Artistry. Confidence. Technique.

Welcome to Ballet Kukan Academy

Our Story

"Kukan" is Japanese for "Space"

At Ballet Kukan Academy, our goal is to offer the San Gabriel Valley community a vibrant space where creativity and movement can blossom!

Founded in 2007 in Arcadia, CA, Ballet Kukan Academy has proudly served the Arcadia-Monrovia community for over a decade. We offer a comprehensive classical ballet program based on the Royal Academy of Dance method. To enhance our dancers' experience, we also provide a wide range of styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Tap. By incorporating various dance forms into our curriculum, we encourage our students to explore different disciplines while having fun!

Our mission is to create an environment where students can grow and succeed as individuals in a positive, family-friendly atmosphere. With highly trained instructors, we aim to teach your child technique, teamwork, dedication, work ethic, and confidence. From Ballet to Hip Hop, along with our wonderful Adult Ballet and Tap programs, we strive to deliver a quality experience for everyone—from beginners to advanced dancers and everyone in between.

Come join us in Monrovia and start your dance journey today!

Founder & Director

Noriko Malaby

RAD RTS-TDip, TTP-Dip(NBS), AISTD / Silver Swan Licensed Teacher / Progressive Ballet Technique Certified Teacher

Noriko started her dancing career in Tokyo, Japan in 1972. She studied modern dance as well as classical ballet at The Ballet Academy in Tokyo, and participated in performances from 1981.

In 1984, she joined the Yagishita Modern Ballet Group, dancing with them for over 10 years. Noriko started her own studio in Tokyo, Japan in 1991. There she taught a broad range of ages and levels.

From 1996 to 1999, she studied at the National Ballet School in Toronto, Canada. There, she learned all 3 different syllubi; Cecchetti, Vaganova, and Royal Academy of Dance. She also learned European National Dance (Folk Dance) under the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and became a teaching member.

Noriko is a certified teacher from Royal Academy of Dance, The National Ballet School of Canada, and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She has more than 25 years of experience of teaching and offers training to all age and levels from 2 years old to senior adults.

She is also certified with Progressive Ballet Technique, which provides precise muscle training for the dancers. She is also a licensed teacher for Silver Swans which RAD offers for dancers who are over 55 years old.

Noriko is thrilled to found a studio here in the San Gabriel Valley to develop a culture in art. She welcomes new students who would like to share in the benefits of dance training as she has.

She recently started a non-profit organization called "Kukan Emerge" to promote Inclusive Dance. She believes that dance education is for ALL people. Her goal is to help enhance all students' abilities and open the door for everyone to grow through dance. Her belief in dance education is endless, and she hopes to help all children grow physically and emotionally through movement.

Instructors

Romina Juarez

Teacher (Ballet, Youth Ballet, Contemporary)

Romina started her dance career at the age of six with Royal Academy of Dance method under Maria Luisa Montero in Mexico. She has been extensively trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Graham method. Romina was selected to perform in the company "Ballet de Camara" Puebla, and danced in the numbers of the shows.

Romina received BFA in Dance and Contemporary from Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla in Mexico. She just moved in L.A. area, and started to explore her career in teaching and dancing. She is so excited to share her experiences with Ballet Kukan students.

Maiko Okajima

Teacher (Contemporary, Ballet, Youth Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz)

Maiko is a dancer, choreographer, and performing artist from Japan, now based in the United States. Her work focuses on minimalistic body movement, exploring the meaning behind gestures and abstract forms. Inspired by Butoh performance and nature, Maiko's art examines the relationship between space, time, and the performer. Her creative journey has been deeply influenced by her mentor, Brigette Dunn-Korpela, a professor at CalArts, who shaped her approach to movement as a conversation with the body and self.

Maiko earned her Associate of Arts in Human Expression from Fullerton College in 2018 and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from California Institute of the Arts in 2023. She is currently a member of Blue13 Dance Company.

Denise Donovan

Teacher (Ballet) | BFA RAD-RTS, RAD CBTS PTS

Denise Donovan is a certified instructor for the Royal Academy of Dance as well as a Practical Teaching Supervisor. She educates new, ambitious teachers to be certified through the RAD.

At Village Dance Arts, Ms.Denise teaches ballet, tap, modern and jazz. She is also the director of the Riverside Community College Tap ensemble, Co-director of the Riverside Community College Dance Touring Ensemble, and adjunct faculty in Dance at RCC, where she received the honor of Adjunct Teacher of the Year in 2006. She is a core member of the Taiko Center of Los Angeles.

Denise is also a board member of "Kukan Emerge - Dance for ALL" which is a non-profit Inclusive Dance Program.

Angie Dang

Teacher (Ballet, Youth Ballet, Modern Jazz

Angie is a dedicated dancer and instructor with over 15 years of experience in dance education and training. She specializes in Ballet, Modern Jazz, Contemporary, and Choreography, bringing a positive energy and professional approach to every class.

Angie received her training at the Ballet Symphony Orchestra & Opera HCMC and the Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy. She holds an Intermediate Imperial Classical Ballet certification from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (London, England).

With extensive experience teaching young dancers, Angie is skilled in creating engaging lessons and tailoring teaching methods to provide the best possible class experience.

Alberto Hernandez

Teacher (Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz)

Alberto is a dedicated dance instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience in Southern California. Trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, he brings a versatile approach to working with competition teams and choreographing for stage performances.

He has studied and performed at esteemed institutions like Orange Coast College and El Camino College and renowned studios, including Millennium Dance Complex and Pasadena Civic Ballet. Alberto’s impressive stage credits include performances with notable acts like the Black Eyed Peas, Redfoo, and Weezer and appearnces with organizations such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and the National Folkloric Ballet of Spain at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Alberto is passionate about sharing his knowledge and works with students of all ages, inspiring them with innovative teaching methods and a love for dance.

Claire Abshier

Teacher (Jazz, Tap)

Claire began dancing at the age of four, building essential dance skills. She dedicated 11 years to studying Ballet under master performer, dancer, and actress, Lorey Conlin Brown. She also studied Ballet, Alonzo King, LINES, and Oberlin Dance Collective.

At the age of 15, she began competing across California in Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Tap, earning multiple titles, scholarships, and awards.

Throughout her dance career, she has loved teaching all styles of dance, for dancers of every age. Claire is pleased to continue teaching and sharing the joy of dance at Ballet Kukan Academy.

Elena Montanez

Administration

Elena has been working as Administration since 2014. She is one of the "faces" at Ballet Kukan Academy. Her work is remarkably broad from keeping track on the schedule, distributing necessary information, and to preparation towards the recital and the examination. She has rather casual and warm attitude that the parents and the students always chat with her and enjoy the time being at Ballet Kukan Academy.

Elena's career as an administration staff blossomed at Ballet Kukan Academy.

Mark Malaby

Assisting Director

Mark is one of the founding members at Ballet Kukan Academy. He is the director of the facility design and theatrical productions. His artistic approach towards the sets and props in each productions made all performance to reach higher the level. Creativity of his work brought all the classes and the students to understand the depth of performing art productions.

Mark continues to pursue his creativity as regular basis at Ballet Kukan Academy, and provide the ideas towards the development of the facility and the effectiveness of the classes.