Our Instructors
Mariah MacFarlan
Mariah MacFarlan (She/Her) founded West LA Academy of Dance in January of 2022 and continues to teach Ballet 2 - Diamond Ballet and Beginning - Advanced Tap.
She began her teaching career with Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet at the age of 15. She instantly fell in love with the art of teaching and knew that her dream was to open a dance studio of her own. She continued her teaching career at the UofSC Conservatory of Dance while studying Ballet Pedagogy under former NYCB Soloist Stacey Calvert. After moving to California in 2017, Mariah accepted the position of Studio Director and Lead Instructor at a dance school in Orange County and began teaching in Los Angeles In 2019.
Mariah began her dance training at age 3 and studied Classical Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Jazz. She performed with the Pre-Professional company, Mid-Columbia Ballet, and traveled with Regional Dance America each year. Mariah spent her summers training at programs such as; Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and San Fransisco Conservatory of Dance.
Mariah furthered her education at the University of South Carolina and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography, and a dual minor in Business and Nutrition. During her time dancing with the UofSC Dance Company, she had the privilege of performing numerous Balanchine ballets as well as many original contemporary works by world-renowned choreographers.
Daniel Diaz
Daniel Díaz (He/Him) has been dancing since a young age but started formally training the age of 17. He started his dance education at Southwestern College in San Diego, and then continued his education at San Diego State University and Academy of Performing Arts. He has booked Dance jobs at the Disneyland Resort and Knotts’ Berry Farm, Touring for the 2014/2015 National Tour of Sesame Street Live, Dancing for the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade, as well as dancing in various music videos and stage performances. Lately, Daniel has been focused on teaching and cultivating young talent all around LA.
Lilly Leech
Lilly Leech (She/Her) is very excited to be teaching at West LA. Ms. Leech is a professional ballet dancer with the Los Angeles Ballet. She has taught ballet, contemporary, modern, and jazz along with conditioning classes. Ms. Leech received her Bachelors of Science in Ballet from Indiana University Ballet Theater in 2021 where she also studied Pedagogy.
Madison Schumm
Madison Schumm (she/her) grew up in Seattle, WA, and began her dance journey at the age of 4, starting with ballet. Her professional training began at 14 at Spectrum Dance Theater in their Pre-Professional Academy under the artistic direction of Donald Byrd, where she trained in Modern, Donald Byrd Modern Technique, Jazz, Contemporary, West African, and world dance styles. Madison continued her dance education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and also spent a year at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. At Alvin Ailey she trained intensively in Horton, Graham, Ballet, Pointe, improvisation and choreography. She graduated in 2022 from UCLA specializing in Ballet and Modern with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, where her time at UCLA exposed her to the commercial dance scene. Since graduating, she has joined Troupe Dance Co, and HILA Dance Co, training in hip hop, Afro, Dancehall, House, and more with Antoine Troupe, and Alexander Chung. She has worked in music videos, campaigns, TV shows and live shows with many artists, brands and choreographers such as BOSE, “Clipped” on Hulu, Feid, BetterMe, Any Gabriely, Kyle Abraham, and more.
Madison has a diverse teaching background and has worked with dancers of all ages and levels, from young beginners to advanced teens and adults. Her teaching experience includes roles as a TA for intermediate/advanced ballet at UCLA, as well as teaching in LA public schools and various dance studios in both Los Angeles and Seattle offering instruction in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Dance Conditioning, and Contemporary dance.
Madison believes that dance is more than just an art form—it’s a transformative journey that nurtures creativity, discipline, confidence, and self-expression. Her goal is to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel empowered to explore their full potential, both as dancers and individuals. Madison's classes are designed to be both fun and challenging, encouraging students to push their limits while enjoying the process. She brings energy, creativity, and a deep love for dance to every session, offering engaging and dynamic classes that blend technique, choreography, and freestyle exploration. Whether you're new to dance or refining your skills, Madison's classes provide a welcoming space for all.
Kistina Pressler
Kistina Pressler (She/Her) has toured across America, danced on national broadcast television, and performed with numerous dance companies. Some performance highlights include Disney California Adventure's Festival of Holidays with Blue13 Dance Company, NBC’s The Tonight Show, and her performance as Lily in the award-winning film Allegro Scratch. Kistina has choreographed for Los Angeles dance festivals, musicals, curated art projects, web series, and concert dance shows. She has taught dance throughout the greater Los Angeles area for curriculum arts education in schools, after school programs, and dance studios. Kistina graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in dance from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2021.
Jacob Ray
Jacob Ray is is a professional ballet dancer and actor. His journey into teaching began at Dmitri Kulev’s Classical Ballet Academy, teaching ballet and acrobatics to students of all ages. Using his background as a Russian trained ballet dancer, gymnastics, and theater Jacob adds a dynamic flair to his teaching style, putting a strong emphasis on jumps, pirouettes, and artistry.
As a professional ballet dancer, Jacob has performed various principal roles choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, Hans Van Manen, and George Balanchine. He’s danced with various companies, including the Los Angeles Ballet, under the direction of former New York City ballet dancer, Melissa Barak. His on screen credits include the Amazon Prime series, “Etoile” choreographed by Marguerite Derricks.
When you step into the studio with Jacob, prepare to work hard, learn a lot, and most importantly, have fun. His commitment to professionalism and enthusiasm ensures that each student will grow and have fun while doing so. With Jacob as your teacher, not only will you master eight pirouettes, but also cultivate a love of dance.professional ballet dancer.
Genay Tucker
Genay Tucker (She/Her) is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator. Genay began dancing at the age of 3 in a small town outside of Portland, OR and has since performed with the Disney Company, the Vancouver Symphony, Carnival Cruise Lines, and many others. When she’s not sharing her love of dance with her students, Genay can be found performing in parades at Disneyland or spoiling Felix (her dog).
Ruby Stewart
Ruby Stewart (She/Her) is a professional dancer, fitness trainer, and ballet teacher based in Los Angeles. She has performed with acclaimed companies including The Realm Company and American Contemporary Ballet. Ruby’s performance work is supported by years of technical training and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Butler University.
Her teaching experience spans early childhood to adults. In addition to her dance background, Ruby has trained and taught in high-energy fitness environments such as The Tracy Anderson Method and BURN Collective, bringing a dynamic and holistic approach to movement. Ruby is passionate about creating empowering spaces where students of all levels feel supported, strong, and inspired to grow through dance.
Liah Van Duren
Liah Van Duren, a Houston native, began dancing at Fort Bend Sugar Land Dance Center and trained extensively at Master’s Upper Level in styles ranging from Ballet to Hip-Hop.
A graduate of Kinder HSPVA, she performed at events like the National High School Dance Festival and later refined her craft at the CLI Conservatory.
Liah has worked with renowned choreographers such as Teddy Forance, Tyce Diorio, and Al Blackstone, and now shares her passion as a teacher, choreographer, and performer.
Cameron Cocea
Cameron Cocea (she/her) grew up in Los Angeles, is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at UCLA.
With a diverse background in movement arts, Cameron has honed her skills over more than eight years as a dedicated gymnast, ballerina, and cheerleader.
Her passion for athletic performance is matched by her experience, as she has spent the last four years sharing her expertise through teaching. She is excited to bring her knowledge and enthusiasm to West LA Academy of Dance.