JENNIFER SHAHANI, Artistic Director, received her early training with Jon Rodriguez, Finis Jhung, Josephine Schwartz and Howard Sayette. Jennifer had the distinction of being the youngest dancer ever to be invited to work with Stuart Sebastian, then Artistic Director of Dayton Ballet, and later resident guest choreographer with the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Jennifer enjoyed a 12-year career with Dayton Ballet, Louisville Ballet and Ballet West, specializing in soloist roles in many contemporary ballets, such as Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena, Antony Tudor’s Echoing of Trumpets, Leaves are Fading and Continuo, Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland, John Butler’s Carmina Burana, Paul Taylor’s Company B, and Frederick Ashton’s The Dream, as well as all the classics.
Before establishing California Dance Academy with her husband, she served as Ballet Mistress for Dayton Ballet's junior division, Ballet West’s Nutcracker, and Rozann-Zimmerman Ballet Center. She also taught extensively with Jacques d'Amboise's National Dance Institute, which has been widely recognized for its work in enriching the lives of many young people, and motivating them towards excellence.
ROBBIN SHAHANI, Executive Director, enjoyed an extensive career with Houston Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Boston Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, and as a character soloist with Ballet West. Favorite roles include Iago in Jose Limon’s Moor’s Pavane, the lead in Antony Tudor’s Continuo, Alias in Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid, Van Helsing in Stuart Sebastian’s Dracula, and character roles in Peter Anastos’s Peter Pan, Nutcracker and Ben Stevenson’s Alice in Wonderland.
Mr. Robbin enjoys choreographing and coaching CDA students in vital craft of performance technique– expanding stage presence, communication and character.
Robbin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from the University of Utah as well as a Master’s degree in Film. He has written, directed and produced numerous documentaries for Discovery Channel, and his award-winning short films have been seen across the country. Robbin continues to entertain audiences as a character artist in CDA productions.