Meet Our Crew

Valerie Cunningham Campbell

Owner & Director

Val Cunningham has been instructing, performing, and choreographing dance professionally since 1997.  She is ISTD, DIVIDA and ZUMBA certified with 'High Honors’ in both Ballroom and Latin. She is a member of N.D.C.A., and her extended studies include Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Yoga, and Pilates. Although she is extremely proficient in all the dances, her passion lies in the street/club style of Lindy Hop Swing, Cuban Salsa and Argentine Tango. Val has studied extensively with all the great masters both in the Bay Area and around the world such as world champion Tom Slater and world-renowned master Richard Lambarty. She has extended her teaching across the U.S, Australia and throughout Europe.

Angela Vujkovic

Lead Studio Coordinator

Having graced the dance floor since the age of 9, Angela has garnered a wealth of experience and expertise. She had the unique opportunity to study, perform and teach Ballroom and Latin dances in Europe and the Bay Area, solidifying her prowess in Latin and Ballroom dance forms, such as Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, Samba, Foxtrot, Tango, and Waltz. In her current role as THE DANCE LOFT SF's Lead Studio Coordinator and Partner Flow Specialist, she continues to guide dance enthusiasts through the enchanting, transformative and joyful world of dance. Angela’s passionate, patient and playful spirit is guaranteed to put you at ease and bring out your potential, regardless of your dance experience.

RICHARD HORNOR

First studying and performing as a theatre actor and then training as ballroom dancer with master coaches Olga and Dima Sukachov. Richard approaches Ballroom Dance with a unique perspective. Using concepts and skills learned through theatre performance, Richard teaches choreography that showcases a dance couples chemistry and passion. Combined with a deep technical understanding of movement and dance, Richard crafts unique performances that deliver an artistic message. Richard enriches the lives of his students through their dancing and hopes to make a contribution to the history of partner dance.

TAIS ZHUKOVA

Tais is a dynamic standard dancer whose talent shines on the competitive stage, where she holds the esteemed rank of 5th in the country. With a passion for movement and a keen eye for precision, she captivates audiences with her grace and style. Beyond her accolades, Tais finds fulfillment in sharing her expertise with others, particularly as she teaches wedding couples to create unforgettable moments on the dance floor for their first dance. Her dedication to both her craft and her students sets her apart as a versatile and inspiring figure in the world of dance.

Mikey Chang

We are excited to introduce the Group Class Director at The Dance Loft!

Mikey is a Certified Barre Fitness Instructor and a Licensed Zumba & Zumba Circuit Instructor. He has trained extensively in dance, movement, music, and acting, including a conservatory setting at the renowned American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco! His classes blend movement and storytelling together to create unique dance pieces that vibe perfectly with the music. His passion for dance led him to subbing a class at the studio he was training at, after which he was told by the director that he had found his calling. He has since been teaching professionally in San Francisco since 2017. He first started teaching a heels class which focuses on self empowered, sensual exploration through dance. That class got so popular that it had had to expand to a second date. He has been providing a fun way for people of all fitness levels to work out, train, and strengthen their bodies ever since! You can check out more about him on Instagram at @mikeylikesthed. Yes, the d is for dance! 

Josh Hoover

Josh started dancing at the age of 4 in the Lakewood Ballet, WA where he trained for 8 years in ballet and jazz.  After finding his passion for dance again as an adult, thanks to the revival of Lindy Hop Swing, Josh has spent the past 13 years social dancing, performing, and teaching dance in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Josh has been a core member of Loose Change Dance Company, for five years,with whom he has performed with at Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts, Cowell Theater, and the Palace of Fine Arts.  Josh has taught and performed Lindy Hop and Hip Hop throughout Europe and he has been performing with Val Cunningham for the past 6 years, who he has since married and help co-run The Dance Loft.

Melissa Rutz

Melissa began her training at age four at Star Dance Studio in San Francisco. Three years later, she found herself at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School for seven years under the direction of Lola DeAvila. While at SFB School, Melissa studied classical ballet, and performed in various performances with San Francisco Ballet.  From there, Melissa desired to expand her dance education and soon found herself at the Metronome Ballroom studying two of her favorite types of dance: swing, with champion Lindy Hop instructor Sharon Ashe, and Theater Arts Adagio with coach, and World Champion adagio cabaret dancer, Tom Slater. Under Tom's wing, she won the 1998 title of United States Pro-Am Theatre Arts Adagio Champion

PARKER DEARBORN

Parker has been dancing  for 30 years, studying all of the partner dances with a focus on Ballroom, Latin, West Coast Swing, and Country. He became a professional dancer and instructor in his hometown of San Diego, California at the age of 17. Since then, he has dedicated his life to creating an incredibly successful career by competing, choreographing, judging, event directing, and traveling around the world teaching and spreading his love for Dance! Parker’s exceptional talent, distinct style, and irresistibly charming showmanship have earned him the most prestigious awards in the world of West Coast Swing. Parker holds the title to every major championship in the nation, including three time US Open Swing Dance Champion and two time Grand National Swing Dance Champion. He appeared in the off-Broadway production of Swango and the Hollywood movie, Love and Dancing. He also demonstrated his creativity and innovation as a choreographer for the hit television series, So You Think You Can Dance. Parker Dearborn has devoted his entire life to dance because he truly believes that dancing has the capacity to inspire joy and change lives.

Kayleigh Cook

Kayleigh Cook has been dancing and performing since the age of 5. She studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern and Irish dancing at SFS Dance Center of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA under the direction of Jason and Lisa Weiss. She then followed her passion and continued to Dance at California State University, Long Beach where she learned from world-renowned choreographer Andrew Vaca. Kayleigh spent years performing for large companies in Los Angeles, such as Disneyland, The Los Angeles Clippers and The Royal Caribbean Cruise. She transitioned from being a soloist to partner dancing just a few years ago and her love for the art and connection continues to grow as she studies West Coast Swing, Lindy-hop and Salsa.

Kayleigh is so excited to be joining Val Cunningham and the dance team at The Dance Loft.  She hopes to bring her joy, love and understanding of dance to all that she teaches