Expressions Staff
Veronica Langford
Studio Owner
Program Director
As the Owner and Program Director of Expressions Dance & Arts, and the mother of two EDA students, Ms. Veronica is excited to provide high-quality and fun dance instruction! Ms. Veronica began teaching at the studio in 2014 and soon became involved in all areas of the dance program. She helped develop a new direction for the studio after becoming the owner in 2019. Ms. Veronica enjoys working with children of all ages and has been teaching professionally since 2003, not only as a dance instructor but also as a lead preschool instructor, substitute teacher for grades K-12, swim instructor, and camp director. She graduated from San Jose State University in 2010 with a Major in Liberal Studies Preparation for Teaching and a Minor in Dance. Ms. Veronica began her dance journey when she was six years old at Mission Dance & Performing Arts in Fremont, where she was a member of the dance team for 11 years. She has extensive training in a variety of dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and modern. Several of Ms. Veronica's former students have gone on to study dance in college and become accomplished dance teachers themselves. Ms Veronica’s education, training, and experience working with youth, as well as her passion for dance, creates a warm and encouraging environment at the studio, and she hopes Expressions will instill a love of dance to all students!
Amy Marie La Faille
Performance Team Director
Ms. Amy trained in all dance styles at Contra Costa Ballet Centre from the time she was 3 years old until graduating from high school. Growing up, she was told she was never going to be a Ballerina because of her body size. Ms. Amy went on to continue studying Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Improv and Modern at Diablo Valley College and Cal State East Bay where she performed in, and choreographed for, musicals, dance productions, and faculty shows and where her body size wasn't an issue. While in college, Ms. Amy also worked at Encore Theatrical, a dance store in the bay area with multiple locations, pre-covid. She fit everyone from tiny ballerinas in their first pair of ballet slippers, to those trying on their first pair of pointe shoes, and beyond. During this time, Ms. Amy also remained busy training at Shawl-Anderson and dancing with numerous bay area dance companies including: Urban Jazz Dance Company, Bandelion, Dawn Holtan, Nina Haft & Co, and she created her own dance company, A.V.I.D. She received her BA in Theatrical Arts with a dance emphasis and second BA in Theatrical Arts with a technical design emphasis from Cal State East Bay. Since 2008, Ms. Amy has consistently been teaching Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Heels classes to recreational and competitive students of all ages and levels at bay area dance studios and after-school dance programs. She values the opportunities she's had to train the next generation of dancers for over 15 years now, and believes everyone was made to dance. Ms. Amy uses her education, training, knowledge and decades of dance experience, and works tirelessly to ensure that students are engaged and enjoying whatever style of dance she is teaching. Her goal is to have everyone leave her classes smiling and with more confidence in dance or, as she likes to call it, confiDANCE. She joined the Expressions dance family in 2024 and can't wait to dance with EDA students on Thursdays!
Mimi Ringness
Team and Recital Instructor
Ms. Mimi received her primary ballet training beginning at age four at the Judith Svalander School of Ballet in Crystal Lake, IL, and later at the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica, CA. She further developed her technique at Westside School of Ballet and at The School of Ballet Arizona. Ms. Mimi has performed featured roles from August Bournonville’s Napoli, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Bob Fosse’s Steam Heat from The Pajama Game, and The Nutcracker with Ms. Mounsey’s pre-professional company, Westside Ballet. She joined the Terpsicore Dance Company in Phoenix, AZ in 2011, where she was known for her versatility and onstage presence, performing soloist roles in Paquita, The Nutcracker and in contemporary repertory. Ms. Mimi’s approach to dance education is informed by her years of training in pointe, jazz, contemporary, and ballet technique. As a teacher, her in-class methodology is focused on the whole dancer and nurturing a joy of movement. She is noted for applying a clean technical framework through the lens of kinetic principles. As a Dance Instructor at Marilyn Bostic’s Ballet Centre in Tempe, AZ and a Ballet Instructor with Ballet Etudes in Gilbert, AZ, she has choreographed classical ballet, contemporary and jazz pieces, adjudicated company auditions and coached dancers privately across the Phoenix Metropolitan. She is thrilled to be teaching EDA Team students and Recital student the 2025-2026 season on Wednesday afternoons!
Kimberlee Buote
Fitness Instructor
Ms. Kim’s passion for fitness ignited at a young age. She trained in ballet and tap and lettered in three sports in high school. She also played intramural sports in college. Ms. Kim enjoys weight training, group fitness classes and outdoor running, and she has completed a full marathon! Ms. Kim obtained her degree in Business from SDSU and holds a certification in Exercise Science and Fitness Instruction from UCSD and a Personal Training certification from the American Council on Exercise. She previously worked for the UCSD Recreation Dept teaching student wellness, strength training for women as well as personal training. After moving to the Bay Area, Ms. Kim’s daughter joined the Expressions Team in 2013, and Ms. Kim has been a member of the EDA dance family ever since. In 2019, Ms. Kim partnered with EDA founder, Sandy Maloney, to develop an EDA women’s fitness program, which launched in early 2020. With courage, patience, an open mind and a great sense of humor, Ms. Kim continued to teach fitness classes on Zoom until EDA returned to in-person classes in 2021. Ms. Kim looks forward to sharing her passion and joy through exercise in a welcoming and positive environment where everyone has fun and feels accomplished. Her classes include a full-body workout, upbeat music, weekly themes, daily motivational quotes, and most importantly, a great sweat. Ms. Kim hopes you will get our of your comfort zone and come join her on Tuesday and Thursday mornings!
Ashlee Buote
Guest Instructor
Ms. Ashlee began dancing when she was 8 years old and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, musical theater, and tap. She joined the Expressions dance family in 2013 and was a member of the EDA Dance Team throughout high school. Dancing on Team gave Ms. Ashlee a newfound confidence in her movement, and she enjoyed performing in multiple styles of dance including two solo pieces. Her passion for dance and choreography continued throughout her college career. Ms. Ashlee participated in ACDA (American College Dance Association) in 2019 performing a modern dance piece. She earned her BA degree in Communication Studies at Cal State University, Long Beach in 2022. Ms. Ashlee has experience teaching dance to all ages as well as experience working in child care and most recently was working as a substitute teacher for the Pleasanton Unified School District. She is thrilled to be on staff at her favorite dance studio as a guest instructor to host workshops, teach private lessons, sub, choreograph for Team, and help at EDA events!
Michelle Raab
Guest Instructor
Ms. Michelle started dancing at the age of 3. She grew up taking dance and gymnastics classes at San Ramon Valley Dance Academy where she trained in numerous styles including jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and pointe, and was part of their competitive dance teams for six years. Ms. Michelle's senior year of high school she was a part of the nationally ranked Varsity Song Team at Cal High, and she continued her passion for dance in college as a member of the Cal Poly SLO Dance Team. In 2020, she made the dance team for a newly formed indoor football team called the Oakland Panthers, but the season was cancelled due to the global pandemic. The team came back as the Bay Area Panthers in 2022 playing at the SAP Center in San Jose, and Ms. Michelle completed two seasons with the team and was named Veteran of the Year her second year. With the Panthers, she was able to train in many different styles including hip hop, jazz, pom, and cheer. Ms. Michelle is currently part of two tap groups. She dances at Dance 10 Performing Arts Center in Alameda and is a member of “The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees” under the direction of Pamm Drake. Ms. Michelle had the incredible opportunity to dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York with this group in November 2023. She is also part of a competitive group called “TAPistry” under the direction of Becky Peretti (Ms. Veronica's tap teacher growing up) at Bella Dance Academy in San Ramon. Ms. Michelle is extremely passionate about dance and feels very fortunate that it has always been such a big part of her life.
Chloe Fields
Guest Instructor
Ms. Chloe has been part of the EDA family since 2015 when she moved to California from Massachusetts. Trained in tap, ballet, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical from the age of 3, she has always loved to dance. Ms. Chloe began dancing competitively at A Fine Dance Studio in Needham, MA in 2014 and continued on EDA's Team after her move. As a teacher assistant for Ms. Veronica, Ms. Chloe began learning how to share her love for dance to others. In her undergraduate, she studied biochemistry at Boston College and continued dancing with BC on Tap. Through BC on Tap, Ms. Chloe has taught tap lessons and choreographed pieces for performances at Boston College. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at UCSF. She is happy to return to the Bay Area and Expressions to spread more love and positivity at the studio!
Marqui' Martinez
Guest Instructor
Ms. Marqui' grew up dancing in the Bay Area since the age of 3, including being on the same dance team as Ms. Veronica. Training hard on team led Ms. Marqui' to find a real love for teaching. She has taught classes, workshops and set choreography for many studios, colleges and universities in the Bay Area. She has trained and competed with various professional Bay Area dance companies and took first place with her team at competitions. Ms. Marqui' then moved her dance career to the East Coast where she taught at three different dance studios. She trained in New York City at The Broadway Dance Center where she trained from highly established choreographers in the industry. Ms. Marqui' is well known for her adult hip-hop heels class that she taught in San Francisco for 10 years. With her hip-hop heels team, Ms. Marqui' directed and choreographed for multiple events including Miss World Beauty Pageant at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and two shows performing at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas. Her choreography covers movement from head to toe, incorporating grooves, body isolations and lots of personality. Ms. Marqui' inspires her students to achieve in every aspect of their life, utilizing the characteristics learned and the confidence they have as a dancer. She promotes creativity and freedom of movement to shape dancers into being versatile and independent. Ms. Marqui' has been a part of the EDA dance family since 2023 and is excited to share her love of Hip-Hop with our youngest dancers on Tuesday afternoons!
Laura Higgins
Guest Instructor
Ms. Laura has been part of the EDA Dance Family since our 2012 opening. She has just under 60 years of dance experience and she still dances professionally! Ms. Laura is excited to share her passion and love for dance with dancers of all ages. She teaches basic dance fundamentals to children as young as 2 years old in a fun and encouraging style; and she enjoys teaching ballet, jazz and tap to young dancers. Ms. Laura believes that children should find a balance of many activities as they grow, and she encourages dance as one of their selections in life because it builds self-confidence, discipline, and a positive outlook. She is certified with AFAA, Zumba and Zumbatomic (Zumba for kids). Ms. Laura has been a member of the NBA Golden State Warriors' Hardwood Classics dance team for 8 years, including their inaugural season. Ms. Laura has three beautiful grandchildren who fill her days with love and joy. Ms. Laura is an inspiration to both young and old, and we are thrilled that she is part of our EDA dance family!
Michelle Wolfe
Guest Instructor
Ms. Michelle is a Bay Area native and dance has always been the primary art form which has shaped her life. She received much of her dance training at Duane Dance Academy in Hayward and earned a Bachelors of Art at San José State University in Dance in 2007. There she studied ballet, modern, jazz, tap, Bharatnatyam (classical Indian dance), Vintage Dance from 1700 through the 1900, and musical theater. While studying at SJSU, Ms. Michelle had the privilege of being taught by Gary Masters in ballet and modern. Masters was a company danseur under the leadership of José Limόn, the famous modern choreographer. She also trained in Choreography under Fred Mathews at SJSU. Mathews intense curriculum developed skills in contact improvisation, choreographic phrasing-beginning, middle & end as well as developing one’s personal voice in chorography. Ms. Michelle has 20+ years of dance teaching experience throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area. She has had the opportunity of choreographing and performing for the Children’s Dance Theater in Tracy for their Nutcracker 2007-2012, adjudicating at Valley Dance Theater in Livermore for various roles in the Nutcracker 2015-2018, leading Pas De Dux classes for ballet partnering, teaching Contemporary classes, teaching combo classes to all ages, and has taught every level of ballet from level 1 up to pointe. Highlights of her life would be celebrating 25 years of marriage to her husband Levi and her 2 dancing daughters, Priel (17 year old senior at Las Positas Middle College) and Natania (13 year old 8th grader at Christensen Middle School). Ms. Michelle has had many roles at Expressions Dance & Arts since 2015 and this studio is especially near and dear to her heart!
Daelyn Cerruti
Visiting Instructor
Ms. Dae joined the EDA family in 2013 as a team dancer and worked alongside Ms. Veronica for several years as a TA and substitute before becoming a recital and performance team instructor in 2021! Ms. Dae started dancing at age 2 and is trained in ballet/pointe, lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, hula/Polynesian, and color guard. She holds a BA in Education and a Minor in Dance from UC Riverside and has been involved in many artistic companies throughout the Bay Area including Alonzo King LINES Ballet SF, Tri Valley Repertory Theatre, IGNITE cohort of BIPOC emerging female/non-binary artists, and more! Ms. Dae currently lives in LA and is pursuing a career in the performing arts. Her most recent credits include Inspire Danz Co. “The Honors Project,” Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, Let’s Make a Deal!, and PVPA’s In the Heights. She frequently visits her Bay Area home and has recently choreographed for Livermore High School and Sunnyvale Community Players in addition to her time teaching at EDA. Ms. Dae loves to share her creativity and passion for the arts by teaching students of all ages and advocating for accessible and equitable arts education. As EDA's Office Administrator, she takes on many administrative assignments to make the studio the place we all know and love. As a visiting instructor, Ms. Dae hosts workshops, teaches private lessons, subs, choreographs for Team, and helps at EDA events!
Diana Schwarz
Visiting Instructor
Ms. Diana began dancing at age 3 and, over the years, she has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theater, modern and tap. She joined the Expressions dance family in 2013 and was invited to join EDA's Performance Team in 2015 which she was on until graduating from high school. With the Expressions Team, Ms. Diana has performed at Disneyland, on the Golden State Warriors' court, at Great America, the Alameda County Fair, and many competitions in the Bay Area, both in group routines and as a soloist. She became a teacher assistant in middle school, training under Ms. Veronica and Ms. Dae, and then a weekly lead instructor at EDA once she entered high school. Ms. Diana is thrilled to remain an EDA Guest Instructor and sub, choreograph, offer workshops, and teach summer dance camps when she is back in the bay area during breaks from her time attending college at California State University Long Beach!
Emelyn Ogden
Visiting Instructor
Over the years, Ms. Emee has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, musical theater, and hip-hop. She joined the Expressions dance family when she was 6 and was invited to join EDA’s Performance Team when she turned 7. With the Expressions Team, Ms. Emee performed at Disneyland, on the Golden State Warriors' court, at Great America, the Alameda County fair, at many conventions in the Bay Area, and even in Italy in an international dance festival. In middle school, she became a teacher assistant, training with Ms. Veronica. Once she entered high school, she became a weekly lead instructor. Ms. Emee now attends Loyola Marymount University and remains an EDA Guest Instructor and will sub, choreograph and teach workshops when back in the bay area during school breaks!
Riley Baird
Visiting Instructor
Ms. Riley has been dancing at Expressions since she was 5 and has enjoyed it every step of the way! She is very passionate about dance and has been trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, musical theater and some hip-hop. Ms. Riley became a part of the EDA dance family in 2013 and, in 2018, she joined the Expressions dance team. With her teammates, she has performed in Disneyland's Dance the Magic parade, the Golden State Warriors basketball pre-game show, and many community shows. Ms. Riley trained as a teacher assistant under EDA staff Ms. Dae, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Emee in weekly classes and summer camps for over a year before becoming a lead instructor herself in 2024. Outside of school and dance, Ms. Riley has been in the girl scouts since kindergarten, her mother is the troop leader, and she has worked very hard in the troop for cookie sales and so much more. She has always loved to interact with other people and strike up a conversation. Ms. Riley is very excited to teach our youngest Recital dancers on Tuesday afternoons for the 2025-2026 season while continuing to learn new skills and techniques in her Team classes that she can then teach to her students!