Claudette Smith

Your Passionate Dance Studio Owner!

With over two decades of dedication to education and a lifelong love for dance, Claudette Smith is thrilled to step into the role of studio owner. Claudette brings a wealth of experience, having been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for her outstanding contributions to mathematics education in the Beaumont Unified School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University. 

Claudette’s journey in education spans more than 20 years, during which she served as the Mathematics Department Chair, House System Team Lead, and Instructional Technology Coach. Her passion for teaching and coaching is evident in her previous roles, where she guided countless students and fellow educators to success. Claudette’s versatility, energy, and commitment to making a difference have been the driving forces behind her achievements. 

Sixteen years into her career in education, Claudette made a pivot outside of education to best suit the needs of her family at the time. She gained valuable leadership experience through four years of retail management at Target and Amazon. These roles honed her skills in team management, customer service, and operational efficiency, all of which she brings to her new venture as a dance studio owner.  

A former high school and professional cheerleader, Claudette has coached and choreographed numerous award-winning teams. Her students have gone on to join prestigious dance and cheer teams, compete at national levels, and pursue professional careers in the performing arts. Claudette’s passion lies in helping each individual dancer reach their fullest potential. She is excited to return to the arts in this new capacity and looks forward to fostering a supportive, creative, and inspiring environment for all her students. Join Claudette at her studio and experience the joy of dance in a space where talent is nurtured, and dreams are realized.

Evette Swinson

Ballet Mistress & Artistic Advisor

Evette DeMarco Swinson started her ballet training in Riverside with Mary Lynn Waterman and Clinton Rothwell of the National Ballet of Canada. She was awarded a Ford Foundation Scholarship from the School of American Ballet at the age of 12 and studied with the Harkness House for Ballet Arts with David Howard in New York at the age of 15. After returning from New York she joined the Los Angeles Ballet at age 15 under the direction of John Clifford, former Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet where she danced professionally from 1974 until 1985. She was also a Principal Dancer with the Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, South Coast Ballet, and California Riverside Ballet under the direction of David Allen. She has also performed as a guest artist with many Southern California companies, has appeared in movies and on tv, and has shared the stage with celebrated artists such as Merrill Ashley, Gelsey Kirkland, Alicia Alonzo, Darci Kistler, Peter Martins, Jorge Esquival, Damian Woetzel and John Clifford. She has danced professionally for over 20 years. She began teaching at Inland Dance Academy (formerly known as Noerr Dance Academy) in 1985. Upon retiring from dancing in 1996 she has continued to teach at many Southern California schools including the University of California Irvine, DeFore Foundation for the Arts, California Riverside Ballet Company, Riverside Dance Academy and Performing Arts and has been a guest teacher for Ballet Prejlocage of France and Rambert Ballet of England. Evette became Ballet Mistress at Inspire Dance Complex when Inspire opened in Corona. She has also coached professional dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The New York City Ballet. She was the owner of Inland Dance Academy for 17 years and has devoted her career to training Inland Empire students who go on to pursue careers in all areas of dance. Evette has been Ballet Mistress/Choreographer for Inland Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker for 33 years as well as Artistic Director for Inland Dance Theatre's Coppelia. She has directed numerous "Young Artists' Showcase" productions, featuring the students of Inland Dance Academy. In 2012, Evette created a new full-length ballet "Alice in Wonderland" which received rave reviews. She accompanied ballet students to the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix Competition in which she has had many students perform in the New York City YAGP Finals Competitions. Most recently, Evette was hired to teach at the Idyllwild Arts Academy under the direction of Ellen Rosa-Taylor and Jonathan Sharp. Evette's students have been accepted to every major ballet school in the United States and Canada. Many of her students have become members of various professional companies including the San Francisco Ballet, Oregon Ballet, Ballet Met, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Inland Pacific Ballet.

Rachel Swinson

Co-mistress & Lead Ballet Choreographer

Professional dance educator, choreographer and artistic director Rachel Swinson believes providing a positive and dynamic learning experience for dancers is the key to their success. With over two decades of performance, choreography and teaching experience, the Inland Empire native has been dancing since the age of 3. She has gone through pre-professional training including American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and Inland Dance Academy—under the direction of ballet master Evette DeMarco Swinson. Swinson is a former principal dancer with Inland Dance Theatre, having performed with American Ballet Theatre, and she has been featured in Pointe Magazine. Rachel Swinson remains dedicated to professionally mentoring and developing dancers throughout the United States, producing full-length productions like The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and more, as well as being the co-artistic director of City Ballet Las Vegas.

Rachel is thrilled to be the co-ballet mistress, lead teacher & choreographer for PolyKnack Studios and is looking forward to directing the annual Nutcracker and the summer ballets. 

DeAnza Arroyo (Nguyen)

Musical Theater Director & Vocal Coach

DeAnza has over ten years experience as a voice student, with advanced skills in both Classical and Musical Theater. She was featured in the ensemble in Heathers: The Musical, a student production of the University of Redlands, where she is also a member of one of the chamber choirs of the Redlands School of Music. Additionally, Miss DeAnza was involved in the production by collaborating with her fellow students in developing staging, choreography, vocals and character. She is not new to the production side of theatre, as she had been responsible for leading the soprano section of the King High School Choir, when she had been their member from 2013-2017, and was putting together their Show Choir competition sets. She was an active vocalist of the Grove Community Church Worship Team through junior and high school.

She also has had experience teaching song and dance to children during the King Choir Youth Camps of 2015 to 2017, and cheers and dance routines to the King Cheer Youth Camps of 2013 to 2017. Miss DeAnza was also one of the performance directors, the music director and lead vocal coach for our 2019 Summer Musical, The Greatest Showman & 2020's Grease. DeAnza is PolyKnack Studios Performing Arts Academy's Musical Theater Director & Vocal Coach. She is looking forward to working with the dancers, singers and actors, and preparing them for our next big musical!

Robin A.

Lead Pre-School Teacher

Robin grew up dancing, every type imaginable from ballet, to hip hop to Polynesian. She has been teaching and working in early childhood for 25 years and counting! She loves working with preschool age students and enjoys seeing them learn and master new skills.

Emma A.

Teacher & Jr. Ballet Choreographer

Emma has been a lover of ballet, jazz and contemporary since she was 8 years old; she worked hard and earned her pointe shoes in 2016. Emma has competed at various classical and contemporary competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix and California Dance Classics. Emma has several years of performance experience in previous productions of The Nutcracker, performing leading roles such as Clara, the Snow Queen, Waltz soloist and Arabian soloist. Emma has also performed in productions of Swan Lake and Alice in Wonderland’s Through the Looking Glass, and many more, each year taking on challenging roles en pointe.

After years of being a trained student teacher, she was promoted to a PolyKnack Studios Performing Arts teacher. She is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with our youngest dancers in her classes!

Yazmin R.

Teacher

Yazmin began dancing when she was 4 years old at her local city program. She joined her middle school's dance team and high school's cheer team and gained the role of Captain for both teams. At 13 years she began training at a studio in Riverside, studying under Rachel Swinson. She also trained under the direction of Evette Swinson and Eli Jacinto. She began competitively dancing and won many high placing awards. During her last year of competition, she won a 1st Place Title award. She also played many leading roles in classic ballets such as The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire and Don Quixote. She began teaching when she was 16 and has led many teams and soloists to competition. She specializes in styles such as contemporary, ballet, pointe, jazz, and hip hop. She has participated in the dance productions at MSJC for a few semesters, and she is a part of an adult Hip Hop team. She is currently teaching at Making Moves Dance and Fitness and Polyknack Studios! She is also part of the AmorAzteca.Moves team which specializes in quinceañera choreography and event coordination.

Rhonda R.

Teacher

Growing up in Texas, Rhonda was into dance and the Dallas Cowboys. She started learning routines at the age of 5 while on the pop warner cheer team that supported her brother’s football team. She also took gymnastics while in grade school. She would go on to a school of the arts in junior high and into high school. She then transferred to a school that had sports because she wanted to experience high school football games. It was in high school where she decided to try out for the cheer team. Rhonda has not stopped dancing and cheering since.

Erika N.

Teacher

Erika, a native of Southern California, has a versatile dance background encompassing jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, pom, and more. As a former competitive dancer turned teacher and choreographer, Erika has garnered multiple choreography awards at competitions. Transitioning into higher education, Erika pursued her love for dance at California State University, Fullerton, where she double majored in Dance and Political Science. During her time there, she was also a member of the renowned CSUF 18x UDA Division 1 Dance team. Post-college, Erika's journey took her to new heights as she graced the sidelines as an NFL cheerleader for the Seattle Seahawks, bringing her passion for dance in front of 70,000 fans every game day. She collaborated with notable music artists such as Aloe Blacc and Sir Mix-A-Lot for performances. Yet, Erika's commitment to sharing her knowledge and expertise led her to a career as a dance instructor with the United Spirit Association. As an instructor and choreographer, Erika has taught dance intensives and choreographed all over the West Coast. Her dedication to the craft extends beyond the studio, as she also serves as a judge for both song and dance competitions, lending her discerning eye to the next generation of performers. Erika is dedicated to shaping the next generation of dancers.

Alexis S.

Teacher

Alexis has danced for 20 years in numerous styles, such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, point, lyrical, pom, and contemporary. She has been teaching for 8 years in various styles for various ages. Alongside the above, she is a 3 time national soloist and a 4 time national collegiate champion. Throughout the years, she has performed at competitions, shows, and music videos and continues to pursue dance as a lifelong career!

Violet J.

Junior Teacher

Violet has been dancing since the age of two. Violet has trained with many professional master teachers all of her life such as Rachel Swinson and Evette DeMarco Swinson among many other talented professional teachers. She has participated in performances annually such as The Nutcracker and various other professional level ballets. Violet has performed lead roles such as Clara, Spanish dancer, Snow Queen, and Marzipan dancer. She has also performed in various ballets, such as Swan Lake, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. She has performed lead roles, such as the Red Queen, the Mad Hatter, the evil stepsister, and the Lilac Fairy. Violet has been training in classical ballet, contemporary, modern jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, and tap for several years. Violet loves dancing and is looking forward to achieving her dream of becoming a professional performer one day.

Alliyah R.

Junior Teacher

Alliyah's first vocal performance was at the very young age of four. She went on to perform at various events with her training studio where she performed in front of hundreds at city of Eastvale summer events as well as singing the National Anthem for the County of Riverside at various ground breakings and other events. Alliyah's very first musical theater speaking role was as Sebastian in the little mermaid for Chino Community Theater.  Since that role, Alliyah has been cast in several musicals at Chino Community with the most recent as supporting role in Charlotte's Web (2023) and leading role in The Wolves (2024). Alliyah has also been asked to audition on Broadway for School of Rock and as Young Nala in the Lion King where she was in the top 4 out of the country for consideration. Alliyah is excited to join the junior instructor team at Polyknack Studios.

Isabella J.

Junior Teacher

Zoe W.

Junior Teacher

Zoe has been dancing since she was 10 years old, and she went en pointe when she was 11. She loves to dance, and her favorite style is contemporary. The third of six siblings, Zoe enjoys the beach, Disneyland, hanging out with her friends, and eating salad. She's an excellent baker, is developing her hair-cutting skills, and has fun beating her brothers in pickle ball.

Makenna K.

Junior Teacher

Makenna has been dancing for several years doing everything from hip-hop and jazz to ballet and contemporary! Makenna is also a co-founder of the dance team at her old middle school and she now goes back to help coach the team. Makenna won first place in the 8th grade soloist category in the 2024 Riverside County dance competition. 

Amani S.

Junior Teacher

Amani has been in dance for seven years. Amani loves to dance and her specialty is tricks. She has had gymnastics training for six years. Amani has received ballet training mainly from RDA and RPAA. She has done Anaheim Ballet's Summer Intensive Program twice. Amani also performed in the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, and she has danced in their workshops.

Ezri P.

Junior Teacher

Medina A.

Guest Pianist

Carina C.

Guest Teacher

Carina was a program director and choreographer at the United Spirit Association Songleading/Pom Program for 18 years. She has danced in Disney shows at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Carina is a former Clipper Spirit dancer, and she danced in “Bring it on 5, Fight to the Finish” with Christina Milian.

She has worked as a choreographer for high school, college, and professional dance teams including USC Song Girls, Clipper Spirit, Charger Girls, Portland Trail Blazers Dance Team, and Sacramento Kings Dance Team. Carina has also instructed and judged dance in Japan, Australia, Colombia, Mexico, and England.

Haleema (Miss Honey) W.

Guest Teacher

Lea E.

Paint & Art Therapy Instructor

Patience A.

Office Staff

Patience studied Ballet and Tap under the loving tutelage of Dorothy Matsie Wade in North Hollywood, CA from the age of 4 until she was 19. During that time she attended a Performing Arts School for 3 years, and studied Jazz and Modern Dance under the fabulous Mrs. Baker. She finally took ballet at Los Angeles Community College for 1 year. She stopped dancing due to a foot injury while at her retail job. Now in her 40's, she, ironically, decided it was time to get back to her basics, and started taking ballet & jazz classes in March 2016, because of another foot injury (plantar fasciitis). She started teaching ballet later that same year. She is the mother to 2 children, one of our students, Emma, who is thriving in her dancing, and a son, Wyatt, who loves to ride his dirt bike out in Barstow with his dad. Patience is great with helping PolyKnack Studios Performing Arts Academy's young dancers discover the beauty and love for dance, and she believes it is going to be another terrific dance year!

Erica W.

Office Staff

Sophia H.

Office Staff