Studio Biographies

Lynn Galletta - Owner/Artistic Director (no photo available)

Lynn started dancing at the age of 6, and graduated from the National School of Ballet in Toronto, Cananda. After spending time in New York studying with David Howard Ballet and at the Martha Graham School, Galletta performed in Bob Fosse's Pippin as well as On the Town, Cinderella, Cabaret, and many others. She also performed with Alberta Ballet and California Ballet while teaching and choreographing coast to coast. Galletta came to Kitsap County in 1996 and taught and choreographed locally. She recently realized her dream by opening up her own studio and dance company.

        Tammy Humbert - Asst. Director/Instructor/Choreographer

                                         Tammy began dancing at the age of 4 in her home state of Florida. She has more than 20 years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical, and has had the privilege of training with such notable choreographers as Pamela Boling, Roger Minami, and Debbie Allen. As a student, Tammy had the opportunity to study, perform, and compete for companies such as Alvin Ailey, Southern Ballet, and Showstoppers. Her passion for dance led to a career performing on stage and television for corporations like Princess Cruise Lines, Sheraton Casinos, Sea World, and Walt Disney World, where she performed as Snow White, Belle, and Ariel. Tammy moved to Kitsap County in 2005 with her husband and 2 daughters. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies from Western Governors University, and is now honored to be able to share her knowledge and love for dance to others by teaching at Galletta's.

   Chelsea Matthews - Instructor/Choreographer

                                         Chelsea studied dance from the age of 3 and has been in love with dancing ever since. She received most of her training locally at Liberty Bay Danceworks and with their dance company, Dance Ensemble Northwest. While there, Chelsea danced numerous roles in The Nutcracker such as Spanish, Rose, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She also received training at Western Washington University while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. While at Western, Chelsea participated in a student choreographed/student danced show entitled New Music/New Dance. She is excited to be in her home town now working with the Galletta School of Dance and living with her husband, Nathaniel, their dog, Oscar, and their guinea pig, Henry.

 Melissa Barilka - Instructor/Choreographer

                                     Melissa began dancing at age 3 in her home state of Michigan. She has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical. As a student, she earned many awards by attending competitions along the east coast including Starpower, Showbiz, LA Dance Magic, and West Coast Dance Explosion. Melissa moved to Kitsap County in 2006 with her husband and, now working at the Galletta School of Dance, she is able to pass on her passion of dance through teaching others.

 Candice Donehoo-Pullom - Vocal Director

                            Candice has been a member of the Actor's Equity Association for 13 years and has had the privilege of performing with such actors as Haley Mills, Maureen McGovern, Faith Prince, and Marie Osmond just to name a few. She has been seen on the Broadway stage and in national tours of The King and I and Jekyll and Hyde. She has also performed locally at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle in such productions as Sweeney Todd, The Sound of Music, and Miss Saigon. Her performance experience also includes singing with the Atlanta Opera Chorus as well as the Robert Shaw Choral. She has trained 20+ years in voice, piano, acting, and dancing with a concentration primarily on voice. Candice resides in beautiful Poulsbo with her husband and 2 children.

  Kathy Mackley - Costume Mistress

                                  Kathy has been with the studio since we opened. A long time seamstress, she owns and operates her own custom dress making company.

   Erinn Bartlett - Instructor/Choreographer

                                  Erinn started dancing at Liberty Bay Danceworks at the age of 4. She performed with their company, Dance Ensemble Northwest, in various roles like the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Bobo the Beetle in Thumbelina until her graduation from high school in 2005. A former Miss Kingston, she now uses her dance and teaching experience to continue studying and working along with instructor Lynn Galletta here at the Galletta School of Dance.