About Us
Inez Mourning (Artistic Director)
Inez Mourning is known throughout the country for her exceptional and creative choreography. Some of her professional stage productions have won her many awards such as "Show of the Year", "Entertainers of the Year", "Show of Shows", "Presidents Award" just to name a few. Inez's many stage productions have taken her all over the United States.
Some of her television credits include "Elvis and Me-The Priscilla Presley Story", "A Night in Las Vegas", and "Je Suis Une Femme". As a freelance choreographer for both CBS and NBC, you have seen her work on many TV specials and award shows over the years.
Inez has studied and/or danced with such greats as Eugene Loring, Michael Kidd, and Mara Slyvenska at the American School of Ballet; Alexandria Danilova, Fredrick Franklin, and George Zorrich of Ballet Rousse de Monte Carlo; Haaris Pulutsis of Saddlers Wells in England; Gerards Tierney of the New York City Ballet. Inez has also studied under such greats as Tatiana Reaboushinka, David Lichine, Panieff, Nana Golner, Carmelita Morrachi, Belshire DeRaye, Rosalette, Nico Cherisse, and Igor Uskevich just to name a few.
Known as the "Ballet Guru" Inez combines her incredible Russian Ballet training with her incredible performance experience to become one of the most sought after show choreographers on the west coast.
Some of her own personal stage performances include the musicals, "Finnian's Rainbow", "Pal Joey", "Oklahoma", Sweet Charity"; the stage productions "Many Happy Returns", "High Button Shoes", "Pzazz", and "Folies Bergere”. Inez has danced on television shows or specials with Dean Martin, Juliet Prowse, Jackie Gleason, Donald O'Conner, Eva Gabor, Connie Francis, Pat Henry, Jim Nabors, Pat Carole, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley McLaine, Dinah Shore, Joey Bishop Andy Griffith, Jimmy Dean, Andy Williams, Jack Benny, Danny Thomas, Frank Sinatra- the list goes on and on..
Throughout the years, Inez Mourning has always enjoyed sharing her talents and experiences with young aspiring dancers. In fact, over the last ten years, Ms. Inez has been well recognized in the competition world, winning almost every major competition’s “Choreography Award” for her choreography.
Heidi Hopper (Co-Director)
Heidi Hopper has danced and choreographed all over the world. You've seen her work on Maida Hondai & Clearisil commercials; The California Big Spin; NFL Today Show, San Francisco Live, and David Letterman.
A former "Miss Las Vegas" and "Miss Nevada National", Heidi started her dance training at the age of 3, studying classical ballet, jazz, and tap under Inez Mourning and Ron Santos. She later furthered her studies and added hip hop and lyrical training under the guidance of Karen Stenger, John Peters, Souix Leaner, Pepper Von, Sue Sampson Delana, just to name a few.
Heidi has danced as a San Francisco 49er "Goldrush" dancer and has danced and choreographed with many celebrities including The Jacksons, Huey Lewis and the News, Jefferson Starship, Steve Perry of Journey, Teri Hatcher of “Desparate Housewives” fame, and Paula Abdul of “American Idol” fame.
Some of her other credits include: Director and choreographer of the “USA Dance Team", Asian tour; The Pepsi sponsored "Americas Dance Team", England tour; Choreographer and assistant show coordinator of San Francisco's "Black and White Ball" midnight surprise; Director of the Dream Team 94 Pre-Olympic game entertainment.
As an independent contractor for U.S.A Productions, Heidi has helped develop, choreograph, and coordinate the San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Warriors, and Sacramento Kings NFL and NBA professional dance teams. For the past seven years, Heidi was selected by the NFL to direct, choreograph, and run pre game and half-time shows seen during the internationally Televised NFL American Bowl games held in England, Japan and Germany. During this same time, Heidi was also hired as the full time dance Team Director and Choreographer for the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Her professional dance team "Fast Break" was awarded by the media the title of "Best Professional Sports Dance Team" as well as "Best Variety and Choreographed Team" title.
Having taught for over 20 years, teaching and choreography have always been Heidi’s first love. Like Inez, Heidi has won numerous major Jazz Choreography Awards at national competitions and continues to enjoy sharing her international experiences and dance knowledge with future dancers of tomorrow.