Suzanne Mollenhauer
Suzanne Mollenhauer is the owner and director of Jean’s Dance Studio. She is the daughter of the late Jean Eskridge, who founded the studio in 1948. Suzanne took over in 1987. Suzanne started dancing when she was 2 years old. She currently performs with the studio and has danced professionally through the years.
Suzanne graduated from Point Loma Nazarene College with a B.A. in Physical Education, a minor in Biology, and a California State Teaching Credential. Her graduate work was done at SDSU in Teaching and Coaching Effectiveness. She has been teaching physical education and dance at STEAM Academy, formerly La Presa Middle School since 1987.
Suzanne has been teaching dance at the studio since she was twelve. She has also taught at numerous dance conventions such as, C.A.H.P.E.R.D.’s Acro Sports and Movement Workshop (25 years+), P.E.A.C.H. a state physical education conference, and other dance workshops.
She has trained with numerous dance professionals including Al Gilbert, Pat Rico, Daryl Retter, Laurie Johnson, Steven Zee, Joe Tremaine, and Angie Bunch. Suzanne’s extensive training qualifies her to teach numerous styles of dance including tap, jazz, Polynesian, hip hop, tumbling, and musical theater.
Her preference is tap just like her mom. Suzanne’s classes are fun, yet challenging.
Jack and Carolann Eskridge
Jack began his career early at the age of seven dancing with his mother Jean. He performed with her at many local and community events. After serving in Viet Nam, he returned home to raise his family and resume his dancing.
Carolann is a native San Diegan and began her dancing career later in life. She has danced with Jean’s Dance Studio for 12 years studying Tap and Jazz. In 2006, she began Ballroom dancing.
Jack and Carolann have been dancing together for 5 years.
They have attended several workshops were they have danced with trained professionals such as Buddy Schwimmer, Michele Blake Jones and others. This dancing duo has performed with the CCT Senior Follies, the Elks Senior Follies and are members of the Memory Lane Dancers performing throughout the county at local Retirement Homes and Nursing Facilities. Other performances have been with Star San Diego, a theatrical group in North County.
Jack and Carolann love to dance and their passion is to share it with others. Together, they teach basic ballroom in Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Latin and Line Dancing
Taryn St Michel & Kaitlyn Carabajal
Taryn St Michel and Kaitlyn Carabajal are thrilled to welcome you to Jean’s Dance Studio! Their journey began, where they first met and embarked on nearly a decade of dancing together. From competitions to conventions, Disneyland performances to workshops, their shared passion for dance has flourished. Teaching is not just a job but a true calling for both of them, and they couldn’t be happier doing it together. Their combined experience has shown them that their synergy brings out the best in each other. They were profoundly impacted by the Travis Wall Experience, gaining invaluable insights into the world of professional dance. Currently, they offer a diverse range of classes including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Children’s Tap/Ballet combos, and solo sessions. As directors and choreographers of Jean’s Dance Studio Company teams, they have led numerous successful performances that have captivated our community.
Taryn and Kaitlyn both graduated from Grossmont College with an AA in Dance, where they explored many aspects of the art. During their time there, they participated in 7-8 Grossmont shows, joined the Grossmont College Company team, traveling to different schools to showcase pieces taught by various professors, and choreographed two high-energy jazz pieces for the student-choreographed shows.
Taryn started dancing at the age of 3 and has been passionate about it ever since. Being on a competition dance team throughout her life has fueled her love for dance, leading her to become a director and one of two choreographers for the studio’s company teams. Now in her 7th year of teaching, Taryn finds immense joy in her role, considering it her dream job and a true passion.
Kaitlyn began dancing at the age of 8 and has been dedicated to it ever since. As a teacher, she loves sharing her passion for dance with children. Her experience on her previous studio’s competition team has provided her with valuable insight and knowledge, enhancing her role as a director/choreographer of the company team.
Evette Gonzalez
Evette’s dance journey began at the age of 3 years old when she started taking Ballet Folklorico classes. She danced folklorico at her local community center, as well as her elementary school from the ages of 3-10. She performed at many local festivals and parades and loved every minute of it. After moving on to middle school, she returned to her school’s Ballet Folklorico program as a teachers assistant.
At the age of 11, Evette joined the Jean’s Dance Studio family, where she took many classes, including tap, jazz, lyrical, and others. She was also a part of the company team throughout middle school and high school. She has performed at Universal Studios, the Disneyland parade, a Carnival Cruise, as well as many other events and conventions in California. At the age of 18, Evette began teaching at Jean’s Dance Studio.
She currently teaches Children’s Ballet and Tap combo classes, Musical Theater, and all of our Folklorico classes. Evette has a big passion for dance and loves sharing it with others!
Daisy Gomez
Daisy has been dancing since she was 7 years old, and it’s been a consistent passion in her life. Just a year after starting, she began assisting in various dance styles and have continued to do so ever since. Kids have always gravitated towards Daisy, which makes teaching here super fun. Most of the kids already know Daisy from assisting their classes, so when she became a teacher, it was a smooth transition. She performed at many different venues, from local performances to larger ones like the Holiday Bowl. Additionally, she is a varsity cheerleader, starting her junior year, which has been an excellent opportunity to learn about teamwork.
Chloe Baker
Chloe’s journey in dance began at the age of 11, sparking a passion that led her to start teaching at 16. Her expertise includes tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and solo performances. Chloe earned her BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Visual and Performing Arts from CSU San Marcos, followed by an MA in Teaching K-12 English Language Arts from San Diego State University.
As an elementary school teacher for the past three years, Chloe has not only excelled in the classroom but has also made a significant impact by founding a dance team within her school including choreographing compelling performances for school productions such as “The Little Mermaid” and “School House Rock.” Through this initiative, she has empowered her students to explore their creativity and develop their skills in dance.
Chloe is committed to continuous growth in her craft and is a lifelong learner, regularly attending adult dance classes to refine her skills. Recently, Chloe also achieved certification in Turn Up Dance Fitness, a dynamic drop-in adult class combining dance and HIIT, which she now offers on Tuesday nights, so come sweat with her! She shares her passion for dance with children, juniors, and teens by teaching hip hop classes every Tuesday in a fun and exciting way!
Emma Wilder
Emma’s dance journey began when they moved to California, just as she was starting kindergarten. Her love for dance blossomed as soon as she started walking. The first time she realized she was a dancer was at her preschool graduation, where she had to sing on stage. It was then that her true colors shone through, and she began dancing with enthusiasm. Since that day, she was enrolled in dance classes, and now, 14 years later, Emma is both a dance teacher.
Emma has performed many times at Disneyland and at various community events in Santee. With four years of teaching experience, she primarily focuses on lyrical and jazz but is also capable of teaching tap, acro, and ballet.
Chayne Bauer
Chayne began dancing at the early age of two and a half. She has been dancing for over twenty years and loves every minute of it. She has taken many classes including tap, jazz, lyrical, tumbling, hip hop and Polynesian. She has performed at CAHPERD acro-sports & movement convention in Palm Springs, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland and many fairs and festivals around San Diego.
Chayne has been teaching for over 10 years in styles like tap, ballet, jazz and tumbling for children.