Shannon Lowrie
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Owner/Director
Shannon began her dance training in Santa Maria under the instruction of Thelma Cline and Nancy Ann Dance Studio. After numerous years on stage she became eager to explore as many ways possible to perform. As a child she would put on neighborhood musicals and spent most of her school years singing, writing, playing guitar, and choreographing. Shannon was very involved in her high school Advanced Choir and became the lead singer in a rock band her senior year of high school. She got back to her dance roots in college and began auditioning for as many shows as she could. Shannon performed with Pacific Light Opera Theater and Chameleon Productions spending as much time behind the scenes as on the stage. Soon enough she was assistant directing, building sets, costuming, and choreographing. Shannon was the original choreographer for P.L.O.T.’s children’s troupe, The Rising Stars. She went on to work a summer with The Great American Melodrama, Assistant Directed and choreographed for Chameleon Productions, and began teaching at The Studio of Performing Arts then owned by Zellda Markham. She always felt a connection to The Studio and knew that it had special potential. Although she had big dreams of Broadway, she decided to settle down in Arroyo Grande and help others create, enhance, and fulfill their dreams of the stage what ever that might be. Shannon bought The Studio from Zellda in 2000 and has produced many productions such as Cats, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many many more. She is the director and choreographer for The Studio’s company dancers as well as several other groups, and has placed first in several dance competitions for her choreography. She is also the lead singer in the Classic Hits Band The Shantastics. Shannon is married and has three children. Her entire family is involved in The Studio and she looks forward to watching them all grow up here and dedicates her life to making the most of The Studio of Performing Arts .
Shannon began her dance training in Santa Maria under the instruction of Thelma Cline and Nancy Ann Dance Studio. After numerous years on stage she became eager to explore as many ways possible to perform. As a child she would put on neighborhood musicals and spent most of her school years singing, writing, playing guitar, and choreographing. Shannon was very involved in her high school Advanced Choir and became the lead singer in a rock band her senior year of high school. She got back to her dance roots in college and began auditioning for as many shows as she could. Shannon performed with Pacific Light Opera Theater and Chameleon Productions spending as much time behind the scenes as on the stage. Soon enough she was assistant directing, building sets, costuming, and choreographing. Shannon was the original choreographer for P.L.O.T.’s children’s troupe, The Rising Stars. She went on to work a summer with The Great American Melodrama, Assistant Directed and choreographed for Chameleon Productions, and began teaching at The Studio of Performing Arts then owned by Zellda Markham. She always felt a connection to The Studio and knew that it had special potential. Although she had big dreams of Broadway, she decided to settle down in Arroyo Grande and help others create, enhance, and fulfill their dreams of the stage what ever that might be. Shannon bought The Studio from Zellda in 2000 and has produced many productions such as Cats, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many many more. She is the director and choreographer for The Studio’s company dancers as well as several other groups, and has placed first in several dance competitions for her choreography. She is also the lead singer in the Classic Hits Band The Shantastics. Shannon is married and has three children. Her entire family is involved in The Studio and she looks forward to watching them all grow up here and dedicates her life to making the most of The Studio of Performing Arts .
Nataly Plotner
Nataly Lola: Ballet/Jazz/Tumbling/Modern/ Drama/Jumps Turns and Stretch/Musician
Nataly has been studying and performing in the arts her entire life time. Taking her first gymnastics class at only the age of 2, she quickly learned she loved to be on stage! She grew up studying in multiple dance, music and theater classes all along the coast of California but her fondest memories are performing for the SOPA as a teenager. The arts quickly became her ultimate love and joy in life. Graduating High-School in 2003 Nataly was honored to receive THE AMBER CARTER MEMORIAL DANCE Scholarship. She was even more excited to receive it once again the following year as a continued scholarship to keep studying dance in College. In 2006 she graduated Allan Hancock College with a Certificate in DANCE. Studying Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip-Hop, Break-Dancing, Gymnastics/Acrobatics, Choreography, Musical Theater, Acting, Yoga, Pilates, Culture Dancing including African & Asian Dancing, Music, Dance History & breaking down music for rhythm for dancers, plus many many more! Nataly also enjoys acting when she gets the opportunity. In her younger years you would see her in many commercials. She recalls her favorite role of playing Cassie in A Chorus Line. And still performs regularly at the Studio of Performing Arts, Black Box Theater. Nataly is also an award winning songwriter who performs regularly at a large number of prestigious venues and events on California’s Central Coast. She began student teaching at the age of 15 giving her over 20+ years of teaching experience. She absolutely loves working with the youth and considers the wonderful people of Sopa family!
Nataly has been studying and performing in the arts her entire life time. Taking her first gymnastics class at only the age of 2, she quickly learned she loved to be on stage! She grew up studying in multiple dance, music and theater classes all along the coast of California but her fondest memories are performing for the SOPA as a teenager. The arts quickly became her ultimate love and joy in life. Graduating High-School in 2003 Nataly was honored to receive THE AMBER CARTER MEMORIAL DANCE Scholarship. She was even more excited to receive it once again the following year as a continued scholarship to keep studying dance in College. In 2006 she graduated Allan Hancock College with a Certificate in DANCE. Studying Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip-Hop, Break-Dancing, Gymnastics/Acrobatics, Choreography, Musical Theater, Acting, Yoga, Pilates, Culture Dancing including African & Asian Dancing, Music, Dance History & breaking down music for rhythm for dancers, plus many many more! Nataly also enjoys acting when she gets the opportunity. In her younger years you would see her in many commercials. She recalls her favorite role of playing Cassie in A Chorus Line. And still performs regularly at the Studio of Performing Arts, Black Box Theater. Nataly is also an award winning songwriter who performs regularly at a large number of prestigious venues and events on California’s Central Coast. She began student teaching at the age of 15 giving her over 20+ years of teaching experience. She absolutely loves working with the youth and considers the wonderful people of Sopa family!
Carrie Yamate
Ballet/Pointe/Tap/Jazz
Carrie is super excited to be back home at SOPA. Dancing her entire life studying ballet, tap and jazz with a little singing on the side has been a way of life. She became a member of a regional ballet company at 15 and was a principal dancer for 5 years. Tap was never far behind and remains her second favorite still today. She began teaching at the age of 16 and hasn't stopped. Many of her students have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts to include programs with Pennsylvania Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey, Disney and others. Her teachers played an important role in her life and Carrie hopes to do the same by helping SOPA students achieve their goals and dreams. Over the years she has taught for several dance studios as well as Cal Poly. SOPA was Carrie's home for 10 years, before moving to Solvang for 6. She is looking forward to working with Shannon and the team and all aspects of the studio again. SOPA has the biggest heart and soul of any studio she has worked for not to mention the commitment to train and develop well rounded performers. What's the hardest part of dance? "Making it look easy!" but it's great fun getting there.
Carrie is super excited to be back home at SOPA. Dancing her entire life studying ballet, tap and jazz with a little singing on the side has been a way of life. She became a member of a regional ballet company at 15 and was a principal dancer for 5 years. Tap was never far behind and remains her second favorite still today. She began teaching at the age of 16 and hasn't stopped. Many of her students have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts to include programs with Pennsylvania Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey, Disney and others. Her teachers played an important role in her life and Carrie hopes to do the same by helping SOPA students achieve their goals and dreams. Over the years she has taught for several dance studios as well as Cal Poly. SOPA was Carrie's home for 10 years, before moving to Solvang for 6. She is looking forward to working with Shannon and the team and all aspects of the studio again. SOPA has the biggest heart and soul of any studio she has worked for not to mention the commitment to train and develop well rounded performers. What's the hardest part of dance? "Making it look easy!" but it's great fun getting there.
Randyn Spear
Pilates/Ballet/Jazz/Pointe
Randyn’s passion for dance began at our very own Studio of Performing Arts. She was blessed with the opportunity to perform throughout the state competitively up into her adulthood winning numerous titles and awards. She is excited to be back on the Central Coast inspiring students and creating new memories at her childhood studio. Randyn graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in Dance where she had the privilege of performing under the late Susan McLain (principal dancer with Martha Graham). Upon graduation Randyn received her rigorous comprehensive certification in Pilates through Body Arts and Science International with specialization in dance conditioning under the tutelage of Karen Clippinger. Post graduation Randyn had the opportunity to dance professionally with multiple contemporary dance companies and was an annual guest artist and choreographer for San Pedro City Ballet (home of Misty Copeland). Randyn had the opportunity to choreograph and present her dancers for National Dance Day produced by the Dizzy Feet Foundation founded by Nygel Lythgoe of So You Think You Can Dance. Through her outreach work with DancEd Steps Up, founded by Cindy Bradley of San Pedro City Ballet, Randyn’s students were chosen to perform at the Celebrate Dance Gala to raise funds for the continuation of arts programs throughout southern California elementary schools. Randyn’s other teaching experience is vast- recital director for San Pedro Ballet School; guest teacher at the University of Southern California, CSU Long Beach, Cerritos College, Santa Ana College, and choreographer at Allan Hancock College. Many of her students have continued their dance careers at AMDA, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey, and New York City Ballet. With her well rounded experience and knowledge of human movement she hopes to challenge her students to rise to their fullest potential through proper technique, hard work, and their love of dance and exercise.
Marisol Wilson
Tap/HipHop
Marisol Wilson is a proud alumni of the Studio of Performing Arts and is so ecstatic to be back as a part of the wonderful staff. She was apart of the performance teams for ten years before she went on to study at the University of California, Irvine where she earned her degree in Psychology and Social Behavior. During her time at UCI she danced with a well known exhibition hip hop team, Modern Completely Insane Anteaters (MCIA), for three years. MCIA allowed for her love of hip hop to grow as well as allowing her choreography skills to thrive. She spent her last year with MCIA as their coordinator and can’t thank them enough for the invaluable dance experience and leadership skills they helped her gain. Her last year living in Southern California she danced with Team Millennia, a major competitive hip hop team based in Anaheim. Team Millennia allowed her to improve her technique and performance skills immensely. She is so honored to have been a part of Team Millennia’s season 22 that earned 1st place at Fusion and 2nd place at Ultimate Brawl, both well respected collegiate hip hop dance competitions. Team Millennia inspired her to continue dancing and is under amazing leadership that she hopes to model in her classes. She hopes to spark a love of dance in her students, help them reach their potential and lastly, she’s just very happy to be home at the Studio of Performing Arts.
Marisol Wilson is a proud alumni of the Studio of Performing Arts and is so ecstatic to be back as a part of the wonderful staff. She was apart of the performance teams for ten years before she went on to study at the University of California, Irvine where she earned her degree in Psychology and Social Behavior. During her time at UCI she danced with a well known exhibition hip hop team, Modern Completely Insane Anteaters (MCIA), for three years. MCIA allowed for her love of hip hop to grow as well as allowing her choreography skills to thrive. She spent her last year with MCIA as their coordinator and can’t thank them enough for the invaluable dance experience and leadership skills they helped her gain. Her last year living in Southern California she danced with Team Millennia, a major competitive hip hop team based in Anaheim. Team Millennia allowed her to improve her technique and performance skills immensely. She is so honored to have been a part of Team Millennia’s season 22 that earned 1st place at Fusion and 2nd place at Ultimate Brawl, both well respected collegiate hip hop dance competitions. Team Millennia inspired her to continue dancing and is under amazing leadership that she hopes to model in her classes. She hopes to spark a love of dance in her students, help them reach their potential and lastly, she’s just very happy to be home at the Studio of Performing Arts.
Maya Lowrie
HipHop Maya Lowrie , daughter of owner Shannon Lowrie is a Sr, at Arroyo Grande High School and also in the dance Company there. She is also a member of the Sr. Company, Syncopators and Hip Hop Squad at SOPA. Maya will be co-choreographer for SOPA;s jr. Squad and hopes to become a professional choreographer one day. She has won top awards for her dancing and choreography in several regional competitions already and is well on her way! She strives to share her love of music and dance any way she can.Maya Lowrie has been a proud Sopa teacher for about 2 years now. She graduated from Arroyo Grande High School two years ago and is now going to college atCuesta College. She currently co teaches all age levels of Hip Hop with Marisol Wilson. Maya has been choreographing Hip Hop before she became a teacher and was lucky enough to now be apart of staff, and choreograph many hip hop numbers for Sopa’s competition team. Maya is an upbeat teacher who loves working with all ages. From dancers who have been dancing for years, to new comers, it’s all fun and exciting for her. She wants to become a professional dancer and choreographer and is studying to do so at the moment. Maya Lowrie’s love for Sopa is one of a kind and she is eager to make them proud.
Tap, Jazz, Tumbling
Carlie Paskett has been dancing since she was 3 years old and at SOPA since 2014 . She recently just finished the competition team. She’s now going into her second year at Allan Hancock College and is studying Kinesiology. She’s been a teacher her at the studio for about 2 years. Even though she loves all genres of dance, her passion lies with Tap! She hopes to continue dancing as long as she can.
Carlie Paskett has been dancing since she was 3 years old and at SOPA since 2014 . She recently just finished the competition team. She’s now going into her second year at Allan Hancock College and is studying Kinesiology. She’s been a teacher her at the studio for about 2 years. Even though she loves all genres of dance, her passion lies with Tap! She hopes to continue dancing as long as she can.