gymnasts, and tumblers across the Central Valley for six years. He focused on proper technique, conditioning, discipline, and artistry in every practice. Though not a gymnast, Isaiah became a subject expert through research and designing drills. He worked with both Junior Olympic and Xcel teams, learning the value of artistry, discipline, and teamwork. He remains grateful for his experiences and relationships at CCGI.

 

Two years ago, Isaiah joined Dancers Edge, a decision that continues to shape his career as both a teacher and artist. At DE, he instructs recital classes across multiple styles and age groups, where he incorporates creative concepts including dance-on-camera experiences to help dancers build performance confidence on stage and in front of the lens. Season 30 marks his first year as a competition teacher, and he is excited to bring his ideas and creative vision to the next generation of competitive dancers. Beyond the classroom, Isaiah also assists with the studio’s marketing efforts, combining his background in business and media with his love for dance to help DE grow both on and off the stage.

 

He is beyond proud to be a part of a reputable dance studio that lives by its mission statement: “Make dance a rewarding, fulfilling, and fun experience designed to meet the needs of any student”. Isaiah is deeply grateful for the support and bonds he has formed with the DE family and truly believes that DE is the place to be!

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Dance/Education Background

 

Isaiah’s dance journey is quite unique. He began dancing at age three but couldn’t train consistently until high school, where he rediscovered his passion through the El Diamanté High School dance department. Determined to catch up, Isaiah invested in himself by training at local studios and learning from numerous teachers and choreographers across the Central Valley. Since then, he has gained over a decade of diverse training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pom, and hip-hop.

 

Outside of dance, Isaiah built a strong background in media and theatre arts during high school. Through the media arts department and advanced broadcast class, he developed skills in filmmaking, videography, and photography, which sparked his eye for detail and creativity. He also participated in choir and musical theatre, becoming a well-rounded performer. These early experiences continue to influence Isaiah’s choreography and his passion for integrating performance with artistry.

 

At College of the Sequoias, Isaiah continued his dance education under Rebekah Meinert, Carli Mendes, and Kaliyah Souksavath, as well as former professors Martha Kelly Fierro and Imara Quiñònez. He also had the opportunity to work more of DE’s talented alumni, such as Holly Groom and Campbell Crites. He was selected twice as a student choreographer, directing original works, while also assisting faculty with music editing for performances. Isaiah also attended Fresno State for one semester as a dance major, where he focused on modern and ballet technique under Kenneth Balint and Koryn Wicks, trained with the Contemporary Dance Ensemble, and worked with guest choreographers such as Anandha Ray. These experiences broadened his perspective and deepened his understanding of post-modern dance approaches.

 

Isaiah has earned associate degrees in Business Administration and Dance and will graduate this October with his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. He is committed to blending his business education with his artistry to create innovative opportunities for dancers both in and beyond the studio.

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