Faculty & Staff
- Patrice Barakat
- Suzanne Barakat
- Francine Zubiate
- Jacy Barney
- Katie McIver
- Marissa Osato
- Michelle Klaers
- Brianne Stitt
- Gabriella Cataldo
- Kayla Gonzalez
- Will Johnston
- Carolyn Martinez
Check Us Out
Map 3096 W. Temple Ave. Phillips Ranch, CA 91766 (p) 909.469.9767
Patrice BarakatPatrice grew up training with the industry's top professionals. With this training she has since become one of California's most sought after choreographers. Patrice is in high demand across the country as guest choreographer for various studios and special events including the Orange Bowl and Silicon Valley halftime shows.
Patrice has traveled internationally and her choreography has been seen in Australia as well as Japan. Patrice is the resident choreographer for the National College Dance Team Back to Back Champions, the University of Tennessee. She also is the founder, choreographer, and director of the highly successful intensive, Destination Dance which takes place in Los Angeles, CA.
Patrice was on staff with Showbiz the Class for two seasons, traveling across the country teaching master classes. Patrice's students have been awarded numerous National Titles, appeared in Television, Feature Films, Industrials, Videos, and are currently in Grease on Broadway. Patrice takes great pride in working with all ages, and all levels, and loves to instill confidence and the power of "Believing" in all that study with her.
Francine ZubiateFrancine started dancing at the age of 7 receiving her training at several local studios in Los Angeles and Orange County. She competed regionally and nationally for ten years and was invited to dance in Spain and Japan. She went on to study dance at Mt. San Antonio college as a member of the Repertory Dance Company later transferring to Cal State Fullerton.
As dance instructor she spends a lot of her time traveling with Kids Artistic Revue as a National Judge. Francine has been teaching along side Patrice and Suzanne Barakat for many years at one of the top studios in Southern California. Due to her well rounded training, she teaches several styles of dance including jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap and hip hop. Her students have won several high point awards and have been featured in music videos, commercials for JC Penny, and the motion picture Dream Girls. With fourteen years of teaching experience under her belt, Francine is excited to call Cutting Edge Dance Center her new home.
Katie McIverOriginally hailing from the Bluegrass State, Katie received her early dance education and company training from the Owensboro Dance Theatre. Her studies of ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical and tap continued intensely with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Nutmeg Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Katie went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona, receiving her BFA in Dance in December of 2000.
At the University, Katie performed as a featured member of the UA Dance Ensemble, serving as rehearsal assistant for each medium. To further her studies and professional experience, Katie worked for two years in New York City, NY performing with Thoughts In Motion (director, Rae Ballard) and studying intensively at the José Limón Institute with Betty Jones and Risa Steinburg. As well as company work, she also taught and choreographed in New York and New Jersey.
Katie performed two seasons as a full company member with the Hannah Kahn Dance Company in Denver, CO. In addition, she taught and choreographed for dance studios and in public school dance programs. She continues to teach and choreograph for private studios all over the country. Katie serves as a National Director for Kids Artistic Revue Dance Competition, and co-directs the Fusion Dance Workshop Series reaching out to thousands of young dancers each year. She is proud to serve on the faculty of APA Studios and the Element Dance Center in San Diego, CA, and the Cutting Edge Dance Center in Phillips Ranch, CA. Katie Co-Directs the Southwest Jazz Dance Intensive each summer in Albuquerque, NM, and is Co-Artistic Director for Fusion Dance, a 501(c)3 professional jazz/modern company. She was a finalist in the 2003 and 2007 International Leo's Choreography Competition, and was also named a finalist in the professional division of the 2006 Palm Desert "Dance Under the Stars" Choreography Festival. Katie is committed to taking the art of teaching and choreographing to the next level; her enthusiasm, incredible technical eye, diverse performing background and unique teaching style help create an enjoyable, highly motivating, hard working classroom atmosphere. She is excited to be a part of the Cutting Edge Dance Center family!