Our Instructors
Maria Durant
Ms. Durant grew up in the San Fernando Valley and is of Cuban descent. Her love of dance began at seven years old. In 2004, Maria earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature. Maria is trained in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Ballet through Debbie Reynolds studio and professionally certified in Ballroom, Swing and Salsa.
In 2008, she opened Dance 4 Wellness, a social and ballroom dance company for adults and children in Thousand Oaks. Two years later, Maria founded The Showtime Project (Formerly Dancing With Our Local Schools or DWOLS) to introduce an in-school performing arts program, particularly Ballroom dance, Salsa, Swing, Hip-Hop, Bollywood, and other multi-cultural dance styles to students in public schools. The program has taught nearly 9,000 children between the ages of 5-18 to dance.
The Showtime Project currently teaches in Conejo, Hueneme and Simi Valley School Districts. The program projects to expand throughout these three districts, and eventually into additional districts. Maria believes when we dance, “We cannot judge, we cannot hate, we cannot separate ourselves from life. We can only be joyful and whole.”
Coby Mosby
Mr. Mosby was born and raised in the Kansas City area. His love of dance began at the age of fifteen. By his senior year of high school, Coby was offered his first job, dancing for Stiletto Entertainment on Holland America Cruise Line. When he wasn’t traveling the world, he spent his time in Las Vegas, where he performed at the Rio Hotel for “Show In The Sky."
Coby is a talented all around dancer and choreographer and is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Swing and Hip Hop. Some of his credits as a dancer are a Budweiser Super Bowl 2013 Commercial and a #1 hit show in Las Vegas, “RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT.”
He joined the Sesame Street Live European tour and has an extensive resume of performances, choreography, music videos and commercials. He is currently on faculty at the famous Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, home to many celebrity entertainers.
Coby is passionate about bringing his love of dance to children and is currently teaching Hip-Hop to over over 200 students across two districts. He brings connection and passion to every lesson he teaches and provides an excellent role model to the boys in his class. He reminds students, “Dream big and keep reaching for the stars.”
Michelle Gil
Michelle, originally from the Dominican Republic, was raised in the Island until the age of 10. She started studying Ballet at the age of 6, and was introduced to Jazz and Tap shortly thereafter at the tender age of 9 years old. Excelling as a dancer, Michelle was encouraged to try Musical Theatre as a teen, for which she also had an aptitude.
Her other notable accomplishments as a young adult include Dance Team, both at the High School and College Level. Bilingual her entire life, Michelle has taught English and Spanish for 25 years. Highlights include her career at the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts in Los Angeles as an Actress and a Dancer for 8 Years performing plays in Spanish and English. Michelle has since continued to teach Spanish, Dance (Latin, Jazz ,Salsa, Tango, Flamenco and Musical Theatre) Theatre, Music and Cooking to children ages 3-14.
Her specialty is Pre-school and Elementary aged children. She incorporates music, puppetry and dance when teaching the youngest of students. She lives with her 17 year old Daughter Malena in Los Angeles.