Full-time Faculty
Heather Gillette
Professor, Chair
Office: E-106
Office phone: (714) 564-5640
Email:
gillette_heather
Certified Laban Movement Analyst,
C.L.M.A.
B.A., M.F.A, University of Utah
Heather Gillette, originally from Hawai’i, is a Santa Ana College alumnus and earned her B.F.A and M.F.A. degrees from two of the most prestigious dance departments in the western United States: Long Beach State University and the University of Utah. As a former dancer, she has performed with such noted companies as Benita Bike's DanceArt, the Gloria Newman Dance Theater, Notoriety Inc., Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, and
Loretta Livingston and Dancers.
As an active dance educator, Heather Gillette has served as adjunct faculty at Utah State University, Brigham Young University, Chapman University,
UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, and
CSU Long Beach. She is also a
certified
Laban Movement Analyst from the
Integrated Movement Studies program in Berkeley, CA.
Heather Gillette is most proud to be serving her alumni, Santa Ana College, since 2001. Passionate about teaching, she is interested in discovering the potential in each person, celebrating students’ achievements, however great or small, and building strong relationships with colleagues that are based on genuineness. Finding great value and deep meaning in her work, she thrives on creating experiences that promote new possibilities and success. Knowing that when this happens, bridges are built that connect each individual to something greater than us, the unity of humankind.
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Leann Alduenda
Assistant Professor
Office: E-106
Office phone: (714) 564-5641
Email:
alduenda_leann
B.A., M.F.A, University of Irvine
Leann Alduenda was Born and raised in Southern California, Leann has been a dancer and educator throughout the Orange County and Los Angeles areas for over twenty years. She holds a B.A. in Dance, Magna Cum Laude from UC Riverside, where she also received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, and holds an M.F.A. degree in Dance at UC Irvine where she was awarded the Leo Freeman Foundation Fellowship for choreographic and academic excellence. As a professional performer, Leann has danced with numerous companies, spending six years as a member of Rhapsody in Taps and also having been a solo artist with Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, Motion Tribe Dance Company, and Natural Reaction Dance Company, as well as, dancing in the inaugural season of Marrow Dance Company and on a few episodes of MadTV. Leann is currently a founding member of BARE Dance Company, Artistic Director Mike Esperanza and has been with the company for over ten years. She is also currently in her third season dancing with Fuse Modern Dance, Artistic Director Joshua D. Romero. Sharing her passion for movement and artistry as a dance educator, Leann has served as adjunct faculty at Chapman University, UC Irvine, and Riverside Community College. She was the Artistic Director of the Jimmie DeFore Dance Center for 15 years, where she taught technique and performance classes, headed the teen performance company, and co-directed the scholarship program. She is currently still an instructor there and co-directs the faculty choreography showcase each January. Leann has been an artist in residence at Santa Ana College, Mt. San Antonio College, and Saddleback College and in the states of Arizona and Montana. She has set over one hundred choreographic works on various dance companies and in local high schools. Leann relishes in her role as an educator and choreographic designer and has a constant desire to share her knowledge with others and encourage them to thrive. She inspires dancers to be individual, spontaneous, and forward thinking, as well as motivated to contribute to the strong development of community.
