INSTRUCTORS
LAURA BUENO
Owner
Laura Bueno has been an Edudance instructor since 2003 and took over the company from Anne Krantz and Christian Wasinger in 2018. In her career as an instructor, she has taught well over 10,000 students with the program. In addition to dancing, Laura has been seen across the stages of San Diego in notable roles such as Sophie de Palma in Master Class with Ion Theatre and as Anna 1 in Seven Deadly Sins with Bodhi Tree Concerts. San Diego Musical Theatre credits include Damn Yankees, The Producers!, Singin’ in the Rain and The Sound of Music. Lyric Opera San Diego credits include Tessa (The Gondoliers), Gigi (Gigi), Petra (A Little Night Music), Hope (Anything Goes), Iolanthe (Iolanthe), Peep Bo (The Mikado), and Molly Brazen (The Beggar’s Opera). Other regional credits include Wendy (Peter Pan), The Secretary (The Consul), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Zaneeta (The Music Man), Chava (Fiddler on the Roof), Margy (State Fair), and Nanette (No, No, Nanette). She is a core chorister of 16 years with the San Diego Opera Chorus. In addition to Edudance, Laura owns and operates Playground Player Productions, a musical theater program for public schools to introduce children to the world of theater by participating in live theatrical productions, choral concerts, and day camps. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a dancer for 30 years.
Owner
Laura Bueno has been an Edudance instructor since 2003 and took over the company from Anne Krantz and Christian Wasinger in 2018. In her career as an instructor, she has taught well over 10,000 students with the program. In addition to dancing, Laura has been seen across the stages of San Diego in notable roles such as Sophie de Palma in Master Class with Ion Theatre and as Anna 1 in Seven Deadly Sins with Bodhi Tree Concerts. San Diego Musical Theatre credits include Damn Yankees, The Producers!, Singin’ in the Rain and The Sound of Music. Lyric Opera San Diego credits include Tessa (The Gondoliers), Gigi (Gigi), Petra (A Little Night Music), Hope (Anything Goes), Iolanthe (Iolanthe), Peep Bo (The Mikado), and Molly Brazen (The Beggar’s Opera). Other regional credits include Wendy (Peter Pan), The Secretary (The Consul), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Zaneeta (The Music Man), Chava (Fiddler on the Roof), Margy (State Fair), and Nanette (No, No, Nanette). She is a core chorister of 16 years with the San Diego Opera Chorus. In addition to Edudance, Laura owns and operates Playground Player Productions, a musical theater program for public schools to introduce children to the world of theater by participating in live theatrical productions, choral concerts, and day camps. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a dancer for 30 years.
RACHEL WATTSON
Rachel has been in the performing arts world since she was four. Her first time on stage was as a Cratchet child in “A Christmas Carol” and she never stopped. From performing in plays, improv groups, musicals, operas, choirs, and solo performances she brings over 25 years (we won’t say exactly how many) of experience. During her career she has also gained the behind the scenes management skills it takes to produce a successful show. Prop master, stage hand, stage manager, sound/lighting, and assistant director. Through countless opportunities, she has learned from the best and loves teaching budding artists. She has been with Playground Players since 2016 and Edudance Classrooms in Motion since 2019.
Rachel has been in the performing arts world since she was four. Her first time on stage was as a Cratchet child in “A Christmas Carol” and she never stopped. From performing in plays, improv groups, musicals, operas, choirs, and solo performances she brings over 25 years (we won’t say exactly how many) of experience. During her career she has also gained the behind the scenes management skills it takes to produce a successful show. Prop master, stage hand, stage manager, sound/lighting, and assistant director. Through countless opportunities, she has learned from the best and loves teaching budding artists. She has been with Playground Players since 2016 and Edudance Classrooms in Motion since 2019.
KELLY DEROUIN
Kelly is a San Diego native with almost 20 years of experience performing regionally and internationally. Recently you may have seen her onstage as "Irene" in Crazy for You or "Inga" in Young Frankenstein at San Diego Musical Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include: The Diamond Horseshoe (Tokyo Disneyland), Almost Maine (Vista's Broadway Theatre), The Secret Garden, 1940's Radio Hour, Oklahoma, Return to the Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts), Triumph of Love (Carlsbad Playreaders), Sister Act (Moonlight Stage), Fiddler on the Roof (Welk Resort Theatre), Boeing Boeing (Oceanside Theatre Co.), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Intrepid Theatre), and Into the Woods (CLU). Kelly received her BA in Theatre Arts from California Lutheran University, and loves to share her passion for the Arts with the next generation. She has 10 years of experience working with children and youth as a teacher and director for several After-school Drama and Musical Theatre programs, and is currently a Teaching Artist with the La Jolla Playhouse. Kelly is also a certified yoga instructor and infuses mindfulness and positivity into all of her work. She is proud to be a part of both Playground Players Productions and Edudance Classrooms in Motion as an instructor!
Kelly is a San Diego native with almost 20 years of experience performing regionally and internationally. Recently you may have seen her onstage as "Irene" in Crazy for You or "Inga" in Young Frankenstein at San Diego Musical Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include: The Diamond Horseshoe (Tokyo Disneyland), Almost Maine (Vista's Broadway Theatre), The Secret Garden, 1940's Radio Hour, Oklahoma, Return to the Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts), Triumph of Love (Carlsbad Playreaders), Sister Act (Moonlight Stage), Fiddler on the Roof (Welk Resort Theatre), Boeing Boeing (Oceanside Theatre Co.), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Intrepid Theatre), and Into the Woods (CLU). Kelly received her BA in Theatre Arts from California Lutheran University, and loves to share her passion for the Arts with the next generation. She has 10 years of experience working with children and youth as a teacher and director for several After-school Drama and Musical Theatre programs, and is currently a Teaching Artist with the La Jolla Playhouse. Kelly is also a certified yoga instructor and infuses mindfulness and positivity into all of her work. She is proud to be a part of both Playground Players Productions and Edudance Classrooms in Motion as an instructor!
ANNA STRICKLAND