OUR instructors
all bliss dance company instructors are "homegrown"
Fatena "Fae" Salfiti
Founder/Owner/Artistic Director/Resident Choreographer/Poet/Host/Performing Artist
Fae created BDC in 2004, 2 years after creating our Rec Program in 2002. We found our home at BUAC in 2011. With an extensive background in Theatre and several styles of dance, Fae brought her love for the arts from Daly City to Vacaville in 2002 and has dedicated her purpose and passion to creating an artistic and safe space for people to be themselves and love each other through the arts. Fae has the following degrees and certifications: AA psychology CCSF, Certificate in African American Heritage Dance CCSF, Certificate in a Theatre Arts 2 year conservatory (ATP) SCC, BA in theatre Arts CSUS, Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist and Health Educator National Holistic Institute, Reiki Practitioner 1st and 2nd Degree. Fae has received 6 Solano County Arty Awards for Choreography.
Alexis "Lex" Arbolado
Team Director/Resident Choreographer/Performing Artist
Lex has been dancing with BDC since 2014. She has also trained in "MOTUS The Company" with Diana Matos and trained in "We are the Industry Standard with Matt Day. Lex is a local artist and graduated with a Bachelors in Business Entrepreneurship from CSUS.
Ariel Krystyne
Team Director/Rec Instructor/Resident Choreographer/Performing Artist
Ariel has been teaching with BDC since 2016. Award-winning choreographer. Founder and CEO of Back to Business Dance Convention. For NBA dancer and choreographer. Director of Hip Hop at Hawkins School of Performing Arts. Galen Hooks Method and LA Establishment Alumni. BA in Psychology from CSUS.
Chaylee "Chay" Baumgardner
Team Director/Resident Choreographer/Performing Artist
Chaylee has dancing with BDC since 2014. She is also an artist and owner of ChaysCreationss LLC.
Malay Mitchell
Team Director/Resident Choreographer/Performing Artist
BDC member since 2016. Currently in school for Nursing.
Scholarship recipient from Monsters of Hip Hop.
Iyana "Yana" Nanney
Rec Instructor/Resident Choreographer/Performing Artist
Iyana is a former Bliss kid turned instructor, with years of experience running a day care.
Salim Qamar
Resident Choreographer/Mentorship Director/Performing Artist
Salim has been dancing with BDC for 16 years. Salim is also on a team called The HT3, has also trained with 1UP Crew (Oakland) and has a background in Theatre. Salim also teaches at Legends Dance Studio in Hercules. Salim also makes music mixes and edits videos for BDC. Salim has also won a Solano County ARTY award for Choreography.