The Uptown Dance Studio
Trina Ciocca- Director and Owner
Trina's passion for dance began at Lila Turner’s School of Dance in Burley, Idaho, where she spent countless hours mastering tap, jazz, ballet, and acrobatics. From the moment she first stepped onto the dance floor, she was captivated by the art form and knew it would be a lifelong pursuit. Dance holds a special place in Trina's heart, and she has dedicated her life to sharing her love of it with others.
Throughout her high school years, Trina's dedication to dance shone through in her roles as captain of the dance team and co-captain of the drill team. She spent every moment she could dancing or practicing acrobatics, embodying the true meaning of a dance enthusiast. After high school, Trina pursued her academic passions, earning degrees in Physical Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Administration. She spent 32 years sharing her knowledge and love of dance, physical education, and health with students as a public school teacher.
Trina's commitment to excellence in dance led her to become a certified instructor through Dance Educators of America. She studied under the guidance of renowned artists such as Charles Kelly, Nan Giradono, Dolly Kelepecz, Tony Coppola, Louis Kavouras, Steve Sirico, Angela D'Valda Sirico, and Simone Depala. This extensive training enabled her to offer her students a well-rounded dance education.
In 1997, Trina fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own dance studio. She continued to teach dance, P.E., and health for the next 24 years, balancing her studio ownership with her public school teaching career. Her dedication to her students and her passion for dance have been the driving forces behind her success.
Now that Trina has retired from public education, she is fully devoted to her studio and her students. She continues to teach dance and yoga classes, sharing her knowledge and experience with the community. Trina's love for learning has led her to earn her Yoga Teacher Training and Applied Yoga Anatomy certification from Yogi Aaron and The Yogi Club at Blue Osa in Costa Rica. She is also a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Trina's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her passions. From her early days in the dance studio to her current role as a studio owner and educator, she has dedicated herself to sharing the joy of dance and inspiring others to find their own path. With her wealth of experience and continued dedication to growth, Trina is a shining example of the power of pursuing one's dreams with passion and perseverance.
Brooke Ciocca- Assistant Director
Brooke is a passionate dance educator and performer based in Wendell, Idaho. She discovered her love for dance at an early age, growing up in her mother Trina Ciocca's Uptown Dance Studio. Under her mother's guidance, Brooke honed her skills in various dance styles including jazz, tap, ballet, and acrobatics.
Recognizing Brooke's potential and passion, her mother began having her assist her in teaching dance classes at the age of nine. This early exposure to teaching sparked a lifelong enthusiasm for sharing the joy of dance with others.
At age 17 and 18, Brooke completed her Dance Teacher Certification Levels 1 and 2 through Dance Teacher Web in collaboration with the University of Las Vegas. This rigorous program trained her in teaching diverse dance styles such as jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary, creative movement, and dance anatomy. She studied under esteemed professionals including Dolly Kelepecz, Tony Coppola, Louis Kavouras, Steve Sirico, Angela D'Valda Sirico, Simone Depala, Aaron Turner, and Alexa Wong.
Brooke's dedication to dance led her to pursue a formal education in the field. She earned her Associate of Arts in Dance from the College of Southern Idaho, where she danced on the CSI dance team and the Inspirata Dance Project modern company. She then continued her dance studies at the University of Idaho, earning her Bachelor of Science in Dance. During her time at UofI, Brooke studied under renowned professors such as Belle Baggs, Melanie Meenan, Rachel Dodson, and Colleen Bialas. She also had the opportunity to perform and choreograph throughout her university career.
Brooke's education and experience have equipped her with a strong foundation in dance pedagogy and performance. She is now back in Wendell, Idaho, serving as the Assistant Director of Uptown Dance Studio under her mother's guidance and as the head coach of the Uptown Performance Troupe Competitive Dance Team. Brooke is passionate about sharing her love for dance with her community, emphasizing safe dance practices and injury prevention.
In addition to her dance career, Brooke is a kindergarten teacher at Wendell Elementary School and a recent graduate with a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. She is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with the Magic Valley area and beyond.