ABOUT: CF Dance academy
CF Dance Academy, The Orange County Destination For A Performing Arts Education, prides itself on providing families with high quality dance education and training in a nurturing and encouraging environment. CF Dance Academy currently offers beginning to advanced classes for dancers as young as 2 years old through teen and adult age groups. We offer classes both at our studio location in historic downtown Fullerton, and throughout various cities in Orange County such as Anaheim, Yorba Linda and Buena Park community services departments. CF Dance Academy also offer on-site dance programs at private schools, preschools, and after-school programs throughout Orange County. Our dance programs are all performance-based, rather than competition-based. We strive to provide a nurturing and fun-filled environment for dancers in all age groups, and we emphasize the importance of teamwork as we prepare for our many annual performance opportunities.
ABOUT: The Studios
CF Dance Academy - East Campus is located on the 3rd Floor of The Williams Building which is situated in downtown Fullerton on Commonwealth Avenue. CF Dance Academy - East Campus has 2 large dance studios and is a total of 5000 square feet. Built in 1927 as an Oddfellows Hall, the structure was promptly put into use as a speakeasy. Renovations began to modernize the building for its current use as a banquet venue and dance studio.
CF Dance Academy - West Campus is located on 109 South Harbor Blvd, Suite A, in beautiful downtown Fullerton (cross streets are Harbor Blvd and Commonwealth Ave.). This dance studio dubbed "The Fishtank", due to its large windows facing busy Harbor Blvd, always attracts attention from passersby. From the street and sidewalk, the 2000 square foot space features a custom painted mural and 40 foot long mirror which is perfect for large dance groups and crews.
Click thumbnails below for larger image of West Campus.
ABOUT: Founder, Owner/Co-Directors and Instructors
Cathleen Forcucci-Heideman (Founder)
December 24, 1947 - August 14, 2003
Cathleen Forcucci-Heideman was the founder and long-time director of Cathleen Forcucci Dance Academy (now known as CF Dance Academy). Miss Cathy was a fully accredited teacher with the Cecchetti Council of America and received certification with the Cecchetti Society of America ISTD, their international affiliation. Miss Cathy also taught with the City of Anaheim for twenty-two years. She directed the studio for many years with the support of her loving husband William Heideman. Now, C.F.D.A. is owned and directed by Miss Cathy’s daughters Jennifer Forcucci-Marzluf and Leanna Forcucci-Herron. Our mission is to continue our mother’s legacy of excellent dance instruction.
Jennifer Forcucci-Marzluf, ACUSA (Co-Owner/Co-Director)
Jennifer Forcucci-Marzluf has been teaching dance for over 17 years. She specializes in the instruction of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Ballroom. Miss Jennifer holds her Associates Teachers Certification with Cecchetti, USA (www.cecchettiusa.org) and has completed her Advanced 1 (Grade 9) Examination. Miss Jennifer continues her teachers studies with Cecchetti USA’s Executive Director, Marnell Himes-Ushijima. Miss Jennifer is currently the Director of CF Dance Academy’s Ballet Intensive Program and submits her dancers for yearly ballet examinations. Throughout her ballet career, Miss Jennifer has attended numerous seminars and workshops, receiving instruction directly from top ballet masters. Miss Jennifer attended the Orange County High School of Performing Arts, where she studied jazz dance and commercial arts as well as ballet. At the age of seventeen, Miss Jennifer became a certified ballroom dance instructor for the Imperial Ballroom, and went on to dance and compete professionally.
Leanna Forcucci-Herron (Co-Owner/Co-Director)
Leanna Forcucci-Herron has been teaching dance for over 23 years. She has taught for several dance studios in Orange County and even worked as the lead ballet teacher for a competing dance troupe in Austin, TX, where she also worked as a professional hip-hop dancer. Miss Leanna has taught many different dance and movement forms including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and tumbling. Her specializations are in hip-hop dance and teaching advanced hip-hop technique to young children. She currently trains with industry recognized hip-hop choreographers in Los Angeles and tours her CF Dance Academy Hip-Hop Crews, Bring the Noise, K-mot10n 2.0 and Fortissimo throughout Orange, Riverside & LA Counties. These crews that she directs are award winning, have gained professional recognition and have received numerous awards for their crowd pleasing productions. Currently she is director of the largest Hip Hop program in Central and North Orange County and has put CF Dance on the map for hosting professional hip-hop choreographers in master class workshops and weekly classes at the academy. She has her B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies from Cal State Long Beach, where she also attended graduate school to work on her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. During the past ten years, Leanna has also directed and taught CF Dance Academy dance programs at preschool and after school programs in cities throughout Orange, Riverside & LA Counties.
Jessica Anderson (Assistant Director/ Instructor Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop)
Jessica began her training as a young girl and has studied seriously at CF Dance Academy since 2004. She also receives dance training at Cypress College. She has had the privilege of studying in L.A. with professional choreographers such as Jabari, Tricia Miranda, Glenda Morales, and Havic. She studies Hip Hop, Ballet, and Pointe. Jessica dances with our Bring the Noise Hip Hop Troupe and Fortissimo. Her responsibilities include: managing the front desk, stage managing our showcases, organizing most offsite events, and supporting management.She has worked very closely with CFDA directors and has become a very strong instructor as well as office personnel manager. Jessica currently teaches Hip Hop, Ballet and Tap.
Vanessa Benitez (Senior Instructor, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz)
Vanessa Benitez born and raised in California has been dancing since she was 9 years old. Going between sports and dance classes, she finally found her true calling in continuing her love for dance. Vanessa teaches tap and hip hop and been taught by nationally acclaimed instructors. Vanessa has been teaching Tap for CF Dance Academy for the past 5 years and is the assistant instructor for the CFDA Senior Hip-Hop Troupe. She brings a different element by blending her tap with hip hop to bring out "FUNKY TAP". Vanessa states, "My true inspiration comes from watching my students improve each class, they are the ones that make my ideas come to life!" She has participated in 2005 Hip Hop International, continues her education in hip hop by taking workshops/classes in LA. Such choreographers she has taken from are Teresa Espinosa, Shane Sparks, Leslie Scott, Dave Scott, and many more. She hopes to continue to tap and dancing hip hop for many years to come. One thing she likes to emphasize to her students in her hip hop classes, "Hip Hop is not just a dance, it's a lifestyle."
Jana Taylor (Senior Instructor, Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Lyrical)
Jana Taylor received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with an emphasis in Ballet from Brigham Young University, with minors in French and Art History. While attending BYU, she performed and toured with the university’s Ballet Showcase and Theatre Ballet companies, dancing in classical ballet productions including Snow Queen and Coppelia, as well as serving as Theatre Ballet President. Jana received a grant from the Office of Research and Creative Activities to choreograph a contemporary ballet piece, for which choreography she later received the Phi Eta Sigma Outstanding Performing Arts Award. She also published an article in the BYU Dance Journal on the fusion of styles in contemporary dance. Prior to college, she began her dance training in Las Vegas, NV, in classical ballet with the Royal Academy of Dancing ballet technique and in many other dance styles: modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, character, and swing. Since moving to Orange County, Jana has performed at the Disneyland Resort, dancing numerous roles in several parades including Disney’s Electrical Parade, Celebrate! A Street Party, and A Christmas Fantasy Parade. She is currently performing with ENCORE Dance Company, a modern dance company based in Huntington Beach. Jana is passionate about performing, choreographing, and especially teaching, as she has been teaching many styles of dance to all ages for over 10 years.
Yuliana Hardi (Ballet)
Yuliana Hardi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Cal State Fullerton. She began her ballet training with Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) at the age of seven. As a young adult she taught the RAD method of ballet technique in Asia. During her college years in the U.S., she studied ballet, modern, jazz, and flamenco, but classical ballet has always been her true passion. After college, she started training in Cecchetti ballet method and is studying for her Intermediate Examination and Associate Teachers Certification. Miss "Yuli" is very happy share her knowledge and expertise with the CF Dance Academy Ballet program.
Leon Henderson, a native New Yorker, living in Hollywood California has been dancing for a decade, 3 years as a professional. Upon entering his professional career, he has been training rigorously in acrobatics. With that training, he was blessed to be apart of the new released film “Bring It On 5” where he got to show his extensive training with tumbling as well as dancing. He also had the privilege to be a featured tumbler in the new Britney Spears video “Circus”. To end off 2008, Leon is featured in the unreleased film Boogie Town, Written and Directed by Chris Stolkes. Leon’s success continues to grow. In 2010, Leon and crew “Heavy Impact were chosen to compete on the hit MTV show ABDC (America’s Best Dance Crew). Big boys out to break negative stereotypes and prove dancers come in all sizes. These guys have big hearts and hope they can inspire others who have a passion for dance, "No matter what the size, if you love to dance, you are a dancer." Leon’s infectious feel good dancing and inspirational charm has definitely won over America. Along with his talent in acrobatics and dancing, he has a strong passion for choreography. That passion has led him to travel and teach around the world. With all that talent, he hopes to share it with the world whether it be on tour with an artist or teaching workshops. His passion for dance is unexplainable and it can only be demonstrated through his teaching.
CJ Edwards (Hip Hop)
Mr. CJ Edwards (MRCJE) is a freelance professional choreographer, instructor and student of dance and music. He has danced with many local teams such as Team Millennia and BoogieZone Breed and was featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew with "Heavy Impact." CJ has choreographed and worked with Dance Mob Nation, IBM, Pitbull, ABC News, EXTRA, Yahoo News and the Latin Grammy's Promotional Tour of Verizon Fios TV. Most recently CJ was featured as a dancer on a 3 month dance tour in Wenzhou, China at Club POP . However, from small stage to national television CJ's goal is to glorify God and inspire, influence and impact this generation through the gift of dance, choreography and entertainment.
Grayson McGuire (Advanced Contemporary)
Grayson McGuire, born and raised in Kansas City, started dancing at the age of 12. After several years of dancing at home, Grayson was accepted into the Rock School of Dance Education on full scholarship for their summer program. Then next year traveled to New York City, on full scholarship, to attend The School of American Ballet’s program, one of the very top ballet programs in the world. While he was only a freshman in high school, he started teaching at Miller Marley School of Dance and voice in Kansas City, as well as being one of their main choreographers. After being signed by Clear Talent Group for dance, at the age of 17, Grayson moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career as a commercial and company dancer. Once in Los Angeles, Grayson joined Entity, Boogiezone’s Contemporary Dance Company, and is now working as a dance teacher at both Boogiezone Utopia, in Torrance California and CF Dance in Fullerton California, as well as frequently traveling home to choreograph and teach for Miller Marley’s Competition Team and Ballet Company. Grayson is always thrilled and grateful to teach, and loves passing his knowledge onto his wonderful and open minded students.
Ryan Perry Marks (Ballet, Contemporary & Jazz)
Ryan is an OC native and is thrilled to be a part of the CF Dance Academy family! He is a third year Principal Dancer with ENCORE Dance Company, a modern company based out of Huntington Beach. He has lived and danced professionally in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and has performed in countless festivals worldwide. He has studied with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, as well as the David Parsons Company in NYC. At the New Prague Dance Festival 2011, Ryan was honored with a Contemporary Dance Award for his solo performance of "The Depraved". Ryan just released his debut pop/dance album entitled Static, which is now available on iTunes. He has performed in many parades and shows at The Disneyland Resort for the last 6 years in a variety of dancing roles. Ryan is a proud APA graduate of Dance/Musical Theatre. He is a sought after choreographer and teacher throughout Orange County, and is currently a resident guest choreographer for the APA Dance Department. www.ryan-marks.com
Marissa Sands (Lyrical/Contemporary & Hip Hop , fortissimo co-captain)
Marissa Sands has been with CF Dance Academy for 14 years and started her dance career with Cathleen Forcucci, the founder of CF Dance. She studies ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, flamenco and hip hop. In her first two years of high school, she participated in Fullerton Union High School’s “Dance Company”. During her second year, she co-choreographed a lyrical/contemporary piece and received the award of “Most Valuable Dancer”. She also takes classes at Millennium dance studio in Hollywood, CA and has been coached by many professional dancers and choreographers. Marissa is currently preparing for Cecchetti Class Ballet Level 9 Professional Examination. She is also studying for her teacher’s certification through Cecchetti USA, www.cecchettiusa.org. Marissa currently teaches ballet, tap, lyrical/contemporary and hip hop at CF Dance Academy, Fullerton.
Faith Forcucci (Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, fortissimo co-captain)
Faith Forcucci has been dancing for more than 13 years at CF Dance Academy. She has studied Cecchetti Classical Ballet along with many other dance forms including tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip-hop. Faith is currently a member of both performance troupe's belonging to CF Dance Academy: the Bring the Noise Hip-Hop Troupe and the Fortissimo Ballet Performance Troupe. She has had the opportunity to experience the dance industry in competitions that include World of Dance and Studio 429's K-12 Competition. Faith has attended numerous dance workshops and classes with industry professionals in Hollywood, CA. She has been studying Cecchetti Ballet for more than 9 years, and has completed up to the Cecchetti Grade 8 Exam. She is also currently studying for her Cecchetti USA Teachers Certification.
Paige Boulanger (Ballet & Tap)
Paige Boulanger started dancing 11 years ago with Miss Cathy, founder of CFDA, at the Anaheim Downtown Community Center. Paige began as a demonstrator for ballet and tap classes 5 years ago where she has developed a love for teaching. At Fullerton Union High School, she had an opportunity to expand her teaching skills as a Teacher’s Assistant for Dance I. Currently studying for her Cecchetti Ballet Grade 9 Exam and her Teacher’s Certificate with Cecchetti USA, Paige studies ballet, pointe, contemporary/lyrical and also has a background in modern, tap and hip hop. She has studied with many professional instructors and choreographers at the Cecchetti seminars and workshops as well as at the Millennium Studio in Hollywood. Paige enjoys teaching Ballet and Tap, Tiny Tot Ballet and Parent and Me classes for CFDA.
Hope Forcucci (Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz)
Hope Forcucci has been dancing for over 15 years. She has studied ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, and lyrical dance. Hope competed as a part of the award-winningBring the Noise Hip-Hop Troupe and currently performs with the award-winning Fortissimo Troupe. She has participated in shows such as World of Dance, Maxt Out, Urban Street Jam, and Studio 429’s K-12 Competition. Hope has studied with professionals in LA and Hollywood in workshops and classes at Edge and Millenium studios. She continues her dance education and teaches Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop at CF Dance Academy. She is also the director of CF's newest crew, Pandemonium, an all-girl youth crew.
109 South Harbor, Suite A, Fullerton, California 92832 -