Our Team

Originally from San Diego, Leila Gardner began her training at the California Ballet School and later at the San Diego School of Ballet. She then went on to attend the University of California, Irvine as a dance major where she performed various soloist roles. In addition, Leila has attended summer programs with American Ballet Theater and the Alabama School of Fine Arts and has trained extensively with Thor Sutowski and Dame Sonia Arova. Professionally, Leila has danced with the San Diego Ballet since 2000. In addition, she has danced for San Diego Opera and was featured in a Ford Commercial. Continuing her education at the University of California, San Diego, Leila received a degree in psychology. Leila has been teaching ballet throughout San Diego county, most extensively at San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. She is also a certified Pilates instructor.

Samantha is a San Diego native who is currently a student at Cuyamaca College studying Communications. She is no stranger to the world of nonprofits, being a chair for The Princess Project, an organization benefitting teen girls. Samantha is bilingual in English and American Sign Language (ASL). When she’s not working or going to school, Samantha loves to take advantage of all that San Diego has to offer, from hiking the mountain trails to relaxing on the beach.

Shantel Mora is a ballet instructor and the Education Services Coordinator in the office at San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. Shantel trained in the art of classical ballet for 20 years and danced in classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, Paquita and Sleeping Beauty. She started her training in “Escuela de Danza Gloria Campobello,” and then received her BA in Dance Education with a focus on classical ballet from “Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey,” in Mexico. While in Monterrey, she worked as the 1st grade teacher of the BA in Classical Ballet in “La Superior” and as a ballet teacher in Freeman Dance Training, where she trained dancers for national and international competitions, such as the YAGP. Besides her training in classical ballet, she has also trained in jazz, contemporary, modern, lyrical, pilates, barre and Spanish dance. She has prepared in summer intensives with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, Ballet Liszt Alfonso, and the National Ballet School of Cuba, in La Habana, Cuba. In 2019, she became a certified teacher by the American Ballet Theatre. In 2024, she participated in the Cross Threads program for ballet teachers in the Opera of Paris. In present time, she dances with the Spanish dance company, “Real Flamenco,” and is pursuing a professional certification from The Flamenco School of Andalucia to become a certified flamenco dancer. She has prepared with courses in administration such as a certificate in “Economics Administration for the Arts” by CONARTE and a diploma in “Organizational Analysis,” by Stanford University. In 2024, she completed an Associate of Science in Business Management.

Justin Flores, Dipl.O.M., LAc is a graduate of the Houston Ballet Academy and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Science degree from Pacific College of Health and Science. He has performed with the Houston Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Smuin Ballets/SF, ODC Dance, The Foundry, Liss Fain Dance Company, Capacitor Performance Group, Deborah Slater Dance Theater, Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, Peter Kyle Dance, Ballet X, Malashock Dance, The California Ballet and was most recently a soloist with The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He has given performances in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and has appeared on PBS’ Great Performances and Live From Lincoln Center. Mr. Flores is also a musician, a neuromuscular reeducation specialist and is licensed nationally by the NCCAOM and the California Acupuncture Council (CAC) to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. His private practice in Hillcrest specializes in dance medicine. He is a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and is the company therapist for City Ballet of San Diego, Golden State Ballet, and The Rosin Box Project. For more information on his movement therapies, visit www.restorebodynow.com.

Kinjal Kurani is originally from Gujarat, India, and began practicing the Indian classical dance form “Bharatanatyam” at the age of 6, and she trained professionally for 8 years. After relocating to San Diego from India at the age of 16, her artistic passion flourished further. She started teaching at the age of 17, and to further pursue her passion, she started an Indian dance academy at the age of 20. That’s when she was introduced to visual media. At that time, in addition to teaching dance, she began her journey of entrepreneurship which included filming dance videos, producing marketing materials for brand awareness, and business/client management. After graduating from college with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts specializing in films and production from CSUSM, she interned at two different film production companies, while also learning about business developmental, production, and post-production roles. Her passion for visual and performing arts stems from her upbringing in a family of artists and performers, which instilled in her a deep appreciation for the arts and their ability to inspire and connect people.

Lovet is originally from Tijuana, Mexico. At the age of five, she took her first steps into the world of dance. Her training encompassed a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, flamenco, musical theater, and Spanish dance. She had the opportunity of studying at L’Ecole de Danse Ballet-Etudes in Lyon, France, Escuela Nacional de Ballet Fernando Alonso in Havana, Cuba and she she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dance at Escuela de Danza Gloria Campobello in Tijuana, Mexico. In addition to her career as a dancer, Lovet is a certified instructor in Barre and PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), demonstrating her commitment not only to her own growth but also to teaching and developing new generations of artists. Currently, she shares her vast experience as a dance teacher and fitness coach, inspiring her students with her passion and knowledge. Her insatiable thirst for learning constantly drives her to seek new techniques and opportunities to continue enriching her practice and acquiring greater knowledge.