Meet our Team
Instructors
Ceylan Gentilella- Owner/Artistic Director
Ceylan has owned and operated Desert Sun Performing Arts since its founding in 2006, turning a lifelong dream into reality. Her passion for dance, ignited at the age of 5, has never waned. Ceylan holds a BFA in Dance and a BS in Therapeutic Recreation, and she is also a certified massage therapist, Barre fitness instructor, and PBT teacher. As a proud member of Dance Masters of America, she is certified in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. She loves teaching, with beginner ballet being her favorite class.
Emma Rubink
Tonya Randall
Vince Thacker- Instructor
He competed on his high school gymnastics team. & taught girls gymnastics for 14 years He is certified by Dance Masters of America in Acro. He enjoys camping and traveling with his family.
De’Aviyon Samuels
Lynsey Louden
Nikki Nino
Amy Rubink- Office Manager
A native of Arizona, Amy joined DSPA’s family when her daughter, also an Arizona native, began dancing in 2013. Amy is a graduate of Arizona State University with two bachelor’s degrees, and has been married to an Arizona native for almost 18 years. When not behind the desk at the studio, you’ll find her behind a sewing machine working on costume alterations!
Velaine Jolle- Instructor
Native of Arizona, Velaine Jollé has been a lover of the world of dance for as long as she can remember. With over 30 years of teaching, performing and sharing her passion of dance with others, she has been awarded both regional and national choreography, overall high placings and judge’s awards throughout the competitive dance circuit as well as, directed over a decade of productions with a cast of 150 plus amazing students. Many of her students have gone on to dance professionally either on stage or in the studio. Velaine's certification with Acrobatic Arts keeps her strong, knowledgeable, and on trend with her favorite genres to teach: acrobatic tumbling and technical dance skills. She equally enjoys creating and training in lyrical, jazz, contemporary, and foundational hip hop styling. She is extremely grateful to be able to be an artist of dance and excited to work with the next generation of artists and dancers!
Deja Williams
Leadership Academy
NaKyhia Yarber has been dancing for 12 years, training in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary—basically, if there’s music, she’s moving! Her favorite memory? Accidentally slurping a feather on picture day (because dance life is never dull). With a goal to keep improving her technique, she lives by the motto, “Just because it’s taking time, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.” Fun fact: she knows ASL and has six siblings, which means she’s fluent in both dance and organized chaos!
Meet Daniel Sheldon—our feline-loving dance dynamo who’s been twirling, leaping, and jazz-handing his way through 8 fabulous years of dance. His favorite memory? Commanding the stage as the Nutcracker Prince at the Sugar Plum Tea, probably with imaginary cats in the audience cheering him on. With a goal to strut into Juilliard and someday inspire future dancers as a teacher, Daniel lives by the motto: “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today”—which also applies when you're outnumbered 10 to 1 by your cats
Makayla Ewald has been dancing for nine years, immersing herself in ballet, contemporary, pointe, acro, musical theatre, jazz, and lyrical. Her favorite dance memory is performing Hometown Glory, a moment that deepened her love for the stage. With a passion for sharing her artistry, Makayla’s goal is to one day teach her own dance class, inspiring others as she has been inspired. A master of both grace and quirky talents, she can pop her shoulder in and out—a fun fact that always surprises! She lives by the quote, "Fill up your own cup and let them fall in love with the overflow," believing that true joy and passion shine from within.
Madyson Ansley has been dancing for 11 fabulous years, which is almost as long as it takes her to pick a leotard for class. Her favorite dance memory is performing at Gammage—because nothing says "I’ve made it" like dancing where Broadway tours roll through! She’s on a mission to level up her technique (and maybe remember to point her toes in every photo). When she’s not pirouetting, she’s tickling the ivories on the piano like a true multi-talented queen. Her life motto? "Dance like no one is watching"—which is great, because she’s been known to break out the moves in the cereal aisle.
Semra Gentilella has been dancing for 13 years, mastering every style thrown her way like a true dance chameleon. Her current mission? Conquering aerials with the same determination that (almost) got her through a game of leapfrog—RIP to that leg. When she's not flipping through the air, she's vibing to music from all eras, proving she’s got the soul of a ‘90s kid and the playlist of a time traveler. Her life motto? "When all hope is lost, sometimes all you need is a good laugh to stay positive"—because even a fractured leg is funnier in hindsight!
Sofia Harris has been dancing for eight years, mastering a diverse range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, pointe, acro, and musical theatre. Her favorite dance memory is the exhilarating moment she landed her first aerial, a testament to her dedication and fearless spirit. With dreams of attending Juilliard, Sofia aspires to become either a professional dancer and actress or a dance teacher, eager to share her passion with others. As the fifth of nine siblings, she embraces her role with resilience and heart, living by her favorite motto: "Tiny but mighty.”
Makayla Ewald has been dancing for nine years, immersing herself in ballet, contemporary, pointe, acro, musical theatre, jazz, and lyrical. Her favorite dance memory is performing Hometown Glory, a moment that deepened her love for the stage. With a passion for sharing her artistry, Makayla’s goal is to one day teach her own dance class, inspiring others as she has been inspired. A master of both grace and quirky talents, she can pop her shoulder in and out—a fun fact that always surprises! She lives by the quote, "Fill up your own cup and let them fall in love with the overflow," believing that true joy and passion shine from within.