Teacher Bios

Taryn Chavez. Taryn Chavez is a seasoned teacher and performer originally hailing from Southern California.
Taryn teaches jazz, lyrical, and tap. A versatile dancer herself, Taryn has performed in Debbie Allen’s West
Coast Version of Pepito’s Story, which was featured at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. In 2006,
Chavez was awarded a scholarship for her work in choreography and performance at Orange Coast College.
In addition, Chavez has also danced with Rhapsody in Taps Company, under the direction of Bob Carroll
and Linda Sohl-Ellision. Taryn is currently the artistic director for Orange County Dance and Theater Arts,
as well as a guest teacher at California State University, Long Beach.

Lindajoy (L.J.) Tashiro-Nafarrete grew up in Southern California and
graduated from Orange County High School of the Arts. While attending
Chapman University on a scholarship, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Theatre and Dance with an emphasis in Dance Performance. During that time
she also received several awards including Freshman of the Year,
Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Performance. She attended the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York on scholarship. She also
holds her certification in Pilates through Body Arts and Science International.
L.J. has extensive training in Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, and
Dunham (Afro-Carribean). In addition to concert performances, she has
danced in a variety of modern media, including music and fitness videos, and
live television. As well as teaching various seminars and master classes. She
joined Backhausdance, a contemporary Modern Dance company, in 2003 as a
founding member. She is excited to share her passion for the art of dance and
movement with the students of DKCBA.