Who We Are
Miss Sarah,Owner
"Miss Sarah" Johnston, is the Owner of Showtime Dance, Inc and the Artistic Director of Showtime Ballet Company.
Her first dance class was at the age of 3, and she immediately knew what she had to do with the rest of her life. Miss Sarah graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance Performance and Education, and she has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She is a CA State certified preschool teacher with a certificate in Early Childhood Education.
She performed professionally in Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance with Canyon Movement Company in Flagstaff, Paul Powell Productions in Tucson, with Watson Dance in Yorba Linda, and in "The Glory of Christmas" at the Crystal Cathedral. For 5 years, she danced at Disneyland in: Parade of Dreams, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Disney’s Electrical Parade, and Fantasmic! At Disneyland, she also taught Physics and Leadership Workshops through the Youth Education Series, and stage managed children's performing groups from all over the world.
“Miss Sarah” has taught ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop, leaps and turns, improvisation, and choreography for Momentum Dance Center, Pacific Dance Center, Canyon Dance Academy, Orange County Dance Productions, Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, and Coconino Community College. She performed in Arizona, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Italy. She taught Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the American College Dance Festival in New Mexico and Washington State, and at the Dance and the Child International conference in The Netherlands.
She co-created Canyon Movement Company's "Nutcracker Suite in Modern Bare Feet," which is now in its 20th year, and the inspiration for the "An Orange County" Nutcracker.
Miss Sarah is a certified yoga teacher and a certified "Rhythm Works Integrative Dance" instructor for children with special needs. Her newest title is Director of Children's Ministry at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Tustin, but her most-loved role is that of "Mom" to her own two little dancers.
MISS ESTHER
"Miss Esther" is an OC-based artist with a background in various cultural and contemporary dance forms.
She has had extensive training in ballet and modern and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance at Cal State Fullerton where she also received a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with an emphasis in Mental Health.
Previously, she graduated from OCSA in the International Dance conservatory with an emphasis in
Ballet Folklórico. She is the Dance Captain for the Snowflakes and Flowers in "An Orange County Nutcracker, and she currently also performs with a professional contemporary dance company in Huntington Beach.
MISS JILLIAN
"Miss Jilly" is from Salt Lake City, Utah and started dancing at 4 years old. She started her ballet training at Children’s Ballet Theater and continued at Performing Dance Center.
She trained in ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance styles, while performing with PDC's competition team. She also trained in New York City at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center.
Miss Jillian is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Dance at al State Fullerton with an emphasis on ballet and modern dance technique and performance.
An energetic and skilled performer,
Miss Jilly dances the double role of
The Maid/Mother Ginger
(along with other roles in the Corps de Ballet)
in "An Orange County Nutcracker"
You will see Miss Jilly teaching our littlest dancers who absolutely adore "Miss Jillybean!"
Mr Israel
“Mr. Israel” is a multi-skilled member of our studio. Fluent in Spanish, he can assist you with anything at our front desk.
He is a soon-to-be California State University Long Beach studying fashion design and dance.
He completed the North Orange County ROP Dance and Choreography program at Western High School in Anaheim in 2021, giving him experience in dance education, commercial dance, and dance production. At Western High, he was in every dance class possible and was on the school’s dance team.
"Mr Israel" played the Nutcracker, among other roles, in "An Orange County Nutcracker, and he is always looking for innovative ways to bring his combined passion for dance and fashion and costume design into the studio.
MISS MIRISSA
"Miss Mirissa" is a California State certified teacher specializing in Mathematics who recently completed her semester of student teaching.
She is equally experienced in teaching Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theatre Dance. She trained as a competitive studio dancer and as a member of Los Alamitos High School dance team.
She began her teaching career with Elevation Studios is Signal Hill, CA where she helped develop and direct their Summer Camp program, serving as an introduction for young performers not only to various styles of dance, but also voice and acting for both stage and camera.
She continues to teach and pursue her goal of sharing the joy of dance with new students everyday.
Miss Mirissa is one of Showtime Dance's most senior staff members and a plays the role of The Mouse Queen
in "An Orange County Nutcracker."
Miss SAMANTHA
"Miss Sam" grew up in Oak Park, IL, where she trained at the Academy of Movement and Music starting from age 4.
There, she trained daily in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Graham. Samantha attended Dominican University of California as a major in Dance with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program. At LINES, she learned from renowned teachers and choreographers including Alonzo King, Maurya Kerr, Alice Klock, and Gregory Dawson.
After graduating college in 2019, Samantha moved to Chicago to join Visceral Dance Chicago as a company member for their 2019-2020 season and stayed at Visceral for 4 seasons. In her time at Visceral, Samantha worked with and performed original works by various renowed choreographers including Mike Tyus, Monica Cervantes, and Danielle Agami.
Since moving to Southern California in 2023, Miss Sam has performed on numerous occasions with local companies including Selah Dance and Symbiosis Arts and dances the role of Clara in "An Orange County Nutcracker."
What Parents Say About Our Teachers:
"We will sign up for more dance classes! She told us she wants to be "Miss Sarah" when she grows up."
- Cindy C, Aldersgate Mom
"You are amazing in every way! Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of our kiddos!"
- Kristel S, Aldersgate Mom
"She thoroughly enjoyed the last year attending classes with you...it was lovely to see her learning the names of the steps and seeing her love of ballet flourish.
Thank you so much!"
- Rosilene K., Outschool Mom