Our Movement. Our Community. Our Method.
Our Movement. Our Community. Our Method.
Our Faculty
Kyra Herman
Founder & Director
Kyra Herman grew up in Carmel, California and began her dance training at the age of 9 at Carmel Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) where she would train in all styles from ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, jazz funk, improvisation, and modern, until she graduated from high school. Through CAPA’s assistant teacher mentorship program she became an assistant dance teacher at the age of 10 and began teaching her own classes at the age of 15. Kyra performed annually in Dance Kids of Monterey’s Nutcracker in a variety of roles. She was on CAPA’s competitive dance team receiving several high placing awards and national titles for group pieces and solos at competitions and received several scholarships at many different dance conventions. Kyra regularly performed at community events/performances, on local television stations, and appeared on local radio shows to discuss her role as a dancer.
Kyra went on to receive her B.A. in Dance with a focus in choreography and a minor in film/television/digital media from UCLA. Kyra has taught at several studios in Northern California and Southern California teaching numerous dance styles to all ages and levels, and choreographed award-winning competition teams, soloists, and duos. She was on faculty as the contemporary/lyrical dance instructor, counselor, and production assistant/manager for UCLA’s Summer Dance Intensive for 6 years. At the Flourish Foundation Kyra was an arts/dance college preparation counselor and she has continued that work with many of her own students, helping them apply as dance and art majors, guiding them through the entire application process—from their essays to audition videos to preparation for in-person auditions.
She has choreographed for Warner Brother’s, DC Comics, iHeart Radio, Pfizer, and choreographed a new original musical at The Odyssey Theatre in LA. She has received film credits on David Talbert’s Jingle Jangle on Netflix and Matt Smukler’s Wildflower on Hulu and recently choreographed a short film Vespertine. In other endeavors as an artist, Kyra sang at the 2012 London Olympics and wrote her first children’s book, Who do you want to be when you grow up? Kyra Herman has over 20 years of teaching experience and is passionate about her love for dance, the arts, mentorship, arts education, and passing on her love for dance and performing arts to the next generation
Madison Hart
Team Director & Instructor
Madi is a dancer and dance teacher originally from Carmel, CA where she first began dancing at Carmel Academy of Performing Arts and performing at local community theaters. She is a recent UCLA graduate and has completed all of the vocation ballet exams through the Royal Academy of Dance with distinction. She is passionate about helping students build strong technique, confidence, and a genuine love for dance in a positive and encouraging environment. At Method Dance Studio she has been a member of the teaching faculty since 2023 and has been a competition team director since 2024.
Natalia Chambers
Instructor
Natalia Chambers is currently a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at West Coast University in Los Angeles, Ca. She is also a Pilates instructor and movement educator with a unique background bridging performing arts and biological science. She earned her BFA in Performance, BFA in Choreography, and BS in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine, giving her a rare blend of artistic expression and scientific rigor. Natalia is Comprehensively Certified in Pilates and has been instructing since 2021, along with nearly a decade of experience teaching dance to movers of all levels and ages. Natalia grew up in the beautiful Monterey, Ca and has been dancing from the age of six with experience in both competitive and concert dance. She brings deep kinesthetic awareness and injury-prevention insight into every session. She has been a member of the teaching faculty at Method Dance Studio since 2024, where she specializes in mindfulness, strength-based movement that supports performance, creativity, confidence and long-term health.
Audrey Costa
Instructor
Audrey grew up in Pacific Grove, California and began dancing at the Carmel Academy of the Performing Arts at the age of 2. She trained and competed in jazz, contemporary, ballet and acrobatics until the end of high school. As part of her intensive ballet training, she completed the Royal Academy of Ballet Vocational Examinations; Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced I and Advanced II. Audrey attended Pepperdine University as a psychology major and sociology minor while also continuing to pursue dance through Dance in Flight (DIF). DIF is a student-lead company that puts together a two act production each spring. During her freshman year, she danced in multiple numbers and choreographed a solo for herself. After coming back from her semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentia, she was selected to choreograph a small group contemporary piece. During her senior year, she was given the opportunity to direct and execute the production alongside another student. From theme meetings to the choreographer and company member auditions, to the final performance; she was pushed creatively and personally. In the production “threads,” Audrey choreographed seven pieces with her co-director and one by herself; in addition to overseeing the rest of the choreographers. Another aspect of Dance in Flight in which Audrey participated in was teaching
technique and combo classes for the company and the wider Pepperdine community. She primarily taught contemporary, jazz, and technique.
Alejandra Flores
Instructor
Alejandra grew up in Long Beach, CA, where she started dancing at 8 years old. She has a strong foundation in styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and dance acro. She danced competitively for four years, and was on her high school dance team, representing her school at football games, assemblies, and pep rallies. She is currently a student at UCLA, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Environmental Engineering. Alongside her academic studies, she continues to pursue her passion for dance as a member of Synthesis Dance, a fully student-run contemporary dance team at UCLA. Alejandra has a growing background in choreography and teaching. She has presented original pieces for Synthesis Dance’s end-of quarter showcases, led team workshops, and assisted classes at her hometown studio. In addition to her dance experience, she has a strong background working with children. She has volunteered as a camp aide for Bolsa Chica State Junior Lifeguards and was part of the Long Beach Area Council Camp Counselor Staff. These roles have strengthened her leadership skills and ability to create a supportive environment for young learners.
Tara Mohtashami
Instructor
Tara is a third year psychobiology major at UCLA with the goal of becoming an oral surgeon. She is originally from Newport Beach, CA where she started dancing competitively at 7 years old. Tara now continues her passion on the UCLA Dance Team and is excited to share her love for dance while teaching other dancers. She has been a member of the teaching faculty at Method Dance Studio since 2026.