Our Teachers

Each isadoraNOW curriculum is designed to help students develop their technique, artistry, personal connection to the form, and understand the cultural and historical context in which that dance form developed. These curricula provide a consistent and standards-based foundation for our classes. But ultimately what differentiates isadoraNOW is our teachers themselves. Our teachers lead with enthusiasm, pedagogical expertise, passion, and fun, keeping students engaged and excited to learn. 

Want to join our team? Email your resume to: elyssa@isadoranow.org 

Elyssa Dru Rosenberg is a dance educator based in San Diego with a passion for helping students develop their personal artistry and for furthering public appreciation for the art of dance. The Founder and Director of IsadoraNOW Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making quality dance education available to all students, Elyssa teaches in, develops curricula for, and manages in-school programs throughout San Diego County. Elyssa also directs JStudio, a dance school at the Lawrence Family JCC in La Jolla. Elyssa trained in Ballet at the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts and the Joffrey Ballet School. A fourth-generation Duncan dancer, Elyssa was introduced to Isadora Duncan’s dance technique as a teenager and has trained or performed with Carrie Tron and the Isadora Duncan Youth Ensemble, Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company, Patt Adams and Dances by Isadora, and Adrienne Ramm. Elyssa’s choreography and Isadora Duncan dance reconstructions have been shown in numerous venues throughout New York and San Diego. Elyssa holds a Masters degree in Dance and Dance Education from New York University and a Bachelors in Political Science from Tufts University. 

Heather Shershun has been an active teaching artist to students of diverse backgrounds in the San Diego and San Francisco Bay Area dance communities since 2005. Teaching Credits include Malashock Dance (since 2012), Eveoke Dance Theatre (2005-2013), ODC Dance Commons (San Francisco), California Academy of Performing Arts (SF Bay Area), and Outreach Dance classes at over 100 schools, having taught over 6,000 students herself. Heather completed her B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley (with international honors) in 2016, as well as an extensive Teacher Training program through Eveoke Dance theatre on the art of teaching dance in 2007. She specializes in teaching youth and underserved "at risk" populations, and is certified to teach people with disabilities in movement classes. Heather currently teaches Hip Hop dance history, Math and English through Dance, DanceAbility, and Creative Movement. Heather has developed curriculum and choreography on “positive body image and healthy self-esteem for young women” through dance and founded San Diego’s first Women in Hip Hop Conference (2007). She has developed and presented workshops on Dance as Activism and Hip Hop Dance History for social justice conferences and dance companies. Heather trained at Culture Shock Dance Center, the Academy of Performing Arts, and Evoke Dance Theatre in San Diego, with Allan Frias (of So You Think You Can Dance) at Dance Mission in San Francisco, ODC Dance Commons and UC Berkeley in the styles of; Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Dancehall, African, and Burlesque. She has performed professionally in Oregon, Oakland, CA and San Diego with Dance Northwest, Breakdown Dance Co., Bodywerk Dance, and Eveoke Dance Theatre. She currently performs with NuEra, under the direction of David Darkie Simmons from the current season of NBC's World of Dance.

Hannah Cook began training in ballet, tap, and jazz at four years old. At age eight, she joined the Patricia Rincon Dance Collective Junior Ensemble where she performed in original works with the professional company. She attended summer programs with Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet School in New York. In 2007, she began the Joffrey Ballet School’s Trainee Program. She completed her BA in Dance at UCSD and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2014, where she was recognized as a Muir Scholar and awarded The Leandra Smith Memorial Dance Scholarship. Hannah teaches ages 3 through 10 in a variety of styles. She currently performs with H2O Dance Company and is a work study with San Diego Dance Theater. 

Katey has a huge passion for dance and feels very fortunate to be able to share her love for the art form with others, and hopes that her dancing and teaching will inspire others to pursue their dreams. Katey was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ where she began her dance training at 2 1/2 years old. She trained at various dance studios and ballet schools including Arizona School of Classical Ballet, Master Ballet Academy, and Catalyst Dance Academy. Katey has trained extensively in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Tap and Hip-Hop. Amongst other teachers, Katey has trained with Nadya Zubkov, Olga Tarasova, Slawomir & Irena Wozniak, Julie Grooters, and Lili Griffiths. Katey has also trained with Master teachers Jean Paul Comelin, Kennet Oberly, and Alexei Badrak. She has received many awards in dance including winning first place in the 2011 Arizona Young Artist Competition. At the age of 17 Katey joined her first professional dance company “Center Dance Ensemble” where she performed featured Soloist and Ensemble roles under the direction of Frances Smith Cohen, and worked closely with CDE’s resident choreographer Diane McNeal Hunt. She also performed in CDE’s educational school-touring shows, The ABC’s of Dance, Poetry ’n Motion, and Facts, Fads, & Footwork featuring dance styles from the 1920’s-60’s. After moving to San Diego in 2013, Katey booked her first theme park position at SeaWorld performing as a dancer in Madagascar Live: Operation Vacation. Katey has also been working professionally in the Musical Theater industry. She has performed as a featured dancer in The Welk Resort Theatre production of “The King And I” as a Royal Wife and lead dancer Eliza, and performed as a featured dancer in San Diego Musical Theatre’s production of “Singin’ In The Rain” as Girl In Green Dress. Other Musical Theater credits include 42nd Street, The Producers, and White Christmas. Katey has 10 years of teaching experience, and in addition to being a dance instructor in SD, she continues to explore all dance career opportunities whether it be Theme Parks, Musical Theater, Concert Dance, Cruise Ships, or Commercial