INSTRUCTORS
Our Talented Dancers Teachers
LESLIE OZBIRN
Owner, Director
Ballet and Jazz
Leslie began her dance training at a young age, studying ballet, jazz, baton, and hula at various studios in the Modesto area. In her formative years, she concentrated her ballet studies under the direction of Edna Austin at Ballet Arts of Modesto. She also expanded her studies to include 4 years of Modern Dance education under the direction of Lori Bryhni. As a young adult, she continued her dance studies at Brigham Young University and University of Utah, focusing her technical training in ballet, modern, and jazz.
Returning to her home base of Modesto, Leslie taught dance at various studios prior to opening Valley Oak School of Dance in March of 1987, thus fulfilling her life long goal of owning her own studio, as well as passing along her love of dance to her many students.
PETRA INGLIS
Ballet, Tap, Jazz
Petra Inglis is a native of Oakdale, CA. Her dance career began in 1989 when her mom enrolled her in her first jazz class at Valley Oak School of Dance. Her love for dance quickly evolved as she added ballet and tap to her repertoire. She began working as a student teacher at VOSD in 1994 until she decided to further her dance education at Cal State University Long Beach. She was accepted into the dance program in 1997 and graduated with a BA in Dance in 2000. Shortly after, she was invited to continue her dance career back at the studio she loved and called home. Petra has now been teaching tap, jazz, and ballet at VOSD since 2001. Being a part of Valley Oak School of Dance has not only given her a passion for dance, but has also filled her heart with an abundance of love and gratitude
CHELSEA DAY
Ballet, Tap, Jazz
Chelsea Day has considered Valley Oak School of Dance to be her second home. Chelsea began dancing at Valley Oak when she was 3 years old. In high school, she began assistant teaching at Valley Oak. After graduating high school Chelsea furthered her dance training at Modesto Junior College under the direction of Lori Bryhni and Kim Davis. While working on her associate degree, Chelsea studied jazz and modern. During her time at MJC she became a member of Off Balance Dance Company, and had several performance opportunities at the college as well as American College Dance Festival. Upon graduation from Modesto Junior College, Chelsea finished her education at California State University Stanislaus, and received her Bachelor of Arts in History. During her studies Chelsea continued to teach at Valley Oak. She has been a member of our staff for nearly 15 years
MAKAYLA HAUSER
Ballet, Tap, Jazz
Makayla Hauser trained at VOSD before being accepted into San Jose State University’s Dance Program where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Makayla is currently dancing professionally with Sacramento Dance Company and has danced for the Stockton King’s Dance Team as well as California’s Great America.
