Educational Programs

Disney’s Moana Jr

Program Dates:  July 8 – 28

Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm
bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water

Performances:
Saturday, July 27th at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Sunday, July 28th at 2:00 pm

Ages: 13-18

West Coast Swing

West Coast Swing is a partner dance with roots in Lindy Hop, characterized by an elastic look that results from its extension-compression technique of partner connection and is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. The dance allows for both partners to improvise steps while dancing together, putting West Coast Swing in a short list of dances that emphasize improvisation.

Meet Alex and Val

Valerie Sako-Peacock (Ballroom Choreography and Consultation) was born in Albuquerque, and has lived throughout the US and abroad. She is a retired flight attendant and now owns the Peacock Insurance Agency. Having a love for dance her entire life, she started dancing and competing in Country Western, but became passionate about West Coast Swing and Hustle in the early 1990’s. Valerie has competed across the country, placing and winning numerous West Coast Swing competitions.

Alex Vlahos (Ballroom Choreography and Consultation) is originally from NJ and has lived in NM since 1977. Alex began dancing in 1982 starting with Ballroom & Latin and then discovered West Coast Swing in the early 90’s. He’s attended hundreds of competitions throughout the country including the US Ballroom, World Latin, and US Open Swing Championships. Alex has competed, placed, and won numerous advanced level West Coast Swing competitions. He has a passion for dance and has also enjoyed teaching for the local dance community.

Valerie and Alex met over 35 years ago in the local Albuquerque dance community. They immediately became close friends traveling in a large group of other dancers and competing in many national competitions, even competing together some. They were the founders of the first true local West Coast Swing Club, Strictly Swing New Mexico. Both have competed and won or placed in numerous national championships. Val and Alex made their debut with MTS as the Ballroom Consultants and Co-Choreographers for Cinderella, MTS December 2022. They are excited to share and teach the most amazing, passionate and beautiful dance, West Coast Swing. 

Musical Theatre Workshops

Get ready to sing and dance with Jocelyn Montoya and Melody Gallagher in this upbeat Musical Theatre Workshop series. Join us for 90 minutes a week to cover music and dance from A Chorus Line, The Pajama Game, and Fame! We will be learning how to quickly and efficiently learn music while adding choreography and acting for a different song each workshop session. Come ready to learn with comfortable clothing, water, writing utensils, a binder to keep all of your materials in, and character and/or jazz shoes!

Meet Melody and Jocelyn

Melody Gallagher is a professional musician, opera singer, and director from Denver, Colorado. She holds a degree from Denver School of the Arts, a Bachelor of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Education from Eastern New Mexico University. She has performed several recitals and opera scenes and has held roles in musicals and operas such as The Pajama Game, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Faust. Melody has been teaching private voice lessons for 9 years and directing theatre and musical theatre for 6 years, including her new role as a musical theatre instructor at the National Dance Institute of New Mexico. Her programs have sent students to schools such as AMDA, West Texas A&M University, and Eastern New Mexico University with substantial scholarships. Melody recently had her debut with Musical Theatre Southwest in Into the Woods as Jack’s Mother and is so excited to be working with MTS again on this workshop series!

Jocelyn Montoya is a professional actress, dancer, and singer. Jocelyn started dancing in her hometown of Santa Fe, NM through NDI New Mexico’s outreach program in fifth grade. Through NDI New Mexico’s advanced training programs (SWAT, Celebration, and Company Xcel) she performed for the First Lady in Washington DC, with Rosie’s Broadway Kids, and was introduced to idol and legend, Ann Reinking. She had the honor of learning many original Bob Fosse pieces with Ms. Reinking; her favorites include Cool Hand Luke, Hot Honey Rag, and Manson Trio. Jocelyn’s passion for dance on film and musical theatre fueled her ambition to attend college. She graduated magna cum laude from The University of New Mexico receiving the Outstanding Student Prize from the fine arts department of theatre & dance. Jocelyn has lived, worked, and performed professionally in Europe, and New York City. Jocelyn is excited to be back at NDI New Mexico, teaching for their after school program. Previously, you may have recognized Jocelyn on the MTS stage as Teen Winnie in Tuck Everlasting. You can currently see Jocelyn in season 4 episode 3 of Stranger Things streaming on Netflix.