NVDC Staff Mission Statement: Our staff is committed to leading by example with a friendly, engaging and driven approach. We always come prepared, maintain a positive attitude, and demonstrate a strong work ethic. As responsible and dependable role models, we strive to create a kind and supportive atmosphere for all of our students.
Jacqi Muratori, Director
Jacqi was born and raised in Napa, Ca. She began her dance career at the age of three. She studied dance at Academy of Danse for fifteen years. She also taught numerous classes there and private lessons. She was a member of the competition team and helped choreograph numerous pieces. Jacqi trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, and Tap with Academy of Danse.
After graduating high school, Jacqi moved to Orange County to attend the University of California, Irvine where she studied English Literature. UC Irvine has a very strong dance program, and Jacqi instantly became involved in it. She took numerous dance classes, and auditioned and performed in many performances with the dance department. At UC Irvine, she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, and Contemporary. While in Orange County she also took several classes at local studios and taught at a few as well. She trained in Hip Hop, Lyrical and Contemporary at these studios. During this time Jacqi was also working for the UCI University Club, a non- profit catering business on the UC Irvine campus.
Once Jacqi finished her Bachelor’s degree, she continued living in Orange County and began her Master’s degree program at Chapman University. As Jacqi was working on her Master’s degree, she was promoted to General Manager of the non-profit she worked for. She ran the business for two years. After completion of her Master’s degree she moved back to Napa to be closer to family and began teaching dance again.
She soon realized that teaching dance wasn’t enough and she wanted to open her own dance school more than anything. Since this can be extremely costly, Jacqi began working as a full-time 911 Dispatcher for the Napa Police Department. She worked for the Police Department for 13 years before finally resigning in 2023 to accomplish her ultimate goal of directing a dance school full time.
Jacqi loves being able to serve her community, which is what kept her in the Dispatch center for so long. She now can serve her community in other ways with NV Dance Company. She is married and has two sons, Mack (8) and Hank (6).
Jacqi currently teaches Pre-Ballet, Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, Advanced Ballet, Pre-Point, Pointe, our Technique Strength and Skills series and is the head coach for the NVDC Competitive Team.
Charlotte Shane
Charlotte has been dancing for 16 years. This year, she will be attending the University of South Carolina and majoring in Dance Education. Charlotte previously danced at NV Dance Company where she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary and Tap. She loves to share her devotion and love for dance with her students and classmates.
Charlotte was on the NVDC Competitive TEAM for three years. In 2022 she self-choreographed a Lyrical solo and placed 1st overall at Headliners Dance Competition and received a special judges award for her performance. She also won a Platinum award at Celebrity Dance Competition for the same piece.
Charlotte taught numerous classes at NVDC and will continue to be a guest teacher and choreographer as time permits with her academic studies.
Rachel Richied
Rachel graduated from Justin Siena High School in 2020. Rachel was a member of the JSHS Cheerleading team all four years. She has been teaching Hip Hop for NV Dance Company for the last two years. She is a Communications major at Sonoma State University and about to start her Junior year there. She currently teaches Hip Hop and Jazz. Miss Rachel is also an assistant coach for the NVDC competitive team.
Maite Melgoza
Maite was born in Mexico and raised in California. She is the youngest of 3. Since she was little she has always had a passion for gymnastics and dance. She started off with gymnastics for five years as a gymnast and switched over to dance for eight years (Jazz and Pointe were always her favorite). While dancing she coached gymnastics for six years. She taught kids from ages 1 to 16. She has always loved to share and teach others what she knows and watch them learn to love it as well. Maite teaches Acro at NVDC.
Tiffanie Feigel
Tiffanie started dancing at Pepperettes when she was three years old and immediately fell in love with it. Tap quickly became her favorite. She started student teaching at 13 years old. She continued to take dance classes with Pepperettes until she left for college. While she was getting her college degree from Chico State University, she joined the Chico State Dance Department and tapped with them. Since moving back to Napa, she has been able to teach dance classes here and there. She is very excited to have the opportunity to share her love for tap with the students at NV Dance Company. Tiffanie is a mother of 4 and is also a teacher for NVUSD. She currently teaches Kindergarten at West Park Elementary. Tiffanie teaches Tap at NVDC.
Francia Cortes
Francia started dancing at Napa Valley Ballet at the age of 10. She quickly fell in love with Ballet and trained numerous hours per week. She has been dancing at NVDC for the past 4 years and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, Acro and was a member of the NVDC Competitive team for two years. She was also a member of the Vintage High School Cheerleading team for two years. Francia loves sharing her passion for Ballet with her students. She is now a Freshman at UC Berkeley and will continue to teach and create choreography for NVDC as her academic schedule permits.
Taylor Chavez
Taylor grew up in Napa and started dancing at the age of three at Academy of Danse. She continued until High School when she joined the Vintage High School Color Guard Team. Taylor was a member of the VHS Color Guard Team for 4 years. After graduating, she continued teaching color guard for eight years at Vintage, Napa and American Canyon High School. She also performed in the InMotion Performance Ensemble for color guard in 2018. Taylor has been an assistant coach for the NVDC Competitive Team for the past two years and will continue to assist and choreograph for the 24/25 season. Taylor is currently teaching Lyrical/Contemporary at NVDC.
Lavender Muscatine
Lavender has been dancing at NVDC for the past five years. Prior to finding her love for dance, Lavender was a competitive gymnast. Lavender started gymnastics when she was two and went on to compete for the Gymnastics Zone Gold Team for two years. She competed at eleven competitions and went to state. Lavender has also been a member of the NVDC Competitive Team for four years. Lavender has choreographed her own solo two years in a row and received top awards from all of the competitions attended, including a judges award for her amazing performance. She placed 7th overall at Fluid Nationals. She is currently a choreographer for the NVDC Competitive Team and subs for regular classes.
Kacie Young
Kacie Young is a well rounded dancer in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, Modern, and Breakdancing. Kacie’s love for dance started by the age of 18 months, at 5 years old she wanted to be a professional dancer. Kacie danced competitively from the age of 5 to 19 years old with solo’s, duo’s, and group dances in all genres. Kacie is currently attending college at DVC College as a dance major. Kacie teaches Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, and is an assistant coach for the NVDC competitive team.
