Teacher Info

Suzie Poetsch

Suzie Poetsch grew up here at Rosalie & Alvas and with the strength of the Checcetti method and "schmultz" acquired by Rosalie and Palma's teaching, went on to study with scholarships at Stanley Holdens Dance Center in Los Angeles (R.A.D. training) and San Francisco and Milwaukee Ballet. Eight years with Ballet Pacifica under Molly Lynch, a tour with Los Angeles Chamber Ballet under Victoria Konig and Lawrence Blake, and two Nutcrackers with David Taylor in Denver brought her to the love of the Pilates method.

Her first introduction to Pilates came from Diane Defenderfer while at Ballet Pacifica. Then studying under Jennifer Murdock in Denver, The Physical Mind Institute awarded her certification in all equipment and mat applications of the work and healing of Pilates in the year 2000. Now coming full circle, back to where she graduated High School, Suzie is back to respect her first teachers and share what knowledge has come along the way.

Suzie has just become the artistic director of the Rosalie and Alva Ballet Theatre.

Ballet (children to adult; all levels) and Pilates available by privates or class.

Melissa Fong

Dancing since the age of three, Melissa Fong has studied a variety of dance genres including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Flamenco, and Indonesian. Born and raised in San Pedro, Melissa graduated from San Pedro High in 2000. During her time at SPHS, she was actively involved with the Drill Team, Cheerleading, and Pirate Dancers. Following high school, she went on to attend UCLA where she earned her B.A. in World Arts and Cultures with an emphasis in Dance, and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. While at UCLA, she was a two-year member of the UCLA Dance Team and co-founder of Outta WAC Undergrad Dance Company. Although she has relocated to West LA, Melissa still maintains her relationship with the San Pedro community teaching and choreographing for dance programs with SPHS and the SPPYMCA. She also continues to study dance at a variety of studios in West Los Angeles and Hollywood, focusing on Jazz/Lyrical dance.

Sachiye Nakano

Sachiye Nakano has been a body practitioner for over 15 years. As a dancer and teacher of dance, she injured herself and began serious study of alternative forms of therapy. She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®, Certified Zone Perfect Nutrition Instructor, Certified Bones for Life Teacher™, Certified Body Talk Practitioner, massage therapist and Professor Emeritus of Dance, Health and Physical Education with 36 years of experience teaching all levels from preschool to post graduate. She is a teaching assistant with the Uplegder Institute in Craniosacral Therapy and Mechanical Link. Recipient of the Eugene Pimentel Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1980, Sachiye is an excellent communicator and teacher in classes, workshops and private sessions. Intuition and creativity are her forte; she received a National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Fellowship in 1975. She uses these skills to create her own work using all the therapies she studied to help clients achieve health and easy movement free of pain. She continues to learn, test and develop treatments based on manual therapies, functional medicine and homeopathy. All products recommended are ones she has personally used or has tested specifically for each client.

Jana Nizetich

Jana Nizetich is an AAFA Certified Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer with over 12 years experience in many different types of group fitness instruction including Pilates, Core, Sculpt, Step, Stretch, Boot Camp, and more. She has taught at several health clubs including the YMCA, Bally's, Spectrum, & Equinox. Her energetic style and personal attention to her students has made her a class favorite all over the South Bay. As a personal trainer, she has worked with clients ranging from 12 years old to 80+ with workouts tailored to all fitness levels and personal goals. She currently lives in San Pedro with her husband and two sons.

Consuelo Schroder

Consuelo has danced at Alvas for over 3 years. She enjoys teaching Beginning Ballet and Pilates Mat Class and sharing her joy of movement with others. Her dance performance experience includes leading a small company within Bekafi Ballet in Nevada. She was a choreographer and line captain for Sophisticated ladies, a troupe of dancers who performed in Kyoto, Japan in 1986. She also worked with Bay area troupes Dancesations and Savage Jazz. Consuelo enjoyed performing flamenco in the Bay Area with Alicia Zamora as well.

Miguel Echave

Miguel has eight years of experience as a dancer. He is known to be a very energetic and creative teacher, with excellent coordination and sense of rhythm. His confidence and up-beat attitude is what attracts students to his classes. Miguel has experience in krumping, popping, locking, house and commercial choreography.