Meet our Team

Ceylan Gentilella- Owner/Artistic Director

Ceylan has owned and operated Desert Sun Performing Arts since its inception in 2006. Opening the studio was a lifelong dream brought to life. Ceylan’s passion for dance was sparked at the age of 5 and never stopped. She has a BFA in Dance & BS in Therapeutic Recreation. She is a certified massage therapist, Barre fitness instructor and PBT teacher. A proud member of Dance Master’s of America certified in Ballet, Modern & Jazz. She’s loves to teach and her favorite class is beginner ballet.

Kayla Patterson- Instructor

DJ Giagni- Instructor

DJ is the elder son of Danny Daniels, a Tony & Emmy award winning choreographer. DJ studied with is father and was his assistant on theater, television and film projects for 10 years before starting his own choreography career. DJ has many Broadway & off Broadway credits including Tap Dance Kid, Daddy Kravitz, Teddy & Alice, American Princess & Assassins. He danced for companies such as ABT, Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, New Jersey Ballet & Ballet de Lyon. He also has many Film & TV credits to his name as well.

Makayla- Student Assistant

Makayla is 13 and has been dancing at DSPA for 7 years. She studies ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, acro and hip hop. You can find her assisting Inspire and acro 1.

Vince Thacker- Instructor

He competed on his high school gymnastics team. & taught girls gymnastics for 14 years He is certified by Dance Masters of America in Acro. He enjoys camping and traveling with his family.

Amanda Colon- Instructor

Amanda is a 25 year old Arizona native. She has been part of the DSPA family since they opened their doors in 2006. She started off as just a student, began assisting in classes, and is now a dance teacher. Amanda currently teaches the rising stars 2 and 3. She has always had a passion for dancing and has experience in genres including jazz, lyrical, ballet, and contemporary. Amanda also loves working with kids and is currently getting her masters in psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent development. When she is not working at either job or studying, Amanda likes to spend her time with her parents, or at local social dancing events. Dance has been a huge part of her life and even has a minor in dance. Amanda hopes to continue to grow her knowledge in teaching different genres and spread the joy of dance with her students.

Semra- Student Assistant

Semra is 13 years old and has danced at DSPA since she was 2. She studies ballet, tap, jazz, acro and contemporary. You can find her assisting the Rising Star 2's and beginner tap. Semra's favorite thing about dance is learning new choreography. 

Emma- Student Assistant

Emma is 17 years old and has been dancing since she was 5. She studies ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and acro. You can find her assisting at the studio with Beginner Ballet, Inspire and Rising Stars. Her favorite thing about dance is connecting with the music she dances to. Her favorite genre to dance to is ballet.

Amy Rubink- Office Manager

A native of Arizona, Amy joined DSPA’s family when her daughter, also an Arizona native, began dancing in 2013. Amy is a graduate of Arizona State University with two bachelor’s degrees, and has been married to an Arizona native for almost 18 years. When not behind the desk at the studio, you’ll find her behind a sewing machine working on costume alterations!

Alexa Pickett- Instructor

Alexa Pickett was born and raised in Arizona, and is known by her students as “Miss.Lexi”. She is a DSPA alumni, and started her dance training when she was nine years old. She continues to take master classes and workshops today to stay on top of her technique. She is certified by Dance Master’s of America in ballet and jazz, along with a barre certification from IBBFA. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz and contemporary, but loves all genres. Something that few may know, is that she lived in Japan with her husband for a few years while he was Active Duty in the Air Force.

Tess- Student Assistant

Tess is a 17 year old that has been dancing at DSPA for 6 years. She currently studies hip hop and ballet. You can find her at the studio assisting hip hop classes.

NaKyhia- Student Assistant

NaKyhia is a 14 year old and has been dancing for 10 years at DSPA. She studies Ballet, Tap , Jazz, Lyrical, Hip hop, Contemporary, Acro and PBT. You can find her assisting at the studio with beginner ballet and rising stars. Her favorite thing about dance is meeting new people and making new friends.

Velaine Jolle- Instructor

Native of Arizona, Velaine Jollé has been a lover of the world of dance for as long as she can remember. With over 30 years of teaching, performing and sharing her passion of dance with others, she has been awarded both regional and national choreography, overall high placings and judge’s awards throughout the competitive dance circuit as well as, directed over a decade of productions with a cast of 150 plus amazing students. Many of her students have gone on to dance professionally either on stage or in the studio. Velaine's certification with Acrobatic Arts keeps her strong, knowledgeable, and on trend with her favorite genres to teach: acrobatic tumbling and technical dance skills. She equally enjoys creating and training in lyrical, jazz, contemporary, and foundational hip hop styling.  She is extremely grateful to be able to be an artist of dance and excited to work with the next generation of artists and dancers! 

Isabelle- Student Assistant

Isabelle has been dancing at DSPA since she was two years old. She studies ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, acro and PBT. You can find her at the studio assisting Rising Star 3’s and beginner lyrical. Her favorite part about dancing is being with and dancing with her friends.

Grace- Student Assistant

Gracie has been a dancer at DSPA since she was 2. She studies tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and acro. You can find her assisting Inspire and Rising Stars 4/5.

Melina- Student Assistant

Melina started dancing at DSPA when she was 3. She currently studies Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro, Hip Hop, Contemporary & PBT. You can find her assisting Rising Stars, Ballet & Beginner Jazz.