Stephanie Jenkins - Creative Director/Instructor/Strength Coach

Stephanie was born in Palm Springs, CA. She received her first training in Balanchine technique at three years of age. Stephanie has studied with American Ballet Theater, Ballet Austin for five summers, at City Ballet with Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, David Howard and Gelsey Kirkland. Stephanie also studied at Ballet Pacifica with instructors such as Charles Maples. Stephanie became a principal dancer for her hometown company at the age of 16, and starred in roles such as the Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy and Odile (or the Black Swan) of Swan Lake. She has performed for the guests of Disneyland in parades and the passengers of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Stephanie took first place title at Open Call, and she has also competed in Showbiz, Professional Dance Network, Youth America Grand Prix, and numerous other dance competitions. While Stephanie specializes in Ballet, she is also versed in the genres of Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Modern, and Contemporary Dance. Stephanie is an award winning choreographer and her students regularly take top awards. Stephanie was voted Teacher Award by many national competitions and SAJ was voted best of the desert for Dance Studios in the Coachella Valley.


Stephanie is a Certified Personal Trainer, Youth Fitness Trainer, Strength and Conditioning coach and Nutritionist.  


With close to 30 years of experience Stephanie has a passion for the growth of kids and community. She is honored to provide a place for the youth of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding areas to express themselves through the art of dance. Advocating for our youth and mentoring them into the real world, Miss Stephanie’s goals as the founder of SAJ Dance Productions is to guide students to find a successful, fulfilling and positive path well into their futures. Miss Stephanie brings a big city vision to the desert with a small town pride and passion for her students.


Amylia Cantu - Hip Hop Teacher
Amylia has trained in styles including Hip-Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theater and Tap and has been dancing for over 25 years. Amylia was born and raised here in Palm Springs, CA. She began her dance journey with the Cathedral City Dance Program. She then continued dancing at Cathedral City High School and graduated as the Captain of the Dance Team where she has now been the Head Coach and Choreographer since 2017. Amylia has also trained with adult dance groups including Animazing-Coachella Valley and Fusion-San Francisco. Amylia holds a B.S. in Business Administration and is an Admissions Advisor for a private career college where she continues to assist others reach their individual goals. Amylia teaches our Hip-Hop and Musical Theater classes and is a coach for our competitive dance team. Amylia brings a fresh connection to the students at SAJ. Connecting them to modern, age-appropriate moves and music that today's youth love.
Adriana Gracia
Adriana has trained in styles including Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Tumbling, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Latin, and Ballroom since 1995. 

Adriana grew up in a small town called Blythe California dancing at Linda Faulkner Dance School. She explored cheer for 3 years through Middle School until High School where she became a part of the Palo Verde High School Dance team for 4 years. 

Adriana continued her journey in dance through cheer in college at COD in Palm Desert, California and with Desert Chiefs cheer.

After having children of her own Adriana dedicated her time to her career in the medical field graduating as a certified Medical Assistant and currently studying to take boards to be a registered ultrasound technician.

Adriana has worked with ages 4-13 teaching in cheer and dance through programs with the Boys and Girls Club, dance companies, and football/cheer groups. 

 Adriana is excited to be a part of SAJ staff as the Tumbling & Beginner Jazz Teacher. She hopes to instill her love and passion for dancing to her students.
Giana Gannon
Gianna was born and raised in Palm Springs California. Dance has been her passion since she was 8 years old. She has  danced on and off since  at SAJ Dance Productions. She  trained in jazz, lyrical, tumbling, hip hop and especially ballet. Ballet is one of her favorite instruments of dance. It teaches  the form and technique around dance! Gianna was on a SAJ's competition team, performance team She dance at Palm Springs High School on their dance team her senior year! Gianna currently studying at College of the Desert and majoring in Health Science. She is studying to be a hospice nurse. Her goal at SAJ is to teach and improve students with their dance training. She believes that dance is a form of art that can help people express themselves and reach their goals!
Chloe Salvail
Chloe  has been dancing and training in styles such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and lyrical for over 15 years. Born in Palm Springs, she began her dance journey at 2 years old with ballet and would on to be a co-captain and finally and captain, co-coach, and choreographer for the Palm Springs High School Dance Team. She has also helped teach and choreograph jazz numbers at her home town studio. She has since been studying Nursing and Dermatology with dual enrollment at College of the Desert and Copper Mountain College and will graduate in 2026. Chloe believes nothing is more important than the graciousness and vulnerability dance gives you. She looks forward to helping the dancers grow and to find in the passion of dance in themselves.
Richard B. Jenkins - Administration
Richard is our office manager. He manages our technology programs. Richard oversee prop construction, and the travel logistics and security for our dance team.

Richard has worked with children in since 1996. Over 20 of those years are in the sports industry. Richard is also a 10 year veteran of the Palm Springs Police Department and retired from the City of Palm Springs after a 23 year career.  Richard's passions in life are; faith, family and the safety and ethics infused into the adults of tomorrow.  

ALL OF OUR RESIDENT INSTRUCTORS ARE SCREENED AND THEIR BACKGROUNDS CHECKED.