Laguna's Kyne Dance Academy (KDA), Est., 1976, is directed by mother & daughter, Pauline & Lisa Kyne. KDA provides quality dance training within the LB Community & Susi Q Center state of-the-art dance studios.
KDA classes are taught in a nurturing yet structured environment. Classes are co-ed and available for children, teens & adults, from beginning to advanced levels, in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical & more! Dance training not only develops technical skills but improves physical awareness & focus, self-discipline, grace, poise and confidence. All KDA instructors are skilled in their respective disciplines and have many years of teaching experience.
Karen Garman, known to her students as “Miss Karen”, has been teaching children for many years. Her teaching career was inspired by working for Laguna’s own Anneliese Schimmelpfenning at age 13.
Karen continued her studies with a BA and CDA in Early Childhood education. In addition, Karen developed a love of dance, training with professionals from around the world, in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and more…
Karen was the owner/director of a successful dance studio on the Central Coast for over 35 years, with 300 children enrolled. Many of Karen's students are active in the entertainment industry today, including her own children: her daughter, a professional choreographer and her son, a professional drummer!
Karen is excited to be back in Laguna and part of the Kyne Dance Academy.
A Laguna Beach native, Broadway, and International Actress, Sabrina is thrilled to be teaching at Kyne Dance Academy where she began her Jazz and Tap training with Pauline as a young girl. After graduating from the School of the Stuttgart Ballet with a Diploma in Classical Ballet, her first contract out of school was with the Vienna Volksoper. She spent two years performing at the Opera house before she left to perform as Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera.
Sabrina spent 16 years performing in Europe in Productions of, among others, CHICAGO, 42nd Street, The Producers, The Wild Party, A Chorus Line, Man of La Mancha, and Romeo & Juliet. Sabrina made her Broadway debut in the revival of PIPPIN, performed at the Tony Awards, and then toured the USA and Internationally as Fastrada. She was last seen performing as Velma in CHICAGO and on the first national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Mrs. Bucket and Mrs. Gloop.
In between performing, she teaches Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Tap), Acting, and Musical Theatre Workshops and Choreographs and Directs for No Square Theatre and local Schools. Her choreography credits include; Beauty and The Beast, School of Rock, The Addams Family, Cry Baby, Frozen Jr., Into the Woods, Pippin, Mamma Mia, Matilda, Footloose for which she was nominated for Best Choreography from the OC Theatre Guild 2023, Cabaret, and SpongeBob. Her Directorial credits include the Musical PIPPIN, Mamma Mia at LBHS, and Cabaret.
Lisa is the Director of Kyne Dance Academy, and is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre.
Lisa's performing credits include the "Radio City Music Hall Rockettes", her first professional job, Las Vegas Production shows including the "Lido de Paris", "Jubilee", & "Siegfried & Roy"at the Mirage Hotel, where she served as Dance Captain. Lisa has worked with celebrities such as "Bob Hope" & "Brooke Shields" at the 1988 Olympics in Korea, "Gloria Estefan & the Miami Sound Machine", "Julio Iglesias", "Sheila Easton"& "Donny Osmond" to name a few.
Lisa toured with Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", where she worked closely with Broadway Choreographer Anthony Van Laast, & was "Company Children's Director".
Lisa is Mom to "Jack & Emma", her greatest accomplishments, & resides in San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
Born in Middlesborough Yorkshire, England, Pauline began dancing at the age of 3. Through her childhood and teen years, Pauline Ross was a professional child performer on the British stage. She was also a strong competitor, traveling throughout the UK, not only winning many trophies, but having the honor of a trophy being named after her, the "Pauline Ross" Trophy.
After many years of intensive study in Ballet, Tap & Musical Theatre, Pauline claimed her certificate status with the "British Association Teachers of Dancing", and was offered a scholarship with the "Royal Academy of Ballet".
At the age of 17, Pauline immigrated to Canada, where she performed and choreographed for many years in television, movies and theatre, working alongside some of the biggest stars of that time.
Pauline married TV Director Terry Kyne, and moved to Los Angeles, eventually settling in Laguna Beach, with their 3 children, Lisa, Sean and Jennie.
Pauline began teaching in our community in 1972, through local schools and the Laguna Beach Recreation Department. Since then, thousands of students from our Laguna community and surrounding areas have trained with the Kyne Dance Academy under her direction. Pauline and daughter Lisa continue to run their dance program through the Laguna Beach Community Services Department.
Ruth started Ballet classes at the age of 4, and never looked back…
She is also trained in jazz, Tap Modern & Liturgical Dance,
however, Ballet is her passion.
Ruth received her training throughout Northern & Southern California,
& also trained in Germany.
In addition, she earned a degree in German from the University of Redlands.
Ruth is an experienced instructor/choreographer & enjoys teaching all ages/levels.
Karen began her dance training at an early age & continued until eventually earning her MFA in dance.
She served on the faculty of CSU in Boulder Colorado, and was lead instructor of the school and company at Aspen Ballet.
Karen was also the executive Director for the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo Ballet.
Karen has performed in Dance Companies, MTV Music Videos, Dinner Theater Productions, Tokyo Disneyland, for Sony, and more.
And, in addition to her many years of teaching experience, Karen has judged for popular dance competitions, such as LA Dance Magic, and KAR.
Karen was the founder of the Aspen High School Dance Team, and the Founder/Director her own Dance studio “Dance Progressions”
in Aspen Colorado.
Emma is a 2019 graduate of DHHS, where she performed & competed with their award winning Dance Team. She not only served as "Dance Captain", but competed as a soloist, & also choreographed for the Team.
Emma, daughter of Lisa Kyne, (Kyne Dance Academy), started dancing at the age of 3. She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical & Musical Theatre.
In addition to her continued dance training, Emma is a student at Saddleback College.
Caroline is a dancer & gymnast with many years of training, competing & performing experience. She is a graduate of the Orange County school of the Arts and has instructed Dance, Tumbling, Gymnastics and Acro classes throughout Orange County & Santa Barbara.