Carla grew up in a home with a Radio City Music Hall Rockette turned Ballet studio owner mom and an opera singing, symphony playing, airline pilot dad so her love of performing started as far back as she can remember. Now Carla brings 30+ years teaching experience and 40+ years study as well as an extensive background in dance, theater, vocal performance, choreography, acting and instruction to Dance Fusion NW.
Carla trained in the Vancouver/Portland area, New York and LA doing study & workshops with instructors including: Ann Reinking, JoJo Smith, Frank Hatchett, Luigi, Andre Paradis and Ray Hesselink. She worked as a dancer/vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and spent years performing in numerous Musical Theater productions with roles including: Ulla in ‘The Producers’; Celeste Romano in Portland’s long-running production of ‘Tony & Tina’s Wedding’; Diana, Sheila and dream-role Cassie in several productions of ‘A Chorus Line’; Sister Mary Amnesia in ‘Nunsense’, Rizzo in ‘Grease’, Sonia in ‘They’re Playin Our Song’, Nancy in ‘Oliver’ and Laurie in ‘Oklahoma’. In Los Angeles she was honored to perform in Long Beach Civic Light Opera’s productions of ‘Cinderella’ and then ‘Follies’ alongside the legendary Juliet Prowse.
In more recent years as a singer/songwriter with her original band, Colorfield, she has shared stages with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Animotion, Rob Hotchkiss (Train), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) & Gin Blossoms, to name a few. She recorded the song ‘This Time’ with Frankie Valli for the Eternity movie soundtrack and spent years with several show bands including Portland favorite ‘5 Guys Named Moe’. Theatrical choreography credits include: The Producers, Anything Goes, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Guys & Dolls in addition to choreographing for numerous showcases & studio performances. Acting & commercial work includes: Oregon Forestry Service, On Point, Bissell, Intel, Sunbeam, Con Air, Oster, WebMD, Parr Lumber, AT&T, Xerox & Nike.
Carla is honored to own Dance Fusion NW and work with such world-class instructors and wonderful dance families.